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vital statistics
Official name
Republic of Yemen
Capital and largest city
Sana’a, 15°21’N 12°24’E
Official language
Arabic
Area
527,968 sq km
Population
July 2005 estimate: 20,975,000
Density: 40/sq km
Currency
Yemeni rial (YER)
Time zone
GMT+3
Electricity
220/230V 50Hz
Calling code
+967
For trips outside the capital, and most
within it, a car (preferably 4WD) is necessary as roads are frequently unpaved and very steep. Maps are also not as reliable as they are in other countries, so engaging the services of a local driver may be a useful expense. Additionally, most travel outside the capital will require a travel permit (tasriih), which must be applied for a number of days in advance and will be examined at checkpoints along the way. This may seem inconvenient, however it is designed to
prevent travellers unwittingly venturing into areas of tribal unrest, and vice versa. Some areas of the country are off-limits to travel without military escorts, and still other areas are totally off-limits to travel. While the concept of staying informed about local conditions in your intended destinations is an overused one, in Yemen it is essential, as failure to do so may result in kidnappings
or worse.
land of the jambiya
Almost everywhere you look, you will have the chance to buy the curved dagger, or jambiya, worn by local men. This purchase can be simply of the dagger and its accompanying sheath – however, handmade belts and silver pouches are also for sale, with many tourists opting to purchase each item separately. When purchasing a jambiya, remember first and foremost that it counts as a weapon for customs purposes, even though it is not used as one anymore. Secondly, bear in mind that the sheath is predominantly leather with either a base metal or (in more expensive models) silver working added. Traditionally, handles were made of animal horn or even ivory.
GETTING THERE
You can fly Air Arabia from Muscat via Sharjah to Sana’a. Flights depart from Sharjah on Tuesdays and Saturdays (flight G9 701) that departs from Sharjah at 9:40am and arrives in Yemen at 11:20am.
Emirates Air flies from Dubai to Sana’a and back twice weekly. The national carrier, Yemenia, flies to Sana’a from many Middle Eastern and several European capitals. Lufthansa flies from Frankfurt three times weekly with a stop in Cairo. Flight time to Sana’a from Cairo is about three hours, plus a one-hour time change. Qatar Air flies between Doha and Sana’a three times a week.
Climate
Mostly desert; hot and humid along west coast; temperate in western mountains affected by seasonal monsoon; extraordinarily hot, dry, harsh desert in east.
Landscape
Narrow coastal plain backed by flat-topped hills and rugged mountains; dissected upland desert plains in centre slope into the desert interior of the Arabian Peninsula.
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