Travel to the island of Socotra

• Travel to the island of Socotra

Socotra Island is in the Indian Ocean, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. hundreds of unique plant and animal species are found here, including a tree, "The blood of the dragon."

In the beginning in 1880 the first British research expedition led by Professor Isaac Balfourom, arrived on the island of Socotra. The scientists set out to assemble a collection of rocks of animals and plants. The results of botanical study received overwhelming: 48 days on Socotra found more than 200 species of plants unknown to science, some of which belonged to the 20 new genera. Since then, the island was firmly established for the glory of the botanical garden, it became known as "the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean."

Socotra Island, as seen from space. Left - the coast of Yemen, at the bottom - Somalia.

The famous beach Kalanasiya. In 2003, Socotra, together with the other islands of the archipelago was declared a biosphere reserve.

to 2004 census lived on the island of 42 442 person.

dragon trees and amazing bottle trees.

In the narrow coast of the island of Socotra live shepherds, fishermen and farmers, who are engaged in cultivation of incense and aloe, as well as animal husbandry.

Dragon Blood Tree - one of the most famous and distinctive plant of the island of Socotra.

Bottle trees and wood-incense. length of the island - about 133 km, width - up to 42 km.

The main town of the island - Hadibo on the north coast.

Coral Beach.

Suddenly: Russian tank.

Children fishermen.

The Incredible bottle trees. With a strong root system, trees grow among the rocks and crevices.

The main town of the island - Hadibo. It is home to about 8500 people.

Wood "Blood Dragon".

The local scenery.

The plant with the poetic name of "Desert Rose."

The Egyptian vulture. It refers to the endangered species.

Wood "Blood Dragon".