Located in the southwest part of the Arabian Peninsula, Yemen is unique among its Arab near neighbors in geography, climate, and poverty. A backbone of mountain ranges in the western highlands runs from north to south, including Jebel an-Nabi Shuʾayb (3,760 m. / 12,336 ft.), the highest peak on the peninsula. The cooler temperatures allow extensive agriculture, which earned Yemen the accolade “Arabia Felix” (happy Arabia) from the ancient Romans. Other landforms include the coa…