HISTORY
Qeshm has always been a center of trade between Western Asia, the Indian subcontinent the Arabian Peninsula, and the east coast of Africa. The Island has played the role of a distribution center and the converging point of diverse cultures. These characteristics have constantly been acknowledged throughout history. References to Qeshm Island can be traced back to the Achaemenid era some 500 years B.C. More recently travelers such as Marco Polo in the 13th century have also mentioned Qeshm in their writings.


Population
According to the 1996 Iranian Census, the population of Qeshm Island stands at just over 70,000. The Island's population is not commensurate with its surface area (which is approximately three times the size of sovereign states such as Bahrain and Singapore) and it has the potential to accommodate several times as many inhabitants. The local population's main occupations lie in fishing, pearl-diving and boat-building.


Climate & Environment
Qeshm Island with a surface area of some 1,335 square kilometers, plus some 150 square kilometers of sea-forests, is by far the largest Island in the Persian Gulf. It is situated at the entrance of the Persian Gulf at the intersection of longitude 26 45 N and latitude 55 47 E in Strait of Hormoz.
The Island's shores run parallel to the coast of the Iranian province of Hormuzgan, opposite the ports of Bandar Abbas, Khamir and Lengeh, while its southern shores look over the Persian Gulf opposite the coasts of Oman and the Arab Emirates of Fujairah, Umm al-Qaywayn, Ras Al-Khaymah, sharjah and Dubai. The Qeshm sea-forest is a protected natural setting. The locals sailing in their canoes through the narrow channels scattered throughout the sea-forest periodically harvest the young branches of the trees and sue them as feed-stock for large herds of camels and goats grazing on the Island. The forest is also home for huge flocks of birds including migrant birds, such as white and gray pelicans. The tributaries of Qeshm's sea forest provides a suitable natural setting for the culture of a variety of fish, shrimp and lobster. For eight months of the year, Qeshm's climatic conditions are good, with temperatures averaging 34 C in July and 19 C in January, and the humidity averaging 93% and 71% respectively. Thus the Island's climate is one of the most pleasant in world from October through March. Innumerable fresh water streams, palm-groves, meadows and the unique lagoon with its creeks and sea-forest contribute towards making the Island a natural wonder. Moreover, Qeshm possesses all the attributes of a potential tourist resort with special emphasis on natural sights and all types of water sports.