Socotra or Soqotra island is a part of the Republic of Yemen, and is located in the northwestern Indian Ocean. Due to the long geological isolation of the island, endemic creatures are created, that means most of its flora and fauna cannot be found on the world.
Landscape and Climate
Socotra is located at the northwestern part of the island. During fall and winter, this island do not receive enough rainfall. In spring, (March-May) the temperature usually increase above 40°C. The climate is formed by the seasonal Monsoon winds, During October to May, the wind blows from North to East. While from June to September, it is from South to west.
Flora and fauna
Socotra is described as the “jewel of biodiversity in the Arabian Sea”. About 300 plant cannot be found on the world. One of the most popular plants in socotra is dragon's blood tree (Dracaena cinnabari), an umbrella-shaped tree. Its red sap can be used for medicine, dye and paint. Others are the giant succulent tree Dorstenia gigas, the cucumber tree Dendrosicyos, and the Socotran pomegranate, Punica protopunica.
The island also has many bird, including some endemic birds, such as the Socotra Starling Onychognathus frater, the Socotra Sunbird Nectarinia balfouri, Socotra Sparrow Passer insularis and Socotra Grosbeak Rhynchostruthus socotranus. There are also many other endemic flora and fauna.
People and Economy
The population are from Arab, Somali and South Asian. They use a Semitic language, soqotri. Most of the population in Socotra live on the main island. The capital city is Hadiboh .
Their main work are fishing, rearing and cultivating. Their export products are dates, butter, tobacco and fish.
image source: retreived on 21 March 2010 http://lh3.ggpht.com/abramsv/SMA7Mfgd_QI/AAAAAAAAc-0/lmZ8RRKpw88/s1600-h/3656tertwettry.jpg
information source:
An introduction to the island of socotra, retreived on 21 March 2010 from Socotra: http://www.socotraisland.org/intro/
Soqotra Island, retreived on 21 March 2010 from wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socotra
