Kish Island

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This article is about the Iranian island. For other uses, see Kish.

Kish

Kish (Persian: کیش‎ ) is an Iranian island and city in the Persian Gulf, and is part of the Hormozgan province. Due to its status as a free trade zone, it is touted as a consumer's 'paradise,' with numerous malls, shopping centres, tourist attractions, and resort hotels. It has an estimated population of 20,000 residents and about 1.5 million people visit the island annually.

Contents 1 Culture and Economy 2 Geography and climate 3 Kish major projects 3.1 International Oil Bourse 3.2 Dariush Grand Hotel 3.3 Kish Hidden Pearl 3.4 Flower of The East Hotel 3.5 Other high ranked hotels 3.6 Dolphin Park 4 References 5 See also 6 External links

[edit] Culture and Economy

Since the mid-1990s the Iranian government has embarked on an aggressive promotional and developmental campaign to tailor Kish as a rival to Dubai but mainly a big rival to Doha. Steps taken in order to accomplish this include launching 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, which has resulted in significant increases in the foreign tourist population over the years, as well as in international trade on the island. However, alcohol is not available here legally, just like the rest of Iran. The inhabitants of the island are significantly Muslims and Christians.

[edit] Geography and climate

Kish is located in the Persian Gulf and has an area of around 91 km². Along Kish's coast are coral reefs and many other small islands. The climate of Kish is mild in the winter and hot and humid in the summer.

[edit] Kish major projects

[edit] International Oil Bourse

Plans have been made to build an International Oil Bourse trading oil in petroeuros in the Kish Free Trade Zone, with an expected opening date during March 2006. During an international energy exhibition held on Kish running from November 15 to 18, 2005, the vice-president of the Kish Free Zone Organization (KFZO), AbdoRahman Nadimi Boushehri, referred to the planned International Oil Bourse, which will also deal in gas and petrochemicals, without specifying its expected starting date. ^[1]

[edit] Dariush Grand Hotel

See full article: Dariush Grand Hotel

Dariush, a $125 million five star hotel with over 200 guest rooms is located near the eastern sandy beaches of the island. The hotel was built to be a reminder of Perspolis, a symbol of the glory and splendor of the ancient Iranian civilization. The hotel was designed and developed by the European-Iranian entrepreneur and hotel tycoon, Mr. Hossein Sabet, who owns and manages several tourist attractions and hotels in the Canary islands. The hotel was completed in 2003 and is operated by the Scandinavian-based Rezidor SAS group. There are plans to convert the hotel to a Radisson SAS Hotel in the future.

Dariush Grand Hotel, at night.

Dariush Grand Hotel, Aerial view.

[edit] Kish Hidden Pearl

In 1999, a project to build an underground complex was begun by 300 artists and excavation workers. After deep excavations rigid coral ceilings were discovered, and this was included in the final design. Once completed, the city will include restaurants, tourist resorts and therapeutic mud pools.

[edit] Flower of The East Hotel

The Flower of the East complex is a 1.7 billion euro, massive tourist attraction project began in 2004 and is expected to be finished by 2009. The Flower of the East Development Project is the biggest project on the island of Kish in the Persian Gulf. The project, which includes a 7-star and two 5-star hotels, three residential areas, villas and apartment complexes, coffee shops, luxury showrooms and stores, sports facilities and marina. The project is managed by the German firm Dress and Sommer.

[edit] Other high ranked hotels

There are currently three 5 star hotels and one international five star hotel on the island: The Shayan, and The Eram Hotel are the five star and the Dariush Grand Hotel is the only five star hotel that can be deemed luxurious by international standards.

[edit] Dolphin Park

Dolphin Park is 10000 square meters located at the south east corner of Kish Island and is surrounded by over 12,000 palm trees. The park includes a Dolphinarium, Butterfly Garden, Silk worm Compound, Exotic Bird Garden, Artificial Rain Forest, Volcanic Mountain, The World Of Orchids and Cactus Garden.

[edit] References

1. ^a  Vice-President of Kish Free Zone Organization: Kish, an important hub for active companies in Energy Section, Public Relations & International Affairs Kish Free Zone Organization (KFZO), November 17, 2005

[edit] See also

• Economy of Iran

[edit] External links

• Kish Trade Promotion Center
• Kish Tourism Organization for full information about Kish Tourism Attractions and etc.
• Kishisland.com
• Kish Island, The Persian Gulf Information, History and Pictures of Kish Island
• Kishhiddenpearl.com The beautiful underground city
• The biggest tourism development in Kish
• Dariush Grand Hotel's website.
• Scuba diving
• Dariush Grand Hotel
• Damoon Seaside Complex

Coordinates: 26°32′N, 53°58′E