SO'COTRA, is an island in the Indian Ocean, situated about 300 miles from Cape Guardafui, the moat eastern poiut of Africa. It lies between 12° 16' and 12° 45' N. lat., 53° 25' and 57° 34' E. ong., and extends about 70 miles from west to east, with an average aidth of 15 miles. It contains 1100 square miles.
Socbtra consists chiefly of a table-land, which is between 700 and 300 feet above the level of the set North and south of the table and are two plait's. The surface of the island is in many parts level or a considerable extent ; many hills are dispersed over it., and a ;ranitic range of mountains stands on the northern edge of the table land. This mountain mass may have a general elevation of about 3000 feat, but some of its numerous peaks rise to 5000 feet. On the more level parts of the table-land there are many wide depressions, which generally extend south and north, and form long valleys. The tableland descends to the plains generally with a steep declivity, but in a few places it comes close to the sea, as at Has (Cape) Shush, the western extremity of the island, and at Has Kattany : near Rae Feting, on the southern coast, the cliffs skirt the shores for 8 miles.
In the southern plain, the force of the south-west monsoon, to which the coast ie exposed, has carried the sand from the sea coast to some distance inland, where it forms a continuous range of sand hills parallel to the beach, and hence it has spread over the plain, up to the very base of the table-land. The shores run in a continuous line without being broken by any inlet The northern plain is not so low as the southern, nor so level, the surface being intersected by flat valleys in many places, and in others some masses of hills rise from 300 to 600 feet. The western districts Of this plain, though leas sterile thau the southern plain, are more adapted for pasture than for cultivation, but the eastern districts have a superior soil, which is a reddish-coloured earth, covered at certain seasons with abundant grass, and well adapted for the cultivation of grain, fruit, and vege tables. With the exception of a few rivulets the streams on the island do not contain water all the year round. The inhabitants therefore collect rain-water in reservoirs. In most parts of the northern plain water is found at a distance of from 8 to 10 feet below the surface. The climate of Socotra is sultry. During the north-east monsoon there is an almost daily fall of rain. The south-west monsoon brings a clear and cloudless sky, and while it continues the stars generally shine with remarkable brilliancy.
The principal commercial products are derived from the aloe and dragon's-blood tree. The aloe plant (Aloe spicata or Socotrinet) in the western districts covers the hills for many miles, at an elevation of from 500 to 2000 feet above the plains. The dragon's-blood tree
grows in the same part of the island, at an elevation of from 800 to 2000 feet These two plants are very abundant. There are several forest-trees, but none fit for timber. Yams, wild orange-trees, and date-trees are among the products of the island. Agriculture is limited to the cultivation of dukkum, a species of millet, beans and tobacco, with a little cotton and indigo.
There are no horses. The camel is the only animal of burden, and is nearly as sure-footed as the mule. The cows are small, and few in number. Sheep and goats in the western districts constitute the principal wealth of the inhabitants. The sheep are small, but yield good wool, of which thick cloaks are made. There are several kinds of goats, and one of them is found iu a wild state ou the mountains. There are civet-cate all over the island, rats, mice, and chameleons. There aro several kinds of vultures, and also the flamingo. Turtles are found on the southern coast. Fish abound in several parts of the coast, and some families live ou the produce of their fishing.
The population is estimated by Wellsted at 4000 individuals. It consists of two different nations, of which one called Socotran Arabs, is foreign, and the othor called Beduins, is apparently aboriginal.
The Arabs aro the only cultivators of the ground ; they also make ghee. They are zealous Mohammedans. The aborigines are called Beduins in consequence of their pastoral habits and their wandering mode of life. Their language appears to differ considerably from that of the Arabs. They are tall, with strong, muscular, and remark ably well-formed limbs; a facial angle like that of Europeans, the nose slightly aquiline, the eyes lively and expressive, and the month well-formed. Their hair curls naturally, but does not approach to a woolly or crisp texture. Their general complexion is fair, but a few of them are as dark as the Hindoos. As they frequently change their abodes, and live in a country not abounding in building mate rials, they inhabit the numerous caverns which are found in the lime stone hills of their country. They are Mohammedan; but they do not show much zeal in reference to religions duties. They are divided into families or tribes.
Socotra possesses no place which can be called a town. The capital is Tamarida, which is built not far from the northern shores, and contains a population of about 150 persons.
Socotra was known to Ptolemmus, and to Arrian. It was visited by the Portuguese Fernandez Perara in 1504, and taken possession of by Albuquerque in 1507. It is not known at what time the Portu guese evacuated the island, but they probably left before the 16th century elapsed. It then returned under the sway of the sultan of Kisseen on the southern coast of Arabia. It now belongs to the Imam of Muscat