Abd al Kuri (Arabic: عبد الكوري) is a rocky island in the Guardafui Channel. As a part of the Socotra Archipelago of the Socotra Governorate of Yemen, it lies about 65 miles (105 km) southwest of the island of Socotra. It consists of granite and diorite covered by limestone.

Geography

Much of Abd al Kuri is semi-desert with little vegetation. Two ranges of hills separated near the centre occupy the entire length of the island. The northern coast consists mostly of a sandy beach with a few rocky points, while the southern coast consists of steep cliffs. Its highest point, Mount Ṣāliḥ, reaches an altitude of over 700 metres (2,300 feet). The total area of Abd al Kuri is 133 km (51 sq mi). Most of its inhabitants subsist on fishing. Kilmia is the main village.

Flora and fauna

Abd al Kuri has a number of endemic plant species 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. 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.

Two species of lizards which are native to Abd al Kuri, Mesalina kuri and Pristurus abdelkuri, are named for the island.

History

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.

Gallery

• 
  Native dwellings (1903)
• 
  View of the 'Strath' and Native Dwellings, Abd-el-Kuri, 1898
• 
  1898 photograph of Jebel Saleh on Abd al Kuri, from The Natural History of Socotra and Abd-el-kuri

Map

See also

• List of islands of Yemen