Hadhramaut

Hadhramaut or Hadramaut, coastal district on the south of the Arabian Peninsula, forming a large part of the south-eastern Republic of Yemen and extending along the Gulf of Aden to Oman in the east. Hadhramaut comprises a coastal plain, about 48 km (30 mi) wide, and an interior plateau. Although barren for the most part, Hadhramaut has a number of fertile valleys with luxuriant vegetation. The main crops produced by irrigated agriculture in the valleys are dates, cotton, millet, wheat, coffee, and tobacco. Fishing is important along the coast. Exports from the region include tobacco, cotton, coffee, dried fish, and salt; the chief imports include cotton goods, machinery, fuel oil, and foodstuffs. Archaeological research has shown that Hadhramaut, called Hazarmaveth in the Bible, was the site of a highly developed ancient civilization. Between 1934 and 1967, Hadhramaut formed successively part of the Aden Protectorates and the Federation of South Arabia, under the control of Great Britain. Al Mukallā is the largest town in Hadhramaut. Area, about 155,400 sq km (60,000 sq mi).