Morning Sky near the Star Valley, Qeshm Island, Persian Gulf, Hormozgan Province, Southern Iran - stock photo

This image was taken in the Star Valley of Qeshm Island, the largest Iranian island, located a few kilometers off the southern coast of Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, Persian Gulf, Hormozgan Province (Southern Iran). The Star Valley is an area of badlands (plateau with a canyon below its surface), a nice and remote place to watch sunset or sunrise. The valley was carved out by wind and rain during the Pleistocene (about 2 million years ago). The Star Valley goy its name from the legend that it was formed from a meteor (falling star). Qeshm island is reachable by boat from the mainland port cities of Bandar Abbas and Bandar Khamir or from Hormuz Island. Qeshm Island is one of the thee "free trade zones" in Iran. There are about 50 towns and villages in the island. The island has rocky coastlines, virgin beaches, beautiful rock desert and amazing geological formations (shaped by erosion) creating spectacular landscapes. Qeshm island has geosites and was recently designated as a UNESCO Geopark. Its preservation is supported by green tourism activities. Due to its location (and very high temperatures in summer), Qeshm island is not often visited by foreign tourists in Iran. However, Qeshm hosts some of the most incredible landscapes in Iran. The photo was taken in January 2016.