
What are the major mountains in Yemen?
Yemen's eastern mountains slope down into hills that merge with the sands of the Rub'al-Khali desert. Other hill areas include the Hadhramawt and Al Mahra uplands in the east. Throughout Yemen, the foothills of mountain ranges are terraced for farming.
Which mountain is the highest point in Yemen?
Other Major Mountains in Yemen
- Jaabal ash Sha’r. The elevation of the mountain is 10,102 feet above sea level. ...
- Jabal Zufar. Jabal Zufar is located in Yarim with an elevation of 9,856 feet above sea level. ...
- Rounding Out the Top Ten. The elevation of Jabal Kanwab is 9,708 feet above sea level, and it is located in Ar Ryashyyah. ...
What is the terrain like in Yemen?
Yemen's topography is varied with coastal plains adjacent to hills and mountains. In addition, Yemen also has desert plains that stretch into the interior of the Arabian Peninsula and into Saudi Arabia. Yemen's climate is also varied but much of it is desert, the hottest of which is in the eastern portion of the country.
What is one of the landmarks in Yemen?
- The Military Museum
- the National Museum
- Salt Market
- old City
Where is Yemen located?
Yemen is located in Southwest Asia, at the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, between Oman and Saudi Arabia. It is situated at the entrance to the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, which links the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean (via the Gulf of Aden) and is one of the most active and strategic shipping lanes in the world.
What are the borders of Yemen?
Yemen's land boundaries total 1,746 kilometres (1,085 mi). Yemen borders Saudi Arabia to the north (1,458 km or 906 mi) and Oman to the northeast (288 km or 179 mi). Through the Socotra island, Yemen also shares borders with the Guardafui Channel and the Somali Sea.
How much rain does Yemen get?
Average annual rainfall is 127 millimetres (5 in). The highest mountainous areas of southern Yemen receive from 520 to 760 mm (20.5 to 29.9 in) of rain a year. Some areas of the western highlands, most notably Ibb and Ta'izz, receive from about 1,000–1,500 millimetres (39.4–59.1 in) of rain each year.
What plate is Yemen on?
Yemen occupies the southern end of the Arabian Plate. The country's mountainous interior is surrounded by narrow coastal plains to the west, south, and east and by upland desert to the north along the border with Saudi Arabia. The Tihamah is a nearly 419-kilometre (260 mi) long, semidesert coastal plain that runs along the Red Sea and is part ...
How many miles of coastline does Yemen have?
Yemen has 1,906 kilometres (1,184 mi) of coastline along the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Red Sea. Yemen claims a territorial sea of 12 nautical miles (13.8 mi; 22.2 km ), a contiguous zone of 24 nautical miles (27.6 mi; 44.4 km), an Exclusive Economic Zone of 552,669 km 2 (213,387 sq mi) based on 200 nautical miles (230.2 mi; 370.4 km). It has a continental shelf of 200 nautical miles (230.2 mi; 370.4 km) or to the edge of the continental margin.
What are the environmental problems in Yemen?
The country has very limited natural freshwater and consequently inadequate supplies of potable water. Desertification ( land degradation caused by aridity) and overgrazing are also problems.
How much land is irrigated in Yemen?
About 6,801 square kilometres (2,626 sq mi) of the land is irrigated. According to the United Nations, Yemen has 19,550 square kilometres (7,550 sq mi) of forest and other wooded land, which constitutes almost 4 percent of total land area.
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What are some interesting facts about Yemen?
More Facts About Yemen 1 Yemen has several UNESCO World Heritage Sites within its borders such as the Old Walled City of Shibam as well as its capital Sana'a. 2 Yemen's people are predominantly Arab but there are small mixed African-Arab and Indian minority groups. 3 Arabic is Yemen's official language, but ancient languages such as those from the Sabaean Kingdom are spoken as modern dialects. 4 Life expectancy in Yemen is 61.8 years. 5 Yemen's literacy rate is 50.2%, most of which consists of only males.
What are the main products of Yemen?
Yemen's agricultural products include grains, fruits, vegetables, coffee, livestock, and poultry.
What happened in Yemen in the 1990s?
For example, in the late 1990s, a militant Islamic group, the Aden-Abyan Islamic Army, kidnapped several groups of Western tourists and in 2000 suicide bombers attacked the United States Navy ship, the USS Cole. Throughout the 2000s, several other terrorist attacks have occurred in or near Yemen's coast.
What was the society in Yemen?
