YEMEN BY: VICTORIA GRIFFITH CHELSEA SPREEN

THE LAND Location: Bounded in the north by Saudi Arabia, east by Oman, south by the Gulf of Aden and west by the Red Sea. Landforms: it lies on one side of the Arabian Peninsula It has a diversity in landscape it consist of coasts, deserts, mountains, and rocky landforms.

THE LAND CONT…. Water Systems: There are no year around bodies of water but they have seasons when water is present, But it is surrounded by Indian ocean, Red sea, Arabian sea, and Gulf of Aden Natural Resources: Petroleum (four billion barrels located in 5 different areas), Fish, Rock Salt, Marble, coal, gold, nickel, copper, and fertile soil located in the west.

CLIMATE/ VEGETATION Winds blowing northwest in summer and southwest in winter bring little rain but cause severe sandstorms. During January and February, however, the temperature averages about 20°C (68°F). Summers are temperate and winters are cool, with some frost. Temperatures vary from 22°C (72°F) in June, the hottest month, to 14°C (57°F) in January. Rainfall in the highlands ranges from 41 cm (16 in) at Sana to 81 cm (32 in) in the monsoon area of the extreme southwest. The parched and niggard soil, chiefly composed of marl, flint, and sand, with a supply of rain alike scanty and uncertain, produces little more than varieties of acacia, euphorbia's, and thorny shrubs,- a valueless crop.

CLIMATE/ VEGETAION CONT… Animals found in Yemen include caracal, Gazelles, striped hyaena, foxes, hares, crested porcupines, mongoose, Indian monitors, agamid lizards, jerboa, gerbils, chameleons, scorpions, camel spiders and the occasional snake. Hamadryas baboons and rock hyrax are plentiful on the lower slopes and rock faces of the mountains facing the Red Sea.

GOVERNMENT Yemen is governed under the constitution of 1991 as amended. The president, who is head of state, is elected by popular vote for a seven-year term. The government is headed by the prime minister, who is appointed by the president. The bicameral legislature consists of the Shura Council, whose 111 members are appointed by the president, and the House of Representatives, whose 301 members are popularly elected to six-year terms. The country is divided into 19 governorates.

HISTORY AND CURRENT EVENTS Oct, 1998 The Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that the Hanish Islands are subject to the territorial sovereignty of Yemen. Jun 12, 2000 Saudi Arabia and Yemen signed an agreement to end decades of border disputes.

History and current events cont… Official: Yemen Releases 170 Al-Qaida Suspects Posted February 8 th 2009 on ABC news: Yemen releases 170 al-Qaida suspects they had arrested. They were arrested on suspicion of having ties to al- Qaida. The terror group had announced that Yemen had become the base of its activities for the whole Arabian peninsula.

ECONOMY Yemen is a poor country. Today it is totally dependent on remittances sent from Yemenis working abroad. Has little industry, but there are positive mineral prospects in the south. Has some mineral industries but few efforts have been put into exploitation, due to heavy needs of investments, and only medium prospects for profits.

CULTURE The Thob is the most traditional clothing in Yemen It is used to cover the head/chest/Sleeves/ Shoulders They are decorated by sliver thread embroidery The Clothing also differs from region to region Black cloak known as the Balto very popular to most Yemeni women There is also a veil women wear on the streets while walking

Culture Cont… Traditional food is always simple and made with fresh ingredients Ya nafs ma Tishtay is used at festivals and celebrations Every meal starts with bismillah its in the name of Allah Also alcohol is banned from Yemen

Culture Cont.. Arabic is the official language but English is also spoken by the business man\ Sunni Muslim, Shia Muslim, also small Christian and Hindu communities. Most building are still made out of Mud Bricks the expert of this practice is Salma Samar Damluji

PLACES TO VISIT The Capital of Yemen is Sana’s Its an old city that contains houses that are up to 400 years old Most of the cities action happens between 6 to 7pm There is a market called Salt Market with a lot of good sales like, spices, vegetables, woodwork, and clothing

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