Yemen: Arabia Felix Then and Arabia Poor Now

https://cultureroadtravel.com/category/yemen/

The Republic of Yemen is a state located in the south of the Arabian Peninsula, bordering Saudi Arabia in the north and Oman in the northeast. In the west, the country is surrounded by the Red Sea, and in the south - by the Indian Ocean. Yemen's territory is approximately 528,000 square kilometres (203,861 sq mi), with a coastline of 2,000 km (1,200 mi) and the population is estimated to be 34,449,825 people (as of 2023). Most of the country is covered by arid desert, making land fertile and unsuitable for agriculture.

Having been called "Arabia Felix" (translated as "happy" or "fortunate") by Ancient Greeks, Yemen today is not that happy or fortunate. In fact, it is deemed one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world. To make things worse, since the 1990s, Yemen has been struggling with civil war, which has caused foreign states' military interventions, famine, and economic marginalisation. For now, on all accounts, Yemen can't be considered a safe travel destination.

However, the island of Socotra in the Arabian Sea is deemed relatively safe due to its remoteness from the majority of the country's territory. Moreover, this piece of land is a great spot for water sports, including surfing, as well as for hiking, with its incredible nature remaining almost intact. Due to the archipelago's rich biodiversity (192 bird species, 730 species of coral fish, 253 species of coral, 300 species of crab and lobster), it has been designated a World Heritage Site.

Yemen is an amazing travel destination because of its various cultural, historical, and natural places of interest. However, even intrepid explorers must consider the country's current crisis and take necessary precautions. Find a local guide, follow the customs, dress modestly, and respect people: this will make your trip safe and pleasant.