Added information to Alcohol Policy section, added Capital Punishment section.
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Revision as of 19:01, April 17, 2014
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[[File:National_Cathedral_of_Socotra.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Interior of Saint John's National Cathedral in Centronom]]
[[File:National_Cathedral_of_Socotra.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Interior of Saint John's National Cathedral in Centronom]]
[[File:Monastery-in-Qadub.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Saint Basileus Greek Orthodox monastery]]
[[File:Monastery-in-Qadub.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Saint Basileus Greek Orthodox monastery]]
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=== Languages ===
=== Languages ===
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== Infrastructure ==
== Infrastructure ==
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=== Education ===
=== Education ===
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Education for primary, secondary, and tertiary levels is mostly supported by the state. All institutions, private and public, must be registered with the Ministry of Education. English is the language of instruction in all public schools, and all subjects are taught and examined in English except for the Arabic language paper. In Socotra's education system, Arabic is used as the second language, as English is the first language.
Education for primary, secondary, and tertiary levels is mostly supported by the state. All institutions, private and public, must be registered with the Ministry of Education. English is the language of instruction in all public schools, and all subjects are taught and examined in English except for the Arabic language paper. In Socotra's education system, Arabic is used as the second language, as English is the first language.
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=== Health ===
=== Health ===
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[[File:Chinese-New-Year-Festival-Socotra.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Chinese New Year Festival in Centronom]]
[[File:Chinese-New-Year-Festival-Socotra.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Chinese New Year Festival in Centronom]]
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Socotra is an aviation hub for Northeast Africa. There is one international airport in Centronom and two smaller regional airport on the island of Socotra. The national airline, Socotra Airline, connects Socotra to 55 cities in 28 countries.
Socotra is an aviation hub for Northeast Africa. There is one international airport in Centronom and two smaller regional airport on the island of Socotra. The national airline, Socotra Airline, connects Socotra to 55 cities in 28 countries.
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== Culture ==
== Culture ==
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Foreigners make up 15% of the population and have a considerable influence on Socotran culture. Additionally to the national holiday, Socotra Day, each religious community has the right to celebrate festivals of their faith publicly, given they notify the government of the course of action they would like to take. Celebrating Saint Patrick's Day has become more popular as of late and foreigners also celebrate their national holidays such as Australia Day, Canada Day, Waitangi Day and Independence Day.
Foreigners make up 15% of the population and have a considerable influence on Socotran culture. Additionally to the national holiday, Socotra Day, each religious community has the right to celebrate festivals of their faith publicly, given they notify the government of the course of action they would like to take. Celebrating Saint Patrick's Day has become more popular as of late and foreigners also celebrate their national holidays such as Australia Day, Canada Day, Waitangi Day and Independence Day.
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=== Languages, Religions, and Cultures ===
=== Languages, Religions, and Cultures ===
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[[File:Baba ganoush and pita.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Baba ganoush and pita bread]]
[[File:Baba ganoush and pita.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Baba ganoush and pita bread]]
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Each Socotran's behaviors and attitudes would therefore be influenced by, among many other things, his or her home language and his religion. Socotrans who speak English as their native language tend to lean toward Western culture, while those who speak Arabic as their native language tend to lean more toward Arabic culture. Malay-speaking Socotrans tend to lean toward Malay culture, which itself is closely linked to Islamic culture. Those who speak Indian languages as their native language would probably lean more toward Indian culture.
Each Socotran's behaviors and attitudes would therefore be influenced by, among many other things, his or her home language and his religion. Socotrans who speak English as their native language tend to lean toward Western culture, while those who speak Arabic as their native language tend to lean more toward Arabic culture. Malay-speaking Socotrans tend to lean toward Malay culture, which itself is closely linked to Islamic culture. Those who speak Indian languages as their native language would probably lean more toward Indian culture.
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=== Attitudes and Beliefs ===
=== Attitudes and Beliefs ===
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[[File:Fattoush1.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Fattoush, a traditional Arabic dish]]
[[File:Fattoush1.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Fattoush, a traditional Arabic dish]]
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Socotran employees work an average of around 43 hours weekly. Four in six Socotran employees surveyed stated that they take pride in doing their work well, and that doing so helps their self-confidence.
Socotran employees work an average of around 43 hours weekly. Four in six Socotran employees surveyed stated that they take pride in doing their work well, and that doing so helps their self-confidence.
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=== Cuisine ===
=== Cuisine ===
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[[File:Socotra Art Colony.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Artist Colony near Arsel]]
[[File:Socotra Art Colony.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Artist Colony near Arsel]]
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In popular culture, food items belong to a particular ethnicity, with Chinese, Malay, and Indian food clearly defined. However, the diversity of cuisine has been increased further by the "hybridisation" of different styles (e.g., the Socindian, a mixture of Socotran and Indian cuisine).
In popular culture, food items belong to a particular ethnicity, with Chinese, Malay, and Indian food clearly defined. However, the diversity of cuisine has been increased further by the "hybridisation" of different styles (e.g., the Socindian, a mixture of Socotran and Indian cuisine).
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=== Arts ===
=== Arts ===
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[[File:Centronom Football-Stadium.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Centronom's Al-Aden Football Stadium]]
[[File:Centronom Football-Stadium.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Centronom's Al-Aden Football Stadium]]
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An independent artist colony can be found at the Eastern shore of the island of Socotra, located near Arsel. Sixteen painters, musicians, song writers, novelists and writers as well as sculptors give of themselves to their creative work there.
