Yemen

Ancient History, a Rich Culture, and Breathtaking Scenes Nation.

Yemen is a nation that has a long history, a rich culture, and a diverse landscape found in the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula. Yemen is ancient in architecture, local customs, and landscapes filled with romance and everything a person could be interested in; this is the right place to explore the world of the past and modern civilization. The amount of cultural and historical value that Yemen possesses harbors despite some of the problems that the country has had to go through, in recent years, is immense.

Today we are going to take a closer look at the geography, history, culture, economy, and the attractions that you need tracing in Yemen, and there is a great amount of information about it in this guide.

In case you want to find more information regarding this country, such as its flag, language, area, currency, and population, you can produce and download free  this information by visit in our Random Country Generator tool. 

Note: The tool provides rapid research access on relevant country facts that can be used both in school and personal application

Geographical Location

Yemen is found at the south West corner of the Arabian Peninsula and it shares a north-western border with Saudi Arabia, an eastern border with Oman, and a west-most border with the Red Sea. The country is within the Gulf of Aden in the southern part that divides Yemen and Somalia and the Horn of Africa. Yemen is also the second-largest nation in the Arabian Peninsula with a size of about 527, 968 square kilometers after Saudi Arabia.

The strategic position of the country has always been an issue of national interest as it renders the country as a vital point in trade between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. It has been made important as a commercial and cultural centre due to its close location to strategic sea routes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Landforms and Natural Characteristics

The topography of Yemen is so diverse with the coastal plains, windswept mountains, deserts and fertile valleys. The West Hajar Mountains and the Hadramawt Mountains offer dramatic landscape and a lot of traditional settlements of Yemen are located there. Tihama coastal plain of red sea in Yemen is a region with a very hot and arid climate, whereas fertile valleys are seen in the highland plateau such as Sana-a valley.

The nation also has a few islands including Socotra island in the Arabian sea which is the most renowned. Socotra is famous with its endemic flora and fauna, several species of which are not identified anywhere in the world.

History of Ancients and Middle Ages

The history of Yemen is very interesting and dates back in ancient times. Great civilizations such as the Sabaeans who dominated Yemen sometime between 1000 BCE until the 3 rd century CE existed in the region. They are advanced in terms of architecture, irrigation system, and trade route, where the Sabaeans had contact with ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome.

Both the Bible and the Quran make accounts of the Kingdom of Saba (also spelled as Sheba). The Marib Dam is a creation of early engineering admiration that demonstrates how ingenious the Sabaeans were and how they could manage the water sources in the barren land.

Yemen was also a strategic influence during the spread of Islam in the 7 th century and the Zaydi dynasty which governed some provinces of Yemen several centuries were very influential in the history of Islamic religion.

Influence of the Ottoman and British

At the beginning of the 16th century, Yemen was conquered by the Ottoman Empire that controlled most of the Arabian Peninsula. Ottomans deployed the military in Yemen, but they were greatly opposed by the local tribes. Even after the Ottoman rule, the Imamate system or local governance based on religious leaders, went on in Yemen.

The British Empire used Yemen as an important place during the 19 th century as it used Aden as a port and a docking station for coaling oil. Aden was a very important British colony because of its location on the routes of shipping between Europe, Africans, and Asia.

History in Modern times and Unification

During the 20th century, Yemen was split into two, including North Yemen, which formed the Yemen Arab Republic in 1962, and South Yemen, which was a part of the British colony until it turned independent in 1967 and was renamed the PeopleDemocratic Republic of Yemen. The two divisions remained distinct till 1990 when they came in unison to produce the contemporary state of Yemen.

But following the unification, Yemen was hit by a string of challenges such as political instability, economical challenges and a civil war, which started in 2014, posing major humanitarian issues.

For an in-depth travel guide, visit the Official tourism guide for Yemen

Diversity and Ethnic and Religious Diversity

Yemen is a country with an approximate population of 30 million people of whom the great majority are Arabs. It is ethnically homogeneous with a small population of other people like Africans and Indians. Most Yemenis are Muslims and they mostly belong to the Shia and Sunni religions, most of the people adhere to the Zaydi branch of Shia Islam. Small Christian and Jewish communities also exist though, nowadays, they are extremely limited.

The culture of Yemen is immensely entangled with the Islam religion and religion forms a principal theme in everyday life. The cultural tradition of the country consists in poetry, music, dance and festivities which are indicative of Arab origins.

