Socotra Archipelago
Located in the northwest of the Indian Ocean, near the Gulf of Aden, the Socotra Archipelago is 250 km long and consists of four islands and two rocky islets, which appear as an extension of the Horn of Africa. The site is of universal importance for its biodiversity and rich and unique flora and fauna: 37% of Socotra's 825 plant species, 90% of reptiles and 95% of snail species are found nowhere else in the world. The site also supports globally important populations of land and seabirds (192 bird species, 44 of which breed on the island and 85 are regular migrants), including many endangered species. Socotra's marine life is also very diverse, with 253 species of reef-building corals, 730 coastal fish species and 300 species of crabs, lobsters and shrimps.