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Located on the north east
of the Persian Gulf with a minimum distance of 17 km
from the southern offshore of the mainland Iran, the
Kish island with an area of 90 square kilometers is one
of the most marvelous and most beautiful regions of the
Persian Gulf and has attracted the attention of many
tribes and nations since times immemorial. Oval in
shape, the island is 15 km long and 8 km wide. The
island is largely flat, sandy and uncultivated, with a
high point of 45 meters above sea level. Although very
hot and humid in summer, it has got a pleasant weather
from about November to March, with an annual average
temperature of 27 degrees centigrade. Its beautiful
coast is covered with white silvery sand washed by azure
blue waves of the sea. Already a famous island, Kish
owes it present flourishing to its status as Iran’s
first and, for a long time, the only free port, and its
sweet water. |
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Kish has a long history of
about 3000 years, being called under various names such
as Kamtina, Arakia, Arakata, and Ghiss in the course of
time. The island was known for the quality of its
pearls; when Marco Polo was visiting the imperial court
in China and remarked on the beauty of those worn by one
of the Emperor’s wives, he was told that they had come
from Kish. The island fell into decline in the 14th
century when it was supplanted by Hormoz. It remained
obscure until just before the victory of the Islamic
Revolution, when it was developed as an almost private
retreat for the Shah and his privileged guests, with its
own international airport, palaces, luxury hotels and
restaurants and even a grand casino. Shortly after the
Revolution the new government appointed a very abled
team of managers under Kish Free Zone Organization, KFZO,
(formerly KIDO, Kish Island Development Organization) to
establish Kish as a free zone, taking advantage of the
facilities already in place.
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The pace of development
over recent years has been remarkable, outstripping
anything found on the mainland. Nowadays the east coast
of the Island resembles a vast building site, and
already KFZO intend to develop Kish as a top-class
regional holiday centre, particularly for foreign
tourists and those interested in investment here. The
island has got more than 15 tourist lodging complexes,
including villas, hotels, guest houses, etc. Some of the
most important accommodation facilities are: Kish Grand
Hotel, Goldis Hotel, Saha Hotel, Tat Tours, Venus, Kish
Elit, Marjan Kish, Simorgh, Didaniha, Morvarid Kish,
Ferdows Kish, Dolphin, and Eram Kish Villas. |
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Availability of power and water supplies, advanced
telecommunication systems, very modern transportation
facilities, reliable monetary and banking systems,
welfare and health care centers, restaurants, sport
centers, as well as tax and duty visa exemption for
foreigners, entry and exit permit for capitals and
profits obtained, and a lot more are part of promising
elements for a splendid and prosperous future for the
island.
Kish is a place apart: it has its own distinctive flag,
and even the vehicle registration plates are marked in
both English and Persian, unlike anywhere else in Iran.
In fact almost everything is marked in English, in
preparation for what’s hoped will be a great influx of
foreign visitors in the near future. Since all sorts of
high-class facilities are made available here, one could
say that this island is unlike anywhere in Iran. |
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The bulk of developments are planned to be completed by
1994, but whatever exist in Kish in terms of facilities
for tourists in addition to its beautiful and
fascinating seashores, marvelous natural sightseeing,
and scenery, make it a unique paradise of tourists. Here
you can go boating, swimming, diving, fishing, and
jogging all along the seashore and have a cheerful and
unforgettable stay. In Kish Aquarium, beautiful schools
of colored fish have been gathered by visiting of which
you will get the impression of having arrived at an
incredible picture of the world under the deep warm
waters of the Persian Gulf. Pearl Culturing and
Developing Centre is the next most attractive place
worth a visit. In case you decide to fly over the shiny
green waters of the Persian Gulf, a helicopter shuttle
service is also available. You may also use the same
shuttle to fly to the Hendurabi Island 24 km from Kish
and enjoy its recreational facilities. If you are
interested in historical monuments, you are recommended
to see the historical city of Harireh, erected back in
the 8th century AD, and mentioned in Golestan (Rose
Garden) of Sa’di, outstanding Iranian poet. Another
amusement available here, are the Iranian typical music,
concerts, and plays frequently held on the Kish Summer
Cinema.
A final remark: In Kish, authorities welcome any foreign
and association investment proposals. |
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