a narrow strip of land in the S.W. of Arabia, lying on the borders of the Red Sea, between Lat. 15° 50' and 17° 40' N. and Long. 41° 30' and 43° E. It is a very dry and barren country, and only preserved from utter sterility by periodical inundations of rain from the neighbouring mountains. Its principal traffic is in coffee and senna leaves, and its breed of asses is highly esteemed.

the capital of the territory of the same name, is situated about 24 miles from the Red Sea, in Lat. 16° 40' N. and Long. 42° 20' E. The town is supposed to have been once much nearer the sea, both from the appearance of the surrounding country, and from the fact that the land here is rapidly gaining upon the sea. In its neighbourhood are several rock-salt mines. Population about 5000.