A Brief Description Over many centuries the ancient land of Yemen proved irresistible to fortune seekers and hostile empires from far and wide. At first, from the port at Aden, the Himyarite, Minean and Sabian Kingdoms engaged in and monopolized the profitable spice trade; over time tales of potential riches spread, and invasions from Rome, Ethiopia and Persia followed. Later the Rassite (Zaydi) dynasty controlled the region until defeated by the Ottoman Turks, who then ruled from the mid-16th century until their empire collapsed in 1918. The British occupied Aden in 1839, and their influence spread throughout the southern regions. Aden became a crown colony (protectorate) in 1937. Divided into two parts for decades; the Yemen Arab Republic (North) and the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (South) finally unified as the Republic of Yemen in 1990. Differences over power sharing and the pace of integration between north and south came to a head in 1994, resulting in a bloody civil war. Harmony between all factions remains a difficult, sometimes violent process, but countrywide democracy is a long-term goal. Vaulted on to the worldwide stage on Oct. 12, 2000, when 17 Americans sailors died when suicide bombers attacked the U.S. Navy destroyer Cole in the port of Aden; Yemen has now increased its cooperation with the U.S. by assisting in the implementation of anti-terrorism measures. Sana, an impressive walled city, and important Islamic site, was first settled in the 1st century; and from this historic capital, Yemen is boldly moving from its ancient ways into the modern world. Learn more about Yemen here. The happy face of a young girl, Yemen! Travel the World through Poster Art! Facts and Figures Name Yemen (long form) Republic of Yemen Population 20,727,100 Population & Density (all countries) here Capital City Sana (1.8 million) Currency Yemeni Rial (YER) Currency Converter here Languages Arabic Flag here National Day May 22 Religions Sunni and Shi'a Muslim Geographic Coordinates Latitude/Longitude (Capital City) 15º 24' N, 044º 14' E Relative Location Yemen, located on the southern edges of the Arabian Peninsula, to the immediate east of the African continent, is in both the northern and eastern hemispheres. It's positioned in the Middle East, a recognized geographical region of southwestern Asia, and bordered by Saudi Arabia, Oman, and by the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. Land Statistics Coastline 1,184 miles (1,906 km) Land Areas (land) 203,850 sq miles (527,970 sq km) (water) 0 sq miles (0 sq km) (TOTAL) 203,850 sq miles (527,970 sq km) Land Area (all countries) here Landforms Yemen has some of the most fertile lands in the entire Middle East, and yet, for the most part, they're not developed to their full potential. Along its Red Sea coast there's a flat sandy plain that extends the length of the country. The Gulf of Aden coastline is coverd by a narrow, rocky, and relatively flat plain, fronted by hills that rise into the rugged mountains, central and west. To the north of those central mountains, the high desert slopes down through fertile plains into the interior of southern Saudi Arabia, and the endless sands of the Rub' Al Khali Desert - the famous "Empty Quarter." There are no perennial lakes and rivers, however, in the northern highlands some river valleys (wadis) small streams exist (fall and winter) but fade away quickly in the summer heat. Highest Point Jabal an Nabi Shu'ayb - 12,336 ft. (3,760 m) Lowest Point Arabian Sea - (0 ft.) (0 m) Land Divisions 19 governorates, including: Abyan, 'Adan, Ad Dali', Al Bayda', Al Hudaydah, Al Jawf, Al Mahrah, Al Mahwit, 'Amran, Dhamar, Hadramawt, Hajjah, Ibb, Lahij, Ma'rib, Sa'dah, San'a', Shabwah and Ta'izz.

Maps Yemen (large color) Map here Yemen Outline Map here Yemen CIA version here Yemen Maps at UT here - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Asia Continent (printable) here Asia Outline Map here Asia (Southeast) Outline Map here Asia (Name the Country) Map Test here - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Indian Subcontinent Map here Middle East Landforms here Middle East Map here Middle East Outline Map here Middle East Rivers here Ring of Fire Map here Tsunami Map (December 2004) here - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - World Outline Maps (printable) here World Time Zone Map here Recommended Links Yemen (Complete) info on the (GDP) economy, imports and exports, natural resources, government, population, military, transportation, and more here Yemen Embassy (Washington, DC) here Yemen Photos at TrekEarth.com here Yemen Times (news) here Yemen Tourism here Suqutra (Sogotra) Island here The rooftops of Sana, Yemen! Travel the World through Poster Art! Time and Weather Time Zone (UTC +3) Note that UTC is also known as GMT, or Greenwich Mean Time. Conversion details and additional info: here Climate In the eastern desert areas, and along the Red Sea coast, Yemen is cloudless, hot and dry throughout most of the year; where temperatures in the high 90s and 100s are commonplace. Inland, around the Sana area, and across the central mountains, temperatures do moderate; summer highs reach the mid-80s, with lows in the 60s; winter lows occasionally fall into the 30s, but daytime highs quickly climb into the 70s. There are two brief rainy seasons, (April - May) and (July - mid-September); during these periods Indian Ocean monsoons bring copious amounts of rain to the western mountains and valleys. Traveler Info Attractions There is an on-going threat of terrorism in Yemen, and the U.S. State Department and other governments are warning business travelers, as well as European and North American tourists, to avoid travel to Yemen if at all possible. The port city of Aden is considered especially dangerous. There was a time - not that long ago- when adventure travelers to this exotic land were exposed to layers and layers of colorful faces, fragrances and melodic sounds. Attractions of note include magnificent mountains, some with tiny villages perched on top; mysterious towns replete with narrow, winding streets, and houses made of clay and stone; an intriguing desert landscape, isolated beaches that defy description, and a litany of colorful festivals and enchanting markets. That time will come again! Country Dialing Code 967 Electricity Yemen uses 220/230 volts AC (60 Hz) Electrical adapters, products and tips here Travel Warnings here Visa Information here

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Banknote reference numbers obtained from the Standard Catalogs of World Paper Money published by Krause Publications

Patrick Kennedy's World Currency Homepage
This page created by: Patrick Kennedy
Creation date: March 2007
Last update: 18 November, 2009
URL: http://www.patricksworldcurrency.com/countries/yemen_arab_republic.html