Qeshm

Infobox Islands
name = Qeshm


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locator
Location map|Iran|lat=26.95|long=56.29
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native name = قشم
native name link = Persian language
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location = Strait of Hormuz
coordinates = coord|26|45|N|55|49|E|display=inline
archipelago =
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area = convert|1491|km2|sqmi
length = convert|135|km|mi
width = convert|40|km|mi
highest mount =
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country = Iran
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country admin divisions title 1 =
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country largest city =
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population = 100,000
population as of =
density = 67.07
ethnic groups = Iranian Arabs
additional info =

Qeshm (Persian: قشم - pronounced "kē´shm" is an island situated in the Strait of Hormuz off the south coast of Iran and east of the Persian Gulf (coord|26|50|N|56|0|E|). Qeshm Island is located a few kilometers off the southern coast of Iran, opposite the port cities of Bandar Abbas and Bandar Khamir. The island, which hosts a 300 square kilometer free zone jurisdiction, is 135 km long, and lies strategically in the Strait of Hormuz, just 60 kilometers from the Omani port of Khosab and about 180 kilometers from the UAE port of Rashia. The island, at its widest point, located near the center of the island, spans 40 kilometers. Similarly, at it narrowest point, the island spans 9.4 kilometers. The island has a surface are of 1491 square kilometers and is 2.5 times the size of Bahrain and 3 times the size of Singapore. Qeshm city, located at the easternmost point of the island is 22 kilometers from Bandar Abbas while the closest point of the island is but two kilometers from the mainland.

The average temperature on the island is approximately 27 degrees Celsius with the warmest months are June through August and the coldest from October to January. The average rainfall is 183.2mm.

The island comprises 59 towns and villages and the local population is approximately 100,000. The local population is involved in fishing, dhow construction, trade and services. Furthermore there are approximately an additional 30,000 involved in administrative and industrial workforce and students. In the Iranian year 1369, equivalent to 1991 in the Gregorian calendar, the island was transformed into a "Trade and Industrial Free Area" with the goal of creating the largest Free Area between Europe and the Far East. [ [http://www.qeshmenergy.com/Qeshm.html Qeshm Island] , Qeshm Energy International]

Explorer William Baffin was mortally wounded on Qeshm in 1622 during a battle against Portuguese forces.

Qeshm island is also a free trade zone, which has made the island very important due to international trade. Qeshm Free ZoneIn the 1st ten year plan, in note 19, the law provided for the creation of free trade zones and three locations were identified as such in the year 1991. They were Kish Island, Qeshm Island and Chabahar. In the year 1994, upon approval by the Iranian Majlis, the provisions of these free trade zones were identified and as such, an area of 300 square kilometers on Qeshm Island received the designation of free trade zone. To that end, Qeshm Island was granted considerable leeway to set its own policies, independent of the central government, which had often been seen as an impediment to growth in many sectors of the economy. However, the Island retains the advantages associated with its connection to the mainland, including the rights to explore and develop oil and gas opportunities.

Free trade zones have been set up over the last thirty year with great success in order to serve as a bridge between local, regional and global economies. As such, and in general, free trade zone have several points in common and serve to:

Increase exports. Attract capital, both domestic and foreign. Transfer technology. Expand foreign trade. Train specialized and qualified technical personnel. Gain experience in management Align local, regional and global economies.

Background

Historically, Qeshm island dates back far into the pre-Islamic era. Names as Qeshm, Keshm, Kish and Tunb mark the lengthy stay of Ilamids in the area several centuries before Christ's birth. It is, apparently, the island called Alexandria or Aracia by Ptolemy (Book 6, Chap. IV), in the 2nd century CE and as Alexandria by Ammianus Marcellinus (xxiii.6.42) in the 4th century. On account of its strategic geopolitical situation, near the mouth of the Persian Gulf, it has been frequently attacked by invaders including Ilamids (Elamites), Umayyads, Abbasids as well as the Portuguese and British, whose ravages are still evident. According to historical records, Qeshm Island has been famous as a trade and navigation center. Its economy flourished during the Dialameh and Buyid eras, as trade vessels sailed between it and China, India and Africa.

Attractions

Qeshm island is famous for its wide range of ecotourist attractions such as the Hara marine forests. According to environmentalists, about 1.5% of the world birds and 25% of Iran's native birds annually migrate to Hara forests which is the first national geo park.

An ancient Portuguese castle, historic mosques, Seyyed Mozaffar and Bibi Maryam shrines, various ponds and mangrove forests are among the tourism attractions in the island, which sits across the azure waters of the Persian Gulf. Several domes, salty caves, the preserved area in Shibderaz Village where turtles hatch as well as numerous ports and wharfs are among the tourist potentials of the island.

Fishing is a leading occupation practiced by the inhabitants of the island. On what little cultivated land there is, dates and melons are grown. Salt is mined on the southeastern coast. The population of Qeshm Island is about 200,000. Nowadays, Qeshm attracts thousands of tourists every year due to natural beauties and modern malls. There are nice hotels and motels in the island. Hara Sea-Forest is a natural feature of tropical and subtropical forests and is one of the most beautiful attractions of Qeshm island.

Qeshm is also considered a supposed site of the Garden of Eden according to Cassells Bible.

Iran Air Flight 655

On July 3, 1988, an Iran Air Airbus A300 (Iran Air Flight 655) was shot down by a United States Navy guided missile cruiser USS "Vincennes" just south of the island, resulting in 290 civilian fatalities. The wreckage splashed down 2.5 kilometers off Qeshm's southern coast.

Economy, Culture, and Education

*Qeshm Institute of Higher Education

References

See also

*2005 Iran earthquake
*Qeshm Air

External links

* [http://www.ersdac.or.jp/ASTERimage/Image/015_Qeshm2.jpg
]
* [http://www.iranica.com/newsite/articles/ot_grp5/ot_qeshm_20041020.html Qeshm Island] entry in the * [http://www.iranica.com/newsite/home/index.isc Encyclopædia Iranica]
* [http://www.parstimes.com/spaceimages/qeshm_island_96.html Qeshm Island from space, 1996]
* [http://www.parstimes.com/spaceimages/qeshm_island.html Satellite photos of Qeshm Island]
* [http://www.masoudsoheili.com/Iran-Cities/Qeshm/0000-Qeshm.html Qeshm Island photos by Masoud Soheili]
* [http://persia.org/imagemap/qeshm.html Hormoz and Qeshm]
* [http://www.hums.ac.ir/english/province/hormozgan%20english/qeshm_island.htm Qeshm history from Hormozgan university website]
* [http://www.irancaravan.com/XTown.htm Hormozgan's townships]
* [http://www.qeshm.ir/attraction.html Qeshm Island's attractions]
* [http://travels.sfsepehr.com/qeshm.html#_photo Photos of Qeshm by S Forouzan-sepehr]
* [http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=26.960261&lon=56.277262&z=18&l=0&m=a&v=2 Old Portuguese Castle at Wikimapia]