Yemen, officially the Republic of Yemen, is a country at the southern end of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is the second-largest Arab sovereign state in the peninsula, occupying 527,970 square kilometers. The coastline stretches for about 2,000 kilometers. Yemen is located in Southwest Asia, at the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, between Oman and Saudi Arabia. It is situated at the entrance to the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, which links the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean (via the Gulf of Aden) and is one of the most active and strategic shipping lanes in the world.

Key Cities

Key cities in Yemen include Sana’a, Aden, Taiz, Al Hudaydah, Al Mukalla, Ibb, Dhamar, Sahar, Sayyan, Ash Shihr.

Historical, Cultural facts & Religion

The ancient history of Yemen (South Arabia) is especially important because Yemen is one of the oldest centers of civilization in the Near East. The centers of the Old South Arabian kingdoms of present-day Yemen lay around the desert area called Ramlat al-Sab’atayn, known to medieval Arab geographers as Ṣayhad. The culture of Yemen has an ancient history, influenced by Islam. Due to its unique geographic location, Yemen has acquired a very distinctive culture from its neighbors; historically and culturally. Yemen is an overwhelmingly Muslim nation, with the most common teachings being Shafi’i Sunni and Zaidi Shia Islam. Islam is the official religion in Yemen and legislation is firmly founded in Sharia Law.

Brief Country History

Yemen is considered to be one of the oldest important centers in the Near East region between the 12th BC and 6th AD before getting annexed by the other empires like the Ethiopians and Persians.

The current theocratic society of Yemen dates back from the 7th Century AD when the Caliphates decided to expand their territories and spread the Islamic religion. Imams were the usual viceroys except that their clout was not just religious in nature but includes political and economic aspects as well.

Throughout the 11th Century, Yemen fell under the Egyptian Sunni Caliphate. Then in the 16th Century, the kingdom was claimed by the Ottoman Empire. Again, in the 19th Century, North Yemen was under the Ottoman Turks, and in some brief periods, controlled the South. The British Empire has a foothold in the southern part of Yemen and that’s why the Ottomans cannot fully control Yemen during this time.

In 1918, North Yemen finally got independence from the Ottoman Empire. In 1962 North Yemen became officially a republic. South Yemen was, however, still in the clutches of the British Empire. When the British totally pulled out from Yemeni soil in 1967, this part of Yemen established its own government and officially became South Yemen. In 1970, South Yemen became a Communist state where it adopted a Communist form of government.

In 1990, the two Yemen finally realized that it was high time to unite. On May 22, 1990, North and South Yemen officially became one and since then has been known officially as the Republic of Yemen.

Language (s) Written & Spoken

Yemen is among the countries with the lowest percentage speaking English or French as a foreign language. Arabic is spoken across all of Yemen.

Important Types of Commerce in Yemen

Building materials, textiles, leatherwear, jewelry, and glass making are other industries in the north. The largest industry in southern Yemen is petroleum refining. Southern manufactures include clothing, processed food, metal products, soap, and perfumes.

Language Services US and others will provide working with Yemen

Most successful global brands, retailers, tech companies, law firms, and financial services businesses in Yemen will need Arabic to English translation as well as interpreting services. This is a necessity to ensure that your content is produced with the industry sector, brand and target audience in mind while maintaining the tone and style of the source text. This is essential if you are trying to target special countries with marketing messages specific to their special needs.
