Socotra (also spelled Soqotra, is a small archipelago of four islands in the Indian Ocean The largest island, also called Socotra, is about 95% of the landmass of the archipelago. It lies some 240 kilometers (150 mi) east of the Horn of Africa and 380 kilometers (240 mi) south of the Arabian Peninsula. The island is very isolated and a third of its plant life is found nowhere else on the planet. It has been described as "the most alien-looking place on Earth". The island measures 132 kilometers (82 mi) in length and 49.7 kilometers (30.9 mi) in width.
The landscape of remote Socotra Island looks as if it comes from a sci-fi film but in fact has evolved to look so other-world as the 'lost world' island has been separated from mainland Africa for between six and seven million years. A Brother's blood tree is pictured
Much like the Galapagos Islands, which are known for their incredible array of wildlife, Socotra Island is home to around 800 rare species of flora and fauna, around a third of which are found nowhere else on the planet.
Nestled in the Indian Ocean some 250km from Somalia and 340km from Yemen, the island's harsh environment includes wide sandy beaches, limestone caves and towering mountains (the Haghier Mountains are pictured) but is for the most part very hot and dry leading to the distinctive appearance of its plants.
Socotra is part of YEMEN. It had long been a part of the 'Aden Governorate. In 2004, it became attached to the Hadhramaut Governorate, which is much closer to the island than 'Adan (although the nearest governorate is Al Mahrah).
The trees and plants on the island have evolved to suit its hostile climate and some varieties of plant are a staggering 20 million-years old, according to Bin's Corner.
Only Hawaii, New Caledonia and the Galapagos Islands have more endemic species after botanical field surveys led by Centre for Middle Eastern Plants, which is part of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh, found that 307 of the 825 plan species could only be found on the island and nowhere else on Earth.
Sources:
1- Socotra, a remote island with plants up to 20 MILLION years old by SARAH GRIFFITHS. http://www.dailymail.co.uk.
2- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socotra
Comments
Thank for sharing
Once in the main chat room, a chatter from Yemen told me the story of the blood brother tree. I was fascinated with the story, and of course amazed with the photo of the trees.
You're well come Luzzi. Hope you get the chance to visit this picturesque island.