SocotraYE

Hadramawt

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Region of Yemen, located in the eastern regions. It may be understood as the valley of Hadramawt, or Wadi Hadramawt, located in the mountaineous interior, or the larger lands stretching to the sea.
The Hadramawt governorate has an area of 167,000 km², ca. 1.2 million inhabitants, and the sea port of Mukalla as its administrative centre and largest city (190,000). Other large settlements include the sea port of Ash-Shihr (70,000); Say’un (55,000) in the Hadramawt valley. In this valley it is the smaller Shibam (16,000) which is most known, thanks to its “skyscraper” architecture.
There is today a Hadramawt governorate, covering lands smaller than the historical Hadramawt. Before the creation of modern Yemen, the lands of Hadramawt formed to sultanates: Qu’ayti and Kathiri.
Until the 3rd century CE, Hadramawt belonged to the lands of Shabwa. Some definitions make Hadramawt include the lands of the former Mahra sultanate, but these lands are neither geographically or culturally Hadramati.
Central in the region is the Hadramawt valley set in the Al-Jol pleateau. The valley is marked by its deeply sunk wadis. It is the home of a population of about 200,000.
Hadramawt borders historically to the Dhofar region of southern Oman, in the north to the empty lands of Rub al-Khali.
The communities of Hadramawt consists of densely built towns located to ancient wells.
The societies are centred around the tribe, and there is the Sayyid aristocracy, families that claim descendancy from Muhammad, the founder of Islam.
The economy is based upon agriculture of wheat and millet, dates and coconuts and some coffee. Sheep and goats are tended by Bedouins.
The climate of Hadramawt is hard, summer temperatures may climb up to 50ºC. Winter climate is moderate and pleasant.
The name is ancient, and its original meaning is not known. The last syllabus, “mawt” means “death” in Arabic, and there have been speculations linked to this.
The population of Hadramawt are Arabs speaking Arabic of the Hadrami dialect. Islam is the only religion, with a substantial amount of Zaydis. The distribution between Sunnis and Zaydis is not known.
History
The history of Hadramawt goes many thousand years back in time. Many scholars believe that the lands of Hazarmaveth from the Bible’s Book of Genesis relates to Hadramawt.
9th century BCE:The oldest archaeological finds in the Hadramawt valley.
Around 750: The first mention of a Kingdom of Hadramawt, in Yemeni sources. The capital was Shabwa.
3rd century: Shabwa is mentioned in Greek sources, named Sabota.
1st century CE: Roman historian, Pliny, describes Shabwa as a city with no less than 60 temples inside its city walls.
Around 100: Hadramawt is conquered by the Himyarites.
3rd century: Shabwa is conquered by Sabaeans, then its population is driven out by the nomadic Kinda tribe. Shabwa’s population seeks refuge in the Hadramawt valley.
7th century: Islam is introduced to Hadramawt, meeting fierce resistance for a long time.
746: The Ibadi branch of Islam is introduced to Hadramawt, becoming a strong force here.
951: Sayyid Ahmad al-Muhajir, a descendants of Muhammad, and 80 families in his group settle in Hadramawt. He introduced the Shafi’i branch of Sunni Islam to the region.
1488: The Kathiri tribe of San’a takes control of Hadramawt and establishes itself here, forming a sultanate in the eastern part of the valley. Their first capital was Tarim, this changed later to Say’un.
16th century: The al-Qu’ayti tribe sets up their sultanate in the western part of the Hadramawt valley, with Al-Qatn as their capital.
1809: Invasion of the Wahhabis of Saudi Arabia, destroying all important structures of the valley.
1830: War over Shibam between the Qu’ayti and the Kathiris, which for long had been under joint rule.
Early 19th century: Hadramis begin migrating to ports around the Indean Ocean, forming trade communities both along the African coast and as far away as Indonesia.
1888: A treaty of protection and influence is signed between the Qu’ayti sultan and the British.
1918: A treaty of protection and influence is signed between the Kathiri sultan and the British.
1934: The British intervenes in Hadrami matters, becoming formally advisors in the Hadramawt.
1967: Aden claims independence, forming the People’s Republic of South Yemen, in which Hadramawt is a region. The sultans of Hadramawt take exile in Saudi Arabia.
1982: An asphalt road to the Hadramawt valley is completed, connecting directly with Mukalla and the coast.
1994: The civil war of Yemen begins, but hardly touch Hadramawt at all.

