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LOCATION
The Republic of Yemen is
located on the southwest corner of the Arabian Peninsula, between latitudes
12-20 north of the equator, and longitudes 41-54 east of Greenwich. The country
is bordered by Saudi Arabia in the north, the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden
in the south, Oman in the east. The strait of Bab-al-Mandab, situated in the
southwest corner of the Arabian Peninsula, is divided into two parts by the
Yemeni Island of Mayoon (Perim). The strait of Bab-Al-Mandab controls the strategic entrance to the
Red Sea. In
December 1992 Oman and Yemen ratified a treaty to settle their Borderlines, and
in Juli 2000 Yemen and Saudi Arabia ratified a treaty to settle their
borderlines.
Area
The total
area is approximately 555,000 km2, excluding the Al-Rubu' Al-Khali desert.
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 sun rays raise
the temperature during the day making the weather very moderate in these parts
of the country
- Highland
Max - 30oc - Min -10oc
- Lowlands Max - 50oc - Min - 25oc. Population
According to population
projection in 1998, the resident population is 17,017,000 distributed among 19
Governorates, in addition to the capital, Sana'a. The overall population density
for the republic is 31 persons per square kilometer.
Administration
divisions
The
Administrative units of the Republic of Yemen consist of 19 Governates
(provinces) and the capital secretariat, the city of Sana'a.
No. of
Mudiryah (Districts): 284
No. of UzlahLMarkez (sub Districts): 2,082
No. of Villages: 37,598
No. of Mahalla (Hamlets): 68,215. Physical
divisions
Due to its
topographical structure, the Republic of Yemen is divided into five regions:
1- Mountain
region with heights ranging between 1000-3660 m high 2-The Highland region 3-
The Coastal area 4-The Empty Quarter 5-The Yemeni Islands.
Language
Arabic is
the official language, with English as the second language.
Religion
Muslim
(including Sha'fi, Sunni, and Zaydi Shiite) 99%, Jewish, Christian, Hindu 1%.
Time zone
Greenwich
Mean Time (GMT) + 3 hrs.
Currency
The
country's currency is the Yemeni Riyal (YR). Bank notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100,
500 and 1000 are in circulation and have English and Arabic numbers.
Foreign
currencies can be exchanged at banks, hotels and money changers.
The rate of
exchange varies. Credit cards: Major credit cards are accepted in international
hotels and a limited number of retailers. Shopping requires cash.
Electricity
The voltage
in Yemen is 220v, 50-60 Hz. Five star hotels provide both options i.e. 110v or
220v.
Health and
welfare
Any
vaccinations are not prescribed, but precautions against some tropical diseases
such as malaria or hepatitis are recommended. You should drink mineral water
(no tap water).
Health care in Yemen is
notoriously underdeveloped. Polluted drinking water, inadequate vaccination,
and a shortage of medical personnel and facilities have contributed to the
quick spread of numerous diseases. These conditions have also given Yemen a high
infant mortality rate and a much lower rate of life expectancy than in other
countries of the Arabian Peninsula. Over the past two decades, Yemeni leaders
have made greater efforts to provide social welfare for the nation’s
inhabitants. With the help of foreign aid, new training and treatment facilities
have been set up, and new health-care programs are implemented in some rural
areas.
Air access to Sana'a
Following
airlines fly to Yemen: - -Yemenia from Frankfurt, London, Paris, Rome, Madrid
- Lufthansa
from Frankfurt
- Emirates from Dubai
- Royal Jordanian from Amman
- Egypt Air from Cairo
- Gulf Air from Bahrain & Abu Dhabi Airports
Sana'a
International: 15 km from city centre. Flight information Tel. No. : 250 812
-International & domestic
airports in Taiz (Al-Ganad), Aden, Al-Mukalla (Al-Rayan), Al-Hodeidah. .
-Airport
taxes are included in all rates (subject to change).
Visas
The visitor can get entry
visa to the Republic of Yemen from the Yemeni Embassy or Consulate in his
country and payment of a minimal Consular fee. Prospective visitors from
countries with which Yemen has no diplomatic or consular representation, an
extendible 96 hour transit visa from the port of entry can be obtained. Upon
arrival, the visitor is given one month residence permit. There is no need to
register at police stations or to apply for an exit visa during the scheduled
one month period. All travelers have to pay an airport departure tax. This
applies to Yemen nationals and visitors alike.
Official holidays
•1 January
(New Year) •1 May (Labour Day) •22 May (Unity Day) •26 September (National Day)
•14 October (National Day) •30 November (National Day), Weekend: Friday.
Moveable public holidays
Islamic New
Year: 15 March, 2002
Business hours
•
Government hours are 8:00 to 15:00, five days a week, excluding Thursday and
Friday, the weekly holiday.
• The
Private Sector works two shifts: 8:00 to 13:00, and 16:00 to 19:00.
• Banks: Sat. to Thu. 08 to 13
• Shops: Everyday, all day until late. Clothing
You should avoid clothing
with short sleeves or sleeveless. It is recommended to cover the upper arms and
legs (especially women). It is advised to have some headware to protect against
sunshine and dust as well as for visiting mosques. In the winter months, during
night and in the early morning the temperatures in the mountain areas are
relatively cold. Therefore, a pullover or a jacket should be included in your
baggage.
