MAHRA GOVERNORATE
The capital city of Mahara is Al-Ghai’dha 522km from Mukalla 1299km from
Sana’a linked by the Marib-Shabwa-Mukalla Road. It is located at the
eastern part of Yemen along the Arabian Sea extending eastwards as far
as the international borders with Oman, northwards as far as Rub Al
Khali and westwards to the Massela valley in Hadhramout. The topography
of Mahra is divided into mountains representing the extension of Oman
and Hadhramout mountains ranging 400-1000m above sea level, and Wadis,
some of which flow northwards into the Empty Quarter.
The western wadis join Wadi Al Massela flowing into Saihout. Some of the
Wadis are perennial springs Mahara also includes immense area of fertile
arable lands.
It is believed that it is one of the most important original natural
habitats of the frankincense tree in east Hadhramout and which used to
be of great importance in the old world. The trading camel caravans used
to carry this commodity from parts of Mahra across Hadhramout valley as
far as Shabwa and then on the Frankincense famous road as far as Gaza on
the Mediterranean. Mahra used to have a prominent role in the history of
ancient Yemen and was refferd to in the inscriptions. During its
contemporary history, the Sultans of Al Toghr Bin Afran ruled it.
Population Activity
Most of the population of Mahra are engaged in Agriculture, cattle
raising and fishing as its rich waters of the Arabian Sea provide high
potential in the domain of fishing. Mahra is famous for its rock lobster
and shrimps, which are exported through the important port of Nashtoon.
Many Beautiful beaches, stretching from Saihoot in the west to Hauf in
the east, which might be developed to serve tourists.
The people of Mahra have maintained their Arab traditions and customs
that have not been affected by external influences. They speak, in
addition to Arabic, a local unwritten language called Mahri, which has
its roots in the ancient language of south Arabia. Mahara in the eastern
gate to the Sultanate of Oman.
Travel to Mahra
Mahra is accessible by air via Gaidha Airport on Yemenia domestic
flights. It is likewise accessible by sea through Nashtoon port, or two
ways by land:
The First road:
The first starts from Tareem wadi Hadhramout along Wadi Massela valley
and via desert to Ghaidha.
The second road:
The second road goes along the coastal line which starts from
Mukalla-Shihir-Ras Qusaia’er-Saihoot.-Qishin-Ras Hasween-Ras
Fartak-Nashtoon-Al-Ghaidha. Work is being done to complete the pavement
of this road from Ghaidha-Houf-and Habrout, completing the international
road leading to the Sultanate of Oman.
The Mountains in Al Mahra Governorate:
There is a mountains plateau in Al Mahra Governorate as extension of
Oman and Hadhramout mountains chains whose altitudes range between
400-1000m above sea level.
Source: National Information Center, Sana'a
|