South Yemen

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Republic existing 1967-1990, now the southern and eastern part of Yemen.
In 1990, South Yemen had 2.6 million inhabitants and a territory of 332.970 km², divided into 6 governorates.
South Yemen was officially called People’s Republic of South Yemen 1967-1970 and People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen 1970-1990.
Capital of republic was Aden, the country’s most important port.
South Yemen had close ties to the Soviet Union and other Communist states. It was by all means an undeveloped country with low GDP per capita. Literacy rate was only 25% and an infant mortality rate of 11%. The only city with proper services was Aden. Abuses on human rights were numerous.
The background for the unification were mainly two reasons. First, oil was found in both North and South, in about the same area. Second, the fall of Soviet-backed Socialism, was about to leave South Yemen completely isolated.
History
1832: The port of Aden is captured by the British East India Company.
1882-1918: The British increases its position into most of what became South Yemen (incl. Hadramawt).
1937: The Colony of Aden is established, which was the centre of the Aden Protectorate, into which the rest of future South Yemen belonged.
1963: The Federation of South Arabia is formed with the old protectorate except Hadramawt, which now was known as Protectorate of South Arabia.
1967 November 30: The Federation of South Arabia and the Protectorate of South Arabia jointly gain independence from Great Britain, and is named People’s Republic of South Yemen.
1969 June: Communists win control of South Yemen, Salim Ali Rubai becomes president.
1970 December 1: Name is changed to include ‘Democratic’ and exclude ‘South’.
1972: Clashes between North and South Yemen; President Salim Ali Rubai and President Abdurrahman al-Iryani of North Yemen reach an agreement to work towards a unification of the two countries.
1977 August: President Salim Ali Rubai agrees with Ibrahim Hamdi of North Yemen that their 2 countries should be unified within 4 years.
1978 October 31: A constitution is promulgated, and a one party system is introduced, only the Yemeni Socialist Party was permitted.
1979: Fighting between North and South Yemens, a full-scale war is only prevented by Arab League intervention.
1986 January: Armed struggle inside South Yemen, between the forces of the president and troops of the former president. It caused the death of thousands, and 60,000 refugees.
1989: Negotiations between South and North Yemen begin, proving to be more successful than any anticipation.
1990 May 22: South Yemen and North Yemen unites into Yemen, with Ali Abdullah Saleh of the north becoming its president, the president of South Yemen, Haidar Abu Bakr al-Attas, becomes Prime Minister, while Ali Salim al-Baidh, also of the south, becomes Vice President. A 30-month transition period followed.
1994 May 21: Forces of South Yemen breaks out of the united state, forming the Democratic Republic of Yemen.
— July 7: Breakdown of the Democratic Republic of Yemen, and Yemen reunites.

Arabian Sea

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Sea between the Arabian peninsula and the Indian subcontinent that is part of the Indian Ocean.
The Arabian Sea is bordered by Yemen, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Iran, Pakistan, and India. It merges with the Gulf of Oman to the northwest, which flows through the Strait of Hormuz into the Persian Gulf, and the Gulf of Aden in the southwest.The maximum width of the Arabian Sea is estimated to 2,400 km, and its maximum depth is about 5,000 metres.

Gulf of Aden

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Western arm of the Arabian Sea, meeting the Red Sea at the strait Babu l-Mandeb.
The gulf runs in a west-east direction, between Yemen and Somalia, meeting Djibouti at the western end. It is about 900 km long, and 500 km wide at the eastern end, between Ra’s Asir of Somalia and the city of al-Mukalla of Yemen.
The Gulf of Aden has important commercial shipping.

Red Sea

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Sea between Africa and the Arabian peninsula, bordering Eritrea, Sudan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen.
The length is 2,250 km, and the maximum width is 355 km. The maximum depth is 2,130 metres. To the north, the Red Sea connects to the Suez Gulf to the west of Sinai, and to the Gulf of Aqaba to the east.To the south, the Red Sea is connected to the Gulf of Aden, which is part of the Arabian Sea. The Red Sea is part of the Rift Valley, that cuts through most of eastern Africa.
Its ports are Jedda of Saudi Arabia and Mukalla of Yemen. Suez, located at the Gulf of Suez, is equally as important as these two, for traffic in the Red Sea. Port Sudan, Sudan has today only minor importance beyond the domestic needs of Sudan.
History
20 million years ago: As the Arabian peninsula is torn away from Africa, the Red Sea is formed.
1869: The Red Sea becomes a route for commercial shipping with the opening of the Suez Canal.

