Yemen Country Information
Currency
The Yemeni unit of currency is the Riyal. The exchange rate is currently 225 Yemeni Riyals to one U.S. dollar, which means that one YR is less than half of one U.S. cent. Within Yemen, the YR may be freely converted into U.S. dollars and vice versa.
Language and Religion
The official language is Arabic and the vast majority of the people are Muslims. In the major cities, some English is spoken.
Weather
Yemen's coasts are warm and humid year round. The mountainous highlands of the north can be quite cool, especially in the winter months. It is not unheard for temperatures to fall below freezing. Yemen's mountainous areas also receive significant amounts of rain twice a year. Yemen's eastern desert areas are hot and dry during the day and cool at night.
Education
The Ministry of Education is responsible for all K-12 educational programs in country. The Ministry of Higher Education supervises academic tertiary programs, while the Ministry of Vocational Training provides oversight to community colleges and other technical programs not affiliated with the Ministry of Health and Population. More detail is provided on the Educational System in Yemen.
Shopping
Sana'a's Old City offers visitors the opportunity to visit the most traditional suq (bazaar) in the Middle East. The suq boasts an array of traditional Yemeni products-such as jambiyyas (daggers), Jewish-designed silver jewelry, and other handicrafts-as well as fascinating architectural sights. Modern shopping areas and restaurants are found just outside the Old City, especially along Hadda and Zubeiri Streets.
Outside of Sana'a, shopping opportunities are limited. A few exceptions include the suq in Taiz and select tourist stores in the governorate (province) of Hadramaut. In the future, the port city of Aden plans to open a duty free shopping area, similar to what exists in Dubai. At all locales, bargaining is encouraged.
Sightseeing
Yemen is perhaps the richest country in the Middle East in historical and natural sights. A mountainous country with ancient villages and vast sea coasts, Yemen offers something for almost every visitor. Highlights include:
- Sana'a's Old City
- Wadi Dahr and the Imam's Rock Palace
- Fortress village of Kawkaban
- Terraced mountains and villages of the regions of Ibb, Al-Mahwit, and Manakhah
- Tihamese town of Zabid
- Beaches and colonial port of Aden
- Al- Amariya Mosque in Rada'a
- The biodiversity of the island of Socotra
- The mudbrick skyscrapers of Shibam, Wadi Hadhramaut
Transportation
Both private and shared transport is plentiful throughout Yemen, generally for reasonable fees ranging from YR25 for a shared mini-bus to YR 20,000 or more for air travel between cities. As with every other purchase, bargaining is important when arranging most forms of land transportation. Fees are fixed for shared transit, metered taxis, and air travel.
Important Links
Yemen Observer: www.yobserver.com
Yemen Times: www.yementimes.com
|