During this time, society in Yemen centered around trade. In the first century, it was invaded by the Romans, followed by Persia and Ethiopia in the sixth century. Yemen then converted to Islam in 628 CE, and in the 10th century it became controlled by the Rassite dynasty, a part of the Zaidi sect, which remained powerful in Yemen's politics ...
Why is Yemen's economy declining?
Yemen is considered one of the poorest Arab countries and most recently its economy has declined due to dropping oil prices, a commodity on which most of its economy is based.
When was South Yemen colonized?
South Yemen was colonized by Britain in 1839 and in 1937 it became known as the Aden Protectorate. In the 1960s though, the Nationalist Liberation Front fought Britain's rule and the People's Republic of Southern Yemen was established on November 30, 1967.
When did South Yemen join the Arab Republic?
With the beginning of the Soviet Union's collapse in 1989 however, South Yemen joined the Yemen Arab Republic and on May 20, 1990, the two formed the Republic of Yemen. Cooperation between the two former nations in Yemen lasted only a short time though and in 1994 a civil war between the north and the south began.
What are the physical features of Yemen?
Physical features of Yemen Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Yemen: Rubʿ al-Khali desert. The Rubʿ al-Khali, a desert lying mainly in southeastern Saudi Arabia, with lesser portions in Yemen, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. Lynn Abercrombie.
What is the land of Yemen?
Land of Yemen. Most of Yemen’s northern frontier with Saudi Arabia traverses the great desert of the peninsula, the Rubʿ al-Khali (“Empty Quarter”), and until 2000 remained undemarcated, as did the eastern frontier with Oman until 1992. Yemen is bounded to the south by the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea and to the west by the Red Sea.
What are the five regions of Yemen?
Yemen may be divided into five major regions: a coastal plain running north-south known as the Tihāmah (an extension of the Tihāmat ʿAsīr ), the western highlands, the central mountains (the Yemen Highlands), the eastern highlands, and finally the eastern and northeastern desert regions.
What is the weather like in Yemen?
Most of Yemen lies in the border zone between two main weather patterns: the regular northerly winds (from the Mediterranean basin) and the southwest monsoon winds. These create a fairly well-defined seasonal rhythm; the northerly winds predominate during the winter, while in the summer the southwest monsoon brings the primary rains. Cut off from this pattern by the central mountains, the southern fringe areas on the Gulf of Aden experience a markedly tropical climate. In Aden as well as in the north at Al-Ḥudaydah, temperatures often reach the 100s F (upper 30s C), with high humidity, whereas in Sanaa (at more than 7,200 feet [2,200 metres]) the daytime temperature averages in the upper 60s F (low 20s C), and humidity is low. The higher northern elevations of the central massif experience occasional frosts and dustings of snow during the winter months.
How many seasons does Yemen have?
Different annual cycles characterize the northern and southern parts of Yemen: whereas the north usually has two rainy seasons (March–May and July–September), the south often receives no precipitation except sparse amounts in the summer months.
How much rain does Yemen get?
On the Tihāmah, as well as along the southern coastal belt, the average annual precipitation is less than about 5 inches (130 mm); many years record no measurable precipitation. Rainfall increases with elevation; the lower highlands receive about 15 to 20 inches (400 to 500 mm) per year, while the middle highlands around Taʿizz and Ibb average more than 30 inches (750 mm) annually. Different annual cycles characterize the northern and southern parts of Yemen: whereas the north usually has two rainy seasons (March–May and July–September), the south often receives no precipitation except sparse amounts in the summer months. Throughout Yemen, precipitation is erratic and variable from year to year, and lengthy droughts are not unknown; there have been periods as long as five years when precipitation was one-tenth the normal amount. A serious drought occurred during North Yemen’s civil war of 1962–70 and had lasting social and economic consequences.
Is the terraces of Yemen still intact?
Still, the terraces are largely intact and are a breathtaking feature of mountainous Yemen.
What are the plants that live in Yemen?
For example, the coastal plains support citrus trees, date palms, bananas, cotton, and acacia while the eastern desert gives up much the same. Meanwhile, sycamore and fig trees, grain, carob, and eucalyptus dominate the middle highlands region. Moving closer to the rough mountain interior, coffee and khat (a stimulating herb) are abundant as are woody shrubs and trees. Though natural history indicates the presence of ostrich, lions, panthers, and antelope in centuries past, none of these species has a significant presence in Yemen today. However, baboons, foxes, hyenas, squirrels, and other small varmints are numerous; myriad birds and insects, too, occupy Yemen. The waters, in turn, host tuna, mackerel, squid, lobster, sardines and sharks, which are all a part of the coastal Yemeni diet. To have a taste of authentic Yemeni cuisine, try Shibam Yemeni Kitchen for your next cultural meal!
