Zirku Island
{{Short description|Island in the United Arab Emirates}}
{{Infobox islands
| name = Zirku
| image_name =
| image_caption = Aerial view of Zirku Island
| image_size = 300px
| native_name = زركوه
| native_name_link =
| nickname =
| location = Persian Gulf
| locator_map =
| map = UAE
| map_relief = yes
| coordinates = {{coord|24|52|42|N|53|4|30|E|display=inline,title}}
| archipelago =
| total_islands =
| major_islands =
| area_km2 = 7.47
| length_km =
| width_km =
| rank =
| highest_mount =
| elevation_m = 161
| country = {{flag|United Arab Emirates}}
| country_admin_divisions_title = Emirate
| country_admin_divisions = Abu Dhabi
| country_admin_divisions_title_1 =
| country_admin_divisions_1 =
| country_admin_divisions_title_2 =
| country_admin_divisions_2 =
| ethnic_groups =
}}
Zirku Island ({{langx|ar|زركوه}}) is an island in the Persian Gulf about {{convert|87|mi}} northwest of the city of Abu Dhabi and belongs to the United Arab Emirates. The island is {{convert|7.47|km2|abbr=on}} in size[http://www.pnas.org/content/suppl/2013/08/28/1306309110.DCSupplemental/sd01.csv PNAS Islands Database] and has a height of {{convert|161|m|sp=us}}.[http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/ams/southeast_arabia/txu-pclmaps-oclc-6614258-southeast-arabia-1.jpg Kartenblatt 1:500.000]
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.[http://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation/general/an-exotic-island-you-cannot-visit Silvia Radan: An exotic island you cannot visit] (24. August 2015)
Its beaches are known to support the most Hawksbill turtle nests of all the nesting beaches in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.{{Cite web |date=2017-01-23 |title=«بوطينة» و«زركوه» تقتربان من الاعتراف العالمي - الإمارات اليوم |url=http://www.emaratalyoum.com/life/four-sides/2014-04-16-1.667437 |access-date=2024-11-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170123160602/http://www.emaratalyoum.com/life/four-sides/2014-04-16-1.667437 |archive-date=2017-01-23 }}
The weather in Zirku Island is typical of a desert climate with hot summers and mild winters. Key weather characteristics include:
- Summer Temperatures: 35–45°C (June–September).
- Winter Temperatures: 15–25°C (December–February).
- Wind Speed: Average 15-20 knots, with seasonal variations.
- Rainfall: Rare, mostly in winter months.
- Humidity Levels: High, especially in summer.