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."
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.
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-all for many daily health problems, as well as for dying fabric.
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