Yemen Selection

Yemen, located at the southwestern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, has one of the oldest histories in the Arab world. For centuries, it stood at the crossroads of trade routes linking Africa, Arabia and Asia, becoming the historic land of frankincense and myrrh. Its rugged mountains, fertile valleys and long coastlines along the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden create an impressive diversity of landscapes.

The photographs presented in this category were all taken on Socotra Island, a Yemeni territory located about 350 kilometres off the mainland. Isolated from the continent for millions of years, Socotra has evolved into one of the world’s most remarkable biodiversity hotspots. More than one-third of its plant species are endemic, meaning they occur nowhere else on Earth.

Often referred to as the “Galápagos of the Indian Ocean,” Socotra is best known for its surreal landscapes and its iconic dragon blood trees (Dracaena cinnabari), whose umbrella-shaped crowns have become the island’s symbol. This extraordinary flora is matched by an equally unique fauna, making Socotra one of the planet’s most exceptional natural treasures.

The photographs gathered in this category invite you to discover this extraordinary island, where geographic isolation has shaped landscapes and wildlife unlike anywhere else on Earth.