the Seven emirates

Every Emirate has its own unique features, places landmarks and areas. This section will provide you with an overview of the UAE’s seven emirates, every emirate with its own details.

Abu Dhabi

The Emirate of Abu Dhabi is the largest of the seven emirates, with an area of 67,340 square kilometres, equivalent to 86.7% of the total area of the UAE, not including the islands belonging to this Emirate . The city of Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE.
It consists of three areas: the city of Abu Dhabi, the Eastern Region and the Western Region. The City of Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE and it is the residence of the President of the state and the center for the Federal Government, the ministries and the federal institutions.
The Eastern Region and its main city Al-Ain. Zayed City is the capital of The Western Region, which has some oil fields and the oil refinery in the area of Al-Ruwais. The Western Region includes many islands such as: Das, Mubraz, Zarku and Arzanah, which are the most important locations of marine oil fields, in addition to the islands of Delma, Saadyat, Abu Al-Abyad and Sear Bani Yas, which are inhabited natural islands.

Dubai

Dubai is located along the Arabian Gulf with a coast of about 72 km length. the Emirate of Dubai covers an area of 3885 square kilometres, equivalent to 5% of the total area of the UAE.
The Emirate is divided by the Dubai Creek in two parts: Bur Dubai is the southern part, where the Ruler’s Court is located. It is the centre of the official activities and most of the companies and banks main offices and custom-authorities as well as the Port Rashid.
The northern part of Dubai is called ‘Deira’: the centre of business and tourism.
The Jebel Ali area is considered as one of the most important industrial and commercial areas in the UAE, with the largest free zone in the Gulf area. It is the location of the Dry-Dock, the port of Jebel Ali and the Dubai Aluminum factory. The most important tourism areas in Dubai are Hatta, Aweer and Khawaneej.

Sharjah

The Emirate of Sharjah is located on the coast of the Arabian Gulf, with a coast length of 16 km and stretches more than 80 kilometres deep inside the land. Three areas located on the East Coast of the Emirate, on the Gulf of Oman, belong to Sharjah. They are Kalba, Khor Fakkan and Dibba Al Hosn.
The City of Sharjah is the capital of the Emirate of Sharjah. It is located on the Arabian Gulf and is the residence of His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, the Ruler. It also hosts all the government departments, companies, banks and hotels.
The city and its markets and commercial buildings are designed on the Islamic model. The city has in particular a very large number of mosques.
Sharjah was chosen by The UNESCO as the Capital of the Arab Culture for the year 1998, as a result of the tireless efforts of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, which made Sharjah the capital of culture on the Gulf and Arab levels. Sharjah is the home of the Museum of Fine Arts, which contains a rare selection of historical artifacts of a significant importance to the history of the United Arab Emirates.

Ras Al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah is located on the coast of the Arabian Gulf with a length of about 64 km and more than 128 km deep inside the land. Ras Al Khaimah shares mountainous borders with the Sultanate of Oman from the South and the North-East side. Many islands in the Arabian Gulf belong to the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, the most important among them are the Greater Tamb Island and the Lesser Tamb Island. The area of Ras Al Khaimah is about 1684 square kilometers, which is equivalent to 2.2% of the total area of the country, without the Islands belonging to it.
Ras Al Khaimah is divided into two parts by the Creek of Khor Ras Al Khaimah. The Western part of Ras Al Khaimah is known as the Old Town, where the National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah and some government departments are located; the Eastern part of Ras Al Khaimah, which is known as Al Nakheel, includes the residence of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasmi, as well as some government departments and businesses centers . The two parts of Ras Al Khaimah are connected by a major bridge going over the creek to facilitate the traffic movement.
One of the major industrial areas of Ras Al Khaiman is Khor Khwair, which is located 25 kilometers to the North, it is famous for many important industries such as cement, stone and marble manufactories. Another important area in Khor Khwair is Sheikh Saqr Port.
Ras Al Khaimah is rich with the traditional remains of the great Julfar City, Forts and Valleys. It is also famous for its unique location: mountains, coasts and regions of agricultural and natural hot springs such as the resort of Ain Khatt, which is frequently visited by many tourists and people, who seek some kinds of health treatment.

Ajman

The Emirate of Ajman is located on the Arabian Gulf, with a coast length of about 16 km, between the Emirates of Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain. The Emirate covers an area of about 259 square km, equivalent to 0.3% of the total area of the country.
Ajman City is also the residence of His Highness Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid al Nuaimi, the Ruler. It accommodates all the government departments, companies, banks, commercial markets and the port of Ajman, which is located on the Creek, that passes through the city.
Although Ajman has become a modern city, that provides modern services and facilities, it has maintained its old traditional character, which enables the Emirate to occupy a privileged position, that combines the achievements of the modern age with the authenticity of the ancient past.
Masfout is one of the famous areas in the South-East of the Emirate of Ajman. It is about 110 km away from the city. Masfout is famous for agriculture, fertile soil spacious valleys and moderate climate, which made it a centre for tourists and tourism. Masfout has a marvelous picturesque nature, that gives the surrounding mountains in the area a breathtaking beauty.

Umm Al Quwain

The Emirate Umm Al Quwain is located on the coast of the Arabian Gulf and its territory stretches on about 24 km along the coast between the Emirates of Sharjah (west) and Ras Al Khaimah (east) . The area of Umm Al Quwain is approximately 777 square kilometres, which is equivalent to 1 % of the total area of the country.
There is a deep Creek in the city with a length of about five km and a width of one km. The city is the residence of His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla. It also hosts all government departments.  
One of the Emirate suburbs is the city of Falaj Al Mualla, which is located 50 kms south-east of UAQ. Siniya Island is about 1 km from the city of Umm Al Quwain and extends on an area of about 90 square kms. It is a natural reserve for deer, sea birds and mangroves.

Fujairah

The Emirate of Fujairah is unique among the rest of the Emirates, because it is located on the Gulf of Oman, outside the Strait of Hormuz. The beaches of Fujairah extend on about 90 km  along the Gulf of Oman, which gives Fujairah its unique and important strategic location.
The area of the Emirate Fujairah is 1165 square kilometers, equivalent to 1.5% of the total area of the country. It is the residence of His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Mohammed Al-Sharqi, the Ruler, and the place of all government departments, institutions and commercial companies.
The City of Fujairah also includes: The port of Fujairah, which greatly helped in stimulating Shipping activities and trade, as well as Fujairah International Airport. Fujairah is famous for the existence of a series of rugged mountains that are trapped between Fujairah and the Eastern Coast of the Gulf of Oman, which is one of the most fertile regions of the country, and it is full of farms.
The Heritage village of Fujairah is located next to Ain Madab park, where it features the perception of the ancient past with all its characteristics and specifications, in addition to Al Badiya Mosque, which is one of the oldest mosques in the UAE , it is known as the Mosque of Othman, and it is famous for the unique design of the four small domes at the top surface of the Mosque.

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