Socotra, UNESCO World Heritage Site island in Arabian Sea, Yemen.
Socotra is an island in the Arabian Sea belonging to Yemen, covering 3,796 square kilometers (1,465 square miles) from coastal plains to limestone peaks reaching 1,503 meters (4,931 feet). The terrain shows dry valleys, steep coastal cliffs, and interior plateaus where rare plants grow among rocks.
Archaeological findings show the island served as a trading post in the first century CE, mentioned in the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea. A Christian community lived here during medieval times before isolation shaped local culture over centuries.
Residents speak Soqotri, a Semitic language you can still hear in villages and markets. Fishermen use traditional methods passed down through generations, and herders move through the mountains with goats.
Four-wheel-drive vehicles are necessary to move around the island, as paved roads are absent. Flights arrive from mainland Yemen or neighboring countries, though connections may vary depending on the political situation.
One-third of plant species exist nowhere else on Earth, including the Dragon Blood Tree with its red sap and umbrella-shaped crown. Coastal waters harbor rare fish species and corals that can be observed while snorkeling.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
