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Port city and temporary capital of Yemen / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Aden ( Arabic: عَدَن, romanized: Ah-dan, Old South Arabian : 𐩲𐩵𐩬, Eudaemon Ancient Greek: Ευδαίμων, meaning "blissful/ prosperous''),[8] is a port city located in the southern part of the Arabian peninsula, positioned near the eastern approach to the Red Sea . It is situated approximately 170 km (110 mi) east of the Bab-el-Mandeb strait and north of the Gulf of Aden. With its strategic location on the coastline, Aden serves as a gateway between the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea, making it a crucial maritime hub connecting Africa, Asia, and the Middle East . As of 2023, Aden City has a population of approximately 1,080,000 residents, making it the largest city in South Yemen and one of the largest cites in Yemen. The city spans an area of 760 km2 (290 square miles), providing ample space for its growing population and diverse range of activities. Aden City is strategically positioned at the crossroads of Africa, Asia, and Europe, making it a gateway for international trade and commerce. Aden has a rich cultural heritage that reflects the city's unique history and traditions. The city has been a center of trade and commerce for centuries, which has resulted in a diverse cultural mix of Arabic, Indian, and African influences [9]. The city is renowned for its strategic seaport and the Aden Free Zone. It is strategically positioned near the Bab Al-Mandab Strait, a crucial maritime route. The city is equipped with essential infrastructure, including Aden International Airport, along with prominent public healthcare institutions such as Aljoumhouria Teaching Hospital (Queen Elizabeth II) , Aden General Hospital, and Friendship Teaching Hospital. Aden is divided into eight districts, Tawahi District, Mualla District, Crater District, Khur Maksar District, Al Mansura District, Dar Sad District, Sheikh Othman, Al Buraiqa District. These eight districts constitute the modern day Governorate of Aden, during the British Colonialism , Aden referred to the area situated along the north coast of the Gulf of Aden and lies on a peninsula enclosing the eastern side of Al-Tawāhī Harbour, present day Tawahi District, Mualla District, Crater District and most of Khur Maksar District, whereas the peninsula enclosing the western side of the harbour is called Little Aden, which is part of present day Al Buraiqa District.
Aden
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Coordinates: 12°48′N 45°02′E | |
Country | Yemen |
Region | South Yemen |
Governorate | Aden |
First settled[1] | 7th century BC |
British occupation | 19 January 1829 |
Aden Settlement | 1829 |
Province of Aden | 1932–1937 |
Colony of Aden | 1 April 1937 |
state of Aden withen the FSA | 18 January 1963 |
Independence | 30 November 1967 |
Government | |
• Governor | Dr. Ahmed Lamlas |
• Governing body | Aden Local Council |
• Aden Police Director | Maj Gen Mutahar Al-Shuaibi |
Area | |
• Total | 760 km2 (290 sq mi) |
Elevation | 6 m (20 ft) |
Population (2017)[2] | |
• Total | 863,000 |
• Estimate (2023)[3] | 1,079,670 |
• Density | 1,135.52/km2 (2,941.0/sq mi) |
Demonym | Adeni/ Adenies |
Ethnicities | |
• Majority | Arabs |
• Minorities | Afro-Arabs, Indians, Somalis |
Languages | |
• Official | Arabic MSA (Education and Government) |
• Spoken | Adeni Arabic (Majority) Hindi [6], Somali[7] (minorities) |
Time zone | UTC+3 (AST) |
Area code | 02 |
Prior to the independence, Aden consisted of a number of distinct sub-centres: Crater, the original port city; Ma'alla, the modern port; Tawahi, known as "Steamer Point" in the colonial period; and the resorts of Gold Mohur. Khormaksar, on the isthmus that connects Aden proper with the mainland, includes the city's diplomatic missions, the main offices of Aden University, and Aden International Airport (the former British Royal Air Force station RAF Khormaksar), Yemen's second biggest airport. On the mainland are the sub-centres of Sheikh Othman, a former oasis area; Al-Mansura, a town planned by the British; and Madinat ash-Sha'b (formerly Madinat al-Itihad), the site designated as the capital of the South Arabian Federation and now home to a large power/desalinization facility and additional faculties of Aden University.
Aden encloses the eastern side of a vast, natural harbour that constitutes the modern port. A long time ago this necessitated the existence of Aden's reservoirs, the Cisterns of Tawila. As described by 14th century scholar Ibn Battuta, "These reservoirs accumulate rainwater for the sole purpose of drinking for the city's citizens. Little Aden became the site of the oil refinery and tanker port. Both were established and operated by British Petroleum until they were turned over to South Yemeni government ownership and control in 1978.
Aden, formly the the capital of the state of South Yemen, held that status until it was captured by the northern Yemeni forces on 7 July 1994 during the 1994 Civil War. Currently, it's the seat of the Southern Transitional Council, which exercises complete control over the city and a significant portion of the territory that was once part of South Yemen. It was also declared a temporary capital for the ousted government of Yemen following the 2014 Coup d'état hosting some members of the IRGY (Cabinet of Yemen) mainly in al-Maashiq area.