Yemen

North Yemen became independent of the Ottoman Empire in 1918. The British, who had set up a protectorate area around the southern port of Aden in the 19th century, withdrew in 1967 from what became South Yemen. Three years later, the southern government adopted a Marxist orientation. The massive exodus of hundreds of thousands of Yemenis from the south to the north contributed to two decades of hostility between the states. The two countries were formally unified as the Republic of Yemen in 1990. A southern secessionist movement in 1994 was quickly subdued. In 2000, Saudi Arabia and Yemen agreed to a delimitation of their border.

Languages & Population

Approximate Population: 22,230,531 (July 2007 est.)

Nationality (Noun): Yemeni(s)

Nationality (Adjective): Yemeni

Official Language(s): Arabic

Major Languages Spoken: Arabic

Country Facts

Country Name (long form): Republic of Yemen

Country Name (short form): Yemen

Country Name (local long form): Al Jumhuriyah al Yamaniyah

Country Name (local short form): Al Yaman

Name of Capital: Sanaa

UTC Time Difference (from capital): UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Countries Near by, and Bordering Yemen: Oman, Saudi Arabia

Land Area: 527970 sq km

Comparative Area: slightly larger than twice the size of Wyoming

Total Land Boundry: 1,746 km

Coastline: 1,906 km

National Holiday: Unification Day, 22 May (1990)

International Phone Code: 967

Currency Code: Yemeni rial (YER)

Internet Country Code: .ye

US Embassy Location: Sa'awan Street, Sanaa

US Embassy Mailing Address: P. O. Box 22347, Sanaa