Abd al Kuri (Arabic: عبد الكوري) is a rocky island in the Guardafui Channel.[4] As a part of the Socotra Archipelago[2] of the Socotra Governorate of Yemen,[3] it lies about 65 miles (105 km) southwest of the island of Socotra.[2] It consists of granite and diorite covered by limestone.[5]
Native name: عبد الكوري | |
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Geography | |
Coordinates | 12°11′8.9″N 52°14′18″E / 12.185806°N 52.23833°E |
Archipelago | Socotra Archipelago[1] |
Area | 133 km2 (51 sq mi) |
Length | 36 km (22.4 mi) |
Width | 5 km (3.1 mi) |
Highest point | Mount Ṣāliḥ[2] |
Administration | |
Yemen | |
Governorate | Socotra Governorate[3] |
Capital city | Kilmia |
Demographics | |
Population | 450[1] |
Pop. density | 3.38/km2 (8.75/sq mi) |
Much of Abd al Kuri is semi-desert with little vegetation.[2] Two ranges of hills separated near the centre occupy the entire length of the island.[6] The northern coast consists mostly of a sandy beach with a few rocky points, while the southern coast consists of steep cliffs.[6][7] Its highest point, Mount Ṣāliḥ, reaches an altitude of over 700 metres (2,300 feet). Most of its inhabitants subsist on fishing.[2] Kilmia is the main village.[8]
Abd al Kuri has a number of endemic plant species[2] including Ruellia kuriensis and Convolvulus kossmatii.
It is home to an endemic bird, the Abd al-Kuri sparrow with estimated population of fewer than 1,000.[9][10][11] The island has been recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International for the presence of the endemic sparrow as well as for colonies of red-billed tropicbirds and Persian shearwaters.[12]
Two species of lizards which are native to Abd al Kuri, Mesalina kuri and Pristurus abdelkuri, are named for the island.[13][14][15]
Thomas Fellowes was sent on HMS Briton in 1872 to Abd al Kuri, alongside Socotra, by British authorities to see if it would be a suitable place to settle liberated slaves. Fellowes decided against it, citing the poor living conditions on both islands.[16]