Socotra

**Socotra** (Somali: Suqadara,  __) is an island east of the Horn of Africa. It lies between the Guardafui Channel and the Indian Ocean. Socotra belongs to Yemen. During the Yemeni Civil War (2014–present) it is under the control of the Southern Leadership Council.

## Geography

To its west is an archipelago of much smaller islands also called the Islands of San Gustav after the navigator who discovered them, Gustav Peter Galle Daniels. It is located  east of the Horn of Africa and  south of the Arabian Peninsula.

## Climate

Socotra has a borderline tropical, desert climate and semi-desert climate (Köppen climate classification: _BWh_ and _BSh_), with an average yearly temperature over . With a total of only , the yearly rainfall is light but is fairly spread throughout the year. The total rainfall in the mountains can average as much as  per year and can average over  per month from October to December, during the northeast monsoon. The southwest monsoon season from June to September brings strong winds and high seas.

## Wildlife

The island is very isolated and some 30% of its plant species are found only on Socotra. It has been described as the most alien-looking place on Earth. The island is  in length and  in width.

## Country

Socotra belongs to the Republic of Yemen. From late 2017 to mid-2018, Socotra was occupied by the United Arab Emirates. In 2018, the island was also occupied by Saudi Arabia.  The Emiratis and later the Saudis came to Socotra because of the Yemeni Civil War (2015–present).  Since 2017, Socotra is no longer under the control of the internationally recognized Yemeni government. The island is under the control of the UAE and under the authority of the sessecionist Southern Transitional Council which is supported by UAE troops.

## Related pages

- Galápagos Islands, an archipelago of Ecuador which is also famous for its isolated geography and plant and animal species

## Other websites

- Socotra Guide tourist company guide to Socotra history, weather, culture, and nature
- Socotra Island, Yemen -Britannica

## Infobox (islands)

- **name**: Socotra
- **image**: Socotra satview.jpg
- **map image**: Socotra Archipelago.PNG
- **native name**:
__
- **native name link**: Arabic language
- **location**: Between the Guardafui Channel and the Arabian Sea
- **archipelago**: Socotra Archipelago, Socotra
- **total islands**: 4
- **major islands**: Socotra, Abd al Kuri, Samhah, Darsah
- **length km**: 132
- **width km**: 50
- **area km2**: 3796
- **highest mount**: Mashanig, Hajhir Mountains
- **elevation m**: 1503
- **country**: Yemen
- **country admin divisions title**: Governorates of Yemen, Governorate
- **country admin divisions**: Socotra Governorate, Socotra
- **country admin divisions title 1**: Districts of Yemen, Districts
- **country admin divisions 1**: Hidaybu District, Hadibu (east)
Qulensya Wa Abd Al Kuri District, Qulansiyah wa 'Abd-al-Kūrī (west)
- **country admin divisions title 2**: Sub-districts
- **country capital and largest city**: Hadibu
- **country largest city population**: 8,545
- **population**: 60,000
- **density km2**: 11.3
- **ethnic groups**: predominantly Soqotri people, Soqotris; minority South Arabians, Indian people, Indians, and Bantu peoples, Bantu