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The United Arab Emirates
is comprised of seven emirates, which occupy the southeastern corner of
the Arabian Peninsula. Each emirate, unique and rich in tradition, is
an essential component necessary for making up the whole.
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Emirate
of Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, by far the largest emirate, is ruled by the Al Nahyan
family. It occupies 67,340 square kilometres or 86.7% of the total
area of the country. The emirate is primarily a vast desert area
with about two dozen islands in the coastal waters, including
the island where the city of Abu Dhabi is located, plus six sizeable
islands further out in the Arabian Gulf. The population of the
emirate is concentrated in three areas: the capital city, Abu
Dhabi; Al Ain, an oasis city located near the Hajar Mountains;
and the villages of the Liwa oases. Traditionally, the population
along the coast relied on fishing and pearling for their livelihood,
whilst those in the hinterland relied on date plantations and
camel herding. Through remarkable leadership and personal commitment,
His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan has developed Abu
Dhabi into an influential, fully modernised state.
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Emirate
of Dubai
Dubai,
the second largest of the seven emirates, is ruled by the Al Maktoum
family. It occupies an area of approximately 3,900 kilometres, which
includes a small enclave called Hatta, situated close to Oman, amongst
the Hajar Mountains. Dubai, the capital city, is located along the
creek, a natural harbour, which traditionally provided the basis
of the trading industry. Pearling and fishing were the main sources
of income for the people of Dubai. Under the wise leadership of
its rulers, Dubai's focus on trade and industry transformed it into
the leading trading port along the southern Gulf. His Highness Sheikh
Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the current ruler of Dubai. |
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Emirates
of Sharjah
Sharjah, which shares its southern border with Dubai, is ruled by
the Al Qasimi family. It is approximately 2,600 square kilometres
and is the only emirate to have coastlines on both the Arabian Gulf
and the Gulf of Oman. In the nineteenth century the town of Sharjah
was the leading port in the lower Gulf. Produce from the interior
of Oman, India and Persia arrived there. Sharjah's salt mines meant
that salt constituted an important part of its export business,
along with pearls. In the 1930s when the pearling industry declined
and trade decreased due to the creek silting up, Imperial Airways'
flying boats set up a staging post for flights en route to India,
which benefited the residents of Sharjah. Today, under the leadership
of Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Sharjah is the cultural
and educational centre of the UAE and takes pride in preserving
the country's cultural heritage as well as promoting Arab culture
and traditions. |
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Emirate
of Ajman
Ajman is the smallest emirate, comprising only 260 square kilometres.
It is ruled by the Al Nuami family. Surrounded mostly by the emirate
of Sharjah, Ajman also possesses the small enclaves of Manama and
Musfut in the Hajar Mountains. Along the creek dhow building was
the specialised trade. Fishing and date-trees provided the local
population with their primary means of sustenance. Ajman benefited
greatly from the union of the emirates, a fact that is reflected
today in their stately buildings and infrastructure. Sheikh Humaid
bin Rashid Al Nuami has been the ruler since 1981. |
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Emirate
of Umm Al Qaiwain
Umm Al Qaiwain is ruled by the Al Mualla family. It is the second
smallest emirate, with a total area of around 770 square kilometres.
Positioned between the emirates of Sharjah and Ajman to the south
and Ras Al Khaimah to the north, Umm Al Qaiwain has the smallest
population. Fishing is the local population's primary means of income.
Date farming also plays a significant role in the economy. After
the union of the emirates in 1971 Umm Al Qaiwain developed into
a modern state, and continues to progress under its present ruler,
Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmed Al Mualla. |
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Emirate
of Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah, the most northerly emirate, is ruled by another
branch of the Al Qasimi family. It covers an area of 1,700 square
kilometres. Thanks to the run-off water from the Hajar Mountains,
Ras Al Khaimah has a unique abundance of flora, so it is no surprise
that agriculture is important to the local economy. The emirate
also benefits from its stone quarries, and fishing, which is plentiful
in the rich waters of the Gulf. The city of Ras Al Khaimah, situated
on an inlet, has a rich history. It was renowned for its prosperous
port and for its exquisite pearls, which were famous as being the
whitest and roundest available anywhere. Ras Al Khaimah's current
ruler is Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi. |
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Emirate
of Fujairah
The only emirate without a coastline on the Arabian Gulf is Fujairah,
which is ruled by the Al Sharqi family. Situated along the coast
of the Gulf of Oman, Fujairah covers about 1,300 square kilometres.
Unlike other emirates, where the desert forms a large part of the
terrain, mountains and plains are its predominant features. Fujairah's
economy is based on fishing and agriculture. Like Ras Al Khaimah,
the land in Fujairah is irrigated by rainwater from the Hajar Mountains,
making it ideal for farming. Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi
is the present ruler. |
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AFFORDABLE HOTELS IN DUBAI
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