Socotra 489570 225005286 2008-07-11T12:29:35Z 82.37.217.33 /* Flora and fauna */ {{for|the [[Reef|submerged rock]]/[[islet]]|Socotra Rock}} {{Infobox Islands | name = Socotra | image name = Socotra_satview.jpg | image caption = Landsatview over Socotra {{coor dms|12|29|20.97|N|53|54|25.73|E}} | image size = | locator map = Socotra overview.PNG | native name = Suquṭra سقطرى | native name link = Arabic language | nickname = | location = [[Indian Ocean]] | coordinates = {{coor at dms|12|29|20.97|N|53|54|25.73|E}} | archipelago = Socotra islands | total islands = 4 | major islands = Socotra, [[Abd al Kuri]], [[Samhah]], [[Darsah]] | area = {{convert|3796|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} | highest point = [[Jebel Mashanig]] | elevation = {{convert|1525|m|ft|abbr=on}} | country = Yemen | country admin divisions title = [[Governorates of Yemen|Governorate]] | country admin divisions = [['Adan Governorate]] | country admin divisions title 1 = | country admin divisions 1 = | country admin divisions title 2 = | country admin divisions 2 = | country capital city = | country largest city = [[Hadiboh]] | country largest city population = 43,000 | country leader title = | country leader name = | population = 80,000 | population as of = | density = 21 | ethnic groups = | additional info = }} {{Infobox World Heritage Site | WHS = Socotra Archipelago | Image = [[Image:Dragon tree.jpg|thumb|center|Trees of genus ''[[Dracaena]]'']] | State Party = {{YEM}} | Type = Natural | Criteria = x | ID = 1263 | Region = [[List of World Heritage Sites in the Arab States|Arab States]] | Year = 2008 | Session = 32nd | Extension = | Link = http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1263 }} [[Image:Topographic map of Socotra-en.svg|right|270px|thumb|Map of the Socotra archipelago]] '''Socotra''' or '''Soqotra''' ([[Arabic language|Arabic]] '''سقطرى '''; '''{{unicode|Suquṭra}}''') is a small [[archipelago]] of four islands and islets in the [[Indian Ocean]] off the coast of the [[Horn of Africa]] some {{convert|190|nmi|mi km}} south of the [[Arabian peninsula]]. It is a part of the [['Adan Governorate]] of the [[Yemen|Republic of Yemen]]. == Geography and climate == Socotra is one of the most isolated landforms on Earth of [[continent]]al origin (i.e., not of [[volcano|volcanic]] origin). The archipelago was once part of the [[supercontinent]] of [[Gondwana]] and detached during the Middle [[Pliocene]] (''ca'' 6 million years ago), in the same set of [[rift (geology)|rift]]ing events that opened the [[Gulf of Aden]] to its northwest. The archipelago consists of the main island of Socotra (3,625 km² or 1,400&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi), three smaller islands known collectively as "the Brothers" &mdash; [[Abd al Kuri]], [[Samhah]], [[Darsa]] &mdash; and other uninhabitable rock outcrops. The main island has three geographical terrains: the narrow coastal [[plain]]s, a [[limestone]] [[plateau]] permeated with [[karst]]ic caves, and the Haghier Mountains. The mountains rise to 5,000 feet (1,525 m). The island is a little over 80 miles (130 km) long east to west and typically 18-22 miles (30-35 km) north to south. The climate is generally tropical [[desert]], with rainfall being light, seasonal (winter) and more abundant at the higher ground in the interior than along the coastal lowlands. The [[monsoon]] season brings strong winds and high seas. == Flora and fauna == {{seealso|List of spiders of Socotra}} Socotra is considered the "jewel" of biodiversity in the [[Arabian sea]].<ref name = Reuters>[http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSL23671476 FACTBOX-Socotra, jewel of biodiversity in Arabian Sea]. Reuters, April, 23, 2008</ref> The long geological isolation of the Socotra archipelago and its fierce heat and drought have combined to create a unique and spectacular [[endemic (ecology)|endemic]] [[flora]] (which may, therefore, be vulnerable to [[introduced species]] such as goats and to [[climate change]]). Surveys have revealed that more than a third of the 800 or so plant species of Socotra are found nowhere else. Botanists rank the flora of Socotra among the ten most endangered island flora in the world. The archipelago is a site of global importance for biodiversity conservation and a possible center for [[ecotourism]]. One of the most striking of Socotra's plants is the dragon's blood tree (''[[Dracaena (plant)|Dracaena cinnabari]]''), which is a strange-looking, umbrella-shaped tree. Its red sap was the [[dragon's blood]] of the ancients, sought after as a medicine and a dye. Another unusual plant is ''[[Dorstenia gigas]]''. The island group also has a fairly rich bird fauna, including a few types of endemic [[birds]], such as the [[Socotra Starling]] ''[[Onychognathus