Overview
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation consisting of seven sheikhdoms located on the Arabian Gulf. The seven sheikhdoms -- also called emirates -- are Abu Dhabi Dubai, Sharjah, Ras al-Khaimah, Umm al-Qawain, Ajman and Fujairah. There are borders with Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman. The borders between the different sheikhdoms are not always precisely defined.
Abu Dhabi Emirates Abu Dhabi is situated along the Arabian Gulf between latitudes 22.5° - 25° North, and longitudes 51° - 55° East. It is the biggest of all seven emirates, with an area of 87340 Sq. Km, equivalent to 86.7% of the country's total area, excluding the islands. The estimated population of the Emirate is 928,360 as on 1995. The Emirate of Abu Dhabi is comprised of three major regions : 1.The Abu Dhabi Region which include the city of Abu Dhabi, the capital of U.A.E. It is the headquarter for the president of the state, the cabinet, and most of the ministries, the Federal institutions, foreign embassies, Broadcast TV, Zayed Port, Abu Dhabi Airport and most of the oil companies, establishments and commercial markets. The Abu Dhabi Cornish, with its public parks and fountains, is a remarkable landscape of the city. 2.The Eastern Region, with its capital Al-Ain City. This region is very fertile, and rich in greenery, with plenty of farms and public parks. This region is also very rich in ground water, with very numerous artesian wells. The most attractive land marks in this region are Ain-Faydah parks, Haffeet Mountain, Hili Fun City, the Zoo, Al-Jahili Fort and Al-Ain Museum. 3.The Western Region, with its capital Beda-Zayed. It has a wide stretch of grown forests to combat the desert climate. The forest grown area is about 100,000 hectare, having about 20 million green trees. Certain On-shore oil fields are located in this region. The biggest oil refinery in the country is located in this region at Al-Ruwais City. A number of islands are part of the Emirate, the most significant in this chain is Das Island, Mubraz Island , Zirku Island and Arzana Island, which constitute the main Off-shore oil fields. Other islands include Dalma, Al-Sadyaat and Abu El-Abyaadh.
Dubai Emirates It lies along the Arabian Gulf, over a distance of 72 Kilometres long approximately. The area of Dubai is 3885 Sq. Km, equivalent to 5% if the country's total area, excluding the islands. The emirate's population is estimated to be 674,101 persons in 1995. Dubai city is penetrated by a water creek known as Khour-Dubai, 10 Kilometres long, dividing the town into two divisions. The Southern division, known as Bur-Dubai, comprises the Ruler's office, head offices and major companies, banks, custom, port, broadcast station and postal authority. The most significant land marks are the Dubai World Trade Centre, the Zoo and Al-Jumeirah coast park. The Northern division, known as Diera, is the centre of the business traffic and tourism, comprises most shops, markets, schools, hotels, clubs and Dubai International Airport. The two divisions are linked by Al-Maktoum and Al-Garhoud Bridges and Al-Shandagah Subway which passes under the creek. Jabel Ali area, is considered one of the most significant industrial and commercial areas in the whole country. It has the biggest free trade zone in the Middle East. It comprises the Dry-Dock, Jabel Ali Port and Dubai Aluminium Factory. The most important tourism land marks are Hatta district, Al-Aweer district and Al-Khwaneej.
Sharjah Emirates The Emirate of Sharjah is located along the coast of the Arabian Gulf over a distance of 16 Kilometres long, and extending into the interior of a distance exceeding 80 Kilometres. The three other parts of Sharjah lying on the Gulf of Oman are : Kalba, Khor Fakan and Dibba El-Husn. The Emirate has an area of 2590 Sq. Km, equivalent to 3.3% of the country's total area excluding the islands. The population of the Emirate is estimated to be 400,339 for 1995. The city of Sharjah is overlooking the Arabian Gulf. It comprises the Ruler's office, government departments, companies, banks and hotels. Distinctive land marks of the city are the commercial markets built on the line of the Islamic design, like Sharjah Central Souq and Al-Majara Souq. Many recreational areas and public parks are established in the city, like Al-Jazeera Fun Park and Al-Bouheira Cornish. The city is also famous for the great number of mosques it has. Two other important achievements are the Sharjah International Airport and Khalid Port. Some oasis are scattered to the interior, the most known is Thaid with very rich fertile soil which produce large quantities of vegetables and agricultural products. On the eastern region along the Gulf of Oman there is the town of Khor Fakan, having the main port of the eastern region. The other islands in the area are Abu Mousa and Sayeer Bou Naa'eer.
