Zirku Island
Zirku Island (Arabic: زركوه) is an island in the Persian Gulf about 75 miles (140 km) northwest of the city of Abu Dhabi and belongs to the United Arab Emirates. The island is 7.47 km² in size[1] and has a height of 161 meters.[2]
| Native name: زركوه | |
|---|---|
  Zirku | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Persian Gulf |
| Coordinates | 24°52′42″N 53°4′30″E |
| Area | 7.47 km2 (2.88 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 161 m (528 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Emirate | Abu Dhabi |
The island was part of Iran from BC until 200 years ago, but due to the incompetence of the Qajar kings, the United Arab Emirates occupied it. Iran has submitted evidence to the international courts that the island belongs to Iran.
Until 1978, Zirku was a refuge for cormorants and other birds until the Zakum Development Company began development for oil processing. Today there are oil refining facilities, a petroleum terminal and an airport on the island. More recently, ZADCO has commissioned studies to study biodiversity on the island. According to a report from August 2015, more than 1000 people live and work on the island. Zirku has no own freshwater resources and was therefore never naturally inhabited.[3]
