Please support us, protecting the unique natural and cultural values of Soqotra Archipelago

The Soqotra Archipelago (also spelled Socotra), part of Yemen, lies at the meeting point of the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. Its main island, Soqotra, is about 350 km south of the Arabian Peninsula, spanning 134 km in length and 3,550 km² in area. A granite mountain massif reaching ~1,550 m dominates its center. Nearby islands include uninhabited Darsa, small Semha with a fishing village, and Abd al-Kuri, the second-largest island with a few fishing hamlets, located 105 km off the Horn of Africa.

The population, estimated at 70,000–80,000 today, is concentrated along Soqotra’s coast, especially in Hadiboh. The islanders traditionally belong to two groups: the Bedu (mountain pastoralists) and the Shahriyah (coastal fishers). Soqotri, their native language, is one of six unwritten Modern South Arabian Languages (MSAL), unintelligible to Arabic speakers and at risk of extinction due to modern pressures. Preserving it is vital to maintaining traditional ecological knowledge.

Soqotra is a global biodiversity hotspot. Its long isolation fostered high endemism: ~30% of ~850 plant species are unique, as are nearly all land snails, non-flying insects, spiders, reptiles, and six bird species. UNESCO has recognized the Archipelago as a Natural World Heritage Site, dubbing it the “Galapagos of the Indian Ocean.”

Though affected by Yemen’s political and economic instability, Soqotra remains free of armed conflict. Its governance is now influenced by regional powers.

A curated photo exhibition aims to display the fascinating natural beauty and cultural heritage of the island group. Thematically devided into the subjects Biodiversity, Culture and Livelihoods, Landscapes, and People, it also draws attention to contemporary Challenges the Soqotra Archipelago is exposed to to date.