Yemen

Ten thousand years of trade along its Red Sea and Indian Ocean coasts, over its mountains, and across its deserts, have made this a meeting point of people and ideas—both monotheism and writing were born in Yemen, and there are many fascinating archaeological remains of the sophisticated and mixed cultures that flourished here. Contemporary Yemeni culture is perhaps most famous for its incredible mud architecture, whose forms date back for millenia but continue to develop under influences from as far away as Java. The capital, Sana'a, is one of the beautiful cities of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This book offers a comprehensive guide to the city and its culture.