Native name: زركوه | |
|---|---|
  Zirku | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Al Dhafra, Abu Dhabi |
| Coordinates | 24°52′42″N53°4′30″E / 24.87833°N 53.07500°E /24.87833; 53.07500 |
| Area | 7.47 km2 (2.88 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 161 m (528 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Emirate | Abu Dhabi |
Zirku Island (Arabic:زركوه) is anisland in thePersian Gulf about 87 miles (140 km)northwest of the city ofAbu Dhabi and belongs to theUnited Arab Emirates. The island is 7.47 km2 (2.88 sq mi) in size[1] and has a height of 161 meters (528 ft).[2]
Until 1978, Zirku was a refuge forcormorants and other birds until theZakum Development Company began development for oil processing. Today there areoil refining facilities, apetroleum terminal andan airport on the island. More recently, ZADCO has commissioned studies to studybiodiversity on the island. According to a report from August 2015, more than 1000 people live and work on the island. Zirku has no ownfreshwater resources and was therefore never naturally inhabited.[3]
Its beaches are known to support the mostHawksbill turtle nests of all the nesting beaches in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.[4]
The weather in Zirku Island is typical of adesertclimate with hotsummers and mildwinters. Key weather characteristics include:
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