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Overview
Yemen was the ancient Arabia Felix — home to the Sabaean, Minaean, Qatabanian and Himyarite kingdoms that grew rich on the frankincense trade. Unification of North and South Yemen came in 1990.
Basic Information
CapitalSana'a
Population34 million
Area527,968 km²
CurrencyYemeni rial (YER)
LanguagesArabic
RegionMiddle East (West Asia)
History Timeline
- c. 1200 BCE – 275 CESabaean and Himyarite kingdoms
- 628Islam accepted
- 1918Independence from Ottomans
- 1990Unification
- 2014Civil war begins
Ancient Peoples
- Sabaeans
- Himyarites
- Minaeans
Ancient Kingdoms
- Saba (Sheba)
- Ma'in
- Qataban
- Himyar
Empires
- Aksumite (occupation)
- Umayyad
- Ottoman
Religions
- Sunni Islam
- Zaydi Shia Islam
Culture
Tower houses of Sana'a, jambiya daggers, coffee (originating in Mocha).
Language
Arabic.
Important Battles
- Battle of the Elephantsc. 570
Traditional year of Muhammad's birth
Historical Figures
Bilqis (Queen of Sheba)
10th c. BCE
Legendary Sabaean queen
Archaeological Sites
- Marib Dam
- Shibam Hadramawt
- Timna
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Old City of Sana'a
- Old Walled City of Shibam
- Historic Zabid
Dynasties
- Rasulid
- Zaidi Imamate
Colonial Period
Ottoman north; British Aden 1839 – 1967.
Modern History
Republic in ongoing civil war.