Three Peaks challenges in Yemen

The landscapes of Yemen

A narrow western coastal plain gives way to Yemen's flat-topped hills and rugged mountains. Beyond them, dissected upland plains slope towards the desert interior of the Arabian Peninsula. This sequence creates a strong contrast between the maritime edge, highland country and drier eastern landscapes.

The western coast is generally hotter and more humid, while the mountains have a more temperate setting affected by seasonal rainfall. Eastern desert conditions are much more severe. Yemen's highlands therefore occupy a specific transition zone rather than representing the climate and terrain of the whole country.