The capital city of Mahara is Al-Ghai’dha 522km from Mukalla 1299km from Sana’a linked by the Marib-Shabwa-Mukalla Road. It is located at the eastern part of Yemen along the Arabian Sea extending eastwards as far as the international borders with Oman, northwards as far as Rub Al Khali and westwards to the Massela valley in Hadhramout. The topography of Mahra is divided into mountains representing the extension of Oman and Hadhramout mountains ranging 400-1000m above sea level, and Wadis, some of which flow northwards into the Empty Quarter.

The western wadis join Wadi Al Massela flowing into Saihout. Some of the Wadis are perennial springs Mahara also includes immense area of fertile arable lands.

It is believed that it is one of the most important original natural habitats of the frankincense tree in east Hadhramout and which used to be of great importance in the old world. The trading camel caravans used to carry this commodity from parts of Mahra across Hadhramout valley as far as Shabwa and then on the Frankincense famous road as far as Gaza on the Mediterranean. Mahra used to have a prominent role in the history of ancient Yemen and was refferd to in the inscriptions. During its contemporary history, the Sultans of Al Toghr Bin Afran ruled it.

Population Activity

Most of the population of Mahra are engaged in Agriculture, cattle raising and fishing as its rich waters of the Arabian Sea provide high potential in the domain of fishing. Mahra is famous for its rock lobster and shrimps, which are exported through the important port of Nashtoon. Many Beautiful beaches, stretching from Saihoot in the west to Hauf in the east, which might be developed to serve tourists.

The people of Mahra have maintained their Arab traditions and customs that have not been affected by external influences. They speak, in addition to Arabic, a local unwritten language called Mahri, which has its roots in the ancient language of south Arabia. Mahara in the eastern gate to the Sultanate of Oman.

Travel to Mahra

Mahra is accessible by air via Gaidha Airport on Yemenia domestic flights. It is likewise accessible by sea through Nashtoon port, or two ways by land:

The First road:

The first starts from Tareem wadi Hadhramout along Wadi Massela valley and via desert to Ghaidha.

The second road:

The second road goes along the coastal line which starts from Mukalla-Shihir-Ras Qusaia’er-Saihoot.-Qishin-Ras Hasween-Ras Fartak-Nashtoon-Al-Ghaidha. Work is being done to complete the pavement of this road from Ghaidha-Houf-and Habrout, completing the international road leading to the Sultanate of Oman.

 The Mountains in Al Mahra Governorate:

There is a mountains plateau in Al Mahra Governorate as extension of Oman and Hadhramout mountains chains whose altitudes range between 400-1000m above sea level.