Governorates of Yemen محافظات اليمن | |
---|---|
| |
Category | Unitary state |
Location | Republic of Yemen |
Number | 21 governorates, 1 municipality |
Populations | (Governorates only): 44,120 (Socotra) – 4,554,443 (Taiz) |
Areas | (Governorates only): 130 km2 (49 sq mi) (Sana'a) – 99,000 km2 (38,300 sq mi) (Hadhramaut) |
Government |
|
Subdivisions |
This article is part of series on |
Member State of the Arab League |
---|
Yemenportal |
The Republic of Yemen is divided into twenty-one governorates ( muhafazah ) and one municipality (amanah): [1]
The governorates are subdivided into 333 districts (muderiah), which are subdivided into 1,996 sub-districts, and then into 40,793 villages and 88,817 sub villages (as of 2013). [2]
Before 1990, Yemen existed as two separate entities. South Yemen consisted of modern Aden, Abyan, Mahrah, Dhale, Hadramaut, Socotra, Lahij, and Shabwah Governorates, while the rest made up North Yemen. For more information, see Historic Governorates of Yemen.
Name in English | Name in Arabic | Capital | Area (km2) [3] | Population (2013) [2] | Population Density | Key | Federal Region |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Abyan | أبين | Zinjibar | 21,939 | 658,824 | 30.0 | 3 | Aden |
Aden | عدن | Aden | 1,114 | 1,087,653 | 976.3 | 1 | Aden |
Al Bayda | البيضاء | Al Bayda | 11,193 | 835,683 | 74.6 | 5 | Sheba |
Al Hudaydah | الحديدة | Al Hudaydah | 17,509 | 3,774,914 | 215.5 | 6 | Tahamah |
Al Jawf | الجوف | Al Hazm | 30,620 | 663,147 | 21.6 | 7 | Sheba |
Al Mahrah | المهرة | Al Ghaydah | 122,500 | 400,000 | 3.2 | 8 | Hadramaut |
Al Mahwit | المحويت | Al Mahwit | 2,858 | 732,360 | 256.2 | 9 | Tahamah |
Amanat Al Asimah a | أمانة العاصمة | Sana'a | 126 | 1,174,767 | 9,323.5 | 10 | N/A |
'Amran | عمران | 'Amran | 9,587 | 1,123,651 | 117.2 | 2 | Azal |
Dhale | الضالع | Dhale | 4,786 | 602,613 | 125.9 | 4 | Aden |
Dhamar | ذمار | Dhamar | 10,495 | 1,697,067 | 161.7 | 11 | Azal |
Hadramaut | حضرموت | Mukalla | 191,737 | 1,329,085 | 6.9 | 12 | Hadramaut |
Hajjah | حجة | Hajjah | 10,141 | 1,887,213 | 186.0 | 13 | Tahamah |
Ibb | إب | Ibb | 6,484 | 3,911,070 | 603.1 | 14 | Al Janad |
Lahij | لحج | Lahij | 15,210 | 926,291 | 60.5 | 15 | Aden |
Ma'rib | مأرب | Ma'rib | 20,023 | 504,696 | 25.2 | 16 | Sheba |
Raymah | ريمة | Al-Jabin | 3,442 | 502,505 | 145.9 | 17 | Tahamah |
Sa'dah | صعدة | Sa'dah | 15,022 | 987,663 | 65.7 | 18 | Azal |
Sana'a | صنعاء | Sana'a | 15,052 | 2,279,665 | 151.4 | 19 | Azal |
Shabwah | شبوة | Ataq | 47,728 | 651,509 | 13.6 | 20 | Hadramaut |
Socotra Archipelago b | محافظة أرخبيل سقطرى | Hadibu | 2359 | 60,000 | 25.4 | 22 | Hadramaut |
Taiz | تعز | Taiz | 12,605 | 4,554,443 | 361.3 | 21 | Al Janad |
Yemen | اليَمَن | Sana'a | 528,076 | 30,109,225 | 57.0 |
Notes:
a - Also known as Sanaa City, it is not part of any federal region
b - Socotra Governorate was created in December 2013 from parts of the Hadhramaut Governorate, data included there
Socotra or Saqatri is an island of Yemen in the Indian Ocean. Lying between the Guardafui Channel and the Arabian Sea and near major shipping routes, Socotra is the largest of the six islands in the Socotra archipelago. Since 2013, the island has been part of the Socotra Governorate.
