Qeshm Island

Qeshm is a large island in Iran. It is found in the Strait of Hormuz, which is part of the Persian Gulf. The island covers about 1,500 square kilometres, which makes it the biggest island in the Persian Gulf. It is separated from mainland Iran by a narrow waterway named the Clarence Strait. Today, Qeshm is part of Qeshm County in Daraghan Province. The island is known for its natural beauty and special environment.

Etymology

Dr. Zana Salehrad, an Iranian language expert, says the name "Qeshm" may come from an old Iranian word, Kašm or Kaš. This word means “fortified place” or “enclosed land.” The name shows the island’s important spot along old sea trade routes.

Geography

Qeshm Island is a few kilometers from the southern coast of Iran, in the Persian Gulf. It is opposite the port cities of Bandar Abbas and Bandar Khamir. The island is 135 km long and sits in the important Strait of Hormuz, about 60 kilometers from the Omani port of Khasab and roughly 180 kilometers from the United Arab Emirates's Mina Rashid.

The island is large, covering 1,491 square kilometers, which is almost twice the size of Bahrain. Its main town, Qeshm, is 22 kilometers from Bandar Abbas. The closest part of the island is only two kilometers from the mainland.

Namakdan Salt Cave

Namakdan Salt Cave is one of the longest known salt caves in the world, stretching 6.6 km. It used to be a place where people collected salt and sulphur. Today, it is an important geological site and part of the Qeshm Island UNESCO Global Geopark. The cave formed inside a large salt dome and is very important for studying how the Earth moves and changes.

Weather

The average temperature on Qeshm Island is about 27 °C (81 °F). The warmest months are from June to August. The coldest months are from October to January. The island gets around 183.2 mm (7 3/16 inches) of rain each year.

History

The earliest signs of people living on Qeshm Island go back to very old times. Stone tools found there show this. Records about Qeshm stretch back before Islam.

Because of its important location near the Persian Gulf, Qeshm has often been attacked by different groups. During Sasanian rule, it was called Abarkawan and was part of Ardashir-Khwarrah.

Qeshm has been a busy place for trade and travel. Many ships from China, India, and Eastern Africa stopped there.

In more recent times, during the Iran-Iraq War, an Iran Air plane was lost near the island. During protests, people on Qeshm spoke out against the government.

In March 2026, Iran said that a water plant on the island was bombed, but other countries said they did not attack it. There were reports of airstrikes on the island. Iran also made ships pass through a narrow strait near Qeshm.

Economy

Fishing is an important job for people on the island. They also grow dates and melons on the small amount of land they can use. Salt is mined along the southeastern coast.

Qeshm is famous for its many places where people like to visit nature, including the Hara marine forests. These forests are the first national geopark in Iran and attract many birds from around the world.

Visitors can see old Portuguese forts, historic mosques, and beautiful shrines. Other places to visit include salt caves, spots where Hawksbill turtles hatch, and many docks. The Nazz Islands, close to Qeshm, are home to oysters, corals, colorful fish, and sea birds. Dolphins can also be seen in the waters between Qeshm and Hengam Island.

In 1991, Qeshm Island was chosen to become a Trade and Industrial Free Area, allowing it to make its own rules to help grow its economy.

Demographics

Qeshm Island has many towns and villages. About 117,774 people live there, based on a count from 2011. Most people live in the town of Qeshm. The people on the island mainly work in fishing, building special boats called dhow vessels, and providing services and trade. Some people work in offices, factories, or go to school.