Socotra Archipelago

The archipelago lies in the northwest Indian Ocean near the Gulf of Aden, between the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. UNESCO describes the World Heritage property as comprising four islands and two rocky islets extending across about 250 kilometres. Socotra is the largest island; other islands include Abd al-Kuri, Samhah and Darsa. The islands are part of Yemen.

The archipelago is notable for its distinct plants and animals and high endemism. UNESCO reports that 37 percent of the 825 recorded plant species, 90 percent of reptile species and 95 percent of land-snail species occur nowhere else. Its surrounding waters also support diverse marine life, including reef-building corals, coastal fish and crustaceans.

UNESCO inscribed the Socotra Archipelago as a natural World Heritage site in 2008 under criterion (x), which recognizes importance for biodiversity and threatened species. The site includes terrestrial and marine conservation areas. UNESCO identifies effective management and addressing pressures such as road construction, overgrazing and overharvesting as important for protecting its habitats.