Photos By Michele Falzone

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The waters east of Socotra

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Sweeping views towards the coast
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Tree dotted Diksamu Plateu and the Socotran Mountain Range
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Hadiboh, Capital City (est population 43,000 in 2004).
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Dihamri Reserve a snorkelling heaven
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Canyon on the Diksam plateau
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Dragonblood trees on Diksam Plateau
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A lush wadi
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The huge Qalansiya Lagoon
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The Qalansiya Mountains
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Socotra is a small archipelago of four islands and islets in the Indian Ocean off the coast Somalia some 350 km south of the Arabian peninsula. It is a part of the Republic of Yemen.

The archipelago consists of the main island of Socotra (3625 km² or 1400mi²), three smaller islands known collectively as "the Brothers" — Abd Al Kuri, Samha, Darsa — and other uninhabitable rock outcrops.

The main island has three geographical terrains: the narrow coastal plains, a limestone plateau permeated with karstic caves, and the Haghier Mountains. The mountains rise to 5000 feet (1525 meters).

The long geological isolation of the Socotra archipelago and its fierce heat and drought have combined to create a unique and spectacular endemic flora. 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 a 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.

As with many isolated island systems, bats are the only mammals native to Socotra. In contrast, the marine biodiversity around Socotra is rich.

Almost all inhabitants of Socotra 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.

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. Most Socotris still live without electricity, running water or a paved road.

From Wikipedia

Stunning, amezing, beautiful.... thanks for the photos, wish i could go to this place!

OMG i cant believe this is yemen :drool:
one ticket to go there please ;)

AMAZING! :O

wow how nice is that!.. i cant believe how clear the water is. Really beautiful piece of nature

Amazing!

Seeing this i just can't keep myself from thinking how beautiful the somali coast must be....

^^ shayan you're right !! somali coast is the best :( shiekh sabah had 5 kilos of beach front property in somalia before all the problems there, its sad alot of countries have a lot of potential to be a tourist destination but there is no stability, no plans and no money !!

heaven

socotra is the best part of yemen

Absolutely stunning

isnt that 12th picture a picture of sanaa?

amazing place

arab lands are the most beautiful and charming.

WOOOOOOOOOOOW ,Amazing place
i like that weird tree soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much .

WOWWW charming nature and architecture, Yemen traditional buildings are so gorgeos :drool:

Omg! subhanallah.. that is amazing. I didn't even know this Island existed.

Thanks of sharing!

And those mushroom shaped trees look nice.

Amazing pictures...
Just imagine the tourist possibilities...

Beautiful islands of Socotra!
thanks for the photos!

Socotra always facinated me. It is so beautiful, particular, exotic and untouched. Not much people know the island even exists. It is a place to go and I hope I'll get there one day.

Subhanallah, this place is simply magical.

This island is a heaven. Hope Yemen will overtake these hard times.

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This is one of the most beautiful places I had seen in my life. AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!

OMG, post more please!!!!

Wow!! This island is amazing! So beautiful, pure and perfect