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the Degree Confluence Project
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Saudi Arabia : Makka al-Mukarrama

13.1 km (8.1 miles) SSW of al-Abwā', Makka, Saudi Arabia
Approx. altitude: 123 m (403 ft)
([?] maps: Google MapQuest OpenStreetMap ConfluenceNavigator)
Antipode: 23°S 141°W

Accuracy: 3 m (9 ft)
Quality: good

Click on any of the images for the full-sized picture.

#2: View to the South #3: View to the West #4: View to the North #5: View to the East #6: GPS Reading #7: Ground Zero #8: The Confluence Hunters #9: Jeddah Tower

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  23°N 39°E (visit #3)  

#1: The Confluence from 20 m Distance

(visited by Rainer Mautz)

19-Dec-2019 -- This is the 13th out of 21 successful revisits plus 2 unsuccessful attempts on unvisited confluences in Saudi Arabia. The story starts at 28°N 48°E and continues from 25°N 38°E.

This point is located half way between the coastal cities of Yanbu and Jeddah. It is located 2.7 km east of main Highway 5. But it is possible to half the straight-line distance to a road by leaving the highway 15 km to the north and take a minor road that runs parallel to Highway 5. We decided to attempt the first approach, which minimises the driving part.

We stopped in 2.7 km distance direct at the highway – which is legal in Saudi Arabia. While Elionora was waiting with the car, I had to cross the road and crawl under two animal fences. Then it was an easy stroll up to a distance of 1.5 km, where the sandy gravel-plain ended. A steep slope of a hill with boulders was in front of me. After a short climb, I found myself on a plateau with scattered boulders. The going was quite fast, since there is a network of car tracks.

The confluence is located on that huge field of round basalt boulders. Besides a single tree and some dry grass there are not many features. Because the confluence is in a depression, there are no far views possible, but nearby it is possible to see the coast.

After visiting the confluence point, we continued to Saudi Arabia’s second largest city Jeddah. The first feature that we visit was the unfinished and abandoned construction of Jeddah Tower.

CP Visit Details:

  • Distance to a road: 1.3 km / 2.7 km
  • Distance to a track: 100 m
  • Distance of car parking: 2.7 km
  • Time to reach the confluence from the car: 40 minutes
  • Time at the confluence: 12:36 PM
  • Measured height: 123 m
  • Minimal distance according to GPS: 0 m
  • Position accuracy: 3 m
  • Topography: slightly hilly
  • Vegetation: dry grass, a single tree
  • Weather: sunny, 31° C (felt temperature)
  • Given Name: The Rock-Labyrinth Confluence

The story continues at 21°N 40°E.

More pictures of the trip can be found here.


 All pictures
#1: The Confluence from 20 m Distance
#2: View to the South
#3: View to the West
#4: View to the North
#5: View to the East
#6: GPS Reading
#7: Ground Zero
#8: The Confluence Hunters
#9: Jeddah Tower
ALL: All pictures on one page