Yemen: Introduction

Yemen is a country located in the Middle East bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and the Red Sea. Yemen has a strategic location on the Bab el-Mandeb, the strait linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, one of the world's most active shipping lanes. Neighboring countries include Oman and Saudi Arabia. The government system is a republic; the chief of state is the president, and the head of government is the prime minister. Yemen has a mixed economy in which there is limited private freedom, but the economy remains highly controlled by the government. Yemen is a member of the League of Arab States (Arab League).