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Qeshm

Native name: قشم
Qeshm from space, August 2000
Map of Qeshm Island and surroundings, in French
QeshmLocation of Qeshm Island in IranShow map of IranQeshmLocation of Queshm Island in the Persian GulfShow map of Persian Gulf
Geography
Location	Strait of Hormuz
Coordinates	26°41′43″N 55°37′06″E / 26.69528°N 55.61833°E / 26.69528; 55.61833
Area	1,491 km (576 sq mi)
Length	135 km (83.9 mi)
Width	40 km (25 mi)
Administration
Iran
Province	Hormozgān
County	Qeshm
Bakhsh	Central
Largest settlement	Qeshm (pop. 40,678)
Demographics
Population	148,993 (2016)
Pop. density	67.07/km (173.71/sq mi)

Qeshm (Persian language: قشم ) is an arrow-shaped Iranian island in the Strait of Hormuz, separated from the mainland by the Clarence Strait/Khuran in the Persian Gulf (26°50′N 56°0′E / 26.833°N 56.000°E / 26.833; 56.000) and the largest in the Persian Gulf.

Geography

Qeshm Island is located a few kilometers off the southern Iranian shoreline (Persian Gulf), opposite the port cities of Bandar Abbas and Bandar Khamir. The island, which hosts a 300-square-kilometre (116-square-mile) free zone jurisdiction, is 135 km long and lies strategically in the Strait of Hormuz, just 60 kilometres (37 miles) from the Omani port of Khasab and about 180 kilometres (112 miles) from the UAE's Port Rashid. At its widest point near the center, the island spans 40 kilometres (25 miles). At its narrowest point, the island spans 9.4 kilometres (5.8 miles). The island has a surface area of 1,491 square kilometres (576 square miles) and is almost twice the size of Bahrain. The city of Qeshm, located at the easternmost point of the island, is 22 kilometres (14 miles) from Bandar Abbas, while the closest point of the island is but two kilometres (1 mile) from the mainland.

The average temperature on the island is approximately 27 °C (81 °F). The warmest months are June through August, and the coldest from October to January. The average rainfall is 183.2 mm (7+3⁄16 in).

The island, comprising 59 towns and villages, had a population of 117,774 at the time of the 2011 Census. The local population is engaged in fishing, dhow construction, trade and services. An additional 30,000 are administrative or industrial workers or students.

Plans have also been made to build a bridge to connect Qeshm with mainland Iran.

Qeshm Island has multiple attractions to attract more domestic and foreign tourists.

Namakdan Salt Cave

At 6.58 km long, Namakdan Salt Cave is the longest known salt cave in the world. Both salt and sulphur were mined here traditionally ('namak' is a Farsi word for salt) and it now forms the key geosite within the Qeshm Island UNESCO Global Geopark. The cave is formed within a large salt diapir formed of a succession of strata which dates from the late Proterozoic. It is also a candidate site for inscription on the list of World Heritage Sites. The locality was included within a list of the 'First 100 IUGS Geological Heritage Sites' published in October 2022 on account of its significance to our understanding of tectonics and active geological processes.

History

The earliest evidence of human presence at Qeshm dates back to the Paleolithic Period. Paleolithic stone tools have been found at Bam-e Qeshm. Historical records concerning the Qeshm island date far back into the pre-Islamic era. Names such as Qeshm, Keshm, Kish and Tunb mark the lengthy stay of Ilamids in the area, several centuries BC. It is, apparently, the island called Alexandria or Aracia by Ptolemy (Book 6, Chap. IV), in the 2nd century CE and 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, and Abbasids as well as the Portuguese, English, and Dutch. Under Sasanian rule the island was called Abarkawan, and was part of the Ardashir-Khwarrah administrative division. According to historical records, Qeshm Island has been famous as a trade and navigation center. Its economy flourished during the Dailamite and Buyid eras, as trade vessels sailed between Qeshm Island and China, India, and Africa.

Explorer William Baffin was mortally wounded on Qeshm in 1622 during the Anglo-Persian capture of Qeshm.

Qeshm is also a supposed site of the Garden of Eden according to Cassell's Bible.

Iran Air Flight 655

On 3 July 1988, a civilian 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, killing all 290 people aboard. The wreckage crashed 2.5 kilometers off Qeshm's southern coast.

Economy

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. Qeshm 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 the forests, which are the first national geo park in Iran. An early modern-era Portuguese fort, historic mosques, the Seyyed Mozaffar and Bibi Maryam shrines, and various ponds and mangrove forests are among the tourism attractions in the island, which lays across the azure waters of the Persian Gulf. Several domes, salty caves, the preserved area in Shibderaz Village where Hawksbill turtles hatch, as well as numerous docks and wharfs are among the tourist potentials of the island. The Nazz Islands are located at the south wing of Qeshm Island. Oysters, corals, colorful fishes and sea birds in these islands attract many tourists. It is possible to walk toward the island on soft and wet gravel through a gravel connection way between these islands and Qeshm at the time of the ebb.

