Socotra is the Yemeni island famous for dragon blood trees and UNESCO World Heritage status.
Socotra lies in the Arabian Sea, east of the Horn of Africa and south of the Arabian Peninsula. Its long geological isolation produced an unusually distinctive ecosystem, with many plant and animal species found nowhere else on Earth.
The dragon blood tree, Dracaena cinnabari, is Socotra’s best-known plant. Its umbrella-like crown and red resin helped create the common name “dragon blood.” The island also has unusual cucumber trees, frankincense species, birds, reptiles, and invertebrates.
UNESCO designated the Socotra Archipelago a World Heritage Site in 2008 because of its exceptional biodiversity. The archipelago includes Socotra itself as well as several smaller islands. Despite its natural importance, the ecosystem faces pressures including grazing, development, invasive species, and climate change.