The largest island, also called Socotra, is about 95% of the landmass of the archipelago. It lies some 240 kilometres (150 mi) east of the Horn of Africa and 380 kilometres (240 mi) south of the Arabian Peninsula. The island is very isolated and through the process of speciation, a third of its plant life is found nowhere else on the planet. It has been described as the most alien-looking place on Earth. The island measures 132 kilometres (82 mi) in length and 49.7 kilometres (30.9 mi) in width.

Thomas Barbèy grew up in Geneva, Switzerland, across the street from the “Caran D'ache” factory, the largest manufacturer of art supplies. He started drawing seriously at the age of 13, using black “encre de Chine” and gouaches for color. His influences were Philippe Druillet, Roger Dean and H.R. Giger. After living in Geneva for 17 years and designing posters for musical bands, he decided to move to Italy, where he lived in Milan for 15 years making a living as a successful recording artist, lyricist and fashion photographer.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) lands on fans sitting court side as he dives after a ball in the second half against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California on January 24, 2023. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA TODAY Sports)

Karen Chen, of the United States, competes in the women's team free skate program during the figure skating competition at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Monday, February 7, 2022, in Beijing. (Photo by Jeff Roberson/AP Photo)

Protesting women shout slogans during a demonstration against sexual violence in front of the governor's mansion in San Juan, Puerto Rico on May 3, 2021. The demonstrators denounce the inaction and slowness of the state in implementing the executive order declaring a state of emergency against gender-based violence. (Photo by Ricardo Arduengo/AFP Photo)

A student walks past on the broken bridge hit by a river overflow following floods in Jaranih village, Central Hulu Sungai, South Kalimantan province, Indonesia on November 17, 2021. (Photo by Bayu Pratama S./Antara Foto via Reuters)

This picture taken on October 18, 2018 shows a “trolley boy” pushing a home- made cart along a train track in Manila, Philippines. Scores of commuters in the city of about 12 million are propelled to their destinations daily by so-called “trolley boys” pushing metal carts that ply a few segments of the sprawling capital's railroads. (Photo by Noel Celis/AFP Photo)

Cats dressed as characters from the film Frozen wait to be judged during the costume contest at the New England Meow Outfit's 10th Annual Allbreed and Household Pet Cat Show in Natick, Massachusetts, on August 27, 2023. (Photo by Joseph Prezioso/AFP Photo)