Showing posts with label Yemen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yemen. Show all posts

Monday, 11 June 2018

Old City of Sana'a

Sana'a is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world

Old City of Sana'a
This postcard arrived from Denmark sent by Genek

Sana'a, also spelled Sanaa or Sana, is the largest city in Yemen and the centre of Sana'a Governorate
The old fortified city has been inhabited for more than 2,500 years and contains many intact architectural gems. It was declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations in 1986. Efforts are underway to preserve some of the oldest buildings some of which, such as the Samsarh and the Great Mosque of Sana'a, are more than 1,400 years old. Surrounded by ancient clay walls which stand 9–14 metres (30–46 ft) high, the Old City contains more than 100 mosques, 12 hammams (baths) and 6,500 houses. Many of the houses resemble ancient skyscrapers, reaching several stories high and topped with flat roofs. They are decorated with elaborate friezes and intricately carved frames and stained-glass windows. - in: wikipedia

Saturday, 2 December 2017

Socotra Archipelago

Socotra has a rich fauna and a rich flora, including some strange trees like the ones in the postcard

Socotra Island
This postcard was sent by Emerich

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. - in: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1263