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Where is Socotra Island? -

Anchored in the Indian Ocean 400 km (248 mi) off the coast of Yemen is one of the most unworldly places on Earth—Socotra Island.

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The Socotra archipelago -

The largest of four islands that make up the Socotra archipelago, this remote destination lies between the Guardafui Channel and the Arabian Sea.

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A treasure of biodiversity -

The Socotra archipelago is one of the greatest treasures of biodiversity, but it's Socotra itself that is truly breathtaking for the variety of flora and fauna found on the island.

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Dragon blood tree -

Discovering Socotra is to delve into a world rarely explored, a destination whose landscape is characterized by the weird and wonderful dragon blood tree, so named after the blood-like color of the red sap that these remarkable-looking trees produce.

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Cucumber tree -

An estimated 30% of the island chain's flora is endemic. Plants found nowhere else of the planet flourish here. Seen here studding the Homhil Plateau alongside dragon blood trees are cucumber trees.

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The Hajhir massif -

Socotra's name is traced to the Sanskrit word meaning "island of bliss." In 2008, UNESCO declared the island a World Heritage Site. Pictured is the Hajhir massif mountain range, the highest point on the island.

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Steeped in legend -

The Hajhir massif is steeped in legend. Bedouin goatherds believe it to be the home of mythical horse-like creatures. According to ancient Greek mythology, the mountains hide the legendary throne of the god Uranus.

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Arid climate -

The Socotra climate is arid. However, the island is watered from March to May by seasonal monsoon rains.

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Monsoon season -

The rains help replenish watering holes like Wadi Kalissan, a gorgeous string of pristine pools that mirror the surrounding landscape.

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Fabulous water features -

Wadi Dirhur Canyon is another stunning Socotra Island water feature. It cuts an emerald green slice through the Diksam Plateau.

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Dazzling flora and fauna -

For the botanists and lovers of rare wildlife, Socotra dazzles with its wealth of flora and fauna.

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Endemic plant life -

Among the plant life endemic to Socotra is Caralluma socotrana, noted for its scarlet star-shaped flowers that grow from angled, pale green stems.

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Health benefits -

Another endemic species is Aloe perryi. Islanders have known of its important pharmaceutical and medicinal properties for centuries.

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Birdlife -

Endemic to Yemen, including the Socotra archipelago, is the handsome charcoal-gray colored Socotra starling.

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Socotra cormorant -

Along the coast expect to bump into these guys, Socotra cormorants. Despite their name, it was only confirmed in 2005 that this bird was breeding on the islands. They're listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

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Egyptian vulture -

Socotra's garbage collectors, Egyptian vultures are relatively common on the island, though the species itself is registered as Endangered by the IUCN.

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Socotran reptile species -

Back on the ground, watch out for Socotran reptiles. Species include geckos, chameleons, and snakes.

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The "Socotra island blue baboon" -

And how about this for a spider? Known locally as the "Socotra island blue baboon," legend says that this tarantula species can bring down a camel. Fortunately, Socotra is bereft of dromedaries and, in any case, this particular arachnid is usually found 850 m (2,788 ft) above sea level.

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Beachside real estate -

Socotra is celebrated for its mysterious-looking landforms. But what we have here is not sculptured by nature. Instead, these miniature sand pyramids are the work of the industrious ghost crab.

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Coastal reefs -

The waters off Socotra are equally rich in biodiversity. The island's coral reefs teem with aquatic life. The impressive whale shark is a regular visitor.

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Dolphins for company -

Take a boat tour along the coast and you'll likely be joined by playful and acrobatic spinner dolphins.

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The past and its people -

Hoq Cave in eastern Socotra is known for some rare examples of epigraphy, said to date back to the 1st century CE. These ancient inscriptions serve as a reminder of the island's previous role as a strategic Indian Ocean trading hub.

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The Soqotri people -

Most of the inhabitants of Socotra are indigenous Soqotri people from the Al-Mahrah tribe, who are of Southern Arabian descent from Al-Mahrah Governorate in the southern half of the Arabian Peninsula.

Image: Charles K. Moser, 1918 

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Island life -

Approximately 50,000 people live on Socotra, with many based in Hadibu, the archipelago's capital. Outlying villages such as Delisha (pictured) house the rest of the scattered population.

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Arabic tongue -

Some of Socotra's inhabitants are African. The mother tongue, though, is the Semitic language Soqotri, which is Arabic in origin.

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Traditional lifestyle -

In keeping with tradition, the island's menfolk are often seen wearing a jambiya knife, a typical type of dagger that originated from the Hadhramaut Governorate region of Yemen.

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Island economy -

Socotra's economy has for centuries relied on fishing. But dates, ghee, and, to a lesser extent, tobacco are cultivated for export to the mainland.

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A sour-tasing delicacy -

A culinary delicacy is the fruit from the rare Socotran pomegranate. But it's an acquired taste. Only the flesh  from the largest and ripest fruit is edible, and even this tends to be on the sour and caustic side.

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Adventure tourism -

Lately, Socotra has appeared on the adventure tourism map, this despite the long-running civil war still raging on the mainland. Specialist eco-tour groups can introduce the more discerning visitor to the island's astonishing array of natural wonders. The more active, meanwhile, can indulge in exciting excursion options, including taking to the air by paraglider.

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A fragile environment -

All the while, however, this fragile environment is carefully guarded, its UNESCO status synonymous of how rare and precious this tiny spec in the Indian Ocean truly is.

Sources: (UNESCO) (IUCN) (Socotra Eco-Tours)

See also: World Heritage Sites that could disappear anytime

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