Back Sokotra Afrikaans ሱቁጥራ Amharic Socotra AN سقطرى Arabic Socotra AST Sokotra adası Azerbaijani Сакотра BE-X-OLD Сокотра (остров) Bulgarian সুকাত্রা Bengali/Bangla Sokotra Breton
 Landsat view of Socotra | |
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  Socotra Location within Yemen  Socotra Location within the Horn of Africa near Western Asia | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Between the Guardafui Channel and the Arabian Sea |
| Coordinates | 12°30′36″N 53°55′12″E / 12.51000°N 53.92000°E |
| Archipelago | Socotra |
| Total islands | 4 + two rocky islets[1] |
| Major islands | Socotra, Abd al Kuri, Samhah, Darsah |
| Area | 3,796 km2 (1,466 sq mi) |
| Length | 132 km (82 mi) |
| Width | 50 km (31 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 1,503 m (4931 ft) |
| Highest point | Mashanig, Hajhir Mountains |
| Administration | |
| Region |  Hadramout Region |
| Governorate | Socotra Archipelago |
| Districts | Hadibu (east) Qulansiyah wa 'Abd-al-Kūrī (west) |
| Capital and largest city | Hadibu (pop. 8,545) |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 60,000 |
| Pop. density | 11.3/km2 (29.3/sq mi) |
| Ethnic groups | predominantly Soqotris; minority Yemenis, Hadharem, and Mehris |
| Official name | Socotra Archipelago |
| Type | Natural |
| Criteria | x |
| Designated | 2008 (32nd session) |
| Reference no. | 1263 |
| Region | Arab States |
Socotra (/səˈkoʊtrə, soʊ-, ˈsɒkətrə/;[2] Arabic: سُقُطْرَىٰ Suquṭrā) or Saqatri (Soqotri: ساقطْري Saqaṭri) is an island of Yemen in the Indian Ocean.[3][4] Lying between the Guardafui Channel and the Arabian Sea and near major shipping routes, Socotra is the largest of the four islands in the Socotra archipelago. Since 2013, the archipelago has constituted the Socotra Governorate.
The island of Socotra represents around 95% of the landmass of the Socotra archipelago. It lies 380 kilometres (205 nautical miles) south of the Arabian Peninsula[5] and 240 kilometres (130 nautical miles) east of Somalia; despite being controlled by Yemen, it is geographically part of Africa.[6] The island is isolated and home to a high number of endemic species. Up to a third of its plant life is endemic. It has been described as "the most alien-looking place on Earth".[7] The island measures 132 kilometres (82 mi) in length and 42 kilometres (26 mi) across at its widest.[6][8] In 2008, Socotra was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[9]
Currently, the island is under the de facto control of the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council, a secessionist participant in Yemen's ongoing civil war.[10]
- ^ "Socotra Archipelago".
- ^ "Socotra Definition & Meaning". dictionary.com. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
- ^ Burrowes, Robert D. (2010). Historical Dictionary of Yemen. Scarecrow Press. pp. 361–362. ISBN 978-0-8108-5528-1.
- ^ Robinson, Peg; Hestler, Anna; Spilling, Jo-Ann (2019). Yemen. Cavendish Square. p. 15. ISBN 978-1-50264-162-5.
- ^ "Socotra islands scenery in Yemen". en.youth.cn. China Youth International. 25 April 2008. Archived from the original on 5 September 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2009.
- ^ a b "Paradise Has an Address: Socotra - Geography". socotra.cz. Socotra Z.S. Society. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
- ^ Huntingford, George Wynn Brereton (1980). The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea. Hakluyt Society. p. 103. ISBN 978-0-904180-05-3.
- ^ Abrams, Avi (4 September 2008). "The Most Alien-Looking Place on Earth". Dark Roasted Blend.
- ^ "EU to protect Socotra archipelago environment". Saba Net. Yemen News Agency (SABA). 15 April 2008.
- ^ "Yemen's Socotra, isolated island at strategic crossroads". The Economic Times. 7 June 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
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