Soqoṭrā

Soqotra's strategic position in the Indian Ocean and its exotic nature have inspired the phantasies of travellers, traders, and scholars for a long period of time. Dangerous currents and strong seasonal winds have made access to the island rather difficult, though; external powers were not able to establish (or maintain) a permanent foothold on the island. Due to the construction of a harbour and an airport in the late 1990s, Soqotra has not only come into the crosshairs of scientific interests (cue: "UNESCO world cultural heritage site") and international tourism (cue: "Soqotra, the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean") but also of regional powers such as Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.