Socotra Archipelago Governorate
Socotra Archipelago Governorate, Remote archipelago in the Indian Ocean, Yemen
The Socotra Archipelago consists of four main islands with mountains reaching 1,503 meters (4,932 feet) and narrow coastal plains along the northern and southern shores. The terrain shifts between rocky slopes and flat coastal strips.
Christian communities lived here until the 17th century before Islam became the dominant religion. In the 19th century the archipelago came under British protection until later joining the modern state.
The people speak Soqotri, a distinct Semitic language that sets them apart from neighboring regions. This language shapes daily life and identity across all the islands.
Minibuses and 4WD vehicles are the main ways to travel within the archipelago, while ships connect to the mainland through the port of Mukalla. Travel conditions can change depending on the season and weather.
More than 700 plant species exist nowhere else on Earth, including the distinctive dragon blood tree with red sap. These trees stand out with their flat, umbrella-like crowns across the landscape.
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