Kish, gem of the Persian Gulf

Kish Island has a unique situation in the strategic Persian Gulf region among tens of large and small islands. This island is so beautiful and attractive that it has become known as the Pearl of the Persian Gulf since ancient times.

Its calm coasts are covered with coral sands that shine in the sunlight, creating a unique and fascinating sight.

The clear coastal waters allow one to view several meters deep into the sea and watch the beautiful movement of the fish. Diverse plants and native trees, as well as a pleasant climate seven months a year are among the outstanding characteristics of the island.

The island has attracted many tourists, travelers and writers throughout history due to these very characteristics. Among those who have written in praise of this island are Niarkhous, the Greek navy commander who traveled to Kish in 225 B.C., and wrote about its beautiful palm fields, Marco Polo, Ibn Batuta and Hamdullah Mostofi, as well as Ms. Fatemeh Al Ali the contemporary Kuwaiti writer who traveled to Kish in February 2002 and compared the island to a “gem on a king’s crown”. Map of Kish Island

Geography

Kish is lies between the 53 degrees and 53 minutes ,to 54 degrees and 4 minutes of the eastern longitude of the Greenwich Meridian, and 26 degrees and 29 minutes, and 26 degrees and 35 minutes of the northern latitude.

With an area of 90 square kilometers, the island is located only 18 km off the southern coast of the Islamic Republic of Iran. This beautiful oval-shaped island is 15 km long and seven km wide.

The map below shows the distance between Kish and a number of islands, ports, cities and the nearest country:

The distance from Kish to Tehran is 1052 km by air and 1600 km by land. Kish is at a distance of 1200 km from Isfahan, Iran’s historic and tourist destination city which attracts thousands of international visitors each year.

Topography

Kish is an almost flat island with an average altitude of 22 meters above the sea level. The highest region of the island (in the east) is 45 meters above the sea level. The island has shallow fissures formed as a result of erosion by heavy winter showers.

Climate

Temperature Kish has a warm and humid climate with an average temperature of 30 degrees Celsius. The

weather is temperate and pleasant in fall, winter and two months into the spring.

Kish Climate

Humidity

The humidity is high in the majority of the months of the year. The humid season begins in mid April and continues for nine months.

Rain

Kish receives little and varying rainfall like in other parts of the Persian Gulf. The average annual rainfall in the island is 170 mm, 82 % of which falls in winter, 10 % in fall and the rest in spring and summer. The rain falls in the form of strong drizzle in spring and summer, and in small continuous drops in winter.

People

Based on the census carried out in 2001, Kish has a population of 16501 comprising 4454 households. The increase in population is the result of the migration of Iranians from all parts of the country who come to work or invest in Kish. This has created considerable job opportunities and encouraged more migration to the island.

According to the programs envisaged for the Comprehensive Development Plan of Kish, in terms of urban infrastructure, public facilities and local resources, the island will be capable of providing for an estimated population of 200,000.

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