Yemen : The Republic of Yemen is bordered in the northwest, north and northeast by Saudi Arabia, in the east by Oman and in the south by the Gulf of Aden. To the west lies the Red Sea. The islands of Perim and Karam in the southern Red Sea are also part of the Republic.

Geography

coordinates:      15 00 N, 48 00 E .

Area:                 527.970 sq Km.

Administrative

divisions:           19 governorates: Abyan, ‘Adan, Ad Dali’, Al Bayda’, Al Hodeida, Al       Jawf, Al Mahrah, Al Mahwit, ‘Amran, Dhamar, Hadhramawt, Hajjah, Ibb, Lahij, Ma’rib, Sa’dah, Sana’a, Shabwah, Ta’izz.

Time zone:        GMT/UTC + 3 hours.

International

Code Phone:     00967; for the capital add the land code -1- and after the number you want call.

Geography:  Yemen is predominantly mountainous, supporting terraced agriculture. The Hadhramawt is a range of high mountains in the centre of the country. Highlands rise steeply in the central Yemen, ranging the height form approximately 200 metres (656 ft) to the 4.000 metres (13.123 ft) peak of Jabal Nabi Shauib. In contrast is Thiama, a flat semi-desert coastal plain to the west, 50 to 100 Km (30 to 60 miles) wide. Surface water flows down from the mountains through the valleys during the rainy season and the area is cultivated for cotton and grain. In the east the mountain drop away to the Rub Al Khali or “Empty Quarter” of the Arabian Peninsula, a vast sea of sand. The arid costal plains are fringed with sandy beaches.

Population:       Yemen’s population was estimated at around 22.2 million in July 2007.

Religion:            The state religion is Islam.

                           Fasting: the nine month of lunar year, Ramadan, is the month of fasting. During this month Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual intercourse from sunrise to sunset. Fasting has a great influence on daily routine since all activities are kept at the lowest possible level, but nights are lively and joyous occasions, many people staying awake all night (shops are open till late night). Even if you are not Muslim is better (and ever Yemeni will appreciate it) if you respect fasting abstaining yourself to eat or drink in public places during the daylight.

Holidays:            Unification Day, 22 May

Aden Indipendence Day, 30 November

                           ‘Idd Al-Fitr (28 days after the begin of Ramadan)

                           ‘Idd Al-Hajj (70 days after the begin of Ramadan)

Fridays (Government’s offices are closed since 12.00 pm of Thursday to 8.00 am of Saturday).

Language:         Arabic is the official language, but it is easy find someone that will help you translating in English. It is also possible find newspaper (or TV news) in English (Yemeni Observer…). It is not unusual find old mans speaking Italian, thanks to emigration after the Second World War of Ethiopian and Eritrean.