15 Pictures Of ‘The Most Alien-Looking Place On Earth’

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Christian Storm

One hundred and fifty miles off the Horn of Africa lies a tiny archipelago of islands known as Socotra.

Because of its extreme isolation from other land masses, Socotra has very unique plant life, a third of which can be found nowhere else in the world.

Not only are the plant endemic to Socotra, but they look weird as can be, causing people to refer to it as “the most alien-looking place on earth.”

15 Pictures Of 'The Most Alien-Looking Place On Earth'

Socotra is part of Yemen, which is currently undergoing some serious political strife. But you wouldn’t know that from the surreal beauty of Socotra.

Because Socotra is one of the most isolated land masses in the world, as well as its extreme temperatures and dryness, Socotra’s flora is incredibly unique and unusual-looking. A third of all plant life on the island can only be found on Socotra. Today, 70% of the island is a protected as a National park.

Because Socotra is one of the most isolated land masses in the world, as well as its extreme temperatures and dryness, Socotra's flora is incredibly unique and unusual-looking. A third of all plant life on the island can only be found on Socotra. Today, 70% of the island is a protected as a National park.

REUTERS/Mohamed al-Sayaghi

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One of the most distinct plants on the island is the Dragon’s Blood Tree. It gets its name from its crimson red sap, which has been prized for centuries for its purported medicinal qualities. The people of Socotra still use it today as a cure for many daily health problems, as well as for dying fabric, making incense, and staining wood.

One of the most distinct plants on the island is the Dragon's Blood Tree. It gets its name from its crimson red sap, which has been prized for centuries for its purported medicinal qualities. The people of Socotra still use it today as a cure for many daily health problems, as well as for dying fabric, making incense, and staining wood.

REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah

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Another surreal plant found only on Socotra is the “Desert Rose,” or Bottle Tree, so-called because of its massive trunk that has adapted to store water during dry spells.

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Can we talk about the beaches for a second? Socotra has some of the most pristine, beautiful beaches in existence. Look at that turquoise water.

Can we talk about the beaches for a second? Socotra has some of the most pristine, beautiful beaches in existence. Look at that turquoise water.

REUTERS/ Alistair Lyon

The natural, fresh-water pools created by rivers aren’t bad either though.

The only mammal which is endemic to Socotra is the bat. They can be found in Socotra’s massive, limestone caves.

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But that’s not the only thing the caves of Socotra are known for. In 2001, researchers discovered inscriptions deep inside the cave that they attributed to sailors staying on the island between 1 and 6 AD. The writings were in many different languages.

But that's not the only thing the caves of Socotra are known for. In 2001, researchers discovered inscriptions deep inside the cave that they attributed to sailors staying on the island between 1 and 6 AD. The writings were in many different languages.

REUTERS/Mohamed al-Sayaghi

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Back then, Socotra is believed to have been quite different. Historical writing says the island may have had crocodiles, lizards, and even water buffalo. However, introduced species not native to the island have since changed the ecosystem. Today, many plants on Socotra are considered endangered.

Back then, Socotra is believed to have been quite different. Historical writing says the island may have had crocodiles, lizards, and even water buffalo. However, introduced species not native to the island have since changed the ecosystem. Today, many plants on Socotra are considered endangered.

REUTERS/Mohamed al-Sayaghi

Socotran “desert roses”, whose obese trunks are adapted to store water, stand on a hillside in Wadi Diksam on Socotra island November 19, 2013.

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Residents of Socotra, whose population is a little less than 43,000, have traditionally and still mostly work as fisherman, animal herders (many of them nomadic Bedouins), and date farmers. Socotra has its own native language as well.

Residents of Socotra, whose population is a little less than 43,000, have traditionally and still mostly work as fisherman, animal herders (many of them nomadic Bedouins), and date farmers. Socotra has its own native language as well.

REUTERS/ Alistair Lyon

ocotri fishermen head out to sea from the port of Qalensiya, the second biggest town on Yemen’s island of Socotra February 1, 2008.

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The people of Socotra are unique as well. Many of the people of Socotra share a DNA haplogroup subset found nowhere else on Earth.

The people of Socotra are unique as well. Many of the people of Socotra share a DNA haplogroup subset found nowhere else on Earth.

REUTERS/Mohamed al-Sayaghi

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During the Cold War, Russia established military facilities on Socotra. The remnants of them can still be seen today.

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There are two paved roads in Socotra; the rest are dirt. It has been determined that a major source of pollution on the island is air contaminants from road paving, so construction of roads has been very limited. Other problems facing Socotra’s special environment are overgrazing, introduction of outside species, exploitation of resources, and even poaching or smuggling of plants and animals.

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In July 2008, UNESCO named Socotra a World Heritage Site, and rightfully so. The island is one of the most unique places on Earth. Some people even believe Socotra was the original site of the Garden of Eden.

In July 2008, UNESCO named Socotra a World Heritage Site, and rightfully so. The island is one of the most unique places on Earth. Some people even believe Socotra was the original site of the Garden of Eden.

REUTERS/Mohamed al-Sayaghi

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One Response

  1. Archie1954 says:

    I’m surprised the islands haven’t been used as a venue for sci fi movies!

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