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Location:
25o40´N, 50o50´E
Area:
51.5 km2; Altitude: sea level to 15 m above
sea-level.
Type:
Natural Reserve, Ramsar site, Important Bird Area
Year of establishment:
1997 Natural Reserve
1997 Ramsar Site
Objective:
Protect the world's largest breeding concentration
of Socotra Cormorant and other breeding birds Protect
the internationally important population of sea cow
(Dugongs) Protect wildlife and encourage sustainable
development and ecotourism.
Management:
Geographical aspects:
The Hawar Islands are an archipelago
of around 25 small limestone desert islands and islets.
They are located in the Gulf of Bahrain approximately
26 km to the south east of the main island of Bahrain.
The largest is called Hawar and is followed in size
by Suwad (two islands), Rubudh (two islands) and Umm
Hazwarah. The rest of the islands, such as Ajirah, Al
Hajiat and Wukur are small cliff islets. Bu Sudad is
a group of small sandy islets. The surrounding seas
are shallow with depths less than 5 m in most areas.
Flora:
Some of the islands support a relatively dense cover
of Halophytes. The surrounding shallow seas have extensive
beds of sea grasses and algae.
Fauna:
Twenty species of birds have been recorded to breed
regularly on the different islands. It holds the world's
largest breeding concentration of Socotra Cormorant.
The Greater Flamingos winter among the islands in large
numbers. Terrestrial mammals include Arabian Oryx, Reem
(Sand) Gazelle, Cape Hare and Jerboa. Some of the marine
fauna includes the endangered Dugong (Sea Cow), Bottle-nosed
Dolphin, Green Sea Turtle, Spotted Ray and many fishes
and invertebrate marine animals.
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