Socotra, is an island and a small archipelago of four islands in the Arabian Sea. The territory is part of Yemen. The island of Socotra constitutes around 95% of the landmass of the archipelago. It lies some 240 kilometres (150 mi) east of the Horn of Africa 380 kilometres (240 mi) south of the Arabian Peninsula. It has been described as "the most alien-looking place on Earth." Much like the Galapagos Islands, which are known for their incredible array of wildlife, Socotra Island is home to around 800 rare species of flora and fauna, around a third of which are found nowhere else on the planet.Nestled in the Indian Ocean some 250km away from Somalia and 340 km from Yemen, the island's harsh environment includes wide sandy beaches, limestone caves and towering mountains, but is for the most part very hot and dry leading to the distinctive appearance of its plants.The trees and plants on the island have evolved to suit its hostile climate and some varieties of plant are a staggering 20 million years. The landscape of remote Socotra Island looks as if it comes from a sci-fi film but in fact has evolved to look so otherworldly as the 'lost world' island has been separated from mainland Africa for between six and seven million years.