An independent artist colony can be found at the Eastern shore of the island of Socotra, located near Arsel. Sixteen painters, musicians, song writers, novelists and writers as well as sculptors give of themselves to their creative work there.
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=== Sports and Recreation ===
=== Sports and Recreation ===
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Popular sports include football, basketball, cricket, swimming, sailing, table tennis and badminton. Most Socotrans live in public residential areas not afar from amenities such as public swimming pools, outdoor basketball courts and indoor sport complexes. Permanent residents and citizens of Socotra can request a General Ticket of Admission for all recreational and sports complexes. The yearly ticket costs €80 for each citizen; children under the age of 16 can get them for €20, pensioners for €60.
Popular sports include football, basketball, cricket, swimming, sailing, table tennis and badminton. Most Socotrans live in public residential areas not afar from amenities such as public swimming pools, outdoor basketball courts and indoor sport complexes. Permanent residents and citizens of Socotra can request a General Ticket of Admission for all recreational and sports complexes. The yearly ticket costs €80 for each citizen; children under the age of 16 can get them for €20, pensioners for €60.
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Socotra's football league, the Soc-League, formed in 2011, currently comprises five clubs of which the most notable are the Socotra Cormorans in Centronom. The Socotra Football Association (SFA) is a member of FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation, and the national team participates in it.
Socotra's football league, the Soc-League, formed in 2011, currently comprises five clubs of which the most notable are the Socotra Cormorans in Centronom. The Socotra Football Association (SFA) is a member of FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation, and the national team participates in it.
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=== Media ===
=== Media ===
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Companies linked to the government control much of the domestic media in Socotra. SocMediaCorp operates the three free-to-air television channels and the four free-to-air radio stations in Socotra. The channels are Channel 1 (English channel), Channel 2 (Arabic channel) and Channel 3 (English channel). Centronom Cable Vision (CCV) also offers cable television with channels from all around the world. Socotra Press Administration, a body with close links to the government, controls the three newspapers in Socotra.
Companies linked to the government control much of the domestic media in Socotra. SocMediaCorp operates the three free-to-air television channels and the four free-to-air radio stations in Socotra. The channels are Channel 1 (English channel), Channel 2 (Arabic channel) and Channel 3 (English channel). Centronom Cable Vision (CCV) also offers cable television with channels from all around the world. Socotra Press Administration, a body with close links to the government, controls the three newspapers in Socotra.
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[[File:Presidential Palace-Centronom.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Presidential Palace]]
[[File:Presidential Palace-Centronom.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Presidential Palace]]
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Quite unlike Arabic countries north of Socotra, alcoholic beverages are not banned. Wine is used in religious ceremonies of most Christian denominations. Beer, whiskey and other alcoholic beverages may also be purchased in supermarket or grocery stores. State-controlled liquor stores do not exist. Requirement to purchase such beverages is an ID that proves that its proprietor is 21 years of age which is the legal age for drinking. Drinking alcoholic beverages in public is frowned upon, but not banned. Almost all alcoholic beverages have to be imported which makes these products almost as expensive as in Northern European countries. There is a universal luxury tax of 20% on all alcoholic beverages purchased in Socotra.
Quite unlike Arabic countries north of Socotra, alcoholic beverages are not banned. Wine is used in religious ceremonies of most Christian denominations. Beer, whiskey and other alcoholic beverages may also be purchased in supermarket or grocery stores. State-controlled liquor stores do not exist. Requirement to purchase such beverages is an ID that proves that its proprietor is 21 years of age which is the legal age for drinking. Drinking alcoholic beverages in public is frowned upon, but not banned. Almost all alcoholic beverages have to be imported which makes these products almost as expensive as in Northern European countries. There is a universal luxury tax of 20% on all alcoholic beverages purchased in Socotra.
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Federal law requires citizens not to provoke religious feelings of other citizens which means that drinking alcohol close to buildings of religious communities that forbid alcoholic beverages are a punishable crime. Fines, therefor, amount from €500 to €15,000 if a citizen or permanent resident trespasses against this law in such manner. Tourists are usually asked to refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages near such religious buildings and are reprimanded strongly.
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=== Capital Punishment ===
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Altogether, there are 14 punishable crimes that may be result in a culprit being sentenced to death which is the maximum penalty in the Republic of Socotra. The crimes with such harsh possible punishment are: culpable homicide, aiding and abbetting of culpable homicide, terrorism, aiding and abbetting of terrorism, treason, aiding and abbetting of treason, human trafficking, aiding and abbetting of human trafficking, disturbance of the peace in an aggravated manner, consumption of drugs according to the law against illegal drugs, violation of religious feelings in an aggravated manner, forcible rape, aiding and abbetting of forcible rape, illegal immigration and aiding and abbetting of illegal immigration.
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Convicts can select one of three different modes of execution. If the convict belongs to the active military, he may be executed by firing squad. If the convict is of Arabic origin, he may be executed by saber. The standard mode of execution is death by hanging. Executions are performed on publicly accessible places of execution. Executions may be boradcasted if it is of public interest. Permanent residents who commited a criminal offense that is worthy of receiving a death sentence are deported to their home nations, and all their possessions in the Republic of Socotra except the clothes they wear are being confiscated. Additionally, there is a lifetime entry ban for such people. In case of contravention, they are deported again. Reversal of a verdict is impossible as the highest law principle requires all evidence to be sufficient to come up for judgment. If there is evidence that a passed verdict was unlawful, then the judge who passed the sentence may receive the same verdict he passed. Appeals against any judgment are utterly out of the question.
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