The Wonder Land of Socotra, Yemen

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The road to the forest of frankincense trees, on the Yemeni island of Socotra, is a rough one. From the passenger seat of a battered Toyota Land Cruiser, it looked like pure rock pile, on and on, up, down, over. Ahmed Said, my driver and guide, wrestled the wheel like a man engaged, surely and calmly, in a struggle to the death. When at last, after 90 minutes, he stopped and got out, we had traveled perhaps no more than five miles.
We stood on a rise overlooking a riverbed rushing with water. The ground underfoot was a rubble of granite boulders and chunks of sharp limestone karst. Small trees — short and gnarled, resembling mesquite — surrounded us. Ahmed approached one and pointed to an amber drop of sap oozing from its trunk: the essence of frankincense. Until that moment I’d had no clear idea what exactly frankincense was; nor that it derives from the sap of a tree; nor that, as Ahmed explained, Socotra is home to nine species of the tree, all unique to the island. I caught the drop of sap on my finger and inhaled a sharp, sweet fragrance; then I put it to my tongue. The torture of the drive was forgotten, and for the briefest moment, under the hot Yemeni sun, I tasted Christmas.
Situated 250 miles off the coast of Yemen, Socotra is the largest member of an archipelago of the same name, a four-island ellipsis that trails off the Horn of Africa into the Gulf of Aden. A mix of ancient granite massifs, limestone cliffs and red sandstone plateaus, the island brings to mind the tablelands of Arizona, if Arizona were no bigger than New York’s Long Island and surrounded by a sparkling turquoise sea.
Some 250 million years or more ago, when all the planet’s major landmasses were joined and most major life-forms were just a gleam in some evolutionary eye, Socotra already stood as an island apart. Ever since, it has been gathering birds, seeds and insects off the winds and cultivating one of the world’s most unusual collections of organisms. In addition to frankincense, Socotra is home to myrrh trees and several rare birds. Its marine life is a unique hybrid of species from the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific. In the 1990s, a team of United Nations biologists conducted a survey of the archipelago’s flora and fauna. They counted nearly 700 endemic species, found nowhere else on earth; only Hawaii and the Galapagos Islands have more impressive numbers.
Lately Socotra has begun to attract a new and entirely foreign species — tourists. A modest airport went up in 1999. (Before then, the island could be reached only by cargo ship; from May to September, when monsoon winds whip up the sea, it could be cut off entirely.) That year, 140 travelers visited. The annual figure now exceeds 2,500: a paltry number compared with, say, the Galapagos, but on an island with only four hotels, two gas stations and a handful of flush toilets, it’s a veritable flood.
They — I should say “we” — constitute an experiment. Encouraged by a United Nations development plan, Socotra has opted to avoid mass tourism: no beachfront resorts; instead, small, locally owned hotels and beachfront campsites. The prize is that rarest of tourists, eco-tourists: those who know the little known and reach the hard to reach, who will come eager to see the Socotra warbler, the loggerhead turtle, the dragon’s blood tree — anything, please, but their own reflection.
Riding with Ahmed, it was immediately evident that, though the island is small in size, it cannot possibly be seen without a hired driver and guide, for the simple reason that there are few proper roads, fewer road signs and no road maps.
The first paved roads were built by the Yemeni government only two years ago: wide, open scabs on the landscape that stretch across the island yet see virtually no traffic. The new roads, it turned out, were a sore spot with Ahmed and the United Nations Socotra Archipelago Conservation and Development Programme. “The experience is so different if you spend 45 minutes on a road versus three or four hours,” Paul Scholte, the program’s technical adviser in Sana, Yemen’s capital, said to me. “The whole perception of the island changes due to the road.” Then there was the matter of placement. Only at the last minute did the S.C.D.P. manage to convince the government not to send the road through a stretch of coastline designated as a nature preserve. It’s fair to say that Socotra’s future may be read in the lines of its roads: how many, how wide, where they lead and who is encouraged to travel on them.
Ahmed took me to the beach that would have been paved over: shimmering blue water, powdery white sand and not a soul in sight. A ghost crab, pure white, with just its pin-stalk eyes peeking above the water like twin periscopes, drifted by on a current in the shallows. I watched it watch me and then bury itself in the sandy floor.
According to Scholte, roughly half of Socotra’s tourists are Italians, who seem mainly interested in the beaches: “Italians go because it’s new, it’s cheap, but not because it’s special.” The French and Germans, in contrast, go for special: they come to hike, visit the island’s nature preserves, maybe rent camels and spend several days trekking as a group across the Haghier mountain range at the center of the island.
As for Americans, well, there weren’t many. I could understand: a conservative Arab country hardly seems like a good first choice for a vacation, much less the country where, in 2000, Al Qaeda forces bombed the U.S.S. Cole; where, in 2006, tribesmen kidnapped a group of French tourists; and where (according to my guidebook) a Kalashnikov can be had for only a little over $100. But whatever Yemen’s troubles, Socotra is far removed from them. Everyone I met was garrulous and open, and seemed genuinely excited, at least for the moment, at the prospect of foreign visitors.

Socotra

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Island lying in the Indian Ocean, at the entrance to the Gulf of Aden. Socotra is 3,625 km² large, and belongs to Yemen. It lies about 340 km from the coast of the Yemeni mainland, and 250 off the Somali coast. The island has about 70,000 inhabitants (2008 estimate).
The name of the island is believed to come from Sanskrit ‘dvipa sakhadara’, which can be translated with ‘Island of Bliss’.

Nature
Socotra is part of an archipelago, but all the other islands are small. The largest of these are Abd al-Kuri and the Al-Ikhwan Islands.
The islands stand on coral banks. The interior of the island is dominated by the beautiful and green mountains called Hajhir, rising up to 1,503 metres above sea level.
To the north is the most inhabited part, yet it has the most narrow coast line. Both the northern and southern plains have little rainfall, which make these areas difficult for effective agriculture.
Socotra has been isolated biologically for several million years, and about 1/3 of the animals and plants are only found here. Examples of this are the 24 endemic reptiles, 6 types of birds, like the Socotra sparrow, centipedes, one sort of dragonfly, land crabs discoverd as late as 1997 at an altitude of 700 metres, and 25 types of jumping insects.
Socotra has a number of distinct flora species, like myrrh, frankincense and dragon’s blood tree. Formerly, dragon’s blood tree was an important ingredient in different types of dye, used for varnishing violins and making ink all over the world.
Society and Economy
The main sources for the local economy are fishing, pearl diving and small-scale agriculture. Exports go principally to the rest of Yemen, and include the butter called ghee, fish and frankincense. Despite its size, Socotra has nomads who live from their cattle and other animals, as well as doing some limited agriculture.
The only city on Socotra of some size is Hadibu. Important villages include Suq and Qalansiyya. These 3 are on the north coast, while Mahattat Nujad lies on the south coast. Infrastructure is badly developed, and connections to mainland Yemen are very limited. There are weekly flights, but these are victims to unstable weather about 6 months a year.
The ethnic origin of the people of Socotra is not quite established. The Russian scholar Vitaly Naumkin concludes that the people are a mix, and that they became isolated from the rest of Arabia, from where they must have most of their origin, between 1000 and 500 BCE. In addition to this, traders passing through, Indians, Portuguese, British must have given their contributions too. The people living in the extreme east, have blue eyes, and are believed to be descendants of Europeans.
History
1507: Socotra is occupied by the Portuguese.
1511: The Portuguese lose control over Socotra to the Mahra sultans.
17th century: A large conversion from Christianity to Islam starts, that changes the population that used to be Christians into becoming Muslims.
1886: Comes under British protection, which means that British interests are under the protection of present British officials. It was principally as an important strategic point and a stop-over that Socotra was used.
1967: With the independence of South Yemen, Socotra is loosened from the British, and becomes part of the new country.
1999 May: Inauguration of the International Airport Hadibu.

