Tihamah

Tihamah, meaning “coastal plain” in Arabic, is a low-lying coastal belt along the western edge of the Arabian Peninsula, lining the Red Sea. It extends from the southern Saudi coast into northwestern Yemen and forms the western margins of the Sarawat Mountains. The Saudi portion includes parts of the Asir and Jizan regions, while the Yemeni segment runs along the coast through governorates such as Hodeidah and Taiz, including historic port towns like Al-Mukha (Mocha) and Hudaydah.

The landscape is predominantly flat and sandy, with inland escarpments and wadis draining toward the sea. Elevations are typically under 100 meters above sea level. The climate is hot and humid along the coast, with monsoonal influences in the southern Yemeni littoral. Rainfall is highly variable, with wetter conditions in the southern stretches and arid to semi-arid conditions in the north. The region experiences high humidity, dust events, and challenges related to limited freshwater resources; coastal ecosystems such as mangroves and saline flats occur in certain areas.

Historically, the Tihamah coast served as a conduit for maritime trade between the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, supporting ports such as Mocha (Al-Mukha). It was associated with ancient Yemeni polities, including the Himyarite Kingdom. In more recent times, the coastal plain has supported fishing and agriculture in irrigated belts—producing crops such as dates and other fruits—alongside port and trade activities.

The term Tihamah is primarily used in geographic and historical contexts to designate the Red Sea littoral. Boundaries and extent vary by source, but the designation generally refers to the western Yemeni and southwestern Saudi coastlands shaped by its climate, ecology, and settlement patterns.