Sir Bani Yas
Native name: صِـيـر بَـنِى يَـاس | |
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Geography | |
Location | Persian Gulf |
Coordinates | 24°20′N 52°36′E / 24.333°N 52.600°E |
Area | 87 km2 (34 sq mi) |
Length | 17.5 km (10.87 mi) |
Width | 9 km (5.6 mi) |
Administration | |
Emirate | Abu Dhabi |
Demographics | |
Ethnic groups | Arabs |
Ṣīr Banī Yās (
History
The name Sir Bani Yas originates from the Bani Yas tribe, who first inhabited Abu Dhabi. Sir Bani Yas is the crest of a salt dome created millions of years ago by natural geological forces.
The first human settlers arrived several thousand years ago. Thirty-six archaeological sites have been discovered throughout Sir Bani Yas, each providing a distinct insight into the island's history. A Bronze Age (c. 1800 BC) Dilmun trading port was excavated with finds including a Dilmun stamp seal and Harappan sherds.[3] One of the oldest sites is the remains of a Nestorian Christian monastery which dates back to 600 AD, which is now carefully covered for conservation and preservation.[4]
The island has a number of significant historical sites, including remnants of Late Stone Age and early Islamic structures.[4] The island is also the location of the first pre-Islamic Christian site to be found in the UAE.[5] The 7th-century Christian church was opened to the public in mid-December 2010. It was discovered in 1992 and has been the focus of archaeological investigation under a team led by Dr. Joseph Elders. Dr. Elders claims the church was used by Nestorian Christians until about 750 AD.[6]
Sir Bani Yas was first mentioned in European literature around 1590, when the Venetian jeweler Gasparo Balbi listed "Sirbeniast" as an island around which pearls were often found.[7] It was also described in some detail during the 1820s and 1850s by British naval officers who were surveying the lower Gulf waters.[8]
In 1971
In 2007, the Government of Abu Dhabi established the Desert Islands. This brought together Sir Bani Yas, neighboring Dalma Island, and six surrounding sandy outcrops into one destination. Sir Bani Yas and Dalma Islands are developed and can be visited, but the 6 discovery islands are currently closed to the public.[9]
Wildlife and nature
The island is home to many species, from Arabian oryx, Somali ostrich, gazelle and deer to reticulated giraffes, dolphins and sea turtles. Many of the more than one-hundred species of wild birds which can be found on the island are indigenous to the region. The island is home to around 30 species of mammals, including a variety of antelope and one of the world's largest herd of endangered Arabian oryx. The Arabian oryx, a species of antelope, was formerly extinct in the wild, but the island is home to a herd of over 400 who roam freely on the island.
Taking up about half of Sir Bani Yas, the Arabian wildlife Park provides an environment for wild animals to freely roam while the island remains open for visitors. The Park houses some 13,000
While research and conservation efforts are a major part of the park's current development, a number of wildlife and adventure activities are already available for visitors. These include game drives, nature trails, mountain biking, and outdoor dining.
Sir Bani Yas is home to many animals that the
Hospitality
Located adjacent to a lagoon, on the northwest reaches of the island, is the Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara with 64 rooms including six private lodges. The resort is also home to three restaurants, a spa, health club, kids club and business facilities.[13]
TDIC (Tourism Development and Investment Company) has announced in May 2014 that it was marketing a new hotel lease possibility in the island.[14]
Several cruise lines, in particular MSC Cruises and TUI Cruises, use a small section of the island as a Private island destination on week long cruises. The section contains beaches and several bar and buffet areas.
Sustainability
The island is being developed with respect to its nature and delicate
The Abu Dhabi-based renewable energy company Masdar has declared plans to raise wind production capacity to 30 megawatts.[16]
Transportation
Flights are available through Sir Bani Yas Airport.
See also
References
- ^ "Sir Bani Yas ADIAS Guide". adias-uae.com. Abu Dhabi Islands Archeological Society. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
- ^ a b "Historical Timeline". sirbaniyasisland.com. Sir Bani Yas Island, Desert Islands. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
- ^ Kaabi, Abdulla Khalfan Al, and Ali Abdul Rahman Al Meqbali. “New Light on Bronze Age Trade in the Arabian Gulf: A Dilmun Trading Port on Ṣīr Banī Yās Island, UAE.” Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies, vol. 48, 2018, pp. 141–49
- ^ a b "Sir Bani Yas Island is rich with history - The National". Archived from the original on 2010-12-16.
- ^ "Ancient Christian site opens in UAE".
- ^ "AFP: Ancient Christian site in UAE opens to visitors". www.google.com. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- ^ "First printed record of Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Dubai". www.forumrarebooks.com. Retrieved 2021-12-22.
- ^ "Arabian ark an eccentric but brilliant getaway". CityAM. 2009-07-05. Retrieved 2022-06-27.
- ^ "About Desert Islands". sirbaniyasisland.com. Sir Bani Yas Island, Desert Islands. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
- ^ "Arabian Wildlife Park". sirbaniyasisland.com. Sir Bani Yas Island, Desert Islands. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
- ^ "Endangered Arabian tahr born on Sir Bani Yas Island". The National. 2015-01-11. Retrieved 2018-04-02.
- ^ "Endangered Arabian tahr born on Sir Bani Yas Island". Gulf News. 2018-01-13. Retrieved 2018-04-02.
- ^ "Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara". anantara.com. Anantara. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
- ^ "New hotel project for Abu Dhabi's Sir Bani Yas Island". The National. The National. May 26, 2014.
- ^ "Sir Bani Yas staff village". Enerwhere. 25 June 2015. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
- ^ Cronin, Sean (June 14, 2014). "UAE looks to tap vast potential of wind power". thenational.ae. The National. Retrieved December 13, 2014.