الصفحة العربية

A civilization of  three thousand years. Its history goes back to the Sabean era, it was mentioned in engravings going back to 1st century AD. It has been an important and the capital city for many ruling countries. One of the important stops for the trade routes. The Holy Qura'an mentioned it on the trips of winter and summer. The islamic period brought it to another stage. The church of Abraha was replaced by the great mosque. The small Yemen nations competed to control it, starting with Al-Zaidi, Al-Sulaihi, Al-Hatimi, Al-Aiubi and Ending with the Bani Rasul and the Tahiri.

After the Portuguese invasion the mamlouks entered. Upon the fall of the mamlouks by the Turks in Egypt. Yemen became part of the Ottoman Empire. It was the capital of the Ottomans for their 1st and 2nd eras. It stayed as the capital of  Imam Yahya who ruled the northern part of Yemen and his son Ahmed Yahya until the 26th sep. 1962 revolution.

Capital for the Arab Republic of Yemen was the source of revolution against British colonialism in the Southern Yemen. Unity of  all Yemen was declared 1990 making  SANA'A the capital of  Republic of Yemen and was called the historical capital.

Bir Ali is about 120km from Mukalla and 140km from Ataq. It is now a coastal village and a small fishing port, on one end of the Gulf, whereas there is a volcanic hill overlooking the south western entrance on the other end of the Gulf. There lies the ancient state of Hadhramout. Qana port was the place where the incense and frankincense were exported, either through the well known as Husn Al-ghurab. There exist the remains of observation tower and water cisterns. There exist also the remains of buildings and settlements at the foot of the fortress in the north part which are believed to be the ruins of Qana.

There are a lot of valleys across Shabwa governorate which run towards the desert of Al- Ruba 'Al-khali (Empty Qurter) or towards the Arabian Sea.

Among these valleys are: Wadi Bayhan, Wadi Irma, Wadi Mayfaa, Wadi Markha, Wadi Dhura (Nissab), Wadi Yashbum and Wadi Amaqin.

The tourist roads extend cross the desert and sometimes across the valleys, where the beautiful villages are spreading. Among these villages are Yashbum and Rawda (an important center for the traditional textile industry) in Wadi Amaqin. The tourist road also passes through the amazing beautiful coasts like Bir Ali and Belhaf coast.

The governorate also abounds with various natural resources for instance, the hot springs in Radhoum area.

The queen of the mountains... The village of Shihara, more than 8,500 feet above sea level is not the only wonder of these mountains in Hajja province. The spectacle commences at the foot of the town where its line of dry walls gives rise to a dense mesh of terraces and 23 cisterns dug into the rock in the form of an amphitheatre. This is an ingenious solution to the problems of farming but also a clever system of defence. Shihara is one of the few villages to have withstood the advancing Turks in the 16th century without ever succumbing. The biscuit-coloured architecture was, however, damaged in the 1960s when Shihara was bombed from the air by the Republicans.

Soqatra Island has been given more than one name, it is called the Island of Happiness or the Island of Cairn and Abel. You may come cross different names for this Island. It is the biggest and largest island in Yemen; in the ancient time it was the back reserve for the support of the old Yemeni Hadhramout Kingdom economy during the first millennium B.C. The king of this kingdom was named the king of glue land which was famous at that time in Soqatra. Also incense sticks and laudanum were famous at that time. The people of the ancient nations considered the place where these commodities are planted as a holy place and the commodities as well. That is why it was called by the Romans and Greek "The Island of Happiness", many stories and legends have been woven in respect there to as well as due to the difficulty to reach it in the past.

The Island of Cairn and Abel:

There is a distinguished tree, named the two brothers blood trees which grown on the top of the mountains, its height reaches between 6-9m. The people there used to make cracks on its trunk and then a viscous red fluid flows and left till it is dried up. It is used for medicine; some of it is collected and packed for export. Many legends have been woven around it of which that it grew from the blood of Cairn and Abel when the first human crime ever took place for as the blood flowed from sprang from it. Another legend is that it grew from a clotted blood that flowed from a dragon during its fight with an elephant till both got killed.

The Habitants of the Island:

They speak a mixed language, old Arabic (Dafari language) and ancient Yemeni-Almhari and Hamyarite language. The population of the Island is approximately 65,514 people; all of them follow the Islamic religion.

