Yemen | World Heritage Explorer

Yemen has been a State Party to the World Heritage Convention since 1980. With 5 inscribed properties, the country maintains a well-established presence on the World Heritage List. The majority of its sites are cultural properties, reflecting a strong emphasis on historical and architectural heritage.

Yemen as a State Party to the World Heritage Convention

State Party since: October 7, 1980

Status: Ratification

Mandates to the World Heritage Committee: 1985-1991

Total of Mandate Years: 6

Total of Mandates: 1

WHC Electoral Group: V(b) (Arab States)

World Heritage Sites in Yemen (5)

Cultural: 4 | Natural: 1 | Mixed: 0

Historic Town of Zabid · Cultural
Landmarks of the Ancient Kingdom of Saba, Marib · Cultural
Old City of Sana'a · Cultural
Old Walled City of Shibam · Cultural
Socotra Archipelago · Natural

Map of World Heritage Sites

This interactive map shows the location of all UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Yemen.

Tentative World Heritage Sites (35)

The Cities and Landmarks of Ma’in Old Kingdom · submitted: June 20, 2025
Al Madrasah Al Amereyyah in Rada’ · submitted: June 20, 2025
The Archaeological Remains and Water Management Systems Himyar Kingdom in Dhafar · submitted: June 20, 2025
Shibam Kawkaban · submitted: June 20, 2025
Erf Mountain Natural Reserve · submitted: June 20, 2025
Haid Al-Jazil and Wadi Daw’an, Hadramout · submitted: June 20, 2025
Al-Qarrah City, Yafe’ · submitted: June 20, 2025
Tarim City, Hadramout · submitted: June 20, 2025
Historic City of Al-Mukalla · submitted: June 20, 2025
Say’un Palace · submitted: June 20, 2025
Sites of the Cultural Landscape and Heritage Landmarks in Sana’a · submitted: June 20, 2025
The Archaeological Sites of the Kingdom of Hadramout in Shabwah · submitted: June 20, 2025
Archaeological Sites of the Kingdom of Qataban in Behan · submitted: June 20, 2025
Wetland Natural Reserve, Aden · submitted: June 20, 2025
The Historic City of Aden · submitted: June 20, 2025
Habban City, Shabwah · submitted: June 20, 2025
Al-Hawtah City · submitted: June 20, 2025
Balhaf/Burum Natural Reserve · submitted: June 20, 2025
Old Incense Trade Routes · submitted: June 20, 2025
Jiblah city · submitted: June 20, 2025
The Historic Fortifications of Hudayyedah · submitted: June 20, 2025
The Old City of Al-Hudaydah (Ḥārat al-Sūr) · submitted: June 20, 2025
Shaharah City and its Bridge · submitted: June 20, 2025
Sharma-Jathmun Protected Area · submitted: June 20, 2025
Biodiversity Sites in Hadramout · submitted: June 20, 2025
The landmarks of Ta’iz City · submitted: June 20, 2025
Al Mokha City · submitted: June 20, 2025
Historic City of Saada · submitted: June 20, 2025
Dar Al Hajar · submitted: June 20, 2025
Barāqish City Archaeological Site · submitted: June 20, 2025
Agricultural Terraces in Yemen · submitted: June 20, 2025
The Historic City of Thula · submitted: July 8, 2002
Jabal Haraz · submitted: July 8, 2002
Jabal Bura · submitted: July 8, 2002
The Hawf Area · submitted: July 8, 2002

Source: UNESCO Tentative Lists

Country Profile Yemen

Official Name: Republic of Yemen

Continent: Asia

Subregion: Western Asia

UNESCO Region: Arab States

Capital: Sana'a

Population (2024): 40,583,164

Land Area: 527,970 km²

Currency: Yemeni rial (YER)

Country Data Sources

Links

UNESCO World Heritage Convention: State Party Yemen

About States Parties

States Parties are countries that have joined the World Heritage Convention. They commit to identifying, nominating, and protecting properties of outstanding cultural or natural value on their territory. States Parties are also expected to monitor and report on the condition of inscribed sites.

World Heritage Insights

How Politics and Institutions Shape the UNESCO World Heritage List

The UNESCO World Heritage List is usually seen as a catalogue of the world’s most important cultural and natural places. Yet behind every inscription there is a structured decision process: countries must first join the Convention, run for a seat on the World Heritage Committee, prepare nominations through a fixed procedure, and finally obtain enough votes for inscription.

World Heritage Info

Background

Learn about UNESCO, the World Heritage Convention, Tentative Lists, and how World Heritage Sites are selected and preserved. Explore the history, structures, and processes that protect humanity’s cultural and natural treasures.

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