Socotra Island - Yemen - International Islands

One of the most biodiverse places on earth and now a tourist Mecca and haven from the war in Yemen, Socotra Island is surely one of the most unique in the world.

To read about travel to Socotra click here.

What is the story of Socotra?

Geographically part of Africa and with its own unique people who are related to Somalis, Socotra is very much an anomaly. Historically part of the British colony of South Yemen, it was later to have its royal family overthrown and find itself thrown into the communist People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen. During this period there was a Soviet base here and locals still talk longingly about the day of socialism.

To read about socialism countries click here.

Unification came to Yemen in 1990, but for the people of Socotra it meany further subjugation before the civil war left them all but forgotten, forgotten at least until the United Arab Emirates (UAE) came in as “saviors”, this lasted but a few years until they became more a basal state of the UAE.

Nowadays it is officially part of Yemen, has a allegiance to the Southern Transitional Council, but is ruled by the UAE! Following so far?

To read about the Southern Transitional Council click here.

What is there to do on Socotra?

For the 8 months of the year when there are no sandstorms it is all about the nature. Socotra is one of the most biodiverse places on earth and is famous for its endemic failure and fauna.

Chief amongst these is the Dragons Blood trees, but there is a whole heap of other stuff that make this the “most alien place on earth”

And then there are beaches – there might not be a beach sene here, but frankly the beaches of Socotra rival anything that you might find in even the Maldives – I know I weren’t to the `Maldives first.

And for our secret top tip! Street Food Habibu (the capital of Socotra).

To read about Enenko Island click here.

Is Socotra a country?

Technically no it is not, but with that being said it is simultaneously part of Yemen, South Yemen and kinda the UAE. I would lean towards counting Socotra as a country.

It should also be added that the local people do want a Republic of Socotra, although you feel their chances of success here are slim.

To read what counts as a country click here