Larak Island
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Larak Island (also Lark Island) is an island off the coast of Iran, which has been one of Iran's major oil export points since 1987. The narrowest part of the Strait of Hormuz at a distance of 24 miles (39 km) lies between this Iranian island and Oman's Quoin Island.[4]
Native name: جزیره لارک | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Larak Island  Larak Island | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Strait of Hormuz |
| Coordinates | 26°51′12″N 56°21′20″E[1] |
| Adjacent to | Persian Gulf |
| Area | 49 km2 (19 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 81 m (266 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Province | Hormozgan |
| County | Qeshm County |
| Rural District | Larak Rural District |
| Largest settlement | Larak Shahri (pop. 466) |
| Jazīreh-ye Lārak North Lighthouse | |
| Constructed | 2008  |
| Construction | concrete tower |
| Height | 18 m (59 ft) |
| Shape | cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern[2][3] |
| Markings | unpainted tower |
| Power source | solar power |
| Focal height | 40 m (130 ft) |
| Range | 18 nmi (33 km; 21 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl(2) W 10s |
During their occupation in the 16th century, the Portuguese built fortresses here, as well as on the nearby Qeshm and Hormuz Islands.[5] The island contains an Iranian military base which maintains several Chinese-made Silkworm HY-2 surface-to-surface missiles placed there in 1987.[6]
A floating terminal was established on Larak Island in June 1986.[7] The island was bombed by Iraq in November and December 1986, as part of the Iran–Iraq War. As part of Operation Praying Mantis, the Iranian frigate Sahand was sunk by the United States Navy, 200 meters southwest of Larak Island. On 14 May 1988, the largest ship at the time, the Liberian supertanker, Seawise Giant, whilst carrying crude Iranian oil, was sunk by Iraqi anti-ship missiles off the coast of Larak Island.[8] The ship was later refloated, repaired and used for another few years.
Larak Island is located in the Larak Rural District, which is within the Shahab District. Two settlements are on the island: Larak Shahri and Larak Kuhi.[9] Larak Shahri is the largest of the two villages, with a population of 466 people and 98 families.
The waters around Larak Island are one of the most diverse coral reef areas in the environment of the Persian Gulf. There are 37 species of scleractinian corals identified around Larak Island.[10]
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