History
Over three thousand years ago, present-day Yemen was an important region trading in spices and frankincense.

The Greeks and Romans travelled to and from India via Yemeni ports.

Yemen came under the control of Ethiopians in the fourth century and Persians in the later sixth century.

The Portuguese annexed the island of Socotra, part of present-day Yemen, in the early sixteenth century. Also in the sixteenth century, and during the seventeenth century, areas of Yemen were controlled by the Ottoman Empire.

In 1839 the port of Aden and the surrounding region came under British influence.

The Ottomans controlled North Yemen between the middle of the nineteenth century until the end of the First World War (1914-1918).

The Colony of Aden was a British Crown colony from 1937 until 1963.

A revolution in 1962 led to the foundation of the Yemen Arab Republic (North Yemen).

The British withdrew from [South] Yemen in 1967. South Yemen, consisting of Aden and the former Protectorate of South Arabia was formed in the same year. Later, South Yemen changed its name to the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen.

In 1990 the Yemen Arab Republic and the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen united to form the Republic of Yemen.

After years of political unrest civil war began in September 2014. Following eight years of fighting the opposing sides signed a United Nations-brokered truce.

Economy
Yemen is one of the poorest Arab countries, plagued by conflict and civil war.

A large percentage of the Yemeni working population has traditionally been employed in farming, herding and the fishing industry. The services sector has also been a significant GDP earner.

Crops such as grain, fruits, vegetables, pulses, qat, coffee and cotton are grown. Livestock is reared.

Industries are oil, petroleum refining, commercial ship repair, cement, aluminum products, leather goods, cotton textiles, and food processing. In October 2009, Yemen exported its first liquefied natural gas.

Remittances from abroad and foreign aid are important to Yemen's economy.

Arts
Yemen's unique high-rise architecture, inscribed on the World Heritage List, is decorated with intricate designs and stained glass.

Other traditional arts and crafts include embroidery, textiles, and jewellery.

The medieval University of Zabid was a centre of religion, history and poetry. Zabid provided education for students all over the Islamic world.

Sport
Football is a popular team game in Yemen.

Water sports on the Yemeni coast include swimming and snorkeling.

Holidays
All religious holidays are celebrated. Unification Day is on 22 May (1990).

News
News from Yemen is available in Newslink.

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