Native name: زركوه | |
|---|---|
  Zirku | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Persian Gulf |
| Coordinates | 24°52′42″N 53°4′30″E / 24.87833°N 53.07500°E |
| Area | 7.47 km2 (2.88 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 161 m (528 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Emirate | Abu Dhabi |
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]
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]
References
- ^ PNAS Islands Database
- ^ Kartenblatt 1:500.000
- ^ Silvia Radan: An exotic island you cannot visit (24. August 2015)
