The Island Of Socotra, A Magic With No Limits!
Socotra, Yemen's beautiful virgin, as some call it, the island of incense, of bliss, of blessing, the Pearl Island, frankincense island, and the island of Dragon's Blood Tree..
All these titles were given to the Yemeni island of Socotra because of its global status as the most important natural protectorate and natural museum in the world.
In 2000, it was declared as a natural protectorate, and in 2008, it was classified as a World Heritage Site, and one of the most important islands in the world in terms of plant biodiversity.
Location:
Socotra is a Yemeni archipelago on the Indian Ocean. It lies about 350 km to south of the Arabian Peninsula, and 380 km from Ras Fartak in Mahrah governorate as the closest point in the Yemeni coast.
Area:
The area of the Socotra island is 3,796 km². It was part of Hadramout governorate till October 2013 when it was declared as an independent governorate. A group of small islands, including Abdulkouri, Samahah, Dara, and Karail, follow Socotra.
Population:
In 1994, the population of the island was approximately 65,514 . Its inhabitants are Arabs, most of them are from Mahara tribes, and some are from the indigenous African population of the island. Most of its inhabitants work in agriculture, ranching (cattle raising) and hunting, but some work in wool spinning, pottery, carpentry, boat manufacturing, and some simple leather industries.
Topography And Climate:
The terrain of the island varies between mountains, plateaus, valleys, plains and bays, and its location near the Equator made its climate tropical, generally a marine climate; the summer is long and hot, and the winter is short and rainy. This gave the island the peculiarity of climatic features which gave it a variety of vegetation.
Historical Importance:
Socotra has been known since the beginning of the first millennium BC as an important center for the production of sacred goods. It gained its fame and importance as a source for the production of these goods which were used in the worship rituals of ancient world religions. In ancient history, the island was associated with the Kingdom of Hadramout, but in modern times it was associated with the Sultanate of Mahrah until the revolution of Yemen.
Anyway, the production of sacred goods played an important role and had a presence in the books of travelers and ancient geographers, and its news continued throughout the various historical periods.
At the beginning of the sixteenth century (1507), the island was occupied by the Portuguese and then by the British who took it as the rear (back) base for their occupation of Aden in 1839.
Flora and Fauna (Plants & Animals):
Socotra has about 850 species of plants, 270 of which are endemic (don't exist anywhere else in the world). The Dragon's Blood Tree is the most unique example. It is one of the rarest trees and endemic plants in Socotra. It is used in many primitive industries on the island, and is one of the medicinal plants.
The Island is also full of unique birds, about 179 different kinds which most of us don't see or even know their names, in addition to so many kinds of differnt animals..
Caves And Caverns:
There are many big caves and very big grottoes located in many parts of Socotra Island that are considered as types of housing for the people of Socotra with their cattle at some times of the year, especially at the times of heavy rains.
At last, we need years and thick volumes to study, describe and write about Socotra from all sides and in all fields, we need to spen. But and in short, I say that Socotra is the land of magic of beauty, the mystery of history, and the legend of nature. I wish the island of Socotra to be always and forever in this splendor, magic and beauty and more and more, and I pray for Allah to keep and save it as a captivating and charming virgin away from the futility of human beings hands, and to preserve Yemen and all Arab and Muslim countries from all kinds of evil..
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