Al Bayda Governorate, also spelt Al-Baidhah or Beida, is one of the governorates (muhafazat) of Yemen. It is located near the centre of the country, around the town of Al Bayda. Its population, according to the 2004 Yemeni census, was 571,778. In 2011, the population was estimated to be 895,000.
Al Mahrah, or simply Mahra, is a governorate (muhafazah) of Yemen in the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula. Situated in the area of the former Mahra Sultanate, its capital is Al Ghaydah. It has international borders with Oman.
Abyan is a governorate of Yemen. The Abyan region was historically part of the Fadhli Sultanate. It was a base to the Aden-Abyan Islamic Army militant group. Its capital is the city of Zinjibar. This governorate is noted for its agriculture, in particular the cultivation of date palms and animal husbandry.
Al Mahwit is one of the governorates of Yemen.
Aden is a governorate of Yemen, including the city of Aden. At the 2004 census, it had a population of 589,419. The ancient capital, the port city of Crater, was located here.
Dhale is one of the Yemeni governorates that was created after the unification of Yemen. The population of the province accounts for 2% of the total population of the republic. The governorate is divided into 9 districts. The city of Dhale is the administrative centre of the province. Dali is one of the governorates that is known for agriculture, and most of the population works in that industry. The most important agricultural crop is coffee. The province also contains mineral resources, most importantly talc, which is used in the manufacture of paper, paint, cosmetics and pesticides. This governorate is also home to the Damt hot-springs (Ḥamam-Damt), a popular tourist attraction. One of the ancient cities in the region is Juban, a city famous for its castle and the historic Mansuria school, built by the Tahrids. The climate in Dhale governorate is mostly temperate throughout the year.
Al Hudaydah is a governorate of Yemen. Its capital is Al Hudaydah. The governorate is also sometimes referred to as the Western Coast. With an estimated population of nearly 4 million, it is the third-most populous governorate in Yemen, behind Ibb and Taiz.
Al Jawf is a governorate of Yemen. Its capital is Al Hazm.
ʽAmran is one of the governorates of Yemen. Located in the northwestern side of the country, it is controlled by the Houthi movement in the Yemeni civil war (2014–present).
Hajjah is a governorate of Yemen in the north-western part of the country. It borders the Red Sea to the west, and its capital is also named Hajjah.
Lahij is a governorate of Yemen.
Saada or Sa'dah is one of the governorates of Yemen. The governorate's seat and the largest city is Saada. It is the epicentre of Zaydism and where the Houthi group originates from.
Shabwah is a governorate (province) of Yemen. Its main town is Ataq.
Hadhramaut Governorate is a governorate of Yemen. Lying within the large historical region of Hadhramaut, it is the country's largest governorate. The capital of Hadhramaut is the city of Mukalla. Other cities in Hadhramaut include the historical towns of Shibam, Sena, Seiyun, Tarim, and Ash Shihr.
Ibb is a governorate of Yemen. It is located in the inland south of the country with Ta'izz Governorate to the southwest, Ad Dali' Governorate to the southeast, Dhamar Governorate to the north, and short borders with Al Bayda' Governorate to the east and Al Hudaydah Governorate to the west. It has an area of 5,344 km² and a population estimated at around 1,665,000 in 2004, making it the most densely populated governorate in Yemen outside of San'a city. It is the third largest province in Yemen.
Taiz is a governorate of Yemen. The governorate's capital Taiz, the third-largest city in Yemen, is among the most important commercial centres in the country, owing to its proximity to rich farmland and the important Red Sea port of Mocha. It also has an international airport, Taiz International Airport, with numerous services within Yemen and to neighbouring countries.
The administrative division of Yemen consists of two main divisions. There are 22 governorates, including the capital Sana'a and Socotra Archipelago. The 22 governorates are then divided into 333 districts, subdivided into 2,210 sub-districts, and then into 38,284 villages.
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Yemen:
The Socotra Archipelago, officially the Socotra Archipelago Governorate, abbreviated to Socotra Governorate, is one of the governorates of Yemen. It includes a number of islands in the Indian Ocean south of mainland Yemen, the largest of which is Socotra.