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Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah has a unique archaeological legacy and
archeological excavations and finds in the region have revealed the
existence of a settlement with an advanced civilization that carried
on trade since 5000 BC. Within its territory, the emirate combines
the coast, the fertile agricultural plains, the desert and the
mountains. Each of these environments has given rise to different
lifestyles: the traders, fishermen and pearl divers of the coast.
Ras Al Khaimah is a blessed rich rugged land with lofty mountains,
fertile plains, sandy deserts, coastal areas, lush green plains,
historical sites, creeks and lagoons all of which call for
celebration.
Attractions:
The mountains of RAK, a unique natural feature, rose
to a height of 2000 meters. Plenty of pretty wadis traverse through
the mountains. Starting from Wadi Buh, these steep sided valleys go
towards Masafi and then to a row of wadis like Ghayl, Shawka,
Assumes and so on. The terrain is tough, rocky and challenging,
calling for some adventurous trekking.
The mangroves that flourish in and around RAK city
are an added attraction. These mangroves run northwards along the
coast in sheltered inlets and teem with birds and sea life.
Considered to be the most fertile emirate, a town close to the main
city of RAK, Digdaga, has a very big modern agricultural farm.
Fruits, vegetables, milk and poultry are supplied to the other
emirates from here. The sea around RAK too abounds in tuna fish. The
mountains have enabled the setting up of stone quarries and cement
factories.
To the west of Digdaga, the impressive red dunes run
in a northerly direction. Camel camps, farms, oasis and beautiful
valleys are added values on the desert pass. Nestled in the lee of
the mountains in the north of RAK, Shamal has several tombs whose
historical background dates back to about 4,500 years ago. The
modern village of Shamal houses the palace of the Queen of Sheba.
Leisure and sports:
There is a close relationship between the nature of
RAK and the pastimes and activities practiced in the region. The
long range of mountains extends as far as the Mossandam peninsula.
The Khatts springs oasis is famed for its hot springs of sulphuric
water, which has relaxing and therapeutic properties. A lovely
tourist attraction surrounded by palm trees, which add to the beauty
and charm of the place, the Khatts Springs is also home to almost
170 archeological sites and many tombs. The Khatts Springs Resort is
a major tourist attraction.
For ski enthusiasts, the RAK Water Skiing Club is the
perfect place. Situated in the area of Khuzam, the club provides all
necessary equipment for practicing the pleasant sport of skiing. The
Emirates Center for Diving and Water Sports offers the charm of
scuba diving in the Arabian Gulf. The RAK Shooting Club, a 20
minutes drive from the RAK Airport has a vast rifle field to test
shooting skills.
RAK also has one of the UAE's best camel tracks in
the Al Sawan area. A ten-kilometer track, it is equipped with a
modern round platform situated at the end of the racetrack. Races
are run from the middle of September to the end of April every year.
Golfing being another added attraction for tourists; the Tower Links
18-hole Golf course provides challenges for all standards of play.
Sharjah
Enter a place where history is locked within the
traditional values of the people. A place where even the smallest
moment in a countries becoming is not forgotten. A place which was
crowned UNESCO cultural capital of the Arab World in 1998 and the
area's reputation as a centre of artistic excellence. Welcome to
Sharjah.
The third largest emirate covering an area of 2,600
sq kms, the emirate of Sharjah straddles the peninsula, overlooking
the Arabian Gulf to the west and the Gulf of Oman to the east. This
gives it the unique advantage of being geographically diverse. The
emirates also boasts of some of the most diverse of sceneries and
superb waterfronts.
Sharjah was once part of a single emirate along with
Ras Al Khaimah ruled by the Al Qawasim family. H.H. Sheikh Sultan
bin Mohammed Al Qassimi took over as Ruler in 1972 - a scholar in
History, he has been conferred with a PhD (Doctorate in Philosophy)
for his outstanding work. Under his able guidance, Sharjah has made
rapid progress. Today, it is known as the Cultural capital of the
U.A.E. Sharjah is the headquarters for the UAE Authors' and Writers'
Union which has over a hundred publications to its credit.
In 1971, the discovery of the Mubarak oilfield near
the island of Abu Musa changed the fortunes of the emirate. In 1981,
after Mubarak's reserves started dwindling, Saja's onshore gas and
liquid gas field was discovered which gave a further boost to its
revenues. Sharjah was also the first port in the entire middle east
to possess fully equipped container facilities at the Sharjah
Container Terminal. Its impressive port at Khorfakkan provides
important facilities for ships that do not need to enter the Gulf.
It is also the capital of Cricket in the U.A.E. It is now famous in
the sub-continent and throughout the cricketing world as a major
venue for One Day Internationals.
