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© Getty Images
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Socotra archipelago - Socotra is the largest island in the Socotra archipelago. It's located off the coast of Somalia, between the Guardafui Channel and the Arabian Sea.
© Public Domain
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Yemen - Despite its proximity to the east African coast, this mysterious territory is officially part of Yemen.
© iStock
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Adventure tourism - Before the Yemeni civil war, Socotra was an exceptional destination for adventure tourists. Indeed, the island received over 1,000 tourists each year until 2014.
© Reuters
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Rich biodiversity
- Remote and isolated, the archipelago is of universal importance because of its biodiversity, including rich and distinct flora and fauna. The iconic dragon blood tree (pictured) is native to the archipelago.
© Shutterstock
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Unique - According to UNESCO, 37% of Socotra's 825 plant species are not found anywhere else on Earth.
© iStock
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Reptile and snail haven
- Similarly, 90% of its reptile species and 95% of its land snail species do not occur anywhere else in the world.
© Shutterstock
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Protected environment - Nature sanctuaries, national parks, and areas of special botanical interest encompass about 75% of the total land area.
© iStock
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Homhil plateau - This area of the island has the highest concentration of dragon blood trees, as well as many other tree species.
© iStock
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Mountain lakes - Pictured is a freshwater mountain lake sunk near the Homhil plateau.
© Shutterstock
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Golden bottle tree - Besides the dragon blood tree, Socotra is also recognized for other weird and wonderful flora, such as the golden bottle tree.
© iStock
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Unworldly appearance - Indeed, travel inland and the island starts to take on a distinctly unworldly appearance. Pictured on a hillside in Wadi Diksam are Socotran desert roses, whose fat trunks are adapted to store water.
© Reuters
11 / 29 Fotos
Diksam plateau
- Seen here is the inhospitable Diksam plateau.
© Shutterstock
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Cucumber tree
- The odd-looking cucumber tree is another species endemic to the archipelago.
© Shutterstock
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From where incense comes
- Perched on the edge of the cliff is this frankincense tree. Its aromatic resin is used in incense and perfumes.
© Shutterstock
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High point - Pictured are the impressive granite spires of the Hajhir massif, the highest point on the island.
© Shutterstock
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Hajhir massif
- The mountain range summits out at 1,500 m (4,900 ft) above sea level.
© Shutterstock
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Oasis - The distant Hajhir Mountains provide dramatic contrast against a tranquil oasis set near the island's capital, Hadibu.
© iStock
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Socotra cormorant - The archipelago also supports significant populations of land and sea birds, including the threatened Socotra cormorant.
© Shutterstock
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Rare bird life
- The Socotra starling is endemic to Yemen, including the archipelago.
© Shutterstock
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Egyptian vulture - Around 1,000 Egyptian vultures call Socotra home, the highest concentration of this endangered bird found anywhere in the world.
© Reuters
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Critters of special interest
- Ground-dwelling creepy-crawlies include the Socotra island blue baboon. This endemic spider species is a member of the tarantula family.
© Shutterstock
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Diverse marine life - Marine life on Socotra is also very diverse. Pristine coastal waters support 253 species of reef-building corals.
© iStock
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Incredible sealife
- There are also 730 species of coastal fish, and 300 different species of crustaceans.
© Shutterstock
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Detwah lagoon
- The beautiful Detwah lagoon is where Socotra's finest beach can be found.
© Shutterstock
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Qalansiyah beach
- Seen here is the approach to Detwah lagoon and the spectacular beach near the port of Qalansiyah, the second biggest town on the island.
© Reuters
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Ancient heritage - Pictured are the ancient ruins of Dihambri, near Qalansiyah. The island served as an important trading post back in the 3rd century CE.
© iStock
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Halah cave - Some of Socotra's natural wonders are hidden from the outside world. Halah cave, located on the east side of the island, is several hundred meters deep and for the most part remains in total darkness.
© iStock
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Archer sand dunes
- Another celebrated location is the Archer sand dunes. Archer is located on the north-east shore of Socotra. See also: The deadliest places in the world
© iStock
28 / 29 Fotos
© Getty Images
0 / 29 Fotos
Socotra archipelago - Socotra is the largest island in the Socotra archipelago. It's located off the coast of Somalia, between the Guardafui Channel and the Arabian Sea.
© Public Domain
1 / 29 Fotos
Yemen - Despite its proximity to the east African coast, this mysterious territory is officially part of Yemen.
© iStock
2 / 29 Fotos
Adventure tourism - Before the Yemeni civil war, Socotra was an exceptional destination for adventure tourists. Indeed, the island received over 1,000 tourists each year until 2014.