frater]]'', the [[Socotra Sunbird]] ''[[Nectarinia balfouri]]'', [[Socotra Sparrow]] ''[[Passer insularis]]'' and [[Socotra Grosbeak]] ''[[Rhynchostruthus socotranus]]''. As with many isolated island systems, [[bat]]s are the only mammals native to Socotra. In contrast, the marine biodiversity around Socotra is rich, characterized by a unique mixture of species that have originated in farflung biogeographic regions: the western Indian Ocean, the [[Red Sea]], Arabia, East Africa and the wider Indo-Pacific. ===UNESCO recognition=== The island was recognised by the [[United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization]] (UNESCO)'s as a world natural heritage site in July 2008. The [[European Union]] has supported such a move, calling on both UNESCO and International Organization of Protecting Environment to classify the island archipelago among the environmental heritages.<ref>[http://www.sabanews.net/en/news151852.htm EU to protect Socotra archipelago environment]. Sabanet, 15 April 2008.</ref> == People and economy == Almost all inhabitants of Socotra, numbered at 50,000,<ref name = Reuters/> live on the main island . The principal city is [[Hadiboh]] (estimated population 43,000 in 2004). Abd Al Kuri and Samha have a population of a few hundred people between them; Darsa is uninhabited. The inhabitants are of [[India]]n, [[Arab]]ian and [[Somali]] origins. They follow the [[Islamic faith]], and speak [[Soqotri]], an unwritten tongue that pre-dates [[Arabic]]. Their primary occupation has been fishing, livestock rearing and date cultivation. Recently tourism has also become a means of livelihood.<ref name = Reuters/> Traditionally, the archipelago has been inaccessible from June to September due to monsoon weather. However, in July 1999 a new airport opened Socotra to the outside year round, with [[Yemenia]] providing flights once a week to [[Aden]] and [[Sanaa]]. Electricity is widely available in Socotra with installations of diesel generators, but in [[Hadiboh]] there is no electricity from 5am until 9am daily. There are two excellent paved roads: one along the north shore from Quelensiyah to Hadiboh and then to DiHamri area, and another from the north coast to the south coast through the Dixsam plateau. There is neither public transport nor taxis available on Socotra island, but rent-a-car service is available. The former capital is located to the east of Hadiboh. On the western end of Hadiboh lies a small Yemeni army barracks. The President of Yemen, [[Ali Abdullah Saleh]], has a residence there as well. The [[Semitic]] language [[Soqotri language|Soqotri]] is spoken only in Socotra, although it is related to other [[Modern South Arabian]] languages on the Arabian mainland such as [[Mehri language|Mehri]]. The chief products of the island are [[date palm|dates]], [[ghee]], [[tobacco]], and [[fish]]. Some residents also raise cattle and goats. At the end of the [[1990s]], a [[United Nations Development Program]] was launched with the aim of providing a close survey of the island of Socotra. == History == Socotra appears as ''Dioskouridou'' ("of the [[Dioscurides]]") in the ''[[Periplus of the Erythraean Sea]]'', a [[1st century]] A.D. Greek navigation aid. In the notes to his translation of the ''Periplus'', G.W.B. Huntingford remarks that the name ''Socotra'' is not Greek in origin, but derives from the [[Sanskrit]] ''dvipa sukhadhara'' ("island of bliss"). A local tradition holds that the inhabitants were converted to [[Christianity]] by [[Thomas (apostle)|Thomas]] in AD [[52]]. In the [[10th century]] the Arab geographer Abu Mohammed Al-Hassan Al-Hamdani stated that in his time most of the inhabitants were Christians{{Fact|date=July 2008}}. Socotra is also mentioned in [[The Travels of Marco Polo]] according to which "the inhabitants are baptized Christians and have an archbishop" who, it is further explained, "has nothing to do with the Pope at Rome, but is subject to an archbishop who lives at Baghdad"{{Fact|date=July 2008}}. They were [[Nestorians]] but they also practiced ancient magic rituals despite the warnings of their archbishop{{Fact|date=July 2008}}. In [[1507]], [[Portugal]] landed an occupying force at the then capital of Suq, to "liberate" the assumed friendly Christians from Arab Islamic rule. However they were not welcomed as enthusiastically as they had expected and abandoned the island four years later. The islands passed under the control of the [[Mahra Sultanate|Mahra]] sultans in [[1511]]. Later, in [[1886]] it became a British protectorate, along with the remainder of the [[Mahra State of Qishn and Socotra]]. For the British it was an important strategic stop-over. The [[P&O]] ship ''[[Aden (ship)|Aden]]'' sank after being wrecked on a reef near Socotra, in [[1897]], with the loss of 78 lives. In October 1967 the Mahra sultanate was abolished. On November 30th Socotra became part of the [[People's Republic of South Yemen]] (later to become the [[People's Democratic Republic of Yemen]]). Today it is part of the Republic of [[Yemen]]. The island is also claimed by [[Somalia]].