The United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates is situated
in the heart of the Arabian Gulf, and lies between latitudes
22 and 22-30 to the north, 51 and 56- 30 longitudes. UAE
is bordered by the Arabian Gulf from the north; Qatar and
Saudi Arabia to the West, Sultanate of Oman and Saudi Arabia
to the south, and the Gulf of Oman to the east.
The total area of the country is 836,600 square Kilometers.
It includes a number of isles whose total area comes to
almost 5900 square Kilometers. In 1995, the population of
UAE amounted to 2411041.
Abu Dhabi is the capital of the state. The United Arab Emirates
consists of seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman,
Umm Alquain, Ras AL Kheimah, and Fujairah.
Abu Dhabi
Man settled in Abu Dhabi in 1761 for
the first time when the tribe of Beni Yas discovered water
there. Life was at that time a sort of an epic in courage,
heroism, and patience in confronting the ferocity and cruelty
of the desert.
Abu Dhabi's name was derived from the fact that the area
was abounding in antelopes. However, archaeological excavations
and relics found in the emirate showed that an ancient civilization
flourished there 4000 years ago, and was in contact with
other neighboring civilizations.
In the early 1930s, and with the discovery of oil, Abu Dhabi
entered a new historical stage by making use of the oil
wealth and through the wise policy adopted by the late H.H.
Sheik Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the ruler of Abu Dhabi
at that time.
Abu Dhabi is the federal capital of the United Arab Emirates
which consists of seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah,
Ajman, Umm Alqwain, Ras Alkheimah, and Fujairah.
Abu Dhabi lies on the southern coast of the Arabian Gulf.
Its total area is 67.000 square kilometers. It is the largest
emirate in UAE Union.
The climate in Abu Dhabi tends to be cold in winter, October
to May; summer is the resort of the sea lovers and golden
shores. Abu Dhabi lies between latitude 22-5 and 25 to the
north, and longitudes 51,55 to the east.
Dubai
Dubai which lies on the eastern coast
of the Arabian peninsula to the south-west of the Arabian
Gulf has been the homeland of man since 1830. At that time,
an offspring of Bani Yas Tribe of Liwa Oasis moved towards
Dubai manned by Al Maktoum Family who took rein there. Al
Makoum is still ruling the Emirate of Dubai up to date.
Economic activities in Dubai varied from raising cattle,
plantation of dates, fishing to pearl diving and other commercial
business. These activities remained to the traditional professions
until the advent of the twentieth century.
Tourism has a niche standing in the Emirate of Dubai in
view of the developed recreational facilities that attract
significant numbers of tourist from various countries in
the world.
Sharjah
Sharjah dates back to 6000 years. It
is believed that its old name was ''Sarko''. The population
was not that big and they lived on trading, seafaring, agriculture,
fishing, hunting and pearl extracting. Most of the population
habitats settled around the 'fallaj', an underground water
stream.
The emirate of Sharjah lies on the cost of the Arabian Gulf,
at about 16 km, and penetrates more than 80 km into the
internal heartland. Three areas, Kelba, khorfakan and Deba
Al hesin, on the eastern cost of Oman Gulf, are affiliated
to Sharjah. The total area of the emirate comes to 2590
square kilometers, that is, 3.3% of the total area of UAE,
excluding the islands. The city of Sharjah is the capital
of the emirate. Some oases, the largest is Al Dhed, are
run by the emirate. Khorfakan, a town on the eastern cost
of Oman Gulf, is part of the emirate, where there is an
important seaport. Abu Mosa and Ser Abu Neir are also affiliated
to Sharjah.
Ajman
The Emirate of Ajman is ruled by H.H.
Shaikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nouaimi, and lies on the Arabian
Gulf coast with 16 km latitude between Sharjah and Umm Al
Quwain and with a total area of 259 square meters. Ajman
constitutes 3% of the State's total area barring the islands.
The total area including the regional water territories
is 600 km. Ajman is characterized with its strategic location
among the emirates of the State, the matter which gave it
an increasing importance at the social and commercial level.
Ajman is linked with Sharjah and Dubai from the north, Ras
Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain from the south and Dhaid and
Fujariah form the west-north direction. Beside, Ajman lies
to an adjourning location of the neighboring emirates' ports
as well as Dubai and Sharjah international airports.
Ajman streches on a magnificent 10 km sandy coast.
Umm Al Quwain
Umm Al Quwain lies on the Arabian Gulf
Coast with a length of 24 km between Sharjah to the west
and Ras Al Khaimah to the east stretching inland to 32 km.
The total area of the emirate is 777 km which constitutes
1% of the entire state's area without the islands. Umm Al
Quwain the capital of the emirate with a desert climate
and stretching to deep khour called khour Al Baitaa with
1 km width and 5 km length. 50 km to south east of Umm Al
Quwain lies Falj Al Moulla and Al Seyniah island of 90 km
area and only 1 km distant away is part of the emirate.
Land of Umm Al Quwain is divided into two parts, the first
one is saline which adjourns the coast, and the other is
sandy throughout the emirate.
Umm Al Quwain embraces many archeological
sites including a number of castles and forts stretching
along the coast as well as many cannons which go back to
the early beginning of the 16th century.
Ras Al kheimah
Ras Alkeimah lies in the farthest part
of the Arab orient on the coast of the Arabian Gulf over
64 Km. RAK extends internally over 128 Km and shares with
the Sultanate of Oman in the north –east mountainous borders.
A number of islands in the Gulf, including Tumb AlKubra
and Tumb Alsughra, are affiliated to RAK. The total area
of the emirate is 1684 Km, that is, 2.2% of the UAE area,
excluding the islands. The city of Ras Alkheimah is the
capital of the emirate. It is divided into two parts: one
is RAK Creek. Khor Khwair industrial area, 25 Km to the
north, is another important area which is known for its
industries such as cement, stones and marble. Saqer port
is the export outlet. The emirate includes Alrams districtt
whose inhabitants have been engaged in fishing for ages.
The same applies to Aldiqdaqah which is known for its major
agriculture projects. Jlefar, the largest pharmaceutical
factory in the Gulf, is located there. Khat is a tourist
destination where hot sulfuric water is available.
Fujairah
The emirate of Fujairah lies in the eastern
part of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Oman Coast
to the east; RAK and Sharjah to the west, Kelba of Sharjah
to the south. Fujairah overlooks the coast of Oman. It extends
on the Gulf of Oman over 70 Km, from the village of oslah
to Deba Al Fujairah in the north, which is the last point
in its border on the coast.
Fujairah is characterized by its topographic diversity:
High mountains arise there; less mountainous areas, plains,
shores, deserts and green areas.
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