People and economy

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From wikipedia

The inhabitants are of Arab, Somali, and South Asian origins. They follow the Islamic faith and speak Soqotri, a Semitic language. Their primary occupations have been fishing, animal husbandry, and the cultivation of dates. Almost all inhabitants of Socotra, numbering nearly 50,000,^[10] live on the homonymous main island of the archipelago. The principal city, Hadibu (with a population of 8,545 at the census of 2004); the second largest town, Qulansiyah (population 3,862); and Qād̨ub (population 929)^{[citation needed]} are all located on the north coast of the island of Socotra. Only a few hundred people live on the islands of 'Abd-al-Kūrī and Samha; the island of Darsa and the islets of the archipelago are uninhabited.^{[citation needed]}
The archipelago forms two districts of the Hadhramaut Governorate:

the district of Hadibu (حديبو), with a population of 32,285 and a district seat at Hadibu, consists of the eastern two-thirds of the main island of Socotra;
the district of Qulansiyah wa 'Abd-al-Kūrī (قلنسيه وعبد الكوري), with a population of 10,557 and a district seat at Qulansiyah, consists of the minor islands (the island of 'Abd-al-Kūrī chief among them) and the western third of the main island.

Monsoons long made the archipelago inaccessible from June to September each year. However, in July 1999, a new airport opened Socotra to the outside world year round, with both Yemen Airways and Felix Airways providing flights once a week to Aden and everyday to Sana'a. All flights stop at Riyan-Mukalla Airport (ICAO code "RIY"). Socotra Island Airport ("OYSQ") is located about 12 km (8 mi) west of the main city, Hadibu, and close to the third largest town in the archipelago, Qād̨ub.^[15] Diesel generators make electricity widely available in Socotra, but even in Hadibu there is no electricity from 5:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. daily.^{[citation needed]} An excellent paved road runs along the north shore from Qulansiyah to Hadibu and then to the DiHamri area; and another paved road, from the northern coast to the southern through the Dixsam Plateau.^{[citation needed]} Public transport is limited in Socotra; taxis are available only as a kind of rent-a-car service of four-wheel-drive vehicles with drivers.^{[citation needed]}
The former capital is located to the east of Hadibu. A small Yemeni Army barracks lies at the western end of Hadibu, and the President of Yemen, Ali Abdullah Saleh, has a residence there.^{[citation needed]}
The Semitic language Soqotri, spoken originally only in Socotra, is related to such other Modern South Arabian languages on the Arabian mainland as Mehri, Harsusi, Bathari, Shehri, and Hobyot. Soqotri is also spoken by minority populations in the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf states.
Some residents raise cattle and goats. The chief export products of the island are dates, ghee, tobacco, and fish.
At the end of the 1990s, a United Nations Development Program was launched with the aim of providing a close survey of the island of Socotra.^{[citation needed]}
The majority of male residents on Socotra are reported to be in the J* subclade of Y-DNA haplogroup J. Several of the female lineages on the island, notably those in mtDNA haplogroup N, are found nowhere else on earth.

The People and Culture of Socotra

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The Socotra Archipelago is divided into two administrative districts, Hadibo and Qalansiya, which also includes the islands of Abdul Kuri, Darsa and Samhah. Both districts come under the administration of the Governor of Hadramaut in al-Mukalla, The population of the entire Archipelago is estimated at 70,000 , with most people living on Socotra Island and concentrated in the capital town of Hadibo and the western town of Qalansiya. Owing to the isolation of the islands, the ancient language of Socotra was able to survive. Today both Socotri and Arabic are spoken on the island.

Socotra is distinguished by a distinct and unique cultural history. Although it is unlikely that the legend that Aristotle advised Alexander the Great to send colonists to Socotra to harvest aloe is true, the existence of such a legend points to Socotra being “on the map” already in ancient times. Archaeological work over the last century has shown that the island was inhabited from at least the first centuries A.D., and that Socotra was visited and settled by Africans, Arabs and Indians. Socotra’s language – belonging to a group of Semitic South-Arabian languages – was most probably spoken in some form on the island even at this time. Christianity was the island’s most prominent religion until the 15-16th centuries, when Socotra came increasingly under the influence of the Mahran Sultanate of eastern Yemen. It is difficult to say how quickly Socotra’s Islamization proceeded, but by the end of the 18th century at the latest the last vestiges of Christianity had disappeared. During the 19th century Socotra came to attract the attention of great powers again with the interest of Great Britain the region culminating in the island becoming a British protectorate in the 1870s. British influence on Socotra ceased in 1967, when the Socialist People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen came to power in Southern Yemen. In 1990 North and South Yemen were unified and Socotra has been part of a unified Yemen ever since.

Socotra’s population is divided between the inhabitants of the mountainous interior and the islands’ coastal regions. The former have traditionally made their living herding goats, sheep and cows and harvesting their date palms, while the latter’s livelihood has been based on fishing. Some of the fishermen on the island’s northern coast are of African origin, having been brought over at the end of the 19th century to work for the Sultan. Since 1999, when the island’s airstrip was lengthened, enabling flights year-round, including during the four month summer monsoon, development on the island has expanded rapidly. Simultaneously, Yemenis from the mainland have immigrated to Socotra in greater numbers, opening numerous shops in the island’s capital, Hadibo. Socotra heavily depends on outside support, which comes mainly from the Yemeni Government and some development programs of NGO’s and International Organizations. An estimated number of 8,000 Socotris live and work in the Emirates, probably contributing considerably to the income of related families on the island. Due to the insufficient provision of basic human needs, such as access to sustainable livelihoods, safe water, health services, education etc.., a majority of the population of Socotra Archipelago are considered to live below the absolute poverty line.