Traditions and Cultural practices

The long history of Yemen has had an effect on the culture of the country which has been shaped by different civilizations and empires that ruled it. In the country, the traditional dress is worn daily, especially the thobe worn by men and the abaya worn by women.

Poetry is considered among the richest art forms in Yemen and the traditions of long oral storytelling and poetry recitals are old in Yemen. Another important component of the Yemeni culture is music and dancing; many traditional instruments such as the qanbus (a stringed instrument), and darbuka (a drum) are played during the cultural performances.

Another significant cultural feature in Yemen is its cuisine where such food as mandi (meat and spice rice dish), salta (stew), and bint al-sahn (cake made of honey) are main parts of traditional cuisine. Yemen is also famous through its coffee that is thought to be the beginning of the coffee in the region.

Oil and natural resources

Yemen has relied historically on oil exports, and it is among the low-sized oil producers in the Middle East. Yet, the oil sector in Yemen has been affected by the downturned production and ruin of infrastructures as a result of the current conflict. The nation possesses major quantities of natural gas and it is in the process of harnessing its gas industry.

Agriculture and Water Resources

Yemen has depended on agriculture which is a pivotal sector of its activities, as it grows cotton, coffee, fruit, and grains. Yet the agricultural industry in Yemen is quite affected by scarce water resources and the problems caused by constant conflicts.

The shortage of water is one of the major problems in Yemen. Natural freshwater is low in the country and the people have always depended on underground water contained in aquifers which are fast crumbling.

Tourism Potential

In the middle of all these problems, Yemen has enormous tourism potential, characterized by a breathtaking landscape, petrified cities and monuments. The ongoing conflict has however dealt a big blow to tourism in Yemen. The country has plenty of attractions, including Socotra Island with its flora and fauna not found anywhere else like it and Shibam, the Manhattan of the desert, in which its buildings are made of mud bricks and reach skyscraper heights.

Historical and Culture Sites

Old Sana’a is an ancient city that is a UNESCO World Heritage site and which is characterized by very beautiful architectural designs, such as mudbrick houses that have beautiful and elaborate designs on their facades and narrow streets.

Shibam- The city is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage site list due to its unusual mud-brick multi-storey structures. It represents the ancient architectural skill of the country.

Al Saleh Mosque -This modern architectural mosque is a monument in the Arab world and one of the largest mosques in the Arab world.

Natural Attractions

Socotra Island – Socotra Island has a rich and diverse ecosystem comprising several species whose existence is only found in this particular island.

Wadi Hadramawt-A beautiful desert valley which has traditional mud-brick towns and spectacular views of the scenes of the surrounding mountains.

RafM’ah Mountains– Relatively beautiful and full of biodiversity, the mountains are the most remarkable sites that can also be explored through trekking.

Healthcare System

The healthcare system in Yemen is particularly troubled because of the conflict and lack of sufficient resources. Although there are several hospitals and medical complexes in big cities, small towns have very little access to medical services and there is a major shortage in medical goods and medical workers.

Education System

The war has disrupted the education system in Yemen where most of the schools are either damaged or have been closed. It has, however , a highly appreciative value to education and the country is doing a lot to revive the education structure. In Yemen, there is also an upward trend in the literacy rate of Yemenis but provision of quality education in certain places is still a challenge.

Ideal Seasons

The ideal time to travel Yemen is during winter (November to February) as there is cooler outdoor weather. It gets very hot during the summer months particularly in the desert areas.

Conclusion:

Yemen is a nation of colossal cultural and historical importance. Yemen is one of the countries of ancient miracles, strong people and great natural beauty. Yemen is a country with beautiful landscapes, great cultural life and possibilities to rest oneself being a tourist, and, still, it continues to attract more and more people who can afford to visit this wonderful country.

Most Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to travel to Yemen?

The most appropriate season to visit Yemen is November to February because the weather is cool and comfortable to go outside.

Which are the best places in Yemen?

Some of the popular places of attraction are Old Sana, Shibam and Socotra Island.

Which are the languages spoken in Yemen?

Its official language is the Arabic one, and many individuals also speak English.

How does the Yemen economy work?

The economy of Yemen is founded on oil, crops, and natural resources, however, Yemen is fighting with water shortage and this war.

Is Yemen a tourist-friendly country?

Yemen is not a safe destination to visit as it is considered because of the continuing conflict. One should also ensure that the current advice on trips is looked into before travel.

Which cultural festivals are there to be experienced in Yemen?

Another cultural event that needs to be experienced in Yemen is the Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha celebrations and the Al-Mahrah Festival which is an annual event.