Yemeni IslandsUninvested wealth [Archives:2003/650/Last Page]

Mohammed bin Sallam
There are more than 200 islands in Yemen located in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea. Many of them are considered as important centers for world navigation and trade, in addition to their economic, political, military and regional importance. Throughout history the Yemeni islands have been so important for many reasons.
Most of those islands were mentioned by many historians; Greek, Persian and Arabs like Al-Hamadani. Archeologists, geologists and botany scientists also mentioned it. In the Middle Ages, Yemeni islands were the focus of attention of countries like Portugal, France, Britain, Italy, and Turkey. And because of them many wars had been fought.
Most of the islands are of great importance yet a selective number are of distinctive importance due to the merits they enjoys in relation to economy, tourism, environment, military and other fields. Of these islands are Mion, Lesser and Greater Hunaish, Zuqar, Kamaran, Socotra, Abd Kori, Abo Ali, Jabal Al-Zubair, Jabal Al-Tair, Rasha, Oqban, Saniae, Rafiae and many others.
Most of those islands are located in the Red Sea, of which five are of essential importance due to certain reasons:

Strategically:
Being on the International navigation routes like Midi Island which is in the middle of the Babe Al-Mandab strait. Also because these islands form a defense lines and forward observation posts along the coast.

Economically:
These islands represent important fishing areas for providing fish and marine life creatures especially that they are situated in a sea rich with more than 3 thousand species of fish.

Tourism:
These islands tourist importance derives from their being located in sunny and soft sand region adding beauty to them and giving them a special tourist attraction, surrounded by coral reefs and volcanic small islands and characterized by being suitable diving areas.
And because the world today heads towards investing in tourism and its branches, the Yemeni islands hence are a great chance to invest and with little promotion and maintenance they could magnificently become of the world's tourist attractions. But unfortunately the tourism industry in Yemen hardly exists and until now does not represent one millionth of the world's marine tourism.
Tourist Features
Yemeni islands are located in various spots along the Red Sea coast and Gulf of Aden, and this wide range gives the islands many of the tourist merits and advantageous characteristics. They could be used in any season or time of the year and their natural terrain gives a beautiful variety ensuring tourist satisfaction. Of the main tourist advantages those islands enjoy could be the following:
Situated in different marine environment gives an advantage in having more than one location.
The rare versatility of sea environments.
More than 4200 types of coral reefs.
More than 3 thousand types of gold fish and other types of fish.
More than 113 types of rare sea plants especially those found in Gulf of Aden.
Rare sea creatures and types of fish such as green turtles, Sharks, Dolphins, and Brown Mangrove.
In addition to the different seasonal wind, the tropical climate, beautiful sea environment, clear and beautiful golden sands. The Islands also contain a number of caves and tourist attractions whether for recreation or for those interested in environment.

Rare Trees and Birds:
Yemeni islands are known for their extremely beautiful nature and rare plants and birds. For example Dam Al-Akhwaeen tree in Socotra is considered of the rarest in the world not found anywhere else. Many Yemenis created mysteries about the tree to make it a unique Yemeni symbol, and in addition to its beauty it has medical uses.
The islands embrace many rare birds and various families, making the Yemeni islands according to specialized studies, the richest in the Middle East where more than 363 types have been recorded forming 18 categories, 61 families and 77 classes. The same studies indicate that there are a number of reasons why such a large number of birds exist in the islands of which: Yemen's location is between three geographical locations African, tropical and eastern, the factor that caused birds of the suitable kinds to settle in. Also the variety in the terrain; mountains, lakes and coasts, in addition to Yemen's location in the southern most of the Arabian peninsula, and being a transit point for migrating birds.
Studies point that of the 363 registered types in Yemen there are seven groups that receive international importance because they are threatened of extinct all over world.
In spite of all these great features and obvious importance, the islands suffer from many problems causing obstacles in right and suitable investment of the islands. Of the serious problems are that the islands are not inhabited and so the essential requirements for human life today are not available there especially water, medication, education and other settlement factors.
Also the islands are subjected to illegal pirating coming from many neighboring countries. The fishing with unscientific ways in the Yemeni territorial waters by them causes damage to the stability of the sea environment and the future of the fish wealth. And in addition to all this some of the islands are being used as a dumping place used by advanced countries for their dangerous wastes because there is no protection provided for them.
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