This new full-colour title from Bradt is the first and only guide available to the largest of
the four islands that make up the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Socotra Archipelago in the
Arabian Sea 240 miles offshore from their mother land Yemen. Everything you might need for a
successful trip is covered from pre-departure planning getting there tour operators and
where to stay to the full range of information for making the most of your time while there.
Background information on history people language and culture is followed by an
easy-to-follow geographical breakdown covering everywhere from the capital Hadibo to Ayhaft
Canyon National Park Qaria Lagoon Rosh Marine Protected Area Homhil Reserv Terbak village
and Hoq cave Qalansiyah Diksam Plateau and the forest of Firhimin to name just a few of the
places detailed. There is also a section on vocabulary an endemic wildlife check list and
suggested sources of further information.Socotra is unique. Sometimes known as The Galapagos of
the Indian Ocean the archipelago has an exceptionally large number of endemic species. Of the
220 bird species recorded 11 are endemic including the relatively recently identified Socotra
Buzzard. Closer to the ground an estimated 307 plant species are endemic. More than 600
species of insects some 100 land and freshwater molluscs around 80 arachnids some dozen
myriapods four land- and fresh-water crabs 30 reptiles and 14 mammals have been found to
occur of which all the land snails 90 % of the reptiles and about 60 % of the spiders are
unique to the archipelago. With its superb beaches and dramatically varied landscapes
(mountains forest ravines sand-dunes beaches caves ) Socotra is a prime target for tourism
which will need handling with extreme care. Strict regulations are in force to preserve the
island's natural heritage and much of it has protected status but some unprotected land has
already been sold to potential developers. This pristine and relatively unknown little island
so full of natural treasures may be on the brink of a very different future.