It is a blend of the old and new. In fact the City of
Sharjah, lying on the Arabian Gulf, is chock-a-block with modern
waterfront hotels, beautiful mosques, lakefront apartment buildings,
restaurants, and well laid-out parks and gardens. Sharjah renowned
for its souks, both traditional and new, is a virtual treat for
bargain hunters. But arguably Sharjah's greatest draw is its local
history, preserved at its very best in several well-maintained
museums. Outside museums, the Mileiha site gives visitors a chance
to see fossils as old as 80 million years.
Ignore the nay-sayers and take a day off from the
busy city life and visit a place that has some of the finest Arab,
Islamic and wildlife research in the world.
Fujairah
Fujairah,
occupying an area equal to 1.5 per cent of the country's
total landmass, and with a breathtaking coastline of more
than 90km, is the only emirate situated entirely along the
Gulf of Oman.
This
emirate is a place of considerable natural beauty where
jagged mountains and valleys sweep down to the settled
palm-fringed coastal plain. There are some stunning beaches
and good diving locations along the coast, whilst the
hinterland features many cultural and historic sites.
Agriculture and fishing, two traditional mainstays of the
economy, still feature prominently.
Fujairah City, the capital, is not
just an attractive town in a stunning setting it is also is
a rapidly developing commercial and tourist centre. Its
strategic location, which provides easy access to
international shipping routes, has played a key role in its
development as one of the world’s top oil-bunkering ports.
The main business area is along Hamad bin Abdullah Rd,
between the Fujairah Trade Centre and the coast.
Fujairah Fort
This reputedly 360-year-old fort
lies on a hill at the edge of the date gardens, surrounded
by the remains of the old town houses. The fort was severely
damaged in the early twentieth century by a British
bombardment but has been recently restored.
Fujairah Heritage Village
Near Fujairah Fort, this heritage
village has a good selection of traditional houses (‘arish)
and fishing boats
(shasha)
made from palm fronds, providing an interesting backdrop to
its living reconstruction of traditional life on the East
Coast.
Fujairah Museum (09 2229085)
Situated just south of the fort
and opposite the Ruler’s Palace, Fujairah Museum is a small
modern building where many of the artifacts found in
archaeological digs at Qidfa, Bithnah and other places are
on display.
Ain Al Madhab Gardens
Ain al Madhab Gardens, also called
the National Park, is a mineral spa with chalet
accommodation on the western edge of the town. It is an
extensive park with playground and a heritage village around
the ruins of an old fort where traditional costumes, pottery
and utensils are on display.
Bullfighting
On weekends in winter, watch out
for the famous Fujairah bullfights – a bloodless sport in
which two bulls test their strength against one another.
Around Fujairah
Dibba, Sharm, Bidya, Wadi Wurrayah,
Husn Madhab, Wadi Maidaq, Kalba, Khor Kalba, Awhala, Hayl,
Wadi Farfar, Bithna, although not all belonging to the
Emirate of Fujairah are all scenic and historic sites in the
region of Fujairah City which are well worth a visit.
Ajman
Ajman, located a short distance north-east
of Sharjah’s capital city is the smallest of the seven emirates in
terms of its physical size, occupying only about 0.3 per cent of the
country’s total landmass.
Ajman city is
blessed with a natural harbour. Fishing, both traditional and
modern, and dhow building are still important industries. This was
once a quiet town with a beautiful 16km stretch of white sand beach
but, like the rest of the Emirates, it is undergoing significant
development. Ajman’s central square where the old fort, now a
museum, is located, is within walking distance of hotels,
restaurants and coast.
Ajman Museum
(06 7423824)
This
fascinating museum was opened in 1981 in a lovely old eighteenth
century fort which served as the Ruler’s palace and office until
1970, when it became the main police station. Located in the town
centre, the museum houses an interesting collection of
archaeological artefacts, manuscripts, old weapons and
reconstructions of traditional life.
Dhow
Yard
The
boatbuilding yard on the north side of the Creek is just a few
kilometres from the city centre. This is one of the most active
dhow-building yards in the country, and is well worth a visit.
Mowaihat
The
archaeological site of Mowaihat is located on the oustkirts of
Ajman. In 1986, while laying a new sewerage pipe, workers from the
Municipality discovered a circular Umm al-Nar-type tomb (2500 BC to
2000 BC), c. 8.25m in diameter. A rescue excavation was conducted
which recovered numerous examples of soft-stone and painted Umm al-Nar
ceramic vessels, as well as over 3000 beads, two stamp seals, a
number of copper implements, and the skeletal remains of several
dozen individuals. At the time of its discovery, the Mowaihat tomb
represented the first indication of Umm al-Nar period occupation in
the Northern Emirates. Subsequent work has now identified major
sites of this period on the Gulf coast at Al Sufouh, Tell Abraq and
Shimal. The material from Mowaihat forms the bulk of the
archaeological finds on display in the Ajman Museum.
Around Ajman
Ajman also has two inland enclaves: Masfut is an agricultural
village located in the mountains 110km to the south-east of the
city, whilst Manama lies approximately 60km to the east.
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