What is the name of the country on the Arabian Peninsula?
At the southernmost point of the Arabian Peninsula sits the Republic of Yemen, a densely populated nation-state with a mountainous terrain. On two sides — the west and the south — sit bodies of water: the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden/Arabian Sea respectively. Saudi Arabia borders Yemen to the north while Oman is located just to the east. It possesses numerous islands off its coasts. The republic was formed in 1990 when North Yemen and South Yemen united as one. One of the oldest civilizations in the region, Yemen nevertheless was first among its peninsular neighbors to extend voting rights to women. Its geography influences the culture enormously.
What is the climate of Oman?
The higher mountain regions enjoy average temperatures around 60 degrees Fahrenheit by day, and chilly air by night. Coastal lands are hot and humid while the Oman border region is mostly hot and dry, punctuated by very occasional rains and frost. This diverse climate yields a wide variety of plants and animals.
Why is Yemen called the happy land?
Today, Yemen is neither happy nor fortunate but it acquired the name because its high mountains attracted rain, making it more fertile than most of the Arabian peninsula.
When did Yemen become a republic?
4 End of the monarchy: Northern Yemen was established as a republic in 1970 following an eight-year civil war in which Saudi Arabia supported the royalists and Egypt supported the republicans. 5 United States of Yemen: In 1990, the Marxists who ruled southern Yemen agreed to merge with Saleh's northern republic.
What is Qat in Yemen?
It's a social activity and chewers' conversation often centres on politics. Qat is a stimulant, so chewers without religious scruples often wash it down with whisky in order to sleep. 8 A weak state: The state has little control outside Yemen's cities, with tribal areas largely self-governing.
What is the most popular drug in Yemen?
7 Chewing it over: Qat is the most popular drug in Yemen, with effects similar to amphetamine. Chewing starts after lunch, with men and women in separate rooms. Leaves are plucked and gently crushed between the teeth until a wad builds up in the cheek.
When did Al Qaida join Yemen?
Early in 2009, the Saudi and Yemeni arms of al-Qaida merged to form al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and made Yemen their operational base, mainly because of the Saudis' effective campaign against them.
Is Shibam a world heritage site?
Shibam is a Unesco world heritage site, as is the old city of Sana'a. 20 Queen of Sheba: Yemen claims to be the ancient homeland of the Queen of Sheba (Balqis or Bilqis in Arabic). Her dealings with the Jewish king Solomon are mentioned in the Bible and the Qur'an. Topics.
Who led the military expedition to Yemen?
In 26BC the Roman general, Aelius Gallus, led a military expedition to Yemen that ended in disaster, a cautionary tale for the modern age. 2 President for life? Yemen's embattled president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, who rose through the military, has held power in Sana'a since 1978.
What is the climate in Yemen?
Climate - Yemen. In Yemen, the climate is tropical desert on the coasts and in the lowlands, while it is mild and moderately rainy on the western plateau. During summer, from June to September, the southwest monsoon brings some rainfall on the western highlands, while in the rest of the country, it brings widespread cloudiness ...
What is the best time to visit Yemen?
The best months to visit Yemen as a whole, the island of Socotra inclusive, are January and February. Along the coasts and at low altitudes, it's a warm and sunny period, while in the desert, it's pleasant during the day, while it may become a bit cold at night, but at least, you avoid the blistering heat of the long summer months. In December, the weather is usually good, but tropical cyclones are still possible, especially in the first half of the month.
What are some examples of cyclones in Yemen?
For example, this happened with Cyclone Chapala in early November 2015 and with Cyclone Megh in the following days, with Deep Depression ARB 02 in October 2008, with the June 1996 cyclone, and with Cyclone Mekunu in May 2018.
How much rain does Al Hudaydah get?
In Al Hudaydah, only 80 millimeters (3 inches) of rain fall per year. Despite the few rains, in this region, unhealthy and malarial areas are found because of rivers that descend from the mountains and feed wetlands.
How high is Sana'a?
The capital, Sana'a, is located at 2,200 meters (7,200 ft) above sea level, on the eastern side of the plateau, the one that receives less rainfall, and in particular, it's protected by Jabal an Nabi Shu'ayb, the highest mountain in Yemen, 3,666 meters (12,028 feet) high.
When does monsoon rain?
