Facts about Hajj, one of world’s largest annual gatherings

Mecca: The Muslim hajj which begins on Tuesday in western Saudi Arabia is one of the world's largest annual gatherings.

• Almost 1.4 million pilgrims from around the world have already arrived. A total of over two million, including thousands from within Saudi, are expected.
• The world's largest Muslim-populated nation, Indonesia, has sent more than 168,000 pilgrims.
• 80 percent of international pilgrims come in official hajj delegations from their countries. The other 20 percent come with tourism companies.
• About 100,000 police have been deployed to secure the hajj, maintain safety of pilgrims, and manage traffic and crowds.
• The health ministry has mobilised 25,000 additional healthcare workers. To care for ailing pilgrims it has 5,000 beds, including 500 for intensive care.
• There are eight "seasonal hospitals" which complement permanent medical facilities.
• 12 new plasma screens, each more than two metres (yards) wide, will broadcast messages to pilgrims outside the Grand Mosque.
• The Grand Mosque is being expanded by roughly 400,000 square metres which is the equivalent of more than 50 football pitches
• The average spending for every pilgrim coming from abroad is between $4,600 to $5,000 during hajj season, according to Maher Jamal, chairman of the Mecca Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
• 740 fire hydrants and 800 taps are connected to a 100-kilometre water network, helping to ensure fire safety at Mina, where fireproof tents can accommodate 2.6 million pilgrims.