The strange Island in the Arab Peninsula:

Some of the Russian and European scientists who concerned about oriental history succeeded to reach this Island to observe the strange plants there. One of the Russian scientists composed a book in 1074, in that book he mentioned that the life of Soqatra people may open an unknown history in the global history which linked with role of the Old Arab Peninsula in developing the human civilization. This island is regarded as a natural plant reservation. Some of the scientists described it as a strange island in the Arab Peninsula. It got the tenth position among the richest islands in the world regarding the numerous different types of plants. There are 75 types of rare plants in the world. 

It is considered as one of the Sheba oldest places in Al-Hadaba or Al- Najd, and it is not far from the present big town, Marib which located in the low lands. Sarwah town was existed in Khawlan land which its history had a good connection with Sheba Kingdom. The town was existed there due to the settlement policy by Sheba Kingdom at that time (settling Sheba tribes and people in specified areas). It was a kind of policy operated by Sheba Kingdom in different areas in the Yemeni hills which were ruled by other tribes and they were about to be as kingdoms.

They occupied the land after departing the original citizen of that land, or they were making some adjustments on the population nature in order to achieve their goals, such as expanding their State and protecting its borders. The Victory Art of Karb Al-watr Bin Dhamar Ali is the best one which represents the Sheba Kingdom.

The settlement was done after the 7th century. The town is bounded by old Marib in the west, around 30km, in the north by Al-Mafatih land and the Road of Al-Makdarah Mountain, in the south by Al-Ajarim Mountain, in the east by Nusayib Al-Mahja and Al-Ashgari Mountain in the west. The town was constructed on higher rocks in Athena Wadi (river), its height is about 8m. It is surrounded by strong boundary and huge defensive forts.

The town entry is located in the southern direction, it is full of ruins, and it is built by the same stones of the town boundary which no remains of it left now, but very few. Sarwah in its present situation is as a small village; the number of houses there are between 40 and 60. The old town still keeps its constructions, such as the remains of the fort in the west, some parts of it were not used in the Islamic Period, in the north there is a construction which is called by the people Balquis's Throne, and it was built of big stones. The main remains there are: god temple and Al-Maqt (a name of another temple) which is located at the east-south corner of the town. The second important remain in the town is the famous Victory Art.

It a place which was known previously as a historical break when it was used as a passageway for traders. It has healthy springs and the constructions there is unique. It is located in the south of the Capital Sana'a, and far from it around 250km, placed on mountain mounds on paved routes which join Al-Dhalai with Lahj and Aden through Dhamar province. It is surrounded with some other provinces, namely: Al-baydha, Abyan, Lahj, Ibb and Taiz. The climate is moderate in summer, but cols in winter at night. Mountains, mounds and fruitful valleys are disseminated in this Province.

Tourist Places:

Al-Dalai city is the administrative center of the province, where the old caravans were moving from Aden to Sana'a, passing through it. Jihaf Mountain, which is one of the famous mountains in Yemen, over looks this province.

Demath Area is far from Yarim region around 45km, and considered as one of the mineral and natural springs in Yemen, they are around 48 ones, people go there to get natural treatments. Due to those existed natural springs there this region as visited by many foreign tourists. The paved route in bana valley makes the reach to those places very readily. Nowadays, many local people and visitors call on this site to get treatment and relaxation. such as Amier Bin overpass, many overpasses, schools, water tanks and mosques are related to this individual.

Juban City is far from Rada'a city around 55km and 35km from Qatabah district. It is considered as one of the most historical cities of Sultans during the Al-Tahiraya State rule.

Agriculture:

Agriculture activities are are long-drawn-out through some valleys which have a very distance. Fields and greenish strips are disseminated there. The agriculture products are: wheat, corm, some fruits little coffee trees and grapes in those valleys, bees supply food from the grapes. After the Yemeni reunification, Al-Dalai province achieved tremendous constructions and provide with modern services and tourist sites.    

It is one the Northern provinces in Yemen which has a unique and wonderful tourism activity, such historical places, Islamic sites and the distinguished traditional products. The relief is different there.

