Al Mahwit Governorate, Administrative division in western Yemen.
Al Mahwit Governorate is an administrative division in western Yemen made up of rugged mountain ranges, deep valleys, and hillsides covered with farming terraces. The governorate's capital shares the same name and sits in the heart of this mountain territory.
The territory that makes up Al Mahwit has been inhabited for centuries, with its mountain communities developing farming terraces that still shape the land today. It was formally organized as a separate governorate after 1990, when Yemen's northern and southern states merged.
Coffee grown in Al Mahwit is known among Yemeni traders for its quality, and small coffee farms dot the terraced hillsides throughout the region. Walking through the area, you can see how farming shapes the look of every slope and valley.
Roads through the governorate wind through steep mountain passes, so a vehicle with good clearance is advisable. The cooler months tend to offer more comfortable travel conditions across the terrain.
Al Mahwit sits at elevations where nighttime temperatures drop sharply, a condition that slows the ripening of coffee cherries and concentrates their flavor. This makes its coffee sought after by traders who follow traditional Yemeni export routes dating back to the 16th century.
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