Samhah (Arabic: سمحة; alt. Samha), is an inhabited island in the Guardafui Channel. A part of the Socotra archipelago of Yemen, it is located between the island of Socotra and Abd al Kuri.[1]

Samhah
Native name:
سمحة
Photograph by NASA astronauts
Map of the Socotra archipelago; Samha at center left
Geography
LocationGuardafui Channel
Coordinates12°09′N 53°03′E / 12.150°N 53.050°E / 12.150; 53.050
ArchipelagoSocotra Archipelago
Area40 km2 (15 sq mi)
Length12 km (7.5 mi)
Width6.8 km (4.23 mi)
Administration
GovernorateSocotra Governorate
Demographics
Population100

Statistics

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It measures 40 square kilometres (15 square miles) in area, making it the smallest of the three inhabited islands of the group, after the main island of Socotra and Abd al Kuri. The population of some 100 lives in a village on the western part of the north coast.[citation needed] Samhah and neighboring Darsah (17 km (11 mi) to the east) are collectively known as "Al Akhawain" (Arabic: الأخوين) which means "The two brothers". The island of Samhah measures 12 kilometres (7 miles) in length and 6.8 kilometres (4.2 miles) in width.

Important Bird Area

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The island of Samhah (along with neighbouring Darsah) has been recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International, as it supports a breeding population of Jouanin's petrel (Bulweria fallax).[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ McLaughlin, Daniel (February 2008). Yemen. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 221. ISBN 9781841622125.
  2. ^ "Al-Ikhwan (Socotra)". BirdLife Data Zone. BirdLife International. 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2021.