Socotra, a group of islands in the Indian Ocean has been a secluded territory for decades.
The island is about 250 kilometres from Somalia and approximately 340 kilometres from the mainland of Yemen.
Presently it is a part of the Republic of Yemen and due to its harsh weather conditions every element on the island is distinctive in itself.
It is believed that the name of the island originated from Sanskrit which means “blissful island.”
It is often regarded as the “lost world” and houses some of the most unique flora and fauna found on this planet.
It is believed that the group of islands got separated from the African Mainland about 6 or 7 million years ago.
With more discoveries and exploration taking place, remarkable facts about this place has been revealed over the past couple of decades.
Interesting Facts About Socotra
It is compared to the Galapagos Islands as it features more than 800 rare species of flora and fauna. It is believed that 1/3rd of these are found nowhere on the planet.
The vegetation at the islands have adapted and evolved for suiting the hostile climate. Some of these plants have been there for over 20 million years.
Desert Rose and the Bottle Tree are some of the popular plants to see on the islands.
With over 140 different types of birds, the island is a treat for every bird lover. Around 10 of these birds can be seen nowhere on the planet.
Average temperature on the island stays around 25°C. Also, the island receives hardly any form of rainfall throughout the year.
It was a part of the Gondwana super continent and was detached during the Miocene.
Socotra’s population is about 60,000 and it was only two years ago when the 1st road on the island was built.
Declared as the UNESCO World Heritage Site the island is characterized by 3 different terrains, namely, Narrow Coastal Plains, Mountains, and the limestone plateau.
The animal family consists of no amphibians and only one native mammal i.e. Bat.
However, the island is dominated by reptiles which comprise about 90% animal population on the island. Skinks, legless lizards, chameleon are among the most found animals here.
