Hadhramaut

The region Hadramawt (Arabic حضرموت, DMG Hadramaut ) lies to the east of the Republic of Yemen and the south by the Gulf of Aden, bounded to the east by Oman, and on the north by the desert Rub al Khali. In addition to the coastal plain, with al - Mukalla and al- Shihr as largest cities, is one of a desert-like plateau in the hinterland to the area, which is intersected by fertile valleys. In the hinterland of Shibam and Tarim are the largest towns.

Economically, the region lives mainly from the cultivation and export of tobacco, dates, wheat and coffee.

Since the 2nd millennium BC, the Hadramaut was an important center of South Arabian civilization. During a wide-ranging maritime trade was operated over the Indian Ocean from the coastal towns, inland won its meaning through the cultivation and trade of frankincense. Here the incense road that led over Ma'rib and the Hijaz to Palestine began. Capital of the ancient kingdom of Hadramaut was Shabwa. The people of Hadhramaut were called in ancient times Chatramotiten, Chatramiten or Adramiten.

From Semitists the name Hadramout is associated with Hazarmaveth, in the Bible (Gen 10,26 EU and 1 Chr 1,20 EU) as a son of Joktan is mentioned.

In the 7th century, the country was under Islamic rule in the 19th century it came under British rule with South Yemen. Since 1990, the Hadramaut with the Republic of Yemen is united.

The inhabitants of Hadramaut, the Hadramis, have a long tradition of trade and are present as sailors and traders throughout the Indian Ocean. Families with roots in the Hadramaut are found in India, Indonesia and East Africa, from where they maintain a close contact with their native land, often in spite of several centuries in the Diaspora. A highlight of this contact is the annual pilgrimage to the grave of Prophet Hud, which is little known outside of Hadramaut and the Hadraumaut diaspora, and contributes to the very identity of the Hadramis around the world.

As the first Europeans visited Adolph von Wrede this area.