This province is located in the eastern south part of what is known at present as Qa' Al-Sahan. In the ancient times the houses were built on Talmas Mountain which is far from the now town a bout 3 km. Old Sa'da is surrounded by an elderly boundary which has numerous overlooks and three gates. The architectural nature is unique comparing with other historical cities. Most of the constructions are built of clay and mud. This city was existed in the 3 A.H. (9th Cent.) with the purpose of offering different services to assist the pilgrims and others who passed by at that time, and it was designed by Imam Al-Hadi Yahya Bin Al-husian.

The administrative centre in the province is far from the capital around 242 km. It includes heights, range of mountains, plains and fertile valleys. There are wonderful and tourists woodlands in the province. These woodlands begin from Khawlan Bin Jaber Mountains in the south whose height is about 2800 m. Passing through Jama' Mountains and Razah, Sahar and Hamdan Mountains. The best tourist regions are the greenish. steps in khatfa area.

The climate there is moderate in Summer, the temperature is 18° - 25°, and 15° in winter. Many fertile lands are found there, grapes, pomegranates, plums and different types of figs are planted.

Sad'a is known previously and presently in making traditional iron swards, also previously was common in making plough and dying tools, iron plates, silvery item and wooden items still made now.

One of the main milestones in Sad'a is Al-Hadi Mosque which dated back to the 9th Cent., it is considered as one of the old mosques in Yemen. The best famous castles and forts there are Al-Sanara Castle, Al-Sama Castle and Razah Castle. Um Liyla Fort is considered as one of the main tourist sites.

It is an ancient place and seaport known in Yemen and it is located in the south of Taiz Province, far from it around 94km.

It was mentioned in Himyarate engravings that this town is one of the oldest seaports. It was known as Makn. Moca (Makha) town played a significant and and historical role before Islam appearance and after. Moca name was mentioned on very ancient Yemeni engravings in Yemen, such as king, named Yousif Asar whom was reputed as Thee Naws. This king directed his army to Makn, he fought the Ethiopian troops there, and has taken their church in Makn. Yousif was Jewish. That engraving dated back to the pre period of the Ethiopian colony in Yemen in 522. The name of Makn town got this name before Islam period, and Moca seaport belonged to Himyarate State king, Karb Al-Watr, the king of Dafar.

Moca was exposed to many military campaigns; the main one was the Portugal campaign which was scattered at the beginning of the 10th Century on Yemeni coasts. That campaign was the main reason to make Othman rule and British colony got competition to capture it. The first one had many military campaigns to occupy Moca. Then, Portugal troops were sent out by them. Dr. Sharaf Al-dean mentioned in his book, "Yemen through History" that Othman State occupied Moca town in 954 A.H. Moca was considered as a military region to start their attacks against Portugal troops. Moca stared getting prosperous activities, such as trading activity after Othamn troops left in 1640, and in the 17th Cent. the town became on the top. The historian, Al-Wasi, stated that the name Moca is used currently in Europe for the best coffee, Mocca coffee.

It is considered as one of the old historical towns, which dated back to the 7th century B.C. The first presence for it was on the victory engraving, which was recorded by "Kharab El Watr Bin Dhamar Ali". After he defeated the king of Nishin Kingdom, he joined all his properties to his kingdom. Then, Sheba people started moving to settle in the middle mounds bottoms, especially, the bottom of Al-boun, Ak-Rahba bottom, Sana'a bottom Sahman and Gahran bottom. Many Sheba towns were constructed in their outskirts. Shibam is one of those towns. Sheba people settled there in order to expand their patch State to strengthen its power and protect its borders. some of the Sheba tribes were moved to this area. This town achieved cultural and religious promotion such as, engraving rocks to form rooms, then they were used them as graves; they were distributed in the Al-Low Mountain that faces the town.

The architectural and historical evidences of Shibam Kokaban during the Islamic Period, such as the art of the archeological construction, still remain to witness for that. Like, the religious constructions in the mosques , grave yards and civilian buildings, like the old market, Rock Palace (Al-Samsarah), Government House (Employees), the old Turkish Bath and Military buildings, like the town's boundary, its gates and strong towers. All these elements reflect the nature and characteristics of the Arab and Islamic town. At the beginning of the middle centuries