The vast majority of believers (approximately 99%) are Muslims, of which 55% are Sunnis, and 44% are Shiites. Islam is the state religion of the country, for example, the legislation of Yemen is based on the laws of Islam. Other religions include Hinduism, Judaism and Christianity.
Transport in Yemen
You can get to Yemen by plane with transfers in Istanbul, Doha and Dubai.
For personal safety, it is best to travel to regions far from the capital by plane. Airports are located in major cities such as Aden, Taiz, Riyan, Sayyun, Hodeidah, Al Ghaida and Socotra Island . In addition, for travel you can hire guides with personal cars around the country, and it is better that these are off-road vehicles, since most of the roads are in poor condition. There is a ferry service between the coastal cities. Yacht trips are also offered here, however, they are often attacked, especially in the Gulf of Aden. Inside the cities, it is best to travel by taxi. The fare must be negotiated with the driver in advance. In the capital of the country – the city of Sanaa – there is a bus service, but the buses are most often overcrowded.
Major cities in Yemen There are car rentals. It is worth remembering that the rules of the road in the country are practically not observed, and the quality of the roads leaves much to be desired. In order to rent a car, you must have an international driver’s license with you.
Plant and Animal World in Yemen
Most of the country’s territory is devoid of vegetation cover. Mangrove forests are found on the western coast of Yemen. In the flat areas, shrubs are most common: tamarisk, acacia, camel thorn, saxaul and oleander. The foothills and highlands of the western part of the country are occupied by agricultural land, where cereals, vegetables and spices are grown. In addition, palm trees, ficuses, sycamores and acacias can be seen in the foothills. Also on the territory of the country grow trees from the Burser family, from which aromatic resins are extracted. Date and coconut palms, sesame and mango grow in desert oases. Relic evergreen forests with dragon trees and giant aloes have been preserved on Socotra Island.
Of the predatory animals in Yemen, the desert foxes are the most common, there are also the Arabian leopard, hyena, caracal, jackal, Arabian wolf, and rarely the cheetah and leopard. In addition, antelopes, gazelles, mountain sheep and a wild donkey – onager live in Yemen. In the mountains and near fertile valleys, great apes live – hamadryas baboons. In the deserts there are numerous rodents, reptiles and insects, many of which are poisonous. The bird world in Yemen is represented by kites, hawks, pelicans, flamingos, gulls and desert larks. In the coastal waters of the country there are such commercial fish species as mackerel, horse mackerel, herring, king mackerel and tuna. Sharks, barracudas, dolphins, rays and sea turtles are also found here.
Minerals in Yemen
The main minerals of the country are oil and natural gas. Also in Yemen, table salt and marble are mined, and in small quantities – sandstone, iron, zinc, lead, copper, nickel, molybdenum, titanium, uranium, coal, quartz, sulfur, gold and silver.
Banks in Yemen
Banks are open from Saturday to Wednesday from 8:30 to 12:00, on Thursday – from 8:00 to 11:30.
Money in Yemen
The official currency of the country is the Yemeni rial. In circulation there are banknotes of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 rials and coins of 1, 5 and 10 rials.
You can exchange foreign currency in banks, private exchange offices, shops and hotels in large cities, in small towns it is almost impossible to exchange currency. It is best to take US dollars on a trip, because their exchange will not cause you any trouble. Credit cards are accepted for payment only in major cities, ATMs can only be found in the cities of Sanaa and Aden. You can cash traveler’s checks only in some banks in the capital of the country.
Rate: 1000 Yemeni Rial (YER) = 3.61 USD
Political State in Yemen
The official name of the country is the Republic of Yemen. It is a democratic state, which is a presidential republic. According to politicsezine, the head of state is the president. He is elected by popular vote for a seven-year term. The executive power in the country is represented by the president and the government (Council of Ministers), headed by the prime minister, who is appointed by the president. Legislative power is vested in a bicameral parliament consisting of an appointed Shura Council and an elected Chamber of Deputies.
Tribal relations still dominate in Yemen. At the head of the tribes are sheikhs, who have unlimited power in the field. Sheikhs often pass their own laws, which causes dissatisfaction with the government.
Administratively, the country is divided into 20 provinces and the capital city district.
Population in Yemen
About 96% of the country’s population are Arabs. The remaining 4% are from Somalia, Ethiopia, India, Pakistan and Europeans. The island of Socotra is inhabited by Socotrians – descendants of mixed marriages of Arabs with Indians, Ethiopians, Greeks, Portuguese and Somalis.
Language:
The official language of Yemen is Arabic. In the extreme east of the country and the island of Socotra, some ancient South Arabic Semitic languages are common. Residents of large cities of the country know English.
Cuisine in Yemen
Yemeni cuisine mainly consists of Arabic dishes. A distinctive feature of the local cuisine is the abundance of spices. The first course is served with thick soup “Shurpa” or “Shorba”, soup “Burma” and meat broth “Marag”. Traditional meat dishes are “salta” (poultry stew with lentils, beans, peas, coriander and spices), “haradha” or “arada” (minced meat with pepper and spices), “khanid” (stewed lamb meat with spices), “kabsa” (rice with lamb), all kinds of kebabs and koftas. Seafood dishes are also very popular in coastal areas. There are always Arabic cakes on the table. For dessert, cakes with honey “bint-a-sakh” are served.
It is customary to finish the meal with a cup of tea with mint and other herbs or a decoction of coffee husks with “gyshr” spices. Yemen is the birthplace of mocha coffee, however, these days it is almost not produced. “Mocha” is drunk with ginger, coriander and other spices. Local residents are not allowed to drink alcohol, tourists should also not drink it in public places. Alcoholic drinks can only be bought in hotels.
