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yemen


 * Location:** Yemen is bounded in the north by [|Saudi Arabia], east by [|Oman], south by the Gulf of Aden and west by the Red Sea. The territory includes 112 islands including Kamaran (181 sq. km) and Perim (300 sq. km) in the Red Sea and Socotra (3,500 sq. km) in the Gulf of Aden.

In 1990 [|(South) Yemen] merges into Yemen and the united Republic of Yemen is established. The new constitution affirms Yemen's commitment to free elections, a multiparty political system, the right to own private property, equality under the law and respect of basic human rights. Parliamentary elections are held in 1993. In 1994 the south tries to secede, but the army defeats the rebels. Abdallah Saleh is re-elected in 1994. Yemen holds its second multiparty parliamentary elections in 1997. In 1999 the first direct presidential elections are held, won by Abdallah Sale. In 2003 the third multiparty parliamentary elections are held in a generally free and fair atmosphere.


 * agriculture** grain, fruits, vegetables, pulses, qat, coffee, cotton; dairy products, livestock (sheep, goats, cattle, camels), poultry; fish


 * Natural resources: || petroleum, fish, rock salt, marble; small deposits of coal, gold, lead, nickel, and copper; fertile soil in west ||

[|agriculture]

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