During summer, from June to September, the southwest monsoon brings some rainfall on the western highlands, while in the rest of the country, it brings widespread cloudiness but practically no rain.
Is the Gulf of Aden warm?
The sea temperature in the Gulf of Aden is similar to that of the Red Sea, although it's a bit less warm in summer on account of both the wind and the cloudiness brought by the monsoon.
What is the history of Yemen?
The history of Yemen describes the cultures, events, and peoples of what is one of the oldest centers of civilization in the Near East. Its relatively fertile land and adequate ...
How did Rasulid influence Yemen?
The Rasulid state nurtured Yemen's commercial links with India and the Far East. They profited greatly by the Red Sea transit trade via Aden and Zabid. The economy also boomed due to the agricultural development programs instituted by the kings who promoted massive cultivation of palms. It was during this period that coffee became a lucrative cash crop in Yemen. The Rasulid kings enjoyed the support of the population of Tihama and southern Yemen while they had to buy the loyalty of Yemen's restive northern highland tribes. The Rasulid sultans built numerous Madrasas in order to solidify the Shafi'i school of thought which is still the dominant school of jurisprudence amongst Yemenis today. Under their rule, Ta'izz and Zabid became major international centers of Islamic learning. The Kings themselves were learned men in their own right who not only had important libraries but who also wrote treatises on a wide array of subjects, ranging from astrology and medicine to agriculture and genealogy.
How did the Ottomans help Yemen?
The Ottomans learned from their previous experience and worked on the disempowerment of local lords in the highland regions. They even attempted to secularize the Yemeni society; Yemenite Jews came to perceive themselves in Yemeni nationalist terms. The Ottomans appeased the tribes by forgiving their rebellious chiefs and appointing them to administrative posts. They introduced a series of reforms to enhance the country's economic welfare. On the other hand, corruption was widespread in the Ottoman administration in Yemen. This stemmed from the fact that only the worst of the officials were appointed because those who could avoid serving in Yemen did so. The Ottomans had reasserted control over the highlands for temporary duration. The so-called Tanzimat reforms were considered heretic by the Zaydi tribes. In 1876, the Hashid and Bakil tribes rebelled against the Ottomans, and the Turks had to appease them with gifts to end the uprising.
Why did the Ottomans return to Tihama?
The Ottomans were concerned about the British expansion from India to the Red Sea and Arabia. They returned to the Tihama in 1849 after an absence of two centuries. Rivalries and disturbances continued among the Zaydi imams, between them and their deputies, with the ulema, with the heads of tribes, as well as with those who belonged to other sects. Some citizens of Sana'a were desperate to return law and order to Yemen and asked the Ottoman Pasha in Tihama to pacify the country. Yemeni merchants knew that the return of the Ottomans would improve their trade, for the Ottomans would become their customers. An Ottoman expedition force tried to capture Sana'a but was defeated and had to evacuate the highlands. The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 strengthened the Ottomans' decision to remain in Yemen. In 1872, military forces were dispatched from Constantinople and moved beyond the Ottoman stronghold in the lowlands ( Tihama) to conquer Sana'a. By 1873 the Ottomans succeeded in conquering the northern highlands. Sana'a became the administrative capital of Yemen Vilayet .
Is Yemen a land?
Yemen is a land with no lord, an empty province. It would be not only possible but easy to capture, and should it be captured, it would be master of the lands of India and send every year a great amount of gold and jewels to Constantinople.
How many people are in Yemen?
Over 60 percent of Yemen’s population (18 million people) are food insecure and 8.4 million of these people are on the verge of famine. Additionally, 16 million Yemenis do not have access to safe water and basic hygiene, especially in rural areas. As a result, cases of malnutrition have increased, causing 50 percent of children to be stunted. In addition, acute malnutrition is among 2.9 million women and children.
What are the living conditions in Yemen?
Top 10 Facts About Living Conditions in Yemen. Since the uprisings began, over two million Yemeni civilians are victims of displacement. Among those displaced, 76 percent are women and children. Displacement is considered one of the key contributors to the country’s increasing poverty rate. To date, at least one million people have returned ...
How many cholera treatment centers are there in Yemen?
Doctors Without Borders (DWB) was able to open 16 cholera treatment centers within the first five months of the outbreak and has treated over 80,000 Yemeni citizens. DWB has implemented various interventions that locate rehydration points throughout the country, bring in medical professionals and distribute cholera kits to the community.
What is the humanitarian crisis in Yemen?