© Reuters
3 / 29 Fotos
Rich biodiversity
- Remote and isolated, the archipelago is of universal importance because of its biodiversity, including rich and distinct flora and fauna. The iconic dragon blood tree (pictured) is native to the archipelago.
© Shutterstock
4 / 29 Fotos
Unique - According to UNESCO, 37% of Socotra's 825 plant species are not found anywhere else on Earth.
© iStock
5 / 29 Fotos
Reptile and snail haven
- Similarly, 90% of its reptile species and 95% of its land snail species do not occur anywhere else in the world.
© Shutterstock
6 / 29 Fotos
Protected environment - Nature sanctuaries, national parks, and areas of special botanical interest encompass about 75% of the total land area.
© iStock
7 / 29 Fotos
Homhil plateau - This area of the island has the highest concentration of dragon blood trees, as well as many other tree species.
© iStock
8 / 29 Fotos
Mountain lakes - Pictured is a freshwater mountain lake sunk near the Homhil plateau.
© Shutterstock
9 / 29 Fotos
Golden bottle tree - Besides the dragon blood tree, Socotra is also recognized for other weird and wonderful flora, such as the golden bottle tree.
© iStock
10 / 29 Fotos
Unworldly appearance - Indeed, travel inland and the island starts to take on a distinctly unworldly appearance. Pictured on a hillside in Wadi Diksam are Socotran desert roses, whose fat trunks are adapted to store water.
© Reuters
11 / 29 Fotos
Diksam plateau
- Seen here is the inhospitable Diksam plateau.
© Shutterstock
12 / 29 Fotos
Cucumber tree
- The odd-looking cucumber tree is another species endemic to the archipelago.
© Shutterstock
13 / 29 Fotos
From where incense comes
- Perched on the edge of the cliff is this frankincense tree. Its aromatic resin is used in incense and perfumes.
© Shutterstock
14 / 29 Fotos
High point - Pictured are the impressive granite spires of the Hajhir massif, the highest point on the island.
© Shutterstock
15 / 29 Fotos
Hajhir massif
- The mountain range summits out at 1,500 m (4,900 ft) above sea level.
© Shutterstock
16 / 29 Fotos
Oasis - The distant Hajhir Mountains provide dramatic contrast against a tranquil oasis set near the island's capital, Hadibu.
© iStock
17 / 29 Fotos
Socotra cormorant - The archipelago also supports significant populations of land and sea birds, including the threatened Socotra cormorant.
© Shutterstock
18 / 29 Fotos
Rare bird life
- The Socotra starling is endemic to Yemen, including the archipelago.
© Shutterstock
19 / 29 Fotos
Egyptian vulture - Around 1,000 Egyptian vultures call Socotra home, the highest concentration of this endangered bird found anywhere in the world.
© Reuters
20 / 29 Fotos
Critters of special interest
- Ground-dwelling creepy-crawlies include the Socotra island blue baboon. This endemic spider species is a member of the tarantula family.
© Shutterstock
21 / 29 Fotos
Diverse marine life - Marine life on Socotra is also very diverse. Pristine coastal waters support 253 species of reef-building corals.
© iStock
22 / 29 Fotos
Incredible sealife
- There are also 730 species of coastal fish, and 300 different species of crustaceans.
© Shutterstock
23 / 29 Fotos
Detwah lagoon
- The beautiful Detwah lagoon is where Socotra's finest beach can be found.
© Shutterstock
24 / 29 Fotos
Qalansiyah beach
- Seen here is the approach to Detwah lagoon and the spectacular beach near the port of Qalansiyah, the second biggest town on the island.
© Reuters
25 / 29 Fotos
Ancient heritage - Pictured are the ancient ruins of Dihambri, near Qalansiyah. The island served as an important trading post back in the 3rd century CE.
© iStock
26 / 29 Fotos
Halah cave - Some of Socotra's natural wonders are hidden from the outside world. Halah cave, located on the east side of the island, is several hundred meters deep and for the most part remains in total darkness.
© iStock
27 / 29 Fotos
Archer sand dunes
- Another celebrated location is the Archer sand dunes. Archer is located on the north-east shore of Socotra. See also: The deadliest places in the world
© iStock
28 / 29 Fotos
Socotra—an unworldly island in the Arabian Sea
Weird, remote, and enticing
© Getty Images
Remote and isolated, the Socotra archipelago is often described as the "most alien-looking place on Earth." The islands, part of Yemen, are scattered in the Arabian Sea, with Socotra, the largest island, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But while once a discerning destination for hardcore adventure tourists, visitor numbers have dwindled since the outbreak of the Yemeni civil war in 2014.
Browse this gallery and get an idea of what this unworldly island looks like.
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