Where We Work
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Climate: mostly desert; hot and humid along west coast; temperate in western mountains affected by seasonal monsoon; extraordinarily hot, dry, harsh desert in east
Terrain: narrow coastal plain backed by flat-topped hills and rugged mountains; dissected upland desert plains in center slope into the desert interior of the Arabian Peninsula
Environment Issues: limited natural freshwater resources; inadequate supplies of potable water; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification
Ethnic Groups: predominantly Arab; but also Afro-Arab, South Asian, European
Languages: Arabic (official) note: a distinct Socotri language is widely used on Socotra Island and Archipelago; Mahri is still fairly widely spoken in eastern Yemen
Government Type: Currently in transition
To be a Yemeni is to be Muslim. Converts to Christianity are in extreme danger, especially in the south where Al Qaeda presides. The ongoing war and plight of the general population has been particularly difficult on Christians. As aid is distributed, typically through a local mosque, Christians are often overlooked.