23 Strange but True Yemen Facts

By Karin Lehnardt, Senior Writer

Published June 8, 2025

The drink mocha is named after the port of Mocha (Al Mokha) in Yemen. It was from this port that these coffee beans became accessible to the world._[1]
Yemen was originally called Arabia Felix, which is Latin for "happy or fortunate Arabai." This is because Yemen was the most fertile region in the area._[2]
Yemen is roughly twice the size of Wyoming, at 204,000 square miles (527, 968 sq km)._[4]
Yemen doesn't have any permanently flowing rivers, just dry river valleys called wadis. The lack of permanent water supplies has created environmental stress and other conflicts._[2]
Yemen has been occupied since the 12th century BC. Before Islam, people such as the Minaean, Sabaean, and Himyarite occupied the area from about 1200 BC to 525 AD. They traded frankincense, myrrh, and resin, which were some of the most valued spices in the world at the time, and made Yemen a central trade hub in the ancient world._[4]

Yemenis have a rich history and culture with a blend of Arab traditions, music, art, and food

People from Yemen are called Yemenis. Yemenis speak Arabic, and their culture is deeply tied to the history of the Arabian Peninsula._[2]
One of the world's largest humanitarian crises is happening in Yemen. In 2023, over 21.6 million Yemenis required some form of humanitarian assistance, and over 80% of the country struggles to access enough food and basic services. Different political and military groups have been decimating the region since 2014._[15]
The largest contiguous sand desert in the world covers part of Yemen. Called the Rub'al Khali (Empty Quarter), the 386,000-square-mile desert spans Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Oman, the UAE, and Jordan._[9]
Sanaa, the capital of Yemen, means "fortified place." According to Yemeni legend, one of the three sons of Noah, Shem, founded the ancient city._[10]
The world's first and only Marxist state was the People's Republic of South Yemen. It existed from 1967 until its unification with North Yemen in 1990, which is now the modern state of Yemen._[11]
Scholars believe that the Queen of Sheba came from Yemen or Ethiopia, or both._[10][13]
Traditional Yemeni food includes mandi (a rice dish with meat and spices), saltah (stew with vegetables, fenugreek, and lamb), and bint al-sahn (a pastry). Saltah is considered to be the country's national dish._[16]

Most food in Yemen is made with rice, lamb, and a variety of spices. The national dish is considered to be saltah, which is served mainly for lunch

Yemenis love to chew khat, a flowering evergreen with a stimulant effect. Smoked since ancient times, it is known by a variety of names, including qaat and jaad. While khat isn't a hard drug, it can cause psychological dependence and negatively affects an already fragile Yemeni economy._[5]

The dragon's blood tree is named after the blood-colored sap that the tree produces

Yemen is home to a tree called the dragon's blood tree. According to legend, the tree either grew from the blood of an elephant that was injured fighting another elephant, or it grew from the blood of two brothers fighting to the death._[9]
The Old Walled City of Shibam in Yemen is also known as "the Manhattan of the Desert" because of its impressive tower-like structures. Built in the 16th century AD, it is one of the oldest examples of urban planning._[8]
The national emblem of Yemen is the Golden Eagle of Saladin with a scroll in between in its claws. Saladin was a famous Muslim leader who fought in the Crusades and is respected by both Muslims and Christians._[2]
In 2025, the World Population Review ranked Yemen as the most dangerous country in the world, followed by Sudan, South Sudan, and Afghanistan._[7]
On March 11, 2025, journalist Jeffrey Goldberg was accidentally added to a Signal group chat of high-ranking United States officials discussing bombing Houthi targets in Yemen. The texts included information on weapons packages, targets, and timing._[3]
Dating back to the 8th century BC, the Marib Dam is one of the earliest examples of large-scale civil engineering. The dam was eventually abandoned, but its ruins can still be seen today._[6]

The Arabian leopard is the smallest leopard subspecies. It was widely distributed in the Arabian Peninsula until the late 1970s. Today, its population is steadily declining and fragmented

One of the rarest big cats in the world, the Arabian leopard is only found in three countries: Yemen, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. The total population is only about 120._[12]
Yemen is the birthplace of coffee, which was first cultivated there in the 15th century._[4]
Yemen is home to the ancient Socotra Archipelago, which is often described as one of the "most alien-looking places on Earth."_[14]
Yemenis typically wear distinctive traditonal clothing. Men wear a thobe (a long, flowing robe) paired with a "jambiya" (a curved dagger), and a sirwal (pants). Women wear niqabs (full body coverings)._[9]