Sanaa, Yemen

By itypemba | November 10, 2021

According to abbreviationfinder, Sanaa is the capital of Yemen and together with Aden the most important city in the country. It is located in the province that bears the same name in the west of the country. The city is divided into two sectors. The eastern one, in which the mosques and markets are located, and the western one that is residential. The old part of Sanaa is a world heritage site and is a highly recommended place for visitors.

History

It was from the 4th century on when the city of Sanaa began to be taken into consideration since at this time it became part of the Himyari kingdom. In the year 632 it was occupied by the Muslim caliphate as well as the cities in the area.

From 1870 it was the Ottoman Empire that took control of the city. After the defeat of the Turks in World War I and with an independent Yemen, Sanaa was the capital of the country for the first time.

The civil war that took place in the country fractured the state in two. On the one hand there were the republicans supported by Egypt and on the other the followers of the imam who were helped by Saudi Arabia. In 1967 the war ended by agreeing to divide the country into two states. One would be in the south, the People’s Republic of Yemen with its capital in Aden and the other in the north, the Arab Republic of Yemen with its capital in Sanaa.

In 1990 reunification took place again and Sanaa was chosen as the capital of the Republic of Yemen. However 4 years later a civil war broke out again due to power conflicts. The northern side was victorious a year later.

Geography

Sanaa is the capital of the Republic of Yemen. It is located in the west of the country on a plateau located northwest of the port of Hodeida. A few kilometers from the city we find the highest peak in Yemen, Jaban al-Nabi Shu`ayb, which reaches 3,700 meters above sea level. The capital is located at 2,250 meters of altitude.

Nature

As the main natural site in the area, we find the slopes of Jaban al-Nabi Shu`ayb, the highest peak in the country and which is very close to Sanaa. In addition, in this area of the country, the vegetation is more abundant. We found many forests and some tropical plants.

Location

Sanaa is the capital of Yemen and together with Aden the most important city in the country. It is located in the province that bears the same name in the west of the country.

The city is divided into two sectors. The eastern one, in which the mosques and markets are located, and the western one that is residential. Both are connected by the palace of the former rulers of Yemen.

Climate

We find a very warm, almost tropical climate in the area, although due to the altitude the temperatures are somewhat more moderate. It is usually quite dry with desert tints. The rainy period is found from March and April and from July to September.

In some areas, they have exceeded 50 ºC.

Population

Of the more than one and a half million residents that populate the city, the largest ethnic group that exists is the Arab. However, there are also South Asians, Afro-Arabs and even some Europeans. See population of Yemen.

The official language is Arabic and the religion Islam, although they are divided almost evenly between Sunnis and Shiites, with the balance partly tilted towards the former.

Economic development

The oil industry is undoubtedly the great engine of the country both oil crude and refined. In addition to this, the factories of fabrics and fabrics also have a vital importance.

As far as agriculture is concerned, coffee, cotton, legumes or gat, a light narcotic, are grown. Livestock is varied, finding mostly goats, sheep and camels.

Among the natural resources, in addition to oil, we find marble, coal, lead and nickel among other materials.

Sightseeing

The old part of Sanaa is a world heritage site and is a highly recommended place for tourists to see the architectural style that is typical of Yemen as are tower-style houses with multiple floors. Within this part of the city, it is advisable to visit the market or souk al-Milh, which is recognized by many as the best on the Peninsula where it is located. This part of the city has been inhabited for more than 2,500 years, so there are real architectural gems there. In addition to the multi-storey houses there are more than a hundred mosques, twelve baths and 6,500 houses, which are decorated with elaborate friezes and window frames that have quite intricate carvings, filled with stained glass. Mosques are very visited places. The Great Mosque or al-Jami al-Kabir stands out above all, although there are also other very showy ones such as that of Salah ad-Din or that of al-Aquil.

Culture

Crafts

Curved daggers or also called jambias are the most demanded artisan element in Sanaa. Along with them, silver jewels are also pursued by tourists.

In addition to this, fossils, beads, ancient coins and in general all kinds of antiquities related to the history of the city of Yemen can be found in the different markets of the capital.

Gastronomy

The rice, the meat, the fish and vegetables cooked form the basis of gastronomy of the city.

One of the most internationally known dishes but which is still in the background there is the kebab. For this oak, a meat stew with beans, lentils, peas and spices is consumed more than is called salta.

The lentil soup and the lamb soup are also among his favorite dishes. Like bint al shan, a typical Yemeni dessert.

A custom that is not widespread throughout the country since it has fallen into disuse is that of eating with your fingers and with only a little bread.

Holidays and traditions

In recent years the country has undergone considerable evolution and some of the most deeply rooted traditions are being anchored in the past. One of them is purdah, the obligation for women to be covered, which is gradually being eliminated and more and more people can go out without this sword of Damocles on them.

The country’s religious holidays are Eid al-Fitr, the end of Ramadan, Eid al-Adha, the pilgrimage, and Lailat al-Miraj, the Ascension of the Prophet.

In addition to these, a multitude of political commemorations are held throughout the year:

On May 22, the National Unity Day.
On September 26, the Day of the Revolution.
On October 14, the National Day.
On November 30, the Independence

Places of interest

One of the main attractions of the city are its houses built following the traditional style of the country. It is easy to find houses around Sanaa that are more than 400 years old.

Another great attraction that the city has are its mosques where the Great Mosque stands out, also called al-Jami al-Kabir that has an important artistic wealth or that of al-Aquil, a fairly small building but which is culminated by very eye-catching that guard the market or souk al-Milh. Among others we can mention:

Al-jami`al-Kabir Great Mosque
Al-`Aqil Mosque
Qubbat al-Bakiliya Mosque
Salah ad-Din Mosque

For Muslims the favorite is the Great Mosque al-jami`al-Kabir. It was built in the year 630, during the life of the prophet Muhammad. Most of the current structures, including the minarets, date from the 12th century. Only Muslims are allowed access.

It is also interesting to visit the Qubbat al-Bakiliya, which is more than 400 years old and the old part of the city where there are small markets with the richest crafts in the area.