Why Study in Yemen?

The Republic of Yemen, located in the southwestern corner of the Arabian Penninsula, is one of the most intriguing and beautiful countries in the Arab world.  Its ancient kingdoms grew rich in the trade of frankincense and myrrh.  One of them, Saba', constructed the great dam of Ma’rib, an engineering feat of the ancient world, and is said to have been the home of the Queen of Sheba (or Bilqis as she is known in Yemen). In medieval times, Yemeni towns like Zabid were unrivalled in the Muslim world as centers of religious learning. Yemen’s coffee, shipped from the port of Mocha, became a prized luxury good in Europe.  The Old City of Sana’a, Shibam in Hadhramout, and Zabid in the Tihama are all UNESCO World Heritage cities, preserving their extraordinary architecture for the enjoyment of citizens and visitors alike.  Dramatic mountain terraces in the northern and central portions of the country, verdant wadis in the south, desert sand dunes in the east, and warm seas with rich aquatic life: these contrasts hint at the ecological and geographical diversity of the country and its natural charms.