Photography
Yemen is an interesting,
beautiful and extremely picturesque country. Therefore it is recommended that
you bring enough films - especially slide films – with you. It is only possible
to buy films (slide films only in Sana’a) in the big cities. You should never
take photos of women without their consent. In military areas photographing is
not allowed. Don’t forget to bring plenty of films with you, not every film is
available in Yemen.
Relief in Yemen
The visitor to Yemen
notices easily as he tours around, the various landscapes which Yemen offers,
and this ranges from mountainous areas with sky high villages to coastal areas
with crystal clear water. We should not forget here the most interesting region,
which the tourist favor more than any other part i.e. The desert and the
endless sand dunes.
Alcohol
Yemen is an Islamic country
and alcohol is prohibited. Tourists should avoid drinking alcohol in public
places, (Sana’a - Sheraton Hotel, Aden - Mövenpick Hotel, Taiz - Marib Hotel,
Hodeidah - Ausan Hotel, Ambassador Hotel and Bristol Hotel).
Traditional
industries and handicrafts
There are many traditional
industries and handicrafts in Yemen which have been handed down from generation
to generation. Such industries and handicrafts are characterized by their
beauty and attractiveness, particularly those associated with architecture,
ornaments and decoration, traditional weapons, clothes and garments, earthenware
and stoneware, leather products, and tools and materials made of palm fibre and
leaves, etc. Handicrafts centers exist throughout the Republic and these
products can be seen in the traditional markets of many cities and at the weekly
markets called Souks.
Traditional dress
Yemeni tribesmen are known
by the jambiyya, or curved dagger, carried in a scabbard on a wide belt at the
frontside of the body. Men often wear one of several types of skirts rather than
pants, and a straw hat or headcloth. The clothing of Yemeni women includes
colorful robes, shawls, and veils and varies greatly from region to region in
style and pattern.
Family
Housing in Yemen varies
from region to region. In the Tihamah, near the Red Sea, people live in
circular reed dwellings. Residents of the highlands, many of whom are farmers,
sometimes live in stone or mud-brick houses with a few floors, often intricately
decorated with alabaster or stained glass. City dwellers also reside in houses
of this type, or in modern-style houses or appartments.
Social life
Women in Yemen tend to live
secluded from men who don´t belong to the family, although this has now changed
a little under the more relaxed conditions in the countryside and former South
Yemen generally. The most distinctive and important Yemeni social institution
is the "qat session," a relaxed but ritualized afternoon gathering at which men
and women socialize separately and chew the mildly narcotic leaves of the
privet-like qat, or khat, plant. Most men and many women "chew qat" at least
twice a week.
Diet and eating
The Yemeni
diet includes rice, bread, vegetables, fish, and lamb. A spicy green stew
called salta is one of Yemen’s most popular dishes.
Exports
Crude oil,
cotton, hides, fish, rice, coffee, raw materials, livestock. Major trade
partners for exports: United States, Italy, United Kingdom, Cuba, Saudi Arabia.
Imports
Textiles,
manufactured consumer goods, petroleum products, sugar, grain, flour, other food
and livestock, machinery, transport equipment.
Major trade
partners for imports: Saudi Arabia, France, United States, United Kingdom,
Germany, Australia.
Industries
Crude-oil
production and petroleum refining; building materials, food and beverage
processing, tobacco, chemicals natural resources.
Petroleum,
natural gas, salt, marble; small deposits of copper, gold, lead, zinc,
molybdenum; fish, fertile soil in west.
Agriculture
Accounts
for 21 percent of the GDP (1991); products sorghum, wheat, maize, potatoes,
tomatoes, watermelons, grapes, pulses, tobacco, coffee, cotton; livestock
dairy products, poultry, meat, eggs, wool, hides; not self-sufficient in grain.
Ramadan
Ramadan is the 9th lunar
month during which Muslims fast all along daylight hours. Non Muslims are asked
to respect those fasting by refraining from eating, drinking and smoking in
public places. Office and shop hours change during this month. Opening hours are
prolonged in the evening. Ramadan is a special month of the year for over one
billion Muslims throughout the world. It is a time for inner reflection,
devotion to God, and self-control. Muslims think of it as a kind of tune-up for
their spiritual lives. There are as many meanings of Ramadan as there are
Muslims.
The daily period of fasting
starts at the breaking of dawn and ends at the setting of the sun. In between --
that is, during the daylight hours -- Muslims (Submitters) totally abstain
from food, drink, smoking, and sex.
The usual
practice is to have a pre-fast meal (suhoor) before dawn and a post-fast meal (iftar)
after sunset.
Ramadan nights'
celebrations are old traditional practice during this month of fasting. It is a
tradition we inherited through a period of approximately 1400 years from our
first Muslim ancestors, generation after generation. Even the visitor will get
the impression of the Arabian Nights because the nightlife in the urban places
will go on until sunrise. Visitors are recommended not to drink, to eat and to
smoke in the public. But the hotels and the local restaurants and guest houses
will provide all services unlimited for the traveler's need.
Start and last
day of Ramadan for the year 2006/2007/ 2008
1 Ramadan
24 September to 23 Oktober 2006.
Eid Al Fitr 24 Oktober 2006.
1 Ramadan 13 September to 12 Oktober 2007.
Eid Al Fitr 13 Oktober 2007
1 Ramadan 02 September to 01 Oktober 2008.
Eid Al Fitr 02 Oktober 2008.
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Socatra
Expedition :
The fame and historic important of Socotra dates back to the begining of holy .
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