Ajman Emirates The Emirate of Ajman is situated on the coast of the Arabian Gulf, extending over a distance of 16 Kilometres long, between the emirates of Umm Al-Qiwain and Sharjah. The area of the emirate is 259 Sq. Km., equivalent to 0.3% of the country's total area, excluding the islands. The population is estimated to be 118,812 for 1995. The town of Ajman lies on the coast of the Arabian Gulf. It comprises the Ruler's office, companies, banks and commercial markets. The port of Ajman is located along a natural creek which penetrates the town. The two major regions in the emirate are Masfout, an agricultural area, lying at a distance of 110 Km. long at the South east, and Manama located 60 Km. to the east.
Fujairah Emirates The Emirate of Fujairah is the only emirate situated along the Gulf of Oman, away from Hurmouz strait. Its coasts extend along the Gulf of Oman over a distance of 90 Kilometres long. This location gives the emirate a very special strategic importance. The area of the emirate is 1165 Sq. Km., equivalent to 1.5 % of the country's total area, excluding islands. The population is estimated to be 76,254 for 1995. The Fujairah town comprises the Ruler's office, governmental departments, establishments and commercial companies. Other important locations are the Fujairah Port, and the Fujairah International Airport. The physical feature is basically formed of rough mountains, containing in between them and the Gulf of Oman, the Eastern Coastal Plains, which are very fertile lands. It possesses spectacular tourism capabilities reflected on the coasts which extend over a border coastal line, the high series of mountains connected in various locations to the Sea Coast, natural valleys and Falaj, renowned for their beautiful picturesque and mineral water. Another well known district is Dabba Al-Fujairah, comprises the most important agricultural and livestock projects. It is also well known for fish hunting.
Ras Al-Khaimah Emirates The Emirate of Ras Al-Khaimah is located on the farthest part of the Arab World, on the Arabian Gulf, for a distance of 64 Kilometres long. It stretches towards interior for a distance 128 Kilometres long. It has an extremely mountainous borderline with Sultanate of Oman to the South and North east. A number of important islands are part of the emirate, the most well known are the Bigger Tunub and Smaller Tunub. The area of the emirate is 168 Sq. Km., equivalent to 2.2% of the country's total area, excluding islands. The population is estimated to be 144,430 for 1995. The town of Ras Al-Khaimah is divided into two parts by a water gill named Khour Ras Al-Khaimah. The western part is known as the Old Ras Al-Khaimah, it comprises Ras Al-Khaimah National Museum and some of the governmental departments. While the eastern part, known as Al-Nakheel, comprises the Ruler's office, governmental departments and commercial companies. The two parts are connected via a large bridge built across the Khour to facilitate traffic between the two parts. A well known part of the emirate is Khour Al-Khwayer industrial area, about 25 Kilometres to the north of Ras Al-Khaimah. It comprises various industrial venture like cement, gravel and marble. It includes also Saqar Port which is the main export port and the Ramis district to the north of Ras Al-Khaimah, whose inhabitants work as fishermen. There is also the Daqdaqa district to the north of Ras Al-Khaimah, famous for its agricultural projects. There is also the biggest pharmaceutical factory in the whole Gulf known as "Julphar". Other districts are Al-Hamraniah, which is an agricultural area containing Ras Al-Khaimah International Airport, Khaat tourism area to the south east of Ras Al-Khaimah, well renowned for its mineral water and visited by tourists for treatment, and Masafi district, well known for its farms and natural potable water.
Umm Al Quwain Emirates Umm Al Quwain is the second smallest Emirate in size (only 777 sq km) but it is much the smallest in population. it is a coastal town, tucked onto a promontory between Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah. Fishing has always been, and still is, the most important e conomic activity, and date growing continues. In the enclave of Falaj al Mu'alla palm groves and a hilltop forst give a timeless feeling, though its modern poultry farms are the major suppliers of eggs to the other Emirates. The town is built along the promontory which leads to the old fort (which has been restored) and the new harbour (developed with Federal aid). Just to the east is a long thin creek which is now being exploited for watersports (especially sailing and wate r-skiing) for which it has great potential. The attraction of Umm Al Quwain is that it is quiet and peaceful, an increasingly necessary escape from the hubbub of the big cities. Because of the shape of the promontory, it is unlikely that the town will ever grow into a major metropolis, but with th e right kind of development it could retain its charm and distinctive character.
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