Yemen, officially known as the Republic of Yemen, is located at the southern end of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. Saudi Arabia borders it to the north, the Red Sea to the west, the Arabian Sea and the Guardafui Channel to the South, and Oman to the east. Yemen's territory includes more than 200 islands, the largest of which is Socotra, located about 415 kilometers (258 miles) south of the mainland in the Guardafui Channel.

The capital of Yemen was Sana'a, one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities. However, since the Yemeni Civil War that began in 2014, the city of Aden has served as the temporary capital because the Houthi rebel group controls Sana'a. Yemen has a rich cultural history was known in antiquity as Arabia Felix ("Happy Arabia") due to its wealth and fertile land.

Yemen has a predominantly Muslim population, with the majority following Sunni Islam and a significant minority adhering to Zaidi Shia Islam. Arabic is the official language, and the country has a diverse cultural heritage with influences from ancient South Arabian civilizations, the Ottoman Empire, and British colonialism.

The economy of Yemen is one of the least developed in the world and has traditionally been based on agriculture, with coffee being one of its most famous exports historically. The discovery of oil reserves brought increased revenue in the latter part of the 20th century, but the country's oil and gas resources are limited compared to those of its neighbors.

In recent decades, Yemen has faced significant challenges, including high population growth, water scarcity, and economic stagnation. Political instability has been an ongoing issue, and Yemen experienced a political transition during the Arab Spring in 2011 that led to the resignation of long-time President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

The current conflict, known as the Yemeni Civil War, began in 2014 and has involved several actors, including Houthi forces, the Yemeni government, southern separatists, jihadist groups, and regional powers. A Saudi-led coalition has intervened to support the Yemeni government against the Houthis, resulting in a complex and devastating humanitarian crisis with widespread famine, displacement, and disease, including a severe cholera outbreak.

International efforts to mediate the conflict have been ongoing, but a resolution has been elusive. The civil war has been catastrophic for Yemen's population, with millions requiring humanitarian assistance and many facing acute food insecurity.

Yemen is a member of the United Nations, the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Non-Aligned Movement, among other international organizations. However, the war has severely affected its ability to participate effectively in global affairs.