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Yemen

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Yemen is a country located in West Asia.

Yemen - Location Map (2013) - YEM - UNOCHA
Yemen - Location Map (2013) - YEM - UNOCHA

It sits on the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula. To its north lies Saudi Arabia, and Oman is to the northeast. The land meets the sea in several places. The Gulf of Aden is to the south, and the Red Sea is to the west.

Yemen (orthographic projection)2
Yemen (orthographic projection)2

Yemen also includes the Socotra Archipelago. It is the second largest country on the peninsula by area. However, it is the largest by population.

Yemen (orthographic projection)2
Yemen (orthographic projection)2

Many different people have lived in Yemen throughout history. For over 7,000 years, it has been a crossroads for many civilizations. Long ago, the Sabaeans built a successful trading kingdom. They even built the Great Dam of Marib around 940 BC.

Jemen1988-022 hg
Jemen1988-022 hg

Later, the Himyarite Kingdom ruled much of the land. This kingdom was influenced by Judaism. In the fourth century, Christianity arrived in the region. By the seventh century, Islam spread very quickly.

Yemen then became a major center for Islamic learning.

Over the centuries, many different groups held power in Yemen. Between the 9th and 16th centuries, many dynasties rose and fell. In the 1800s, the country was divided by two empires. These were the Ottoman and British empires. After World War I, the Kingdom of Yemen was formed. Later, the country split into North Yemen and South Yemen.

Divided Yemen
Divided Yemen

In 1990, these two states joined together. They formed the modern Republic of Yemen. Ali Abdullah Saleh was the first president of this united nation.

President Ali Abdullah Saleh-cropped
President Ali Abdullah Saleh-cropped

Today, Yemen faces many very difficult challenges. Since 2011, the country has dealt with a political crisis. This led to a civil war that began in 2015.

Yemeni Civil War
Yemeni Civil War

Different groups are now fighting to govern the land. This conflict has caused a severe humanitarian crisis. Many people in Yemen are struggling to survive. In 2019, the United Nations said 24 million people needed aid.

019 Rally (39025071401)
019 Rally (39025071401)

This is nearly 75% of the whole population. The country is also one of the poorest in its region.

There are other important facts about life in Yemen. The country has about 34.7 million people. Most of these people are Arab Muslims. Yemen is also very vulnerable to climate change.

Koppen-Geiger Map YEM present
Koppen-Geiger Map YEM present

It is one of the most water-stressed places in the world.

Water Stress, Top Countries (2020)
Water Stress, Top Countries (2020)

This makes it hard to grow food or find water. Yemen is also known for its history of making coffee. For a long time, people sent coffee through the port of Mocha.

Mocha1692
Mocha1692

This helped make Yemen a famous place for trade.

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🖼️ Images & Media (40)
United States Navy Band - United Republic.ogg
File:Yemen (orthographic projection)2.svg
Yemen (orthographic projection)2.svg
File:Yemen - Location Map (2013) - YEM - UNOCHA.svg
Yemen - Location Map (2013) - YEM - UNOCHA.svg
File:Jemen1988-022 hg.jpg
Jemen1988-022 hg.jpg
File:Dhamar Ali Yahbur (bust).jpg
Dhamar Ali Yahbur (bust).jpg
File:South Arabian - Stele with a Female Bust - Walters 2173.jpg
South Arabian - Stele with a Female Bust...
File:British Museum Yemen 04.jpg
British Museum Yemen 04.jpg
File:Great Mosque of Sana'a1.jpg
Great Mosque of Sana'a1.jpg
File:Taiz (15095300476) (cropped).jpg
Taiz (15095300476) (cropped).jpg
File:Slaves Zadib Yemen 13th century BNF Paris.jpg
Slaves Zadib Yemen 13th century BNF Paris.jpg
File:Assault on Aden.jpg
Assault on Aden.jpg
File:Jemen1988-153 hg.jpg
Jemen1988-153 hg.jpg

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