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About Yemen:

Yemen

Republic of Yemen

Flag& Emblem:

Time zone:

G.M.T.+3hrs.

Economy:

Yemen has adopted an economic policy based on free economy. The market mechanism encourages the private sector giving it a major role in the development of the country’s economy. The economic policy ensures private ownership, which can not be forfeited except for public interest and then with fair compensation. The investment law has created many investments opportunities and provided incentive to local and foreign investment in all aspects of the economy.

Entry Ports:

It is possible to enter the Republic of Yemen through all international airports of Sana’a, Aden, Al Hodeidah, al Rayan and Taiz. You can also inter through the main seaports : , Aden port (the free Zone and it is the biggest port in Yemen) ,Al Hodeidah on the Red Sea, Al Mokha on the Red Sea and Al Mukala on the Arabian Sea.

It is possible to enter to Yemen through land entries, such as Haradh and Al Buqa’a in the North ( from Saudi Arabia 's borders) and Hadnut in the East (from Oman's borders).

Currency:

It is Yemeni Rail (YR) and visitors can exchange currencies in banks and in exchange establishments.

Religion:

Islam is the official religion. There is a Jewish minority, too.

Population:

23,013,376 (July 2008 est.)
Language: Arabic

Area:

The total area o f Yemen is approximately 555,000 km2, excluding Al Rub al-Khali (The Empty Quarter Desert).

Geographical Divisions:

In view of its topographical structure, the Republic of Yemen is divided into five regions:

1. Mountains

2. Highlands

3. Coasts

4. Empty Quarter

5. The Yemen Islands

Mountain region with heights ranging between 1000-3666m. High

The western mountain range represents a large area of the country. It is the range called Al-Sarat Mountains stretching longitudinally from the north to the south and transversally from the west to the east, which resembles the letter "L". These heights go down in different directions. They descend sharply westwards to the Red Sea, southwards to the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea, and eastwards and northwards to the interior desert areas. In the mountain heights, stretching from the north to the south, there are a number of basins (beds), of considerable agricultural importance with large populations, such as Sana'a basin, Yarim basin, Jahran flatland, Sa'da flatland, Alboun flatland, Aqwat Hadhramout bed and Si'aith bed in Mahara. The most prominent mountains in these heights are the mountains of Attaq, Bayhan, Mukairas, Al-Dhalie', Yafie', Sabra, Hadhour Alsheikh, Miswar and Prophet Shu'aib which at 3766m above sea level is the highest mountain in Arabia.

The Highland Region:

This area lies to the east and north of the mountainous heights going in parallel to the heights towards the Empty Quarter. The maximum height of this area is 1000m gradually descending. Such area is represented by the highlands in Sana'a, Al-Jouf, Shabwa, Hadhramout and Mahara. The out- skirts of this area in the north overlap with the Empty Quarter.

The Coastal Area:

This area includes the coastal plains overlooking the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea. They are connected to each other forming a coastal strip that extends from the Oman border south- westward to Bab Al-Mandab. This strip then changes its direction northward to the borders of Saudi Arabia, thus making it more than 2400km. long. The width of the plains ranges from 30 to 60 km.

The Empty Quarter:

This area consists of desert plains covered with gravel, sand and sandy dunes, Evolving in some parts desert plants and vast oases that were formed due to the collection of the seasonal water. The wandering nomads because of its pastoral land inhabit it.

The Yemeni Islands:

This part of the country consists of islands scattered along the coast of Yemen. There are 120 islands, most of which are located in the Red Sea. The biggest islands are Kamaran, Greater Hannish, Minor Hannish, and the rest of Archipelago, Zaqar, Zubair, AL-Tayr and the strategic island of Meon at the Bab Al-Mandeb. In addition there are islands located in the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea, the largest of which is Soqotra.

Climate:

Since Yemen is endowed with a varied topography, the climate, in general, also varies, although there are no major seasonal differences. We can say there are two long seasons: summer and winter during summer, the temperature and humidity are high in the coastal areas, while the climate is moderate during winter. From time to time the rainfall, due to the monsoon, moderates the temperature over the coastal areas in summer. In the mountain areas, the weather is moderate in summer and cold in winter during the night and in the early morning, but the bright sunrays raise the temperature during the day making the weather very moderate in these parts of the country.

Location:

The Republic of Yemen lies in the South of Arabia (The Arabian Peninsula), south-west of Asia, between latitudes 12 and 20 degrees to the north of the equator, and between longitudes 41and 54 degrees to the south of Greenwich, bordered on the north by Saudi Arabia, on the south by the Arab Sea and the Gulf of Aden, on the east by the Sultanate of Oman and on the west by the Red Sea.

Aden City is where commercial activity proceeds from dawn to dawn … with its boisterous Gulf, its fair mountains, impenetrable fortresses and pleasant coast welcomes its visitors every day – as a free port – by sea and air round the clock

Taiz Governorate:

Lies to the north west of the Yemeni Republic bordered from north by the two govemorates of Hudaida and Ibb and from the north east Al Daleh govemorate, from south - east.with Lahj Governorate and from the west the Red Sea. Its capital city is Taiz, 256 from the capital Sana’ to the west.

Hodeidah Governorate:

Historically, Hodeidah governorate was known by the name of “Tehama of Yemen” due to its location on the coastal plains of Tehama extended along the Red Sea coasts. It is characterized by its hot climate and calm winds. According to the ancient language of the Yemeni scriptures, Tehama was mentioned as “Tod” the Mountain.

Hadramout governorate lies in the eastern part of Yemen between Al-Mahra governorate from east and Shabwa governorate from west and extends north in side Al-Ruba Al khali desert, the southern coasts overlook the Arab sea, Al-Mukalla the capital is 777km from Sana’a across Marib-Attaq-Al-Mukalla paved road.

