Yemen: Capital, Flag and Fun Facts

About Yemen

Yemen is on the southwestern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. It has hot coastal plains, cool green mountains and deserts in the east. It is known for its ancient mud-brick cities, coffee history and the unusual plants of Socotra Island.

About Sanaa

Sanaa is in the western highlands of Yemen, about 2,200 m above sea level. Its Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is famous for tall tower houses decorated with white geometric patterns.

Fun facts about Yemen

1. Jabal an-Nabi Shu'ayb, at about 3,666 m, is the highest mountain in Yemen and the entire Arabian Peninsula.
2. The coffee called "mocha" is named after the Yemeni port of Mocha, which shipped coffee for centuries.
3. Shibam has mud-brick tower houses up to seven storeys tall and is nicknamed the "Manhattan of the Desert".
4. On Socotra, umbrella-shaped dragon's blood trees grow, and over a third of the island's plants are found nowhere else.
5. The ancient Kingdom of Saba built a huge dam at Marib more than 2,500 years ago.
6. Yemen's Sidr honey, made by bees that feed on sidr tree flowers, is prized around the world.