Today, as the memory of the days when Socotra was ruled by local sultans fades with the passing of the island’s older generations, Socotra finds itself at a crossroads. Will the Socotris be able to preserve their environment, their culture and language while benefiting from development and tourism, or will Socotra suffer the fate of so many other once isolated regions of the world and lose its unique human and natural heritage as it is increasingly integrated into world economic flows?

socotra Places to Visit

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Places to see:

If you look at the size of Socotra, you can hardly imagine that this island has so much to offer! From the many historical monuments, and picturesque villages, to the amazing landscape, impressive volcanic caves, rugged cost lines, beautiful natural beaches, marine biodiversity, and last but not the least, the breathtaking views. There is so much to see that you will soon realize that one visit to Socotra just isn’t enough!

To help you to put together your own itinerary of the places you would like to explore on your first visit to Socotra – or of all the sites you haven’t seen yet - you will find in the following pages all the information needed about the most interesting and attractive places to see, just start navigating!

(1) Hadibo

(2) Qalansiya

(3) Higgihir Mountains and Scant (PA)

(4) Dicksam plateau

(5) Aomak beach

(6) Momi plateau

(7) Arher beach

(8) Wadi Daerhu

(9) Dihamri (MPA)

(10) Homhil (NPA)

(11) Detwah lagoon (PA)

(12) Shouab beach

(13) Ayhaft Canyon (PA)

(14) Hoq Cave

(15) Dagoub Cave

(16) Rosh (PA)

welcome to Socotra Island

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Check out our new blog that keeps you updated with fun
information and news about Socotra Adventure Tours! :

Your Compass for a Different World

Socotra is one of those “lost world” islands (separated
from the world six million years ago) where intrepid
travelers - particularly those seeking exotic nature and
wildlife in a remote tropical setting - can go days on
end without rubbing shoulders with that less -than-
endangered species…tourists.

Known for decades as the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean,
it’s the world’s tenth richest island for endemic plant
species. And the biggest island in the Middle East 125
kilometers in length and 45 kilometers across.

Meanwhile the landscape is one of contrasts, for example,
it has isolated nature preserves with dazzling wildlife
(including 900 species of plants, and the famous Dragon’s
Blood Tree “dracaena cinnabara” and the some of rarest
birds that exist nowhere else in the world), and
picturesque sandy beaches.

This website is designed to help you discover the virgin
beauty of the magical Socotra Island. This site is a
complete eco-tourism and destination guide to Socotra
Island and offers over 50 Pages of Essential Information,
Travel Tips for visitors, comprehensive reports about the
Socotra General information, Socotra History, Socotra
natural history of fauna and flora, people and culture,
Socotra weather patterns, and the local organizations
present on the island. Additionally, we describe in
detail our services in Our Contacts and Who we are?

This is the award winning tourism destination guide to
Socotra Island where recommended programs/itineraries and
tailor-made tours can be made at your convenience. DBT
Socotra Adventure Tours offers a variety of science trips
by 4x4 vehicles with a wealth of beautiful sceneries,
ancient culture, traditional villages. And some
vicinities incorporate camping in the presence of pure
nature, trekking and camel riding, bird watching, and the
sea waters invites you to go scuba diving, surfing and of
course swimming, as well as many other activities such as
fishing and boat safaris. You will have the opportunity
to reward yourself by observing whales and dolphins right
next to the boat, and if you are lucky you will be
thrilled to swim with the gentle dolphins of the Indian
Ocean. There are many other activities such as
bicycling, visiting tropical markets, etc. There is much
to see and do outdoors. Socotraislandadventure.com will
help you to choose this paradise island as one of your
future eco-vacation destinations .

Other links discuss the places to visit with an
interactive map and tour guide plus exhaustive
information about the verity of tourism sites on the
island you will visit including the spectacular fresh
water pools, splendid canyons and valleys, amazing sand
dunes, and giant clam beaches. In addition are some
useful articles about the Zoning Plan, the Caves
Explorations, and the Geography & Geology of Socotra
Island.

One of our most popular pages is the Socotra photo
gallery where you can browse through our extensive image
library which shows current images and views from around
the island. Be sure to check out Socotra Map where you
can see its location from the world and identify it from
Yemen-Socotra. A dynamic map of Socotra Island and the
archipelago map shows the other islands of Abdul Kuri,
Samha and Darsa.

Enjoy your visit to our website and find out for
yourself why this small island in the Indian Ocean is
really known in as the other Galapagos Island!

Society and Economy

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he main sources for the local economy are fishing, pearl diving and small-scale agriculture. Exports go principally to the rest of Yemen, and include the butter calledghee, fish and frankincense. Despite its size, Socotra has nomads who live from their cattle and other animals, as well as doing some limited agriculture.
The only city on Socotra of some size is Hadibu. Important villages include Suq and Qalansiyya. These 3 are on the north coast, while Mahattat Nujad lies on the south coast. Infrastructure is badly developed, and connections to mainland Yemen are very limited. There are weekly flights, but these are victims to unstable weather about 6 months a year.
The ethnic origin of the people of Socotra is not quite established. The Russian scholar Vitaly Naumkin concludes that the people are a mix, and that they became isolated from the rest of Arabia, from where they must have most of their origin, between 1000 and 500 BCE. In addition to this, traders passing through, Indians, Portuguese, British must have given their contributions too. The people living in the extreme east, have blue eyes, and are believed to be descendants of Europeans.