Shabwa Governorate:

Located within the geographic zone historically known as Yemen east between Ma’rib and Hadramout governorates, it comprises areas of different relieves, plains, mounts and deserts extending north towards Al Rub’ Al khali Desert and long coasts on the Arab sea.

Al-Mahweet Governorate:

The Governorate of Al-Mahweet is deemed to be one of the most fascinating areas for natural landscape views, due to the multitude of its water springs and streams.

Hajjah Governorate:

The Governorate of Hajjah is situated 127 northwest of the Capital City of Sana'a.

Abyan Governorate:

The Governorate of Abyan Governorate is bounded by the Governorates of Aden, Al-Dhali'a, Al-Beidha and Shabwa. It has a long coastline that extends for 300 km, which yields fish of the finest quality. The climate of Abyan Governorate is moderate in the winter and hot in the summer.

Marib Governorate:

This governorate was named after the name of the well-known city of Marib, the Capital of the Sabaean Kingdom in the ancient times. It involves the most outstanding symbols of the ancient Yemeni civilization, which flourished mainly in the first millennium BC. The new city of Marib the capital of the province lies at a distance of 172 km to the east of Sana’a.

Sana’a:

Old City of Sana’a:

Province: Sana’a.

Situated in a mountain valley at an altitude of 2,200 m, Sana’a has been inhabited for more than 2,500 years. In the 7th and 8th centuries the city became a major centre for the propagation of Islam. This religious and political heritage can be seen in the 103 mosques, 14 hammams and over 6,000 houses, all built before the 11th century. Sana’a’s many-storeyed tower-houses built of rammed earth (pisé) add to the beauty of the site.

(Source: UNESCO website)
Shibam-Hadramout

Old Walled City of Shibam:

Province: Hadramout

Surrounded by a fortified wall, the 16th-century city of Shibam is one of the oldest and best examples of urban planning based on the principle of vertical construction. Its impressive tower-like structures rise out of the cliff and have given the city the nickname of ‘the Manhattan of the desert’.

Historic Town of Zabid:

Province: Al-Hudayda

Zabid's domestic and military architecture and its urban plan make it an outstanding archaeological and historical site. Besides being the capital of Yemen from the 13th to the 15th century, the city played an important role in the Arab and Muslim world for many centuries because of its Islamic university.

Socotra Archipelago:

Socotra Archipelago, in the northwest Indian Ocean near the Gulf of Aden, is 250 km long and comprises four islands and two rocky islets which appear as a prolongation of the Horn of Africa. The site is of universal importance because of its biodiversity with rich and distinct flora and fauna: 37% of Socotra’s 825 plant species, 90% of its reptile species and 95% of its land snail species do not occur anywhere else in the world. The site also supports globally significant populations of land and sea birds (192 bird species, 44 of which breed on the islands while 85 are regular migrants), including a number of threatened species. The marine life of Socotra is also very diverse, with 253 species of reef-building corals, 730 species of coastal fish and 300 species of crab, lobster and shrimp.

Outstanding Universal Value:

Values

Socotra is globally important for biodiversity conservation because of its exceptionally rich and distinct flora and fauna. 37% of Socotra’s plant species, 90% of its reptile species and 95% of its land snail species do not occur anywhere else in the world. Socotra is of particular importance to the Horn of Africa’s biodiversity hotspot and, as one of the most biodiversity rich and distinct islands in the world, has been termed the “Galápagos of the Indian Ocean”.

Criterion (x): Biological diversity and threatened species: Socotra is globally important for biodiversity conservation because of its exceptional level of biodiversity and endemism in many terrestrial and marine groups of organisms. Socotra is particularly important for its diversity of plants and has 825 plant species of which 307 (37%) are endemic. Socotra has high importance for bird species as underlined by the identification by Birdlife International of 22 Important Bird Areas on Socotra. Socotra also supports globally significant populations of other land and sea birds, including a number of threatened species. Extremely high levels of endemism occur in Socotra’s reptiles (34 species, 90% endemism) and land snails (96 species, 95% endemism). The marine life of Socotra is also very diverse, with 253 species of reef-building corals, 730 species of coastal fish and 300 species of crab, lobster and shrimp, and well represented in the property’s marine areas.

Integrity:

The property is of sufficient size to adequately represent all the terrestrial and marine features and processes that are essential for the long term conservation of the archipelago’s rich and distinct biodiversity. The terrestrial nature sanctuaries, national parks and areas of special botanical interest included in the property encompass about 75% of the total land area. They protect all the major vegetation types, areas of high floral and faunal values, and important bird areas. The marine nature sanctuaries included in the property encompass the most important elements of marine biodiversity. The property’s integrity is further enhanced by terrestrial and marine buffer zones that are not part of the inscribed property.

Yemen is Arabia's Undiscovered gem. It is a country where you can find the world's oldest skyscrapers, spectacular mountaintop villages, pristine coral reefs, and stunningly gorgeous trees unseen anywhere else on earth.

You can journey through one of the world's largest expanse of sand, or marvel at greenery so lush you'd wonder if you were in Arabia.

This is a country that breaths history through every pore, not only through its ancient ruins and monuments, but also through its traditions and culture which remain a part of everyday life.

Yet so little is known about the Real Yemen, that when visitors travel across the country, it is almost always a beautiful voyage of discovery.

From the breathtaking ancient skyscrapers of Shibam to the traditional Suqs of Sana'a and the unspoiled natural beauty of Socotra, you will learn a lot about what Yemen has to offer.

Hadramout Governorate: