Aden
Aden
عَدَنْ | |
|---|---|
Aden Location in Yemen | |
| Coordinates: 12°48′N 45°02′E / 12.800°N 45.033°E | |
| Country | Yemen |
| Region | Aden Region |
| Governorate | Aden Governorate |
| First settled | 7th century BC |
| British occupation | 19 January 1839 |
| State of Aden within the FSA | 18 January 1963 |
| Independence | 30 November 1967 |
| Government | |
| • Governor | Abdulrahman Al-Yafei |
| • Governing body | Aden Local Council |
| • Aden Police Director | Maj Gen Mutahar Al-Shuaibi |
| Area | |
• Total | 760 km2 (290 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 6 m (20 ft) |
| Population (2017) | |
• Total | 863,000 |
• Estimate (2026) | 1,194,160 |
| • Density | 1,135.52/km2 (2,941.0/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Adeni/Adenies |
| Ethnicities | |
| • Majority | Arabs |
| • Minorities | Afro-Arabs, Indians, Pakistanis, Somalis |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Arabic MSA (Education and Government) |
| • Spoken | Adeni Arabic (majority) English (widely used) |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (AST) |
| Area code | 02 |
Kingdom of Awsan
Himyarite Kingdom
Kingdom of Aksum
Sasanian Yemen
First Islamic state
Rashidun Caliphate
Umayyad Caliphate
Abbasid Caliphate
Ziyadid dynasty
Najahid dynasty
Sulayhid dynasty
Zurayid dynasty
Ayyubid dynasty
Rasulid dynasty
Tahirid Sultanate
Mamluk Sultanate
Portuguese Aden
Yemen Eyalet
Qasimid State
Yemen Vilayet
Qasimid State
Sultanate of Lahej 1728–1839
Aden Province 1839–1937
Aden Colony 1937–1963
Aden protectorate 1937–1963
State of Aden within the FSA 1963–1967
South Yemen 1967–1990
Republic of Yemen 1990–1994
Democratic Republic of Yemen 1994
Republic of Yemen 1994–present
Aden (/ˈeɪdən/; Arabic: عَدَنْ, romanised: ʿAdan; IPA: [ʕa.dan]) is an ancient port city in the southern part of the Arabian peninsula, on the north coast of the Gulf of Aden, positioned near the eastern approach to the Red Sea, and has been the de facto capital of Yemen since 2014. It is approximately 170 km (110 mi) east of the Bab-el-Mandeb strait. With its strategic location on the coastline, Aden serves as a gateway between the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea, making it a crucial maritime hub connecting Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
In 2026 Aden had a population estimated at 1,194,160, making it one of the largest cities in Yemen. It is the capital and principal part of Aden Governorate, encompassing eight districts. During the colonial period, the name Aden referred to the area along the north coast of the gulf, encompassing Tawahi, Mualla, Crater, and much of Khor Maksar district. The western harbour peninsula, known as Little Aden, now falls within the Al Buraiqeh district.
The city and surrounding area were under British administration from 1839 until independence in 1967. Before gaining independence, Aden comprised distinct sectors: Crater, the original port; Ma'alla, the modern port; Tawahi, formerly "Steamer Point"; and Gold Mohur resorts. Khormaksar, on the isthmus connecting Aden to the mainland, hosts diplomatic missions, Aden University's main offices, and Aden International Airport. On the mainland, sectors include Sheikh Othman, an old oasis area; Al-Mansura, a British-planned town; and Madinat ash-Sha'b (formerly Madinat al-Ittihad), the former capital of the South Arabian Federation, now the location of a large power/desalination facility and additional Aden University faculties.
Aden encloses the eastern side of a vast natural harbour that constitutes the modern port. Little Aden was developed as the site of the oil refinery and tanker port. Both were established and operated by British Petroleum until they were turned over to South Yemeni government ownership and control in 1978.
Aden used to be the capital of South Yemen until its union with North Yemen on 22 May 1990. It has been the temporary capital of Yemen since the start of the Yemeni civil war, hosting some members of the Cabinet of Yemen mainly in al-Maashiq Palace. It was also the seat of the secessionist Southern Transitional Council from 2018 to 2026.