The Kingdom of Yemen

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Govt Publs Dept 9891

1907 GPD FRONTLOG

ALF

THE

KINGDOM

DS 247 .Y42 K56 1962

OF

Arab

YEMEN ,

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Republic

6-2

INDIANA U

SAY

FEB 17 1937

LIBRARY

SITY ANA UNIVEIRT I NNDI S IONS DIVISIO OF UNIVER EXTENS N O I BUREAU OF PUBLIC DISCUSS N NGTO BLOOMI , INDIANA

62

R A M

7 19

Published by The Legation of Yemen

Washington , D. C.

THE

KINGDOM

OF

YEMEN

INDIANA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES BLOOMINGTON

a691

1907

GPD

The name of Yemen means that the country is situated to the right of Mecca , the great Holy City of Islam . "Yemen" also comes from YUMN which means root the "Prosperous" and used to be called " Arabia Felix . "

THE

KINGDOM

OF

YEMEN

Geographical Setting

The Kingdom of Yemen is located in the Southwestern part of the Arabian Peninsula with a size comparable to the State of Oklahoma . She is bounded on the north by Saudi Arabia , the south by the Gulf of Aden, the west by the Red Sea , and the east by Rab Al - Khali (The Empty Quarter) . Yemen has an estimated population of five million. Yemen's climate is of a diversified nature . However , the climate is cool and pleasant during the entire year in Yemen proper ( Sana'a , Rad'a , Dhamar and others) where more than three- fourths of the entire population is concentrated .

The major agricultural products are cereals , coffee , and a large variety of fruits . The " Mocha Coffee" of Yemen is one of the world's Yemen is also considered rich in minerals , especially gold and finest . silver .

The Capital of Yemen is Sana'a , (est . pop. 89,000) which means " fortress" with eight gates. It has always been an important center of trade and commerce throughout the centuries . Taiz, the second capital , ( est. pop. 25,000) is where the king spends most of his time conducting state affairs . It is the focal point for trade routes in the south.

Mocha , another famous city, is almost identical with the word " coffee" in the Arabic world, since it was through Mocha all Arabian coffee was originally exported .

View of Sana'a, showing Mount of Nugum , famous in history in the songs and stories of the poets.

View of the Western part of Sana'a, called Bir Al -Azab, showing the mosque and minaret.

Hodeidah (est. pop. 40,000) is an important commercial center of the Red Sea. An ultra modern port facility was recently completed capable of , accommodating ocean going ships up to 15,000 tons.

CURDAIZ

Unloading cargo at the Port of Hodeidah.

Government

Yemen is a democratic monarchy established on the principles of Islam. The present ruler is His Majesty the Imam (which means one who leads in prayer) King Ahmad . He rules with the aid of a consultative assembly and a Council of Ministers . The Prime Minister is the chief executive , responsible to the King , to whom he must submit all decisions made by members of the ministries or heads of government departments .

His Majesty Imam Ahmad, the King of Yemen.

His Royal Highness Seif Al Islam Al Badr, the Crown Prince of Yemen

Government Buildings at Hodeidah

Education

Yemen, which in the past has confined its education exclusively to Arabic culture , has embarked on a modern program of education . New

A military school has been in existence for a long time ; business and agricultural schools have been established recently.

schools have been opened where foreign languages are being taught. By 1955 there were around 900 primary schools and over 250 nongovernmental schools . In addition , a number of secondary schools and

A library with more than 25,000 volumes was also founded in Sanaa to accommodate the rapid growth of educational institutions .

other institutions of learning are now in operation. The total enrollment in all schools exceeds 150,000 . Dur-

uniquely democratic in the sense that the sons of the Royal House are attending schools on a completely

ing the last twenty years students from Yemen have been sent to universities in other Middle East coun-

equal basis with the children of the In fact, the Governcommoners .

tries , Europe and the United States .

Yemen's educational system is

ment of Yemen is assuming all the costs of education for the public .

New Hospital Buildings at Hodeidah

The Waterfront at Hodeidah, recently completed as a major project in the modernization program , will bring commerce from all over the world.

Industrial Progress in Yemen

Below: Tank Storage Depot at Salif, near Hodeidah.

Above: New Electrical Generator Building at Hodeidah .

Right: Interior view of the generating plant.

Culture The intellectual life in Yemen is guided by the principles of Islam. The Yemenis do not gamble but they are fond of games . Liquor drinking is non- existent in Yemen. The chanting of poetry is a favorite pastime. The Yemenis can easily claim that they were the first to erect multiple story dwellings . Present - day cities display many imposing white buildings decorated in the Yemeni traditional style.

