ADEN: City of commerce and economy [Archives:2005/884/Last Page]
October 10 2005
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ESHRAQ AL-BODIGI
YEMEN TIMES STAFF
Aden is located at the southwest tip of Yemen some 430 km away from the capital Sana'a.
As it is on the mid-way between Europe and the Far East, Aden lies on major world trading route between Europe and Asia, which goes through the Suez Canal. It is one of the largest natural harbors in the world with an area of about 70 km2 of sheltered water surrounded by Shamsan Mountain, Khoremakser district, and the shore, which extends to the hills of Little Aden.
The port of Aden consists of the Inner Harbor, the Oil Harbor serving Aden Refinery and the anchorage and approach channels of the outer harbor.
God has endowed it with splendid and attractive nature, beginning with a long strip of clean sandy shores and a clear blue bay, which are suitable for all kinds of recreation and hobbies. Moreover, a chain of protective volcanic hills, with a variety of contours, well suited for climbing and adventures. The climate is moderate and fine most of the year and the costal landscapes allure birds and abundance of fish.
Gold Mohur
Gold Mohur is situated in Tawahi at Elephant Bay and the tip of Hail Mountain, thus distinguished for its beautiful location and its warm water.
Al-Ghadir Shore
Al-Ghadir Shore is situated in Little Aden city (Al-Buraika), which is distinguished for its beautiful location. Tourists and citizens go to a swimming club, especially during holidays & weekends.
The National Museum
Situated in Crater, the old part of the city, the museum was once a sultan's palace and contains many interesting archaeological finds, and the Ethnographical Museum.
Defensive Fortifications:
Sira Fort
Sira Fort was the guard post of Aden city and a symbol of its safety. It rises on top of a mountain at and overlooks the old port. It is more than one thousand years old.
Forts and Towers:
Several forts and towers surround the city of Aden. They are more than one thousand years old and were built by several different dynasties, the oldest being Banni Zurai and the most recent the British. Aden Gate was until recently the most important of those fortifications. It was demolished during the Sixties of this century.
Aden Cisterns or Reservoirs:
Cisterns and reservoirs are located at the head of Attawila Wadi at the Southwest of Crater, and are considered as one of the great historical engineering works in Yemen. It was built in ancient times and is mentioned in the Al- Musnad inscriptions.
The tank system developed throughout the successive stages of history from Banni Zurai Resulides and Tahrides. They were then buried, but discovered by the British in the middle of the 19th century.
The need of water made the Brits attempt to modify the tanks' original design. The British failed and gave up. The tanks were designed to collect the scarce amount of rain, but also to divert water from Aden in order to protect the city in case of heavy rains and sweeping floods. Of the amounted 53 tanks, only 13 have remained.
Al-Tawahi Port
The British built Al-Tawahi port, which is remarkably different from Aden's old port near Sira Citadel. From the terminal building in Al-Tawahi port, one can see the “Big Ben” clock, which sits on one of the surrounding hills.
The Governorate of Aden has many beautiful and clean beaches, among others some small ones by the Aden Gulf, and the coasts around little Aden, Ras Amran village and Abyan beach.
There are many small medium isles around Aden, for example the islands in the Arabian Sea, of which the most important is Socotra and the archipelago that surrounds it.
The most Famous Mountains and Forts in Aden Governorate:
The highest and greatest mountain near Aden is Shamsan, known in the past as Irr Mountain.
Sirah Fortress
The Guard post of Aden is located at the Entrance of Sirah and from there one can see the ancient port of Aden. It is a round fortified fort and one of the most ancient Yemenite forts in defending the Yemenite Coasts against invaders and raiding freebooters across the sea.
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