SANAA, Dec. 9 (Saba) - Ibb is a city in Yemen, the capital of Ibb Governorate, located about 117 km northeast of Mocha and 194 km south of Sana'a, a market town and administrative centre developed during the Ottoman occupation, it is one of the most important medium-sized cities in the country.

The city has a lengthy history and traces of ancient civilization, the governorate is located in the central part of the Republic of Yemen, separated from Sana’a by 193 kilometers.

Ibb is considered one of the most prominent tourist and cultural areas in Yemen, It looks like an art painting with its old architecture, and it’s called The Green City for its beautiful nature.

The province’s 5,552 square kilometer area is divided into 20 directorates, including a province called the “Green Brigade” for its luxuriant foliage, Ibb is home to approximately 10.8% of Yemen’s population and agriculture serves as its main industry.

Ibb has been occupied since early Islamic times, and due to its strategical importance, the Ottomans used it as an administrative centre, it thrived as a market town and the Ottomans established the Wednesday market in Ibb ,many people have migrated to Ibb from areas of Yemen which had been experiencing drought, to find work in farming.

While Ibb holds little political importance today, Ibb has been home to some of the most significant historical events in Yemen, many of its states and kingdoms stretch back far into antiquity, and ancient forts can be found on many of its mountain peaks.

The city is noted for its towering stone houses, with geometrical friezes and circular stained glass windows known as qamiriya, the main mosque was built during the Ottoman period, and there are other mosques and also a fortress in the vicinity, closed to visitors, an ancient overhead aqueduct still remains.

Ibb University was established in 1996, Ibb also contains an art centre and museum and hotels such as Saba Tourist Hotel and Al-Riyad Hotel.

Everything in the province embodies beauty, from the mountains to the highlands to the villages, It is the most diverse governorate tourists can see; its historic forts are suitable for climbing, Moreover, the people of Ibb are hospitable, friendly, and well-educated.

Written by Mona Zaid