Spice suq, Sana'a, Yemen
by Stefan Geens
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The merchants in the spice suq of Sana'a old town all know each other, and love to banter with the odd foreigner that ventures into their lair. They were curious about my equipment, and readily agreed to having their panoramic portrait taken.
If any of them appear somewhat fuzzy, I am blaming it on the qat, which is sold in the suq next door.
Daily life is on display in this panorama of the tin suq in Sana'a. Women in niqab haggle over househ...
In this small square around noon, bread sellers congregate near stalls selling grilled meats and vege...
Since its founding 2,000 years ago, Sana'a has been a major trading centre for south-eastern Arabia. ...
The old city of Sana'a is a World Heritage Site. It's easy to see why: hundreds of traditional red-br...
Bab al-Yaman is the main gate of Sana's old fortified wall, and thus it is the place where old Sana'a...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sana'a
Modern civilization began right here in the Tigris-Euphrates river valley. Also known as the Fertile Crescent or Mesopotamia, this is the place where, six thousand years ago, agriculture, writing and mathematics were brought into widespread use.
The term "Middle East" comes from the British navy, which used it to describe the countries on the trade route from Europe to India and China. Everything from Afghanistan to Morocco may possibly be classified as "middle eastern", depending on whom you ask -- and when.
Only a partial list of past Empires in the middle eastern territory includes Sumeria, Babylonia, Persia, the Ottoman Empire and the Roman Empire!
When northern Europe was still lurking about in slimy cold stone castles playing chess, the Middle East was enjoying the flowers of poetry, luxurious craftsmanship, music and literature. In fact, the Renaissance in Europe was partly inspired by stories brought back from the middle east by travelers along the trade route.
Strategic location, religious history and the world's largest supply of crude oil have kept the Middle East at the center of world activity for centuries. The saga continues.
Text by Steve Smith.
