Palm Islands Nature Reserve

Palm Islands Nature Reserve (Arabic: محمية جزر النخيل الطبيعية‎‎)
Protected area
Logo of the reserve
Country	Lebanon
Region	North Governorate
District	Tripoli District
City	Mina, Lebanon
Location	offshore and Northwest of Mina, Tripoli
- elevation	0 m (0 ft)
- coordinates	34°29′33.85″N 35°46′28.41″E / 34.4927361°N 35.7745583°E / 34.4927361; 35.7745583Coordinates: 34°29′33.85″N 35°46′28.41″E / 34.4927361°N 35.7745583°E / 34.4927361; 35.7745583
Highest point	12m
Area	4.2 km2 (2 sq mi)
Biome	Mediterranean
Geology	Limestone
Animal	Green turtle, Loggerhead turtle, White-tailed Eagle, Audouin's Gull, Corn Crake
Protected area	1992
Management	Lebanese Ministry of the Environment
- location	Tripoli

The Palm Islands Nature Reserve consists of three flat, rocky islands of eroded limestone and the surrounding sea area, located 5.5 kilometres (3.4 mi) offshore and northwest of the city of Mina El Mina, Lebanon, to the west of Tripoli, Lebanon.

The overall area of the reserve is 4.2 square kilometres (1.6 sq mi), it has been designated as a Mediterranean Specially Protected Area under the 1995 Barcelona Convention. The islands were also identified as a Ramsar Wetland of Special International Importance in 1980, and have been identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International. The islands are a haven for endangered loggerhead turtles (Chelona mydas), rare monk seals and a resting and nesting grounds for migratory birds.

The largest of the three islands is Palm Island (Arabic: جزيرة النخيل‎‎ Jazeerat an-Nakheel) also known as Rabbits Island (Arabic: جزيرة الأرانب‎‎ Jazeerat al-Araneb). The name 'Araneb' (rabbits) comes from the great numbers of rabbits that were grown on the island during the time of the French mandate early in the 20th century. Palm Island is characterized by its flat terrain and has no obvious reliefs, it covers an area of 180,796 square metres (1,946,070 sq ft). The island's highest point is at 6 metres (20 ft) above sea level. It's rocky shoreline extends from the northwest to south while its sandy beaches lay at the northern and eastern faces. The middle of the island is earthen, it contains evidence of past periods of human occupation such as a fresh water well, an old Salt evaporation pond and the remains of a Crusader church. The island underwent rehabilitation works which included restoration of the well, its water is used to irrigate the island's 570 palm trees. The authorities also constructed a boat dock and walking trails and demarcated the island's areas of recreation and research.