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.

The total area is approximately 555,000 km2, excluding the Al-Rubu' Al-Khali desert.

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. 

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.

Muslim (including Sha'fi, Sunni, and Zaydi Shiite) 99%, Jewish, Christian, Hindu 1%.

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

• 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.

17 November 2001 to 15 Dec. 2001, Eid Al Fitr 16 Dec

06 November 2002 to 05 Dec 2002, Eid Al Fitr 06 Dec.