Explore Yemen

Location:
Yemen

Currency:
Yemeni rial (YER)

Communications:
The telephone code for Yemen: + 967

About:
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.