Tasnim � Iranians on Wednesday marked the National Persian Gulf Day, which is the anniversary of the victory over Portuguese troops during a war in the Persian Gulf in 1622.

The occasion commemorates the exit of colonial and foreign forces from the strategic waterway.

Tenth of Ordibehesht month (April 30) in the Iranian calendar marks the anniversary of Shah Abbas I of Persia�s successful military campaign when the Portuguese navy was forced out of the Strait of Hormuz in the Capture of Ormuz (1622), Tehran Times reported.

In 1622, Safavid soldiers united to defeat the Portuguese, one of the supreme powers of the time. The Portuguese had invaded the Persian Gulf and occupied it for more than a century until then.

Accordingly, the 10th of Ordibehesht or April 30 has been called the National Day of Persian Gulf since then and is celebrated annually.

While there is strong evidence that the gulf originally belongs to Iran, it seems that the countries in the neighborhood have recently claimed the gulf for their own interest. If research is conducted carefully through the ancient inscriptions and early written works, it can be clearly investigated that Iran or Persia is the true owner of the gulf.

The Persian Gulf is of extreme importance to Iran from two respects; firstly, its bed is a great source of oil for Iran. Secondly, regarding the tourism industry, this gulf has a lot to offer to Iranian and non-Iranian tourists. The best time to consider visiting the Persian Gulf is from late December to mid-April when the humidity does not cause so much irritation. The Persian Gulf coastline has a lot of beauties and wonders.

Hormuz Island, for instance, has stunning red shores. Moreover, Mangrove Forest of Qeshm is a mysterious forest in the gulf with green plants disappearing and reappearing due to high and low tides. In addition, there are shiny silver planktons in some parts of the gulf shore that give perfect scenery to the shores of the region at night.

Apart from this, the marine species and corals in the gulf are amazingly diverse and interesting. Naughty dolphins, above all, are a great source of entertainment. Water sports and activities of all sorts are also available in different islands, cities, and ports.