{{Fact|date=May 2008}} ==Notes== {{reflist}} ==References== *Biedermann, Zoltán. 2006. ''Soqotra, Geschichte einer christlichen Insel im Indischen Ozean vom Altertum bis zur frühen Neuzeit'' (Maritime Asia 17). Wiesbaden, Harrassowitz Verlag, ISBN 978-3-447-05421-8 *Botting, Douglas. 1958. ''Island of the Dragon's Blood''. (2nd edition 2006. ISBN 9781904246213.) *Casson, Lionel. 1989. ''The Periplus Maris Erythraei''. Princeton University Press. ISBN 0-691-04060-5 . *Cheung, Catherine & DeVantier, Lyndon. 2006. ''[http://www.nhbs.com/socotra_tefno_147370.html Socotra: A Natural History of the Islands and their People]''. Edited by Kay Van Damme. Odyssey Books & Guides, ISBN 962-217-770-0. * Doe, D. Brian. 1970. ''Socotra: An Archaeological Reconnaissance in 1967''. Edited by Henry Field and Edith M. Laird. Field Research Projects, Miami. * Doe, D. Brian. ''Socotra: Island of Tranquility''. London: Immel, 1992. * Elie, D. Serge. ''Soqotra: South Arabia’s Strategic Gateway and Symbolic Playground''. British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies, November 2006, 33(2), 131–160 ISSN 1353-0194 ISSN 1469-3542 * Elie, D. Serge.'' Hadiboh: From Peripheral Village to Emerging City''. Chroniques Yemenites, 12 (2004) * RBGE Soqotra Bibliography: at RBGE and Friends of Soqotra websites. * Schoff, Wilfred H. 1912. ''The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea''. Longmans, Green, and Co., New York, Second Edition. Reprint: New Delhi, Oriental Books Reprint Corporation. 1974. (A new hardback edition is available from Coronet Books Inc. Also reprinted by South Asia Books, 1995, ISBN 81-215-0699-9) == External links == {{commons|Category:Socotra|Soqotra}} * [http://rbg-web2.rbge.org.uk/soqotra/misty/page01.html Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh: ''Soqotra's Misty Future'']. (See page 5 for information on [[dragons' blood]]). * [http://www.friendsofsoqotra.org Global organisation of '''Friends''' for '''Soqotra''' in any aspect based in Edinburgh, Scotland.] * Carter, Mike. [http://observer.guardian.co.uk/travel/story/0,,1754579,00.html ''The land that time forgot''] [[The Observer]]. Sunday April 16, 2006. * [http://www.aiys.org/webdate/socot.html A Historical Genealogy of Socotra as an Object of Mythical Speculation, Scientific Research & Development Experiment] *{{en icon}} [http://www.ulivewhere.com/low/downloads/download-soqotra.html Audio interview with Soqotra Island resident about life on Soqotra] *{{cite news |first=Alan |last=Burdick |title=The Wonder Land of Socotra, Yemen |url=http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/03/25/travel/tmagazine/03well.socotra.t.html?ex=1175572800&en=82b347ceafcb7cd8&ei=5070&emc=eta1 |work=The New York Times |date=[[March 25]], [[2007]] * [ http://www.socotraguide.com]}} * [http://www.socotra.tripod.com Photos from Socotra] * [http://www.socotra.ru/ Socotra.ru - In Russian] * [http://www.socotra.info/ In Russian] * [http://www.divesocotra.com Diving on Soqotra] * [http://www.socotraisland.org/intro/ SCF Organisation.] * [http://www.semarch.uni-hd.de/tondokumente.php4?&GR_ID=&ORT_ID=153&DOK_ID=1651 Sounding fragment of Soqotran Mehazelo (Cinderella) folktale in MP3] * [http://www.vokrugsveta.ru/publishing/vs/archives/?item_id=2226 An article from Russian "Вокруг света" ("Around the World") magazine] * [http://www.bartleby.com/61/tree.html Semitic Languages Tree] * [http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/03/25/travel/tmagazine/03well.socotra.t.html?ei=5070 An article in T Style Magazine - NYTimes] * [http://www.soqotra.info A personal view of Soqotra by John Farrar. Many photos and articles.] {{Portuguese overseas empire}} [[Category:Islands of Yemen]] [[Category:Islands of Africa]] [[Category:Islands of the Indian Ocean]] [[Category:Former Portuguese colonies]] [[Category:Global 200 ecoregions]] [[Category:World Heritage Sites in Yemen]] [[Category:Russian and Soviet Navy bases]] [[ar:سقطرى]] [[ast:Socotra]] [[br:Sokotra]] [[bg:Сокотра]] [[ca:Socotra]] [[cs:Sokotra]] [[cy:Socotra]] [[de:Sokotra]] [[et:Sokotra]] [[es:Socotra]] [[eo:Sokotra]] [[eu:Sokotora]] [[fa:جزایر سوکوترا]] [[fr:Socotra]] [[gl:Socotra]] [[ko:소코트라 섬]] [[hr:Sokotra]] [[it:Socotra]] [[he:סוקוטרה]] [[sw:Sokotra]] [[nl:Socotra (archipel)]] [[ja:ソコトラ島]] [[no:Socotra]] [[nn:Sokotra]] [[pms:Socòtra]] [[pl:Archipelag Sokotra]] [[pt:Socotorá]] [[ru:Сокотра]] [[fi:Sokotra]] [[sv:Sokotra]] [[tr:Sokotra]] [[ur:سقوطرہ]] [[zh:索科特拉岛]]