• Naaz Islands, sea bed at low tide
• Sea bed at Naaz Islands
• Oysters in the holes of the Sea bed, Naaz Islands
• Dolphins in the strait between Qeshm and Hengam Island.
• Qeshm

In 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 1369 in the Iranian Solar Hijri calendar, 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. 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.

• Portuguese castle, Qeshm
• Chahkouh Valley at Qeshm Island
• Stars Valley at Qeshm Island
• A tourist running on the island beach
• ChahKouh valley in Qeshm is made of Marl Sandstone which has holes created by the flow of rain water
• Portuguese castle exterior
• Portuguese castle interior
• One of the cannons of Qeshm Portuguese castle
• 
• Qeshm International Airport – 2019
• Shahid Zakeri Wharf

Qeshm Island underground military facility

On 20 January 2012, OSGEOINT established the completion of an underground military facility at Qeshm island which accordingly could house Iran's Ghadir-Nahang class submarines.

Economy, culture, and education

• Qeshm Institute of Higher Education
• Islamic Azad University of Medical Science Qeshm International Branch

Visas

Holders of normal passports travelling as tourists can enter Qeshm without a visa with maximum stay of 30 days (extendable), as of December 2017.

Admission is refused to holders of passports or travel documents containing an Israeli visa or stamp or any data showing that visitor has been to Israel or indication of any connection with the state of Israel during the last 12 months.

See also

• 2005 Qeshm earthquake
• Ardashir-Khwarrah
• Bandar Lengeh
• Hormozgan
• Qeshm Air
• Qeshm International Airport

References

1. "Austrians to Construct Persian Gulf Bridge to Connect Qeshm Island to the Main Island". payvand.com. Retrieved 2016-10-05.
2. "Qeshm – Dictionary definition of Qeshm | Encyclopedia.com: FREE online dictionary". encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2016-10-05.
3. "Qeshm Island and its tourist attractions". IFPNews.com. Retrieved 2016-10-05.
4. "Namakdan Salt Cave". IUGS International Commission on Geoheritage. IUGS. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
5. "Namakadan Salt Cave, Iran" (PDF). IUGS International Commission on Geoheritage. IUGS. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
6. "Iranian Archaeologists Uncover Paleolithic Stone Tools on Qeshm Island – Tasnim News Agency". Tasnim News Agency. Retrieved 2018-07-09.
7. Hinds, Martin (1984). "The First Arab Conquests in Fārs". Iran. 22: 39–53. doi:10.2307/4299735. JSTOR 4299735. S2CID 194982986.
8. LTD, Kaspid. "Qeshm Island". arian-tour.com. Archived from the original on 2017-09-02. Retrieved 2016-08-26.
9. "Iran Air flight 655 | Background, Events, Investigation, & Facts". Encyclopædia Britannica.
10. Qeshm Island Archived July 4, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, Qeshm Energy International
11. Iran: Underground Naval Base at Qeshm Complete. Published by: OSGEOINT. OSGEOINT
12. "مزایای ثبت شرکت در مناطق آزاد". companyregister.ir.
13. "No visa required for Iran". June 30, 2015.
14. Visa information on the site of IRI Embassy in Moscow

Further reading

• Speak the Wind (Mack, 2021; photographs by Hoda Afshar; essay by Michael Taussig) This work documents the landscapes and people of the islands of Hormuz, Qeshm, and Hengam, in the Persian Gulf off the south coast of Iran. Afshar got to know some of the people there, travelling there frequently over the years, and they told her about the history of the place. She said that "their narrations led the project", and she explores "the idea of being possessed by history, and in this context, the history of slavery and cruelty".

External links

• About Qeshm Island (Qeshm Island Global Geopark)
• "The forgotten land of colours: a trip through Iran's Persian Gulf". The Guardian. 26 May 2015.

v t e Qeshm County
Capital	Qeshm
Districts	Central Cities Qeshm Dargahan Rural Districts and villages Howmeh Dofari Gevarzin Giahdan Hamiri Holor Kabeli Kuvehi Laft Laft-e Kohneh Ramcha Tomban Tula Ramkan Bagh-e Bala Bangali Gerdava Gorbah Dan Jijian Karevan Khaledeyn Kushah Pey Posht Ramkan Tomsenati Turian Zeynabi Hormuz Cities Hormuz Rural Districts and villages none Shahab Cities Suza Rural Districts and villages Dulab Ayeshehabad Basaidu Chahu-ye Gharbi Chahu-ye Sharqi Dar Kuh Dulab Dustku Guri Kani Konar Siah Moradi Sar Rig Tomges Hengam Hengam-e Jadid Hengam-e Qadim Qil Larak Larak Shahri Salakh Dehkhoda Durbeni Gombaran Guran Haft Rangu Malaki Naqasheh Qeshm International Airport Sahali Salakh Shahrak-e Parvaz Tabl Suza Berkeh-ye Khalaf Dayrestan Mesen Nakhl-e Gol Riku Shib Deraz Zirang

