Yemen - Historic Town of Zabid

"Zabid's domestic and military architecture and its urban plan make it an outstanding archaeological and historical site. Besides being the capital of Yemen from the 13th to the 15th century, the city played an important role in the Arab and Muslim world for many centuries because of its Islamic university.” 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Zabid Minaret and City walls, Yemen. Thanks to Gerhard of Austria.

Yemen - Socotra Archipelago

"Socotra Archipelago, in the northwest Indian Ocean near the Gulf of Aden, is 250 km long and comprises four islands and two rocky islets which appear as a prolongation of the Horn of Africa. The site is of universal importance because of its biodiversity with rich and distinct flora and fauna: 37% of Socotra’s 825 plant species, 90% of its reptile species and 95% of its land snail species do not occur anywhere else in the world. The site also supports globally significant populations of land and sea birds (192 bird species, 44 of which breed on the islands while 85 are regular migrants), including a number of threatened species. The marine life of Socotra is also very diverse, with 253 species of reef-building corals, 730 species of coastal fish and 300 species of crab, lobster and shrimp." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

I received these 3 postcards of Socotra island sent inside an envelope from Yemen. Amazing landscape and surreal vegetation. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Postcard 1



Postcard 2


Postcard 3

Yemen - Old Walled City of Shibam

"Surrounded by a fortified wall, the 16th-century city of Shibam is one of the oldest and best examples of urban planning based on the principle of vertical construction. Its impressive tower-like structures rise out of the cliff and have given the city the nickname of ‘the Manhattan of the desert’." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
Historic city of Shibam of Yemen. Thanks to Grete of UK for sending this great postcard.





Postcard 2
Wadei Hadramawt, Shebam. I bought this postcard from the Yemen Pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo in October, 2010.

Yemen - Old City of Sana'a

"Situated in a mountain valley at an altitude of 2,200 m, Sana’a has been inhabited for more than 2,500 years. In the 7th and 8th centuries the city became a major centre for the propagation of Islam. This religious and political heritage can be seen in the 103 mosques, 14 hammams and over 6,000 houses, all built before the 11th century. Sana’a’s many-storeyed tower-houses built of rammed earth (pisé) add to the beauty of the site." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
Amazing architecture of Sanaa, Yemen. Thanks to Tobias of Germany for sending this postcard from Yemen.






Postcard 2
View of Sanaa, Yemen. I bought this postcard from the Yemen Pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo in October, 2010.