Al-Maharah:

Located at the  eastern part  of Yemen along the land parallel to the Arab sea, extended east towards the international borders with Oman, and north towards Al-Rob Al Khali “empty Quarter” desert and west towards Al-Masila valley in Hudramout province, Al-Ghidh the capital located 522 km from Mukalla and 1299 km from Sana’ a through Marib -Shabwa-Mukalla.

A1-Mahra relieves vary between mountains forming extension to Oman mountains and Hudramout mountains of height ranges between 400-1 000m above sea level, and valleys flow into Al-Rob. Al-Khali in the north, western valleys join Masila valley and flow into Sihout, and in some valleys water flow all year round and it comprises large areas of cultivated lands.

A1-Mahra had a prominent role in the history of ancient Yemen. It has been mentioned in many ancient inscriptions, A1-Mahra was the most isolated province in Yemen since a long time, therefore the people retained distinguished features and special language (Amharia language) which was originally an Arab dialect of ancient Yemen It is still used beside the Arabic, the original Arab customs and traditions are still used.

Al-Mahra province is considered the eastern gate linking Yemen with the neighboring states through Oman.

The natives of Al-Mahra were in continuous link with Suqatra Island, they sailed to east. Africa and some of them settled there, when Vasco De Gama arrived to east Africa in his first discovering trip he was guided from Malendi to India by a known sailor called Ibn Majid.

Al-Mahra was known since ancient time with breeding camels. The camels are known as Mahari, it is the best in Yemen, Eidi as Mahari, it is the best in Yemen, Eidi camels in particular, and also the Maharo camels, Al-Mahara for many is the most important place of gum in east Hudramout which has great significance in the ancient world.

Most of the population of Al-Mahara province work in the cultivation and livestock breeding, fishing, since the long shores on the Arab sea provide great capabilities in fishing field, (Shrim) or Shoroukh is available in particular and it is exported though the important part of province (Nashtoun port), located 60 km west of Ghidha the capital of the province, it is a modern port concerned mainly with introducing services to the fishing shops and plays an important trade role in receiving the trade vessels, shipping and unloading of the imported and exported goods to the province.

Al-Mahara province comprises today nine directorates: Shahn, Hat, Hout, Ghidha, Manalr, Masila, Sihout, Qashan and Haswin.

Mahra province is linked with the rest of the republic provinces can be reached by air to Ghida airport through local flights Yemenia airline it can be reached by sea to Nashton port or by land through two roads.

First road: starting from Treem in Hadramout valley, along Masila valley across the desert road in Ghidha.

Second road: a cross the coast road starting from Mukalla-Shahr-Ras Quesei’ir-Saihout Qashan Ras Haswin- Ras Frank-Nashtoun-Ghidha. Mahra province seeks modernization and development with intense efforts.

Hawf Area ( proposed Protected Area):                

It is a mountainous area extends from Al Fartiq in the west to the Omani border in the east (about 50km long). It basically includes the foothills and the escarpment area bordering the Gulf of Aden sea (2 to 10km wide). The Hawf pilot area is the eastern-most part of this area (about 18km long), characterized by the most dense vegetation and highest elevations.

The mountains are a series oj ranges running west to east parallel to the sea. They mainly consist of limestone but overly granite, which outcrop in a few places. Features typical of limestone (karat) topography such as caves occur. Elevation in the Hawf pilot area is at maximum about 1400m.

The major biotic characteristic of Hawf pilot area is the occurrence of drip precipitation induced by fog moisture. Along the coast, fog is associated with the seasonal southwestern monsoon winds that are rapidly cooled down when this moist air passes over relatively cold waters along the coast resulting from seasonal upwelling.The major natural gradient determining vegetation composition is that from the dry coastline land inwards as a result of the moisture gradient.

The vegetation belts:

 can be briefly characterized as follows:

     1. The coastal plain, with areas of sand and rocks mainly, and little vegetation.

     2. The foothills extending until about 500m elevation, with moderately dense vegetation consisting of trees and shrubs.

     3. The escarpment area until the mountain tops of up to 1500m, with dens vegetation.

     4. The plateau land behind the escarpment, relatively dry and little vegetation (scattered areas).

There are 750 plant species has been recorded, originating from a wide geographical region (India and Pakistan in the east, north-western Africa in the west)In Dhofar region, there are some 50 are endemic plant species with 2 endemic genera(Dhofaria and Cibirhiza). Some of the most common trees and shrubs are endemic (Anogeissus Dhofarca, Euphorbia smithii, Jatropha dhofarica).

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