Armed conflict in Yemen has caused the country to be the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. Despite efforts made by humanitarian organizations to provide aid, Saudi-led coalitions have imposed restrictions on imports that hinder such efforts.
How many people are in need of humanitarian assistance in Yemen?
As uprisings in Yemen continue to intensify, over 22 million people (75 percent of the population) are in need of humanitarian assistance, making Yemen’s population the highest number of people in need compared to the rest of the world.
What is the leading cause of civilian casualties in Yemen?
However, the U.N. Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reports that coalition airstrikes are “the leading cause of civilian casualties.”. As conflict progresses in Yemen, violence against women does as well. Violence against women has increased by 63 percent, according to UNFPA.
What happened to Yemen's health system?
A Saudi-led bombing campaign destroyed Yemen’s health system. Less than 50 percent of healthcare facilities are functioning, while 16 million people do not have access to basic health care. Since 2016, the government has failed to pay health workers regular salaries. Ghassan Abou Chaar, the Doctors Without Borders head of mission in Yemen said, ...

Overview
Elevation
Yemen is a continuously elevated country, with only the coastal plains being the lowest-lying areas. Jagged peaks and plateaus cover most of Yemen, and the average elevation in the country is about 2,000 metres (6,600 ft). The interior mountains have elevations ranging from a few hundred meters to the highest point in the country and the Arabian Peninsula, Jabal An-Nabi Shu'ayb, which is 3,666 m (12,028 ft) above sea level, within the Harazi subrange of the Sarawat. …
Topography
Yemen occupies the southern end of the Arabian Plate.
The country's mountainous interior is surrounded by narrow coastal plains to the west, south, and east and by upland desert to the north along the border with Saudi Arabia. The Tihamah is a nearly 419-kilometre (260 mi) long, semidesert coastal plain that runs along the Red Sea and is part of the Arabian Peninsula c…
Climate
Temperatures are lower in most of Yemen than in most of the Arab world due to most of the country being at high elevation. Rainfall is higher at higher elevations. The highlands enjoy a temperate, rainy summer with an average high temperature of 21 °C (69.8 °F) and a cool, moderately dry winter with temperatures occasionally dipping below 0 °C (32.0 °F). The climate of the Tihamah (western coastal plain) is tropical; temperatures occasionally exceed 54 °C (129.2 °…
Coastline and maritime claims
Yemen has 1,906 kilometres (1,184 mi) of coastline along the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Red Sea. Yemen claims a territorial sea of 12 nautical miles (13.8 mi; 22.2 km), a contiguous zone of 24 nautical miles (27.6 mi; 44.4 km), an Exclusive Economic Zone of 552,669 km (213,387 sq mi) based on 200 nautical miles (230.2 mi; 370.4 km). It has a continental shelf of 200 nautical miles (230.2 mi; 370.4 km) or to the edge of the continental margin.
Natural resources
Yemen's principal natural resources are oil and natural gas as well as agriculturally productive land in the west. Other natural resources include fish and seafood, rock salt, marble, and major unexplored deposits of coal, gold, lead, nickel, and copper.
Land use
Only 2.91 percent of Yemen is considered to be arable land, and less than 0.6 percent of the land is planted with permanent crops. About 6,801 square kilometres (2,626 sq mi) of the land is irrigated. According to the United Nations, Yemen has 19,550 square kilometres (7,550 sq mi) of forest and other wooded land, which constitutes almost 4 percent of total land area.
Environmental factors
Yemen is subject to sandstorms and dust storms, resulting in soil erosion and crop damage. The country has very limited natural freshwater and consequently inadequate supplies of potable water. Desertification (land degradation caused by aridity) and overgrazing are also problems. It is a party to international Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, and Ozone Layer Protection agre…
Introduction to Yemen
History of Yemen
Government of Yemen
Economics and Land Use in Yemen
Geography and Climate of Yemen
More Facts About Yemen
- Yemen has several UNESCO World Heritage Sites within its borders such as the Old Walled City of Shibamas well as its capital Sana'a.
- Yemen's people are predominantly Arab but there are small mixed African-Arab and Indian minority groups.
- Arabic is Yemen's official language, but ancient languages such as those from the Sabaean K…
- Yemen has several UNESCO World Heritage Sites within its borders such as the Old Walled City of Shibamas well as its capital Sana'a.
- Yemen's people are predominantly Arab but there are small mixed African-Arab and Indian minority groups.
- Arabic is Yemen's official language, but ancient languages such as those from the Sabaean Kingdom are spoken as modern dialects.
- Life expectancy in Yemen is 61.8 years.
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