Heritage sites, Archaeological discoveries, History of Archaeology

Socotra Archipelago

Location

Socotra

Country

Yemen

Year of Research

2001

Culture

The site, situated in the Kras region (literally meaning Karst), is one of the most famous in the world for the study of karstic phenomena.
The site is of universal significance because of its biodiversity with rich and distinct flora and fauna: 37% of Socotra’s 825 plant species, 90% of its reptile species and 95% of its land snail species do not occur anywhere else in the world.
The site also supports globally vital populations of land and sea birds (192 bird species, 44 of which breed on the islands while 85 are regular migrants), including a number of threatened species.
The marine life of Socotra is also very diverse, with 253 species of reef-building corals, 730 species of coastal fish and 300 species of crab, lobster and shrimp.Socotra is globally important for biodiversity conservation because of its extremely rich and distinct flora and fauna.
37% of Socotra’s plant species, 90% of its reptile species and 95% of its land snail class do not occur anywhere else in the world.
Socotra is of particular significance to the Horn of Africa’s biodiversity hotspot and, as one of the most biodiversity rich and distinct islands in the world, has been termed the “Galápagos of the Indian Ocean”.