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Kish Island
Iranian resort island in the Persian Gulf From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Kish (Persian: کیش ⓘ) is a 91.5-square-kilometre (35.3 sq mi) resort island in Bandar Lengeh County, Hormozgan Province, off the southern coast of Iran in the Persian Gulf. The island constitutes the city of Kish. Owing to its free trade zone status, the island is marketed as a consumers' paradise, offering shopping centers, tourist attractions, and resort hotels.[1] It has an estimated population of around 55,205 residents and about 12 million visitors annually.[2]
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History
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Kish Island has been referred to by various names throughout history, including Kamtina, Arakia (Ancient Greek: Ἀρακία), Arakata, and Ghiss.
According to Iranian linguist Zana Vahdat, a former historical name of the island was Dowlatkhaneh, a name commonly used during the period of the Atabegs of Fars.[3]
In 325 BC, Alexander the Great commissioned his admiral Nearchus to explore the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. Nearchus's writings on Arakata contain the earliest known mention of Kish Island in antiquity.[1] Later, Marco Polo noted in accounts of his travels to the Chinese Imperial Court that the pearls worn by the empress originated from Kish.[2][4]
Modern era
Following the early 20th century, Kish began to attract interest for its potential as a resort destination. In 1972, during the reign of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Kish Development Organisation was established with the goal of transforming the island into a major luxury tourism hub. In 1989, ministerial approval was granted for the creation of a special industrial trade zone, and by 1992, the Kish Free Trade Organisation was formally established. Since then, Kish has seen significant investment in infrastructure, helping it emerge as one of Iran's principal commercial and tourist centres.[5]
In March 2007, retired FBI agent turned private investigator Robert Levinson disappeared while on Kish Island during a meeting with American fugitive Dawud Salahuddin. The incident garnered international attention and remains unresolved.[6]
In July 2019, British singer Joss Stone was denied entry to the island by Iranian officials, who claimed she lacked the necessary documentation. Stone later alleged that authorities were concerned she might attempt to perform publicly, in contravention of Iranian laws regarding female performers.[7]
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Geography
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Kish is located in the Persian Gulf, 19 km (12 mi) from mainland Iran, and has an area of approximately 91 km2 (35 sq mi) with an outer boundary of 40 km (25 mi) and a nearly elliptical shape.
Climate, nature, and geobotany
Kish is located on a narrow strip of tropical vegetation in the Northern Hemisphere, with the Persian plateau to the north and the Arabian Peninsula to the south.
Weather
Kish has a very dry semi-equatorial climate. Over an 8-year span, the median annual rainfall in Kish was 145 mm (5.7 in) (54% in winter, 28% in autumn, and 14% in summer) and the median annual temperature was 26.6 °C (79.9 °F). The relative atmospheric humidity in Kish makes it like a sea island except in cold seasons. The humidity is approximately 60% for most of the year. In the months from October to April, Kish's weather is mild, ranging from 18 °C (64 °F) to 25 °C (77 °F). From June to August, summer temperatures are extremely hot and humid with temperatures often exceeding 40 °C (104 °F) with lows of not less than 26 °C (79 °F). The statistical data in the Kish free zone's archives shows that the island's temperature varies from very hot to moderately hot, accompanied by relatively high humidity, often interspersed by heavy rains of short durations in certain seasons. With the exception of some southeastern coastal areas and a few other islands in the Persian Gulf, Kish Island has the most sunny hours in the region, roughly 3,100 hours per year. Based on climatological classification and general weather conditions, Kish's proximity to the Tropic of Cancer and its exposure to high tropical pressure systems, as well as its position amidst hot and shallow waters, means the island tends to be hot and humid most of the year.[8]
Tourist attractions
The Greek Ship is the wreck of a 1943 cargo steamship, the Koula F, on a beach on Kish's southwest coast.[10] She was originally a British ship, Empire Trumpet, and was built in Scotland.[10] In 1966, she ran aground and all attempts to salvage her failed.[10]
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Economy
Since the mid-1990s, the Iranian government has embarked on an aggressive campaign to position Kish as a rival to Dubai and Doha. The campaign has included massive construction projects and programs designed to attract foreign investment and trade. Within the area of the Kish Free Zone, as it is known, the standard laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran are far more relaxed than on the mainland. This has resulted in more domestic tourism and international trade on the island. Kish's population includes both Muslims and Christians. In 2009, the total foreign trade of the Kish Free Zone was approximately $9.2 billion per annum.[11] Fifteen percent of all imports to Iran are through Kish.[12]
Investment incentives in the Kish free trade zone include:
- 15 years tax-exemption;
- no entry visa requirement;
- 100% foreign ownership possible;
- flexible monetary & banking services;
- extended legal guarantees & protection.
Besides the existing Iranian Oil Bourse, a new exchange, the Kish Stock Exchange was inaugurated in 2010 to facilitate foreign investment and monetary activities.[13]
Education
Sharif University of Technology-International Campus-Kish was established in 1995.[14] Kish International Campus, University of Tehran was established in 2007.[15]
The KFZO, or Kish Free Zone Organization, has built new schools with priority given to technical and vocational courses.
- Kish Institute of Arts and Sciences (teaching foreign languages);
- Kish Institute of Graph-Rayaneh (teaching computing);
- Parto Institute (teaching English);
- Sadaf Cultural Centre;
- Mir Mohana Cultural Centre;
- Sana'ei Cultural Centre;[16] and
- Kish Institute of Science and Technology.
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Transportation
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The connection with Kish is carried out either by sea or by air through Kish airport and Kish port. Kish International Airport serves as the entry point for tourists who come to Kish Island.
Sports
Kish Island hosts the Fajr International Squash Championship, which is part of the Professional Squash Association's annual tour. Kish also holds Iran's Traditional and Heroic Games Contests. Kish is home to a multi-purpose stadium seating 1,200 spectators. Water sports are offered in Kish. Kish Island has hosted the 2006 Asian Beach Volleyball Championship.
Kish was host to an officially sanctioned FIVB beach volleyball event, the Kish Island Open 2016. Qualification rounds at the 2017 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour event took place on Kish.[17]
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Major Kish Island projects
International Oil Bourse
The International Oil Bourse is a commodity exchange which opened in 2008.
Ocean Water Park
Ocean Water Park is a 5.6-hectare (14-acre) water park.
Kish Dolphin Park
The Dolphin Park is a 70-hectare (170-acre) park located at the southeast corner of Kish Island. It is surrounded by over 22,000 palm trees and includes a dolphinarium, butterfly garden, silkworm compound, bird garden, artificial rain forest, volcanic mountain, orchid garden, and cactus garden. The dolphinarium includes the largest man-made pool on the island and it exhibits dolphins, sea lions, and white whales.[18] The Bird Garden in the park is home to more than 57 species of birds and other animals from around the world, including pelicans, ostriches, blue-and-yellow macaws, storks, toco toucans, turacos, swans, African penguins, and marsh crocodiles.[19]
Kish Aquarium
The Art Center on the island includes an aquarium that displays marine species unique to the Persian Gulf.[20]
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Twin towns – sister cities
Langkawi, Malaysia (since 2009)[citation needed]
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (since 2002)
Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines (since 2024)[citation needed]
See also
- Bandar Lengeh
- Chabahar Free Trade-Industrial Zone, another free trade zone in Iran
- Economy of Iran
- Flower of the East, a proposed luxury hotel development on Kish Island
- Foreign Direct Investment in Iran
- Kish airshow, a semi-regular international airshow held on Kish Island
- Kish Air, a domestic airline serving Kish Island
Notes
External links
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