A town with the world's oldest "skyscrapers"
Sana'a, the capital of Yemen, is located to the southwest part
of the Arabian Peninsula. Because the city's elevation is over 2,000
meters high, it receives a comparatively large amount of rain. Arabian
culture originated in this area, which has flourished as a commercial
city since the 10th century BC. The old city, situated to the east of
the city center, retains the traditional appearance of medieval Arabic
culture. The Great Mosque, minarets, caravanserais, bath-houses, old
cityscapes, souks (markets), and Yemen gate are preserved there.
High-rise housing made of adobe (sun-dried bricks) and basalt with white
plaster is decorated with beautiful patterns and referred to as "the
world's oldest skyscrapers."
