| |||||||
| Capital | Aden | ||||||
| Largest city | Aden | ||||||
| Other cities | Al Mukalla and Lahej | ||||||
| Language official |
English (official) and Arabic (co-official) | ||||||
| others | Turkish | ||||||
| Religion main |
Islam (Sunni and Shia) | ||||||
| others | Various Christians, Judaism and Hinduism | ||||||
| Government | Constitutional monarchy (Federal colony) | ||||||
| Monarch | |||||||
| Governor and High Commissioner | |||||||
| First Minister | |||||||
| Area | 332,970 km² | ||||||
| Established | 1935 | ||||||
| Currency | East African shilling | ||||||
| Organizations | Imperial Commonwealth Federation (Colony and Protectorate) | ||||||
The Federation of South Arabia (Arabic: اتحاد الجنوب العربي Ittihad al-Janūb al-‘arabī) is located in the Middle East, occupying the southwestern and southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Confederation of Arab States to the north, the Red Sea to the west, and the Gulf States to the east.
Formation of South Arabia[]
South Arabia was formed on in 1935, has a measure of giving more self-government to the former Aden Colony and Protectorate. The shock waves of the Egyptian Crisis (1931) and Arab Rebellion of Palestine (1932) revived nationalism in the Arabic Peninsula. Limited self government and representation was seen has the formula to quell down nationalism and promote some degree of cooperation with the Imperial Commonwealth Federation (ICF).
Organization[]
South Arabia is a federal colony consisting of:
State of Aden- Western Protectorate States (21 political entities, administrative center at Lahej)
- Eastern Protectorate States (6 political entities, administrative center at Mukalla)
- Socotra Island District (brought from Mahra Sultanate in 1937)
- Kamaran Island District (administered by Aden)
Economy[]
There is little industrial output, or mineral wealth exploitation, in South Arabia The main sources of income are agriculture, mostly fruit, cereal crops, cattle and sheep. Agriculture relies and is heavily dependent on irrigation works. The fishing industry is relatively underdeveloped and consists largely of individual fishermen in small boat. Oil refining provides an important source of income and industrial development.
South Arabia's main ports are Aden, and Al Mukalla. Aden is an important transit port for trade between India and the Red Sea, and when the Suez Canal was opened in 1869, it became an important coaling station. Recently airfreight has given Aden a minor importance has a hub to India and Africa.
Armed forces[]
The British Forces Aden is the name given to the British Armed Forces stationed in the Federation. Their purpose is to preserve the security of the Federation from both internal threats and external aggression.