Essential Information

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Standards:

Travelers to Socotra must understand that Socotra is an eco-tourism system and fairly new to the international tourist market, hence the Socotra hotel accommodation standard, though good, may not be up to the same international accommodation standards that you would expect in a more developed atmosphere. We at DBT Socotra Adventure Tours believe that this only adds to the appeal of the island of Socotra.

Getting to Socotra Island:

Yemania Airlines offers two flight per week: Sana’a - Mukalla - Socotra Island (Friday). And Aden – Mukalla – Socotra island (Monday). Flight duration is almost three hours. A new airline is about to take over all flights to Socotra, providing flights once a day to the island. You can find more information on this exciting endeavor here:

When to go:

Climate is an important consideration. And this depends on your interest. Nature enthusiasts should go from early October to late April. The monsoon occurs in July till mid August (during July in the south east and south west of the island, wind surfing activity can be arranged). Generally, wildlife and natural viewing is most rewarding from the end of January through May. You can see more information on the island's weather HERE.

Visa and Money matters:

You can obtain a three months visa on your arrival at Sana’a airport (the capital of Yemen). As soon as you have cleared through customs, change some money into Yemeni Riyal (YR.) at the airport, or when in Sana’a, at the any money exchanger (recommended) or you can exchange money at national bank on Socotra .There are about 190 Riyals to the USD and 230 to ERO. Take cash hard currency with you; USD is acceptable on the island with ERO as an alternative. MasterCard, Visa Card, Cheques are not acceptable.

What to pack:

Comfortable, light, casual clothing.

Sleeping bag.

Some thing warm to wear at night in winter and in the high altitudes.

Comfortable walking shoes with good grip or sneakers.

Protective clothing and sun lotion for the tropical sun.

Rainwear clothing.

Personal toiletries and any personal medication such as, some headache tablets, some things for digestive upsets, disinfectant, etc.

Antiseptic wipes.

Film and spare batteries for your camera.

Torch/ flashlight with spare batteries.

Strap-on water bottle for day hike.

Money belt for valuables (you don’t have to take expensive or expensive-looking jewelry to Socotra).

Health requirements:

While Socotra is not a malaria region, there are some mosquitoes in some places, so a malaria prophylactic is recommended. Cholera is not present on the island at all. Drink only bottled mineral water; it’s readily available in Hadibo and Qalansiya. Consult your doctor and dentist or travel health clinic for advice and preventive measures. The hospitals on the Island offer less than adequate service. Pharmacies are presented around Hadibo,

Time Zone:

GMT + 3 hours

Power supply:

220v AC; plugs are generally two-pin and multiple plugs.

Languages:

Socotri is the local language, Arabic is the official and formal language; English is spoken by the people working in the tourism industry.

Religion:

All the people follow Islam.

Telephone:

Telephone lines are available to major town of Hadibo, country code: (+967), followed by a one digit number for an access provider (5). After the international and access codes, number should be six digits including three initial digits for the geographical area (660).

The cheapest way to make international phone calls is to use a telephone card and call from booth telephone line or mobile telephone. Telephone cards can be purchased at most shops in the main market. GSM system is not working on the island. Hitherto, only CDMA cavers north and west of the island remain in Hadibo, Dicksam plateau, and Qalansiya.

Internet:

Internet access is slow and expensive (It costs about $5 per hour.). There is no internet cafés on the island, but public internet access exists in the large town of Hadibo.

Post office:

The post office is located at the at the center of the town Hadibo, in Socotra Telephone Central building.

New pohots Frome Socatra

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People and economy

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From wikipedia

the district of Hadibu (حديبو), with a population of 32,285 and a district seat at Hadibu, consists of the eastern two-thirds of the main island of Socotra;
the district of Qulansiyah wa 'Abd-al-Kūrī (قلنسيه وعبد الكوري), with a population of 10,557 and a district seat at Qulansiyah, consists of the minor islands (the island of 'Abd-al-Kūrī chief among them) and the western third of the main island.

The Wonder Land of Socotra, Yemen

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Geography and climate in Socatra

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socotra is one of the most isolated landforms on Earth of continental origin (i.e. not of volcanic origin).[citation needed] The archipelago was once part of the supercontinent of Gondwana and detached during the Miocene, in the same set of rifting events that opened the Gulf of Aden to its northwest.
The archipelago consists of the main island of Socotra (3,625 km2 (1,400 sq mi)), the three smaller islands of Abd al Kuri, Samhah and Darsa and small rock outcrops like Ka'l Fir'awn and Sābūnīyah that are uninhabitable by humans but important for seabirds.[7]
The main island has three geographical terrains: the narrow coastal plains, a limestone plateau permeated with karstic caves and the Haghier Mountains.[8] The mountains rise to 5,000 feet (1,500 m). The island is a little over 80 miles (130 km) long east to west and typically 18–22 miles (29–35 km) north to south.
The climate for Socotra is classified in the Köppen climate classification as BWh and BSh, meaning a tropical desert climate and semi-desert climate with a mean annual temperature over 18°C (64°F). Yearly rainfall is light, but is fairly spread throughout the year. Generally the higher inland areas receive more rain than the coastal lowlands, due to orographic lift provided by the interior mountains.[citation needed] The monsoon season brings strong winds and high seas.

