Hadibu

Hadibu is the largest town and main administrative center of Socotra Governorate, a region in Yemen. It is located on the northeastern coast of Socotra in the Socotra Archipelago. This town is very important because it has the main airport and sea port for the whole island, making it the main place for people to arrive and leave.

Hadibu is also the seat of Hidaybū, which is the larger eastern district of Socotra's two main administrative areas. Many people living in the area speak the Soqotri language, which is a special unwritten language that belongs to the Semitic language family. This makes Hadibu a key location for both travel and culture on the island.

History

Hadibu has a very long history. In 2008, old tools were found near the town, showing people might have lived there over a million years ago. Long ago, different groups such as Indians, Greeks, Arabs, and others visited and lived on the island.

Later, the island was ruled by different groups, including the Portuguese and the British East India Company. During the Second World War, it was used as a base by allies. Eventually, it became part of South Yemen and later the Yemen Republic in the 1990s.

Geography and demographics

Hadibu is located on the northeastern coast of Socotra in the Socotra Archipelago. It is the capital of the Socotra Governorate and was previously called Tamrida. The town is very busy, with around 90,000 people living there in 2020. Because of the Yemeni civil war, many people have moved there from other parts of Yemen, so the population may now be closer to 150,000. Many people in the area speak the Soqotri language, which is a special language that is not written down.

Infrastructure

Hadibu has grown over the years. In the 1970s, important things like roads, schools, and clinics were built. Today, new homes are being built, but many buildings are still not finished. The town is home to the island’s airport and main seaport, which helps people travel to and from Socotra. The first flights from Hadibu went to Aden in the 1970s. Socotra Airport is about 12 km west of the town.