View of Taiz C

Economy

Since Yemen is mainly an agricultural country, industry does not play a significant part in its economy. Nevertheless , in addition to the old industries which consist of soap and rope making , fishing, leather works , and silver jewelry, new projects. have been established recently for the manufacture of textiles , cement , yarns and other domestic products . A plant has been erected in Bajel for the manufacture of cement. Mineral deposits of iron, uranialuminum, lead, copper

um , gold ,

and precious stones , especially agate , are known to exist in the country. The possible presence of petroleum has stimulated domestic and foreign interests in prospecting for oil . Some foreign companies including a U.S. firm have already been given contracts to start in this direction.

On the coast, diving for pearl and coral is still practiced . There are deposits of excellent pure salt in the region of Salif and a salt factory has been constructed there .

New Apartment Buildings under construction in Hodeidah.

Workmen in a new factory producing spare parts for ships and vehicles.

The Flag of Yemen

The flag of Yemen represents a sword and five pointed stars in white on a red field, one star in each corner and one above the sword. The stars represent both the five natural territorial divisions of Yemen and the five dogmas of Islam. The sword is

the traditional emblem of the

Arab peoples and recalls , with the red field , the long struggle and the bloodshed in the defense of the liberty and independence of Yemen.

History The history of Yemen goes back to the time of the Kingdom of Saba when Balkis , the Queen of Sheba (the biblical name of Saba) is said to have visited King Solomon. Throughout history Yemen was occupied by various African and Asian invaders , the latest being the Turks . In the year 628 it accepted Islam . The Turks were never able to completely ocIn 1911 they were cupy Yemen. forced to retreat by the late Imam Yahya and in 1918 full independence was obtained .

Foreign Relations

Yemen has had a long record as a full - fledged member in the family of nations . In 1947 , she established formal diplomatic relations with the United States and joined the United Nations Organization in the same year. Yemen is a member of the Arab League . In 1958 , Yemen allied itself with the United Arab Republic in a confederation called the United Arab States. The two countries retained their independence, but there was agreement toward union in military matters and some aspects of foreign policy, and toward coordination in economic , cultural , and educational affairs . At present , Yemen is a member of the following United Nations specialized agencies : World Health Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization , United Nations Educational , Social and Cultural Organization , International Postal Union and International Telecommunication Organization. Though the foreign policy of Yemen has always been based on international cooperation and friendship , the people and government of Yemen are resolutely opposed to the occupation of the Southern part of Yemen ( so - called Aden and its Protectorate ) by the British since 1839. It is a well - known fact that Aden, both geographically and ethnographically, belongs to the Kingdom of Yemen.

Currency At the present time only metal currency is issued in Yemen, the silver Rial (Imadi) being the unit . The smaller denomination is the bugsha and there are 40 bugshas in a rial . However , arrangements are being made for issuance of paper currency in the near future .

Communications

Yemen is linked with various other countries by Yemen Air Line, Saudi Arabian Air Line , Ethiopian Air Line and others. A direct air service between Cairo and Hodeidah has been established recently .

The airport of Hodeidah will be modernized and developed into the biggest international airfield in the Red Sea area . No railways have been built , but several motor roads link International telegraph and postal the country's chief cities . services as well as a local telephone system are available . A government broadcasting station at Sana'a serves the country.

Agriculture

Yemen is primarily an agricul tural country. Cereals , the principa crops, are cultivated on the platea and irrigated plains along the coast Yemen is not only self- sufficient , bu during the years when rainfall i plentiful , it is also able to expor cereals which include wheat , millet barley, oats and a certain kind o sorghum called Dura. A variety o fruits with more than 25 kinds o grapes is also exported .

Coffee trees growing on terraces.

Farmer and his irrigation system .

The Mosque of Alashrafi , built over 500 years ago, in Taiz, in the shadow of the Citadel called Cairo.

Conclusion "Yemen, by combining wisely its rich spiritual heritage with the kind of modern progress suitable to its needs , can become again an ' Arabia Felix,' a happy abode for its people . In such a happy combination of wisdom and progress Yemen can make a substantial contribution , not only to the Arab and Islamic worlds , but ""* to the World at Large." *Erich W. Bethmann, Yemen on the Threshold, (American Friends of the Middle East: Washington, D. C., 1960) p. 74.

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POSTAGE 34 GODWE

LIBERTY Indiana

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. . Ex of Ul

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