Confusion with the use of と in article


Im reading this
[article](https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/easy/k10011584661000/k10011584661000.html)
and I don't think I fully understand the use of the **と** in this context. My
translation seems off with it being converted to an "and". What is the と
really supposed to represent here?

> イスラム教の人がサウジアラビアのメッカ **と** その近くへ祈りに行く「ハッジ」が始まりました My Translation: Hajj has
> started, which is where Islamic people go to pray at a vicinity and Saudi
> Arabia's Mecca.




The と means "and".

「メッカ **と** その近く」 = "Mecca **and** its vicinity"

> イスラム教の人がサウジアラビアの **メッカとその近く** へ祈りに行く「ハッジ」が始まりました。  
>  Hajj, in which Muslims go to pray in **Mecca and its vicinity** in Saudi
> Arabia, has started.




The と means "and".

「メッカ **と** その近く」 = "Mecca **and** its vicinity"

> イスラム教の人がサウジアラビアの **メッカとその近く** へ祈りに行く「ハッジ」が始まりました。  
>  Hajj, in which Muslims go to pray in **Mecca and its vicinity** in Saudi
> Arabia, has started.