v t e Hormozgan province, Iran
Capital	Bandar Abbas
Counties and cities	Abumusa County Abu Musa Bandar Abbas County Bandar Abbas Fin Bandar Lengeh County Bandar Charak Bandar Lengeh Kish Kong Bashagard County Sardasht Bastak County Bastak Jenah Kukherd Hajjiabad County Fareghan Hajjiabad Jask County Jask Khamir County Bandar Khamir Ruydar Minab County Hasht Bandi Minab Senderk Sirik Parsian County Parsian Qeshm County Dargahan Hormuz Qeshm Suza Rudan County Rudan Ziarat-e Ali
Sights	Boz Dam Caravanserai of Bastak Castle of Aamaj Castle of Siba Dariush Grand Hotel Dasak Mountain Fort of Our Lady of the Conception Geno Biosphere Reserve Hara forests of Qeshm Harireh Hindu Temple, Bandar Abbas The Historic Bath of Siba Khe Aab Mountain Kish Island Greek Ship Lashtan Castle, Bandar Lengeh Mehran River Nakh Mountain Paraw Kukherd Portuguese Castle, Qeshm Island Takhti Stadium Terenah Zeer Mountain
populated places	List of cities, towns and villages in Hormozgan Province
See also	Greater and Lesser Tunbs Hendurabi Hengam Island Hormuz Island Larak Island Lavan Island Shidvar Island Sirri Island Strait of Hormuz

v t e Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf
Abbasak Island Abu Musa Island Buneh Island Dara Island Farsi Island Forur Bozorg Island Forur Koochak Island Forurgan Island Germ Island Greater and Lesser Tunbs Hendurabi Island Hengam Island Hormuz Island Jonobi Island Kharg Island Kish Island Larak Island Lavan Island Nakhiloo Island Ommolkorm Island Qabre Nakhoda Island Qeshm Island Rostam Island Shif Island Shidvar Island Sirri Island Shomali Island Smaller Bent Island

