QESHM

also spelled Qishm, Persian Jazireh-e-qeshm, Arabic Jazirat At-tawilah, largest island in the Persian Gulf, belonging to Iran. The Arabic name means long island. It lies parallel to the Iranian coast, from which it is separated by Clarence Strait. With an area of 460 square miles (1,200 square km), it has an irregular outline and a generally rocky coast except for sandy bays and mud flats fringing the northwest. Irregular table-topped hills almost cover Qeshm; several are over 900 feet (270 m) high and one, Kish Kuh, reaches 1,331 feet (406 m). Salt is mined on the southeastern coast, and there are naphtha springs. The island is mostly barren, but cereals, vegetables, melons, and dates are grown, and there is fishing and weaving. A sheikh of the Banu Ma'in tribe administers the island for the Iranian government. Pop. (1985 est.) 7,600.