Flora and fauna in Socatra

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Socotra is characterized by the unique land and marine biodiversity. The island itself measures approximately 125 kms long by 45 kms wide and covers a total area of 3665 sq kms. Topographically it can be divided into three main zones: the coastal plains, a limestone plateau and the Hagghir Mountains. The island is sparsely vegetated and dominated by xenomorphic (drought resistant) forms which are well adapted to the harsh conditions, including the desiccating effects of sun and wind. Only in sheltered valleys and higher mountain areas is the vegetation more luxuriant. Open deciduous shrubland of the coastal plains and low inland hills is dominated by the common shrub Croton socotranus and the bizarre tree succulents, the desert rose, Adenium obesum socotranum, and the cucumber tree, Dendrosicyos socotranus. Higher altitudes are home to a variety of frankincense trees, three endemic Suqotran aloes, and wild pomegranate. One of the most famous botanical curiosities of Suqotra is the dragon’s blood tree (Dracaena cinnabari) which is restricted to the zones of submontane thicket and montane grassland. The tree is so named because any injury to the bark results in a deep red liquid exuding from the scar. It was compared to the "blood of Abel” in ancient history. It is called Dum al Axwein, “blood of the two brothers” Cain and Abel, in the present day Arabic language. The Suqotri name “Arriyahib” has no connection to the Arabic.

Flora

Scientists first reached the remote Socotra Archipelago in 1880, when Scottish botanist Isaac Bailey Balfour collected around 500 plants. Over 200 were species new to science. To date, approximately 900 vascular plants have been recorded from Socotra, of which between 300(including some fifteen species restricted to Abd al Kuri) are found nowhere else (i.e. endemic species) they create weird vegetation - and make the archipelago the world's tenth richest island group for endemic plant species.

Many are strange-looking remnants of ancient floras which long ago disappeared from the African/Arabian mainland.

Socotra’s flora has strong links with adjacent parts of Somalia and Arabia but some species and genera have interesting disjunctive distributions: Dracaena cinnabari, the Dragon's Blood tree, is a tertiary relict with related species in southern Arabia, north-east Africa and the Canary Islands; species of Kalanchoe and Helichrysum show strong links with southern African species but perhaps the most strange distribution is that shown by the genus Thamnosma with T. socotrana on Soqotra and related species in southern Arabia, south-west Africa and south-west North America. Socotran’s flora includes plants which can be considered taxonomic relicts, that is with no close relatives, these include: Dirachma socotrana, one of only two species in the Dirachmaceae, a family related to the Malvaceae but with an interesting mixture of characters including 8 merous flowers, stamens opposite the petals and fruits with a dehiscence similar to that found in Geranium; Dendrosicyos Soqotranus the only arborescent member of the Cucurbitaceae and Wellstedia a small shrub of boraginaceous affinities but which is sometimes placed in a family of its own.

There is one sub-endemic family - the Dirachmaceae (recently a second species has been found in Somalia) and ten endemic genera: Angkalanthus, Ballochia and Trichocalyx (Acanthaceae), Duvaliandra and Soqotranthus (Asclepiadaceae), Haya (Caryophyllaceae), Lachnocapsa (Cruciferae), Dendrosicyos (Cucurbitaceae), Placoda (Rubiaceae) and Nirarathamnos (Umbelliferae). The families richest in endemics are Compositae (26), Acanthaceae (24), Euphorbiaceae (21), Labiatae (20) and Asclepiadaceae (11).

Perhaps the most notable of these are the podagrics or swollen-stemmed trees, these include: Dendrosicyos socotranus - which somewhat resembles a small baobab; Dorstenia gigas and Adenium obesum ssp. socotranum. One of the most interesting trees, and an important potential genetic resource is Punica protopunica. This is related to the pomegranate (P. granatum) but has smaller and less palatable fruits and is the only other species in the family Punicaceae. Several species on Socotra are of horticultural interest for instance Begonia socotrana, the hybrid parent of winter-flowering begonias, and Exacum affine - the Persian violet.

The least studied groups are the lichens, bryophytes and fungi. The people living on Socotra, especially the Bedouins, have a thorough knowledge of the flora, and many of the plants have traditional uses, such as providing livestock fodder, fuel, building materials, foods, gums, or resins. The majority of islanders still rely on livestock - and thus of necessity on the vegetation - for their survival. And the many sheep, goats, camels, cattle and donkeys of the island are supported solely by the island's vegetation.

Plant extracts are still used in medicines, cosmetic and hygiene preparations, and in the manufacture of cordage, as a source of insecticide, and in tanning and dyeing. (Click hear to learn more about the flora traditional uses).

Fauna

Socotra's fauna is just as fascinating. Among the land birds Socotra Island is home to 180 species of birds 6 species are endemic, ((Socotra sparrow – Socotra Cisticola – Socotra Starling – Socotra Sun bird –Socotra Warbler – and the rarest Socotra Bunting ( estimated with 1000 specimens alive) )). as well as 14 sub-species, are restricted to Socotra. And also it’s a host point for many immigrated/breeding birds of over 45 species such as Flamingos, Kettle Egrets, Reef Hearns, Gulls, etc. And the highest density in the world for Egyptian Vulture has registered on the island.

More work is still needed to clarify the status of other species.

There are 190 species of butterfly and with a large number of endemics. The reptilian and insects fauna is also very rich 600 species of insects with 90% with high proportion of endemic. The reptilian fauna is also very rich with 19 out of a total of 22 species regarded as endemics.

Goats, shapes, caws, donkeys, and camels are common to come across. Bats and civil cat is the only mammals native to the island.

