'Amran

This article is about the city. For the governorate, see 'Amran Governorate.

ʿAmrān عمران
City
Country	Yemen
Governorate	'Amran Governorate
District	Amran District
Population  (2012)
• Total	90,792
Time zone	UTC+3 (Yemen Standard Time)

ʿAmrān (Arabic: عمران) is a small city in western central Yemen. It is the capital of the 'Amran Governorate, and was formerly in the Sana'a Governorate. It is located 52.9 kilometres by road northwest of the Yemeni capital of Sana'a. According to the 2004 census it had a population of 76,863, and an estimated population of 90,792 in 2012. The road through the city from Sana'a was modernized following Chinese investment and is over 200 km long.

History and architecture

ʿAmram is completely surrounded by walls. The city wall dates to 1720. The founding of the town dates back to the era of the South Arabian Himjariten. At the time of the Sabaean kingdom, the town blossomed into a fortress. In particular, in the 7th Century was the great city of valor during the clashes against the Sabeans, a plurality of regionally based tribes. Remains of carved stones that belonged to former temples and palaces bear witness today of past glory. A large stone inscription found in the western city gate (Bab al-Kabir). As for the architecture of the Yemeni highlands typically prevail in front of houses in clay and stone construction.

The surrounding landscape is dominated by ʿ Amrāns terraced landscapes with stone walls and through fields limited to counteract erosion of fertile arable land. Every inch of fertile soil is used.