Located in the northwest Indian Ocean near the Gulf of Aden, the Socotra archipelago which extends over 250 km, consists of the Socotra islands, Abd Al-Kuri, Samhah, and Darsah. With its luxurious mountains that spread as far as the eye can see and the turquoise sea full of dolphins, Socotra is spectacular scenery.
The archipelago houses a unique flora and fauna. It is one of the most biologically diverse places in the world. The site is home to species of birds, reptiles, and plants that cannot be found anywhere else on earth.
The archipelago is a sanctuary for strange plants. In fact, among the 825 species listed, 37% of them are endemic. As for the reptiles, 90% cannot be found anywhere else in the world. In the same spirit, 95% of the land snail species are only known in Socotra.
The site shelters one hundred and ninety-two species of sea and land birds, forty-four among them breed, and seven are endemic. The archipelago has one of the highest concentrations of birds in the world.
The marine life of Socotra is also very diverse, with 253 species of reef building corals, 730 species of coastal fish, and 300 species of crabs, lobsters, and shrimps.
The Socotra archipelago holds a great universal value and interest thanks to its marvelous natural landscapes and its unique biodiversity. The difficult access to the archipelago has protected the outstanding site from overflowing tourism.