In the marine world Socotra has taken a spectacular place as it has mixture of species from different biogeography regions- the western Indian Ocean, the Red sea, East Africa and the wider Indo-Pacific. Despite of the small archipelago, Socotra Island is home to more than 680 Species of fishes are comparable to those of the Red Sea. and about 230 species of hard corals (five are endemics) and 30 species of soft corals. In addition to 300 speciesof crustacean (nine are endemics), 490 species of mollusks, and 230 species of algae. Sea-turtles also nest on the north of the island but there is a need for more work on these (as with almost all Socotra's wildlife). An endemic fresh-water crab, Potamon socotrensis, is common in the temporary water-courses. In general the fresh-water habitats of the island have been little studied and it is still not clear whether there are endemic freshwater fish living there. Among the insects it is not surprising to find many forms with reduced wings, lessening the likelihood that they are blown off the island.

From a biogeographic perspective, Socotra is more closely linked with Africa than Arabia but there are also interesting affinities with other island groups such as the granitic Seychelles and even some remote islands of the Atlantic Ocean. There remains a great need for further studies of individual species and of main habitats on Socotra. To date, for example, there has been very little work done on the southern and western plateau, the more isolated granitic pinnacles, as well as the major part of the islands' coastal waters.

Its unique character makes Socotra a natural World Heritage site. In practice however what matters is the effect on the ground. There is little doubt that potential revenue sources for the local population must be developed and these may include small-scale tourism, the cultivation and export of native plants, or the collection and storage of seeds and cuttings for propagation as part of international programs.

Given the social and developmental pressures which are now a fact of life on Socotra the continued survival of many endemic species, and of unique habitats is at risk. Socotra provides both an opportunity and a challenge for mankind. Fortunately the concept and value of conservation is still high on the agenda of the island's people. It is to be hoped that local and national efforts to protect Suqotra's unique wildlife are supported by international assistance and that the island's uniqueness is maintained for the benefit and pleasure of future generations.

Flora and fauna in Socatra

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Flora

Socotra Weather

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General Climate

There are two annual monsoons: the south-west monsoon, which kicks up high seas around the island from early June to early October (this monsoon occasionally brings heavy rains in June), has created a physical barrier to access by sea since the earliest times. These intercontinental stratospheric winds blow from Africa towards the Himalaya mountains, bringing the wet to India. But as they pass over Socotra they are caught by the nearly 5000 ft. Hagghier mountains and dragged fiercely down over the northern coast. The wind blows on the north coast, non-stop, day and night, for three months at approximately 90 kilometers per hour with some gusts at 180 kph, in the area of Hadibo, between Howlaf and Mori. The north-east monsoon from April to May delivers a smaller amount of precipitation. The annual rainfall varies between 130 to 170 mm/hour. Even during the calmer months sea landings may still be difficult due to a combination of logistical problems, including the absence of adequate harbor facilities. But in 1999, a new airstrip was built (the longest in the Yemen) facing into the monsoon winds, allowing the Boeing planes the ability to land all year round. So as tourists you can come to Socotra at any time, depending on what you want to experience.

Socotra Weather Patterns for Tourists Travel

September:

Coming out of the windy season, and still somewhat windy on the north coast. The sea is just navigable; usually no rain and the temperature still quite warm.

October:

Wind now on shore, (usually just a breeze) from the North East, usually bringing some rains to the island, but maybe only a few days of intermittent heavy and scattered showers. But usually most parts of the island get the effects of this rain. Last year (2005) there was no rain in October. And the temperature is cooling down, but still warm.

November to February:

These are the pleasant months. There can still be rain in November, even into December, but usually only scattered, and not very frequent. The sea begins to calm down, and travel in small boats is possible. The best month to travel to the islands is February or better still March/ April. On the Hagghier Mountains everything is green so there has been a good rain up there, and also behind the mountains. But on the top of the mountains, especially at Scant at this time, the temperature can be very cold with frosty mornings!!! At other times the mountains are swept by wind gusts all day, which drive clouds across the top at break kneck speed, and lift your tent off the ground!!

March/April/May:

Warming up, and at mid March the midday temperature can be 30 degrees centigrade, with developing humidity. April and May are quite hot, up to 38 degrees near the coasts, and still the weather is coming gently from the north east. But it is quite a lot cooler on the top of the mountain range, and at Scant you would still need a covering at night to keep warm, but probably not a sleeping bag. These are the best months to visit the island. Sometimes there are more rains in April (a couple of days?) or even in May.

June/July/ August:

These are the very windy months on the north coast especially. The south coast is fairly calm at the same time. The winds blow in Hadibo day and night for three months at about 80 kph, only slacking off most days for an hour or two in the afternoon to perhaps 60kph. Gusts have been recorded at the port area, Howlaf, at 180kph. These winds are the base of the big inter-continental winds that blow at this time of the year from the high pressure over Africa to the low pressure over the Himalayas, bringing the monsoon to the Indian sub-continent. The tops of the mountains catch these winds and pull them down over the north coast of Socotra. Schools close, and fishing stops, except for a couple of places such as Deleisha, but all round the island fishing is limited by the strong ocean currents at this time of the year. At this time the temperature drops by about 5 degrees centigrade, but it is not really a time for normal tourism except for surfing. The weather still calmer in the middle of the island and the south, so it is possible to make tours on the other side of the island (the southern west side). There are no rains accompanying these winds. The Boeing aircraft land and take off safely throughout this period, because the airstrip is straight up and down the wind direction allowing planes land and take off straight into the wind