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The North
SA’DAH: The walled city of Sad’ah was once an iron mining and tanning centre and an important station along the Himyarite Sana’a–Mecca trade route. Later Sa’dah was chosen as the capital of the Zaydi state and became the centre of Zaydi learning. The al-Hadi Mosque is still an important institution for education in Zaydism. It is possible to walk along the top of the city walls, which afford good views of the city. The Najran Gate in the north is the most interesting of the gates, protected by an alleyway leading to the doors. The Great Mosque is the central building in the city. The market sells traditional stone necklaces and some fine silverware. The Sa’dah Fortress is the seat of the provincial government, thickly walled, and once the Imam’s residence. Outside the city is the Zaydi Graveyard, filled with some of the most beautiful gravestones in Yemen. The Sad’ah Basin is strikingly fertile, providing Yemen’s early crops of grapes, and is excellent for walking and hiking.
MAREB: Once the capital of the kingdom of Sheba, Mareb is now largely in a state of disrepair. Blocks of stone with Sabean writing bear testament to the history of the city. Southwest of Mareb is the ancient Mareb Dam, used thousands of years ago to irrigate the surrounding land. The dam fell into disuse around AD 570, after which large numbers of people emigrated northwards. The stonework is impressive, measuring 600m (1968ft) wide and 18m (60ft) deep.
ELSEWHERE: Between Sana’a and Sad’ah in the north lies the Wadi Wa’aar. The climate here is subtropical, and mangoes, papayas and bananas grow freely. Out of this rises the Shahara, a huge mountain massif, the highest point being nearly 3000m (9840ft) above sea level. This can be climbed by foot or by four-wheel-drive car; Shahara City offers overnight accommodation. Shahara Bridge, built in the 17th century, connects two mountains and can still be crossed by foot.
The Eastern Mountains (al-Mashrik) slope down from an altitude of 3000m to 1100m (9840ft to 3610ft). The landscape gradually turns to sand dunes where the population decreases; agriculture is concentrated around wadies.
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