Socotra Island is an isolated area, situated around 250 miles off the coast of Yemen. It is a small archipelago of four islands in the Indian Ocean. The exclusive characteristic of Socotra Island is to it is the home to some of the weirdest looking plants that are found nowhere else on planet earth. The largest member of the archipelago is also called Socotra.
The Socotra is also spelled Sokotra, Arabic Suquṭrā, Island. Actually, Socotra Island is an archipelago formed of four islands, near the Gulf of Aden. It is very isolated and has a harsh, hot, and dry climate, used to be part of Africa six million years ago. The trees are out of Land of the Lost and the feeling you have is like nowhere else.
Socotra Island is swarming with more than 800 rare species of plants of which more than a third are endemic. The extremely high levels of endemism also take place in Socotra’s reptiles. Also, 90% of its reptile species and 95% of its land snail species do not occur anywhere else on the earth.
In recognition of its distinct plant and animal life, the archipelago was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008. The Socotra Island has a rich fauna, including several endemic species of birds, i.e., Socotra starling, the Socotra sunbird, Socotra bunting, Socotra cisticola, Socotra sparrow, Socotra golden-winged grosbeak and a species in a monotypic genus, the Socotra warbler.
Socotra Island marine life is very diverse with 253 species of reef-building corals, 730 species of coastal fish, and 300 species of crab, lobster, and shrimp, and well represented in the property’s marine areas. Socotra Island is considerably inhibited and has been for more than 2,000 years. Almost 50,000 people now live on the main island of the archipelago, engaged in fishing, animal husbandry, and the cultivation of dates are the primary occupations of the indigenous population.
In 2010 a Russian archaeological team discovered the ruins of a city on Socotra dating to the second century. The island is also held by some to be the location of the original Garden of Eden, due to its isolation, biological diversity, and the fact that it is located on the edge of Yemen’s Gulf of Aden, which many connect with the ancient Sumerian tales of a paradise called Dilmun.
More than 250 million years ago, Socotra Island stood apart, when all planets were joined and most main life forms roamed freely. Socotra has been breeding many species of plants, birds, and animals. The most famous plant is the secular Cinnabar or Dragon’s Blood Tree “Dracaena cinnabari”, which is an umbrella-shaped tree.
Locals have different superstitions about this tree, believing this tree has red sap thought to be dragon’s blood of the ancients. However, this plant is used in medicine, dye, paint & varnish, various endemic aloes, and cosmetics. Socotra’s isolation from other landmasses meant whatever evolutionary process the flora and fauna underwent never spread to the mainland.
Another great plant is Desert Rose Tree (Adenium obesium), which appears to have some captivating forms that are trying to penetrate the rocky soil. It also produces striking massive pink flowers in April. Its trunk is a precious reservoir of water for this area with a nearly desert climate and it can reach five meters in height and three meters in diameter. Other endemic plants include the massive succulent tree Dorstenia gigas, the cucumber treem Moraceae, Dendrosicyos socotranus, the rare Socotran pomegranate (Punica protopunica), Aloe perryi, and Boswellia socotrana.
In the interior, nomads keep cattle and other animals and raise some crops. Socotra Island’s main exports are ghee (clarified butter), fish, and frankincense. On the other hand, the only mammals native to Socotra are bats. However, on the island there are many cats and dogs, which are much bigger than the European ones, reaching up to 27 pounds.
Socotra has unbelievable Alien beauty and natural habitat, mesmerizing place, and welcoming, simple people. Socotra Island has an airport facility. The best time to visit Island is from October till April. The other months have heavy monsoon rainfall, making it difficult for tourists to survive and flights are often canceled. Moreover, keep in mind Socotra Island doesn’t have any well-established hotels, only a few guest houses for travelers to stay in.
Also Read: Thilafushi: A Garbage Island of Maldives
Socotra is an isolated island, situated around 250 miles off the coast of Yemen. It is a small archipelago of four islands in the Indian Ocean.
Socotra is an isolated island, situated around 250 miles off the coast of Yemen. It is a small archipelago of four islands in the Indian Ocean.
Socotra desert rose (adenium obesum sokotranum)on rocky outcrop in Haghir Mountains, Socotra Island, Yemen.
Socotra desert rose (adenium obesum sokotranum)on rocky outcrop in Haghir Mountains, Socotra Island, Yemen.
bottle tree in dihamri, soqotra island
Bottle tree in dihamri, soqotra island
Bottle tree, island Socotra, Yemen. (sunsinger)
Bottle tree, island Socotra, Yemen. (Photo: sunsinger)
Dragon tree (Dracaena cinnabari) in Socotra island, Yemen. (alex7370)
Dragon tree (Dracaena cinnabari) in Socotra island, Yemen. (Photo: alex7370)
SOCOTRA ISLAND, YEMEN - MARCH 11: A Dragoon tree is seen in Diksam Plateaux on March 11, 2011 in Socotra Island, Yemen. The Socotran Archipelago is one of the greatest treasures of biodiversity. Located about 400 km south of the mainland in the Indian Ocean, it's is of continental origin, formed as part of the same process of continental drift that shaped the Arabian Peninsula. The archipelago comprised four island: the main island of Socotra and three smaller islands, knows as "the brothers". The main island of Socotra covering an area of 3,626 Km square, consists of coastal plains, inland limestone plateaux and the Haghier Mountains in the Northwest, which reach a height of 1525 meters. The climate is arid, with seasonal monsoons occurring from March to May. An estimated 30% of the island chain's plant life is endemic, as many of the birds from there and not all of the region's animal spices have been identified and the waters surrounding the archipelago are relatively unexplored. Yemen is one of a number of countries in the North African and Middle east region that have seen increasing unrest since the presidents of Egypt and Tunisia were ousted in popular revolts earlier this year. The protest against President Ali Abdullah Saleh's 32-year rule have left about 30 people dead since the beginning of the year 2011. Hundreds of police moved in, using tear gas, water cannons and live bullets in Tahrir Square, where protesters have been camping out for weeks. The protesters, fed up with corruption, poverty and a lack of political freedom, have rejected Mr Saleh's offers to form a national unity government and demanded that he step down. The president also faces a separatist movement in the South, a branch of al-Qaeda, and a periodic conflict with Shia tribes in the North. (Photo by Marco Di Lauro/Getty Images)
A Dragoon tree is seen in Diksam Plateaux in Socotra Island, Yemen. The Socotran Archipelago is one of the greatest treasures of biodiversity.  (Photo by Marco Di Lauro/Getty Images)
Socotran "desert roses" stand on a hillside in Wadi Diksam on Socotra island
Socotran “desert roses”, whose obese trunks are adapted to store water, stand on a hillside in Wadi Diksam on Socotra island  REUTERS/Mohamed al-Sayaghi 
Dragon's Blood trees, known locally as Dam al-Akhawain or blood of the two brothers, are pictured on Socotra island
Dragon’s Blood trees, known locally as Dam al-Akhawain or blood of the two brothers, are pictured on Socotra island REUTERS/Mohamed al-Sayaghi 
Sand desert dunes of Socotra island. (Vladimir Melnik)
Sand desert dunes of Socotra island. (Photo: Vladimir Melnik)
Sand dune, Socotra, Yemen. (sunsinger)
Sand dune, Socotra, Yemen. (Photo: sunsinger)
Socotra Island is swarming more than 800 rare species of plants of which more than a third are endemic.
Socotra Island is swarming with more than 800 rare species of plants of which more than a third are endemic.
Qualensia Beach and starscape at dusk
Qualensia Beach and starscape at dusk

Source: BritannicaThe Atlantic

 

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