Aden, a British Crown Colony and Protectorate, is situated along the southern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, occupying the region from Yemen and the Gulf of Bab-el-Mandeb to Oman. It has a total area of about 112,000 sq. mi. This includes the important naval base and fortified port of Aden guarding the mouth of the Red Sea, which has an area of 75 sq. mi., Perim Island with an area of 5 sq. mi., and the hinterland and coastal territory of the Hadhramaut, whose boundaries with Yemen and Saudi Arabia are too vague to permit of accurate definition. The population of Aden and Perim combined was by the 1931 census 48,338, chiefly Arabian, but including a European garrison. The nomad tribes of the Protectorate have not been enumerated. Aden Colony, which comprises the port of Aden, is a strategic military and commercial base, whence goods are trans-shipped for the Arabian Peninsula. It produces little save salt and cigarettes. The Protectorate produces gums, indigo, dates and tobacco; raises livestock; exports butter. Total exports in 1936-37 were valued at Rs. 4,30,70,424; total imports, at Rs. 7,08,86,985 (the rupee averaging 37 cents). Aden Colony (separated from the Indian Government in April 1937) is administered by a governor; the Protectorate (comprising the hinterland and Hadhramaut) is controlled by him but under the nominal rule of the Sultans of Shehr and Makalla, and Qishn.
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