Located on the north east of the Persian Gulf with a minimum distance of 18 Km from the southern offshore of the mainland Iran, the Kish island with an area of90 square kilometers is one of the most marvelous and most beautiful regions of the Persian Gulf has attracted the attention of many tribes and nations since times immemorial. Oval in shape, the island is 15 KM long and 8 KM wide. The island is largely fl, sandy and uncultivated, with a high point of 45 meters above sea level. Although very hot and humid in summer, it has got a pleasant weather from about November to March, with an annual average temperature of27 degrees centigrade. Its beautiful coast is covered with white silvery sand washed by azure blue waves of the sea. Already a famous island, Kish owes its present flourishing to its status as Iran's first and, for a long time, the only free port, and its sweet water.
Kish has a long history of about 3,000 years, being called under various names such as Kamtina, Arakia, Arakata, and Ghiss in the course oftil1le. The island was known for the quality of its pearls; when Marco Polo was visiting the imperial court in China and remarked on the beauty of those worn by one of the Emperor's wives, he was told that they had come from Kish. The island fell into decline in the 14th century when it was supplanted by Hormoz.

It remained obscure until just before the victory of the Islamic Revolution, when it was developed as an almost private retreat for the Shah and his privileged guests, with its own international airport, palaces, luxury hotels and restaurants and even a grand casino. Shortly after the Revolution the new government appointed a very abled team of managers under Kish Free Zone Organization, KFZO, (formerly KIDO, Kish Island Development Organization) to establish Kish as a free zone, taking advantage of the facilities already in place.

The pace of development over recent years has been remarkable, outstripping anything found on the mainland. Nowadays the east coast of the Island resembles a vast building site, and already KFZO intends to develop Kish as a top- class regional holiday center, particularly for foreign tourists and those interested in investment here. The island has got more than 15 tourist lodging complexes, including villas, hotels, guesthouses, etc. Some of the major accommodation facilities are; (Residential Complexes) Abadgaran, Amir Kabir, Eram, Espadana, Farabi, Ferdos I & 2, Ghorub-e Kish, Khayyam, Morvarid, Neguin, Saba, and Salar; (hotels) Chesm Andaz, Didar, Ghaem, Goldis, Kish Elit, Miaad, Parsian, Pars Nik, Sepehr, Shayan, and Venus; (motels) Araam, Didaniha, Felamingo, Iran, Pars, Setareh, Shabaviz, Simorgh, and Tat Tours.
Availability of power and water supplies, advanced telecommunications systems, very modern transportation facilities, reliable monetary and banking systems, welfare health care centers, restaurants, sport cente, as well as tax and duty visa exemption for foreigners, entry and exit permit for capitals and profits obtained, and a lot more are part of promising elements for a splendid and prosperous future for the island.

Kish is a place apart: it has its own distinctive flag, and even the vehicle registration plates are marked in both English and Persian, unlike anywhere else in Iran. In fact almost everything is marked in English, in preparation for what's hoped will be a great influx of foreign visitors in the near future. Since all sorts of high- class facilities are made available here, one could say that this island is unlike anywhere in Iran.
Facilities for tourists in addition to the Island's beautiful and fascinating seashores (with men-only and women-only swimming resorts), marvelous natural sightseeing, and scenery, make it a unique paradise of tourists. Here you can go boating, cycling, (with a 73-km long track), diving, swimming, fishing, and jogging all along the seashore and have a cheerful and unforgettable stay. In Kish Aquarium, beautiful schools of colored fish have been gathered by visiting of which you will get the impression of having arrived at an incredible picture of the world under the deep warm waters of the Persian Gulf. Pearl Culturing and Developing Center is the next most attractive place worth a visit. In case you decide to fly over the shiny green waters of the Persian Gulf, a helicopter shuttle service is also available. You may also use the same shuttle to fly to the Hendurabi Island 24 KM from Kish and enjoy its recreational facilities. If you are interested in historical monuments, you are recommended to see theruins of historical cities of Harireh (erected some 800 years ago and mentioned in Golestan of Sa'di, outstanding Iranian poet) and Saffein. Another amusement available here, are the Iranian typical music, concerts, and plays frequently held on the Kish Summer Cinema.
A final .remark: In Kish, authorities we)come any foreign and association investment proposals.

ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS
AIRPORT:
Airport Information 2171, 3520.

AIR AGENCIES:
1. Iran Air. Opposite Kish Service Co, 2274.
2. Eram Kish, next to Pardis market, 3323,1361.
3. KITO, Sahel Bldg, 3565.
4. Tot Tours, Khaju Kermani St, 2017.

BANKS AND EXCHANGE OFFICES:

1.Bank Maskan, 119, Venus Bazaar, 3360-1.
2. Bank Mellat, 30 Pardis market, 2863, 2812.
3. Bank Melli Iran, opposite KFZO, 2481-3.
4. Bank Meili Iran, Terminal No 4, Kish Airport, 3950.
5. Bank Refah Kargaran, 26 Pardis market, 3233, 1864.
6. Bank Saderat Iran, opposite opposite KFZO, 2767, 2206,2306,2524.
7. Bank Sepah, next to KFZO, 2984-6.
8. Bank Tejarat, next to KFZO, 2127-8.

CAR HIRE:
1. Dorsa, Seahorse Bldg, Opposite Behkish market, 3339,2376.
2. Kishran, 44 Chamran Workshop, 2700,3700.
3. Mohammad Dust, next to Parsian Hotel, 2500.
4. Tosan Cab, 3, 4, and 5 Chamran Workshop, 2200,2400,2600,3800.

CITY TELEPHONE CODE NUMBER:
076444..

DRUG STORE (24-HOUR):
1. Dr Kardar, unit No 50, Chamran Service Complex.

2. Hospital Pharmacy, Ebn-e Sina St, 2211,2811.
3. Red Crescent First Aid Center, Marjan market Sq, 2115.
EMERGENCIES:
See under MEDICAL SERVICES.
FIRE STATION:
Opposite Goldis Hotel, 2255, 112, 1873. GOVERNOR'S OFFICE:
Opposite Satfein market, 2625, 3625.

MEDICAL SERVICES:
1. Kish Hospital, Ebri-e Sina St, 2211, 2811
2. Kish Hygeniec Center, opposite Pars Khalij Bazaar, 2822,2010.
3. Shahid Sattari Clinic, next to Setareh Hotel, 2065-6.

MINIBUS SERVICE:
2291

MUNICIPALITY:
Opposite Satfein market, 1874.
POLICE STATION:
1. Near Imam Khomeini Sq,0914769- 1121,2905.
2. Rahimi Camp, 2143,2462.
POST AND TELECOMMUNICATION.
1. Postal: Past the left branch of the main series of shops in Satfein market, 2411-2.
2. Behind France market, 117-8,211, 2121,2444.
3. 148 Pars Khalii Market. 2287.2178.

RESTAURANTS:
 1. Goldis, on the ground floor of Goldis Hotel. Tel: 2237, 3237-8,2837,3259.
 2. Kentucky, 196 Pardis market, Ext. 400.
 3. Kish Elite Glass Restaurant, next to Kish Elite, 2080,2092,2949.
 4. Mazandaran Traditional Food, next to Saftein Bazaar, 1817.
 5. Mir Mohana, Parvin, E'tesami St, 2855.
 6. Nasim, Shayan Hotel, 2771-5, 2409.
 7. Parsian. Parsian Hotel, 3470-2,2399.
 8. Pars Khalij, Pars Khakij Bazaar, 2326..

TAXI AGENT:
1. Auto Ehsan, next to Marjan market, 2890, 2562.
2. Dena Taxi, opposite Pars Khalij bazaar,3880-1.
3. Ghazal Kish, next to Fire Station, 3910,3911.
4. Kishran Taxi, 2008-9.
5. Nik Taxi, next to Parsi Nik hotel, 2579, 1632.

TOURIST MAP:
Available in English and Persian.

TOURIST OFFICE:
1. Tourism Institute: San' ei St, Kish Tourism Institute: 2434-5.
2. Islamic Culture and Guidance: Sana'ei St, 2434-5,0914769-1103.