v t e Portuguese Empire
North Africa 15th century 1415–1640 Ceuta 1458–1550 Alcácer Ceguer (El Qsar es Seghir) 1471–1550 Arzila (Asilah) 1471–1662 Tangier 1485–1550 Mazagan (El Jadida) 1487–16th century Ouadane 1488–1541 Safim (Safi) 1489 Graciosa 16th century 1505–1541 Santa Cruz do Cabo de Gué (Agadir) 1506–1525 Mogador (Essaouira) 1506–1525 Aguz (Souira Guedima) 1506–1769 Mazagan (El Jadida) 1513–1541 Azamor (Azemmour) 1515–1541 São João da Mamora (Mehdya) 1577–1589 Arzila (Asilah)
Sub-Saharan Africa 15th century 1455–1633 Arguim 1462–1975 Cape Verde 1470–1975 São Tomé 1471–1975 Príncipe 1474–1778 Annobón 1478–1778 Fernando Poo (Bioko) 1482–1637 Elmina (São Jorge da Mina) 1482–1642 Portuguese Gold Coast 1498–1540 Mascarene Islands 16th century 1500–1630 Malindi 1501–1975 Portuguese Mozambique 1502–1659 Saint Helena 1503–1698 Zanzibar 1505–1512 Quíloa (Kilwa) 1506–1511 Socotra 1508–1547 Madagascar 1557–1578 Accra 1575–1975 Portuguese Angola 1588–1974 Cacheu 1593–1698 Mombassa (Mombasa) 17th century 1645–1888 Ziguinchor 1680–1961 São João Baptista de Ajudá, Benin 1687–1974 Bissau 18th century 1728–1729 Mombassa (Mombasa) 1753–1975 Portuguese São Tomé and Príncipe 19th century 1879–1974 Portuguese Guinea 1885–1974 Portuguese Congo Part of São Tomé and Príncipe from 1753. Or 1600. A factory (Anosy Region) and small temporary coastal bases. Part of Portuguese Guinea from 1879. Part of Portuguese Angola from the 1920s.
Middle East 16th century 1506–1615 Gamru (Bandar Abbas) 1507–1643 Sohar 1515–1622 Hormuz (Ormus) 1515–1648 Quriyat 1515–? Qalhat 1515–1650 Muscat 1515?–? Barka 1515–1633? Julfar (Ras al-Khaimah) 1521–1602 Bahrain (Muharraq • Manama) 1521–1529? Qatif 1521?–1551? Tarut Island 1550–1551 Qatif 1588–1648 Matrah 17th century 1620–? Khor Fakkan 1621?–? As Sib 1621–1622 Qeshm 1623–? Khasab 1623–? Libedia 1624–? Kalba 1624–? Madha 1624–1648 Dibba Al-Hisn 1624?–? Bandar-e Kong
South Asia 15th century 1498–1545 Laccadive Islands (Lakshadweep) 16th century Portuguese India  • 1500–1663 Cochim (Kochi)  • 1501–1663 Cannanore (Kannur)  • 1502–1658  1659–1661 Quilon (Coulão / Kollam)  • 1502–1661 Pallipuram (Cochin de Cima)  • 1507–1657 Negapatam (Nagapatnam)  • 1510–1961 Goa  • 1512–1525  1750 Calicut (Kozhikode)  • 1518–1619 Portuguese Paliacate outpost (Pulicat)  • 1521–1740 Chaul   (Portuguese India)  • 1523–1662 Mylapore  • 1528–1666 Chittagong (Porto Grande De Bengala)  • 1531–1571 Chaul  • 1531–1571 Chalé  • 1534–1601 Salsette Island  • 1534–1661 Bombay (Mumbai)  • 1535 Ponnani  • 1535–1739 Baçaím (Vasai-Virar)  • 1536–1662 Cranganore (Kodungallur)  • 1540–1612 Surat  • 1548–1658 Tuticorin (Thoothukudi)  • 1559–1961 Daman and Diu  • 1568–1659 Mangalore   (Portuguese India)  • 1579–1632 Hugli  • 1598–1610 Masulipatnam (Machilipatnam) 1518–1521 Maldives 1518–1658 Portuguese Ceylon (Sri Lanka) 1558–1573 Maldives 17th century Portuguese India  • 1687–1749 Mylapore 18th century Portuguese India  • 1779–1954 Dadra and Nagar Haveli
East Asia and Oceania 16th century 1511–1641 Portuguese Malacca 1512–1621 Maluku  • 1522–1575  Ternate  • 1576–1605  Ambon  • 1578–1650  Tidore 1512–1665 Makassar 1515–1859 Larantuka 1557–1999 Macau 1580–1586 Nagasaki 17th century 1642–1975 Portuguese Timor (East Timor) 19th century Portuguese Macau  • 1864–1999 Coloane  • 1851–1999 Taipa  • 1890–1999 Ilha Verde 20th century Portuguese Macau  • 1938–1941 Lapa and Montanha (Hengqin) 1975 is the year of East Timor's Declaration of Independence and subsequent invasion by Indonesia. In 2002, East Timor's independence was fully recognized.
North America and North Atlantic 15th century 1420 Madeira 1432 Azores 16th century 1500–1579? Terra Nova (Newfoundland) 1500–1579? Labrador 1516–1579? Nova Scotia
South America and Caribbean 16th century 1500–1822 Brazil  • 1534–1549  Captaincy Colonies of Brazil  • 1549–1572  Brazil  • 1572–1578  Bahia  • 1572–1578  Rio de Janeiro  • 1578–1607  Brazil  • 1621–1815  Brazil 1536–1620 Barbados 17th century 1621–1751 Maranhão 1680–1777 Nova Colónia do Sacramento 18th century 1751–1772 Grão-Pará and Maranhão 1772–1775 Grão-Pará and Rio Negro 1772–1775 Maranhão and Piauí 19th century 1808–1822 Cisplatina (Uruguay) 1809–1817 Portuguese Guiana (Amapá) 1822 Upper Peru (Bolivia)
Armorial of Portuguese colonies Evolution of the Portuguese Empire Portuguese colonial architecture Portuguese colonization of the Americas Portuguese Empire in the Indonesian Archipelago Portuguese India Theory of the Portuguese discovery of Australia

1. Afshar, Hoda; Taussig, Michael (2021). Speak the Wind. Photographs by Hoda Afhsar; essay by Michael Taussig. London: Mack. ISBN 978-1-913620-18-9.
2. Boetker-Smith, Daniel; Afshar, Hoda. "Speak the Wind – Book review". LensCulture. Photographs by Hoda Afshar. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
3. Colberg, Jörg (16 August 2021). "Speak The Wind". Conscientious Photography Magazine. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
4. Grieve, Michael (19 July 2021). "Hoda Afshar captures the wind and rituals of the islands in the Strait of Hormuz". 1854 Photography. Retrieved 14 February 2022.

• Foreign trade of Iran
• Special economic zones
• Islands of Iran
• Persian Gulf
• Former Portuguese colonies
• Qeshm County
• Landforms of Hormozgan province
• First 100 IUGS Geological Heritage Sites
• Arab settlements in Hormozgan province