Socotra
Socotra or Soqotra (سُقُطْرَىٰ Suquṭrā; Suqadara) is an island of the Republic of Yemen in the Indian Ocean, under the de facto control of the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council, a secessionist participant in Yemen’s ongoing civil war. Lying between the Guardafui Channel and the Arabian Sea and near major shipping routes, Socotra is the largest of the four islands in the Socotra archipelago. Since 2013, the archipelago has constituted the Socotra Governorate.
The island of Socotra represents around 95% of the landmass of the Socotra archipelago. It lies 380 km south of the Arabian Peninsula, but is considered to be part of Africa. The island is isolated and home to a high number of endemic species. Up to a third of its plant life is endemic. It has been described as "the most alien-looking place on Earth." The island measures 132 km in length and 49.7 km in width. In 2008 Socotra was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In 2018, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) invaded Socotra and relieved Yemeni government soldiers of their duties.
Scholars don't agree about the origin of the name of the island. After that the name Socotra may derive from:
* A Greek name that is derived from the name of a South Arabian tribe mentioned in Sabaic and Ḥaḑramitic inscriptions as Dhū-Śakūrid (S³krd).
* The Sanskrit "Dvīpa Sukhadara" which means "island of bliss".
* The Arabian terms Suq, market, and qutra, a vulgar form of qatir, which refers to dragon's blood.
The island of Socotra represents around 95% of the landmass of the Socotra archipelago. It lies 380 km south of the Arabian Peninsula, but is considered to be part of Africa. The island is isolated and home to a high number of endemic species. Up to a third of its plant life is endemic. It has been described as "the most alien-looking place on Earth." The island measures 132 km in length and 49.7 km in width. In 2008 Socotra was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In 2018, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) invaded Socotra and relieved Yemeni government soldiers of their duties.
Scholars don't agree about the origin of the name of the island. After that the name Socotra may derive from:
* A Greek name that is derived from the name of a South Arabian tribe mentioned in Sabaic and Ḥaḑramitic inscriptions as Dhū-Śakūrid (S³krd).
* The Sanskrit "Dvīpa Sukhadara" which means "island of bliss".
* The Arabian terms Suq, market, and qutra, a vulgar form of qatir, which refers to dragon's blood.
Map - Socotra
Map
Country - Yemen
Flag of Yemen |
It is situated on the southern end of the Arabian Peninsula, and borders Arabia to the north and Oman to the northeast and shares maritime borders with Eritrea, Djibouti and Somalia. Yemen is the second-largest Arab sovereign state in the Arabian Peninsula, occupying 555,000 km2, with a coastline stretching about 2000 km. Its constitutionally stated capital, and largest city, is Sanaa. As of 2023, Yemen has an estimated population of 34.2 million.
Currency / Language
ISO | Currency | Symbol | Significant figures |
---|---|---|---|
YER | Yemeni rial | ï·¼ | 2 |
ISO | Language |
---|---|
AR | Arabic language |