The world's first Islamic capital: Forstadt
Yemen is a country rich in history and culture. Despite its difficult period, we must not forget its place in the Middle East.
There are some things about this country that will make you "wow!?!
1. Delicious mocha
While many people know and love Mocha today, the name chocolate coffee drink actually comes from a city in Yemen called Mokha.
The city is bustling with trade, especially coffee, as it monopolizes the region's coffee beans for centuries. As the drink grew in popularity, its name was made in honor of the city.
2. Happy Yemen
At the height of the Roman Empire, geographers called the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula, now Yemen, "Arab Felix," meaning "happy/fertile Arabia."
The Romans of that time divided the peninsula into three distinct parts. The other two parts are the "Arabian Desert", now one is Saudi Arabia, the other is Sinai and Jordan, known as "Arabian Petra".
3. Busy
Some consider Aden in Yemen to be one of the oldest places on Earth. Legend has it that Cain and Abel were buried somewhere in it.
Due to its strategic location, the British took full advantage of it during their control of the city between 1839 and 1967. In the 1960s, the Port of Aden was the third busiest port in the world after New York and Liverpool.
4. Socotra Island is different from any other place
The extremely harsh climate of the Yemeni island of Socotra has created a unique ecosystem due to this environment.
The island's incredibly harsh weather and lack of water make some of the plants you won't find anywhere else come alive here.
One-third of the plants found on the island are unique, including the famous Dragon's Blood Tree.
The tree takes its name from the blood-red sap released from it.
This special ecosystem was listed by UNESCO in 2008 as a place of outstanding global value.
5. The history of the capital is more than 2,500 years
Many historians believe that the capital, Sana'a, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world! According to legend, shem, one of the sons of the prophet Noah, founded the city. The exact date the city was founded remains a mystery. However, we know that people have been living in the city for more than 2,500 years.
6. No King
Yemen is the only republic on the Arabian Peninsula with no ruling monarch.
The country was surrounded by emirates, kingdoms and sultanates, however, in the last decade of the 20th century, that all changed.
The Republic of Yemen was established in May 1990 after the reunification of North and South Yemen.
7. A palace on a huge rock
There is a palace called "Dar Hajel", also known as the "Stone House", built on a huge rock.
The building is the residence of a spiritual leader named Yahya Mohammed Hamiddin. Unfortunately, he was assassinated and the palace is now a museum.
8. The oldest high-rise building
The city of Shibam in Yemen is home to the oldest high-rise building in the world. These buildings earned it the title of "Desert Manhattan".
Looking at these buildings, you will be amazed to find that the builders created incredible structures in the 16th century.
The buildings have multiple levels, with the lower floors used to store grain and the other floors used as living and social areas.
9. The best silver jewelry in the best of the best
Long ago, Yemen was known for having some of the best silversmiths in the region.
Unfortunately, that all changed in the 1950s, as most people left the country permanently.
10. The world's largest contiguous desert covers parts of Yemen
Rube Harry is considered to be the largest continuous desert on Earth. It has an area of 650,000 square kilometers. Parts of Yemen, Oman, the Uae and Saudi Arabia are located in this desert region. Rub Harry | is part of the Arabian Desert and has one of the harshest climates in the world.
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