SEVEN EMIRATES
a single destination
ABU DHABI
It is the largest of the 7 Emirates, ruled by the Al Nahyan family. It occupies 87% of the country's total area. This emirate is mainly a large desert area with about two hundred islands in the coastal waters, including the island where Abu Dhabi is located plus 6 other islands that are part of the capital.
Its population is concentrated in three areas: the capital, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, an oasis city near the Hajar Mountains, and the towns of the Liwa oasis.
Through great leadership and personal commitment, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan turned Abu Dhabi into a fully modern and influential state. After his death in 2004, his son Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan became President of the Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi.
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DUBAI
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Dubai, the second largest of the 7 Emirates is ruled by the Al Maktoum family. It occupies an area of approximately 3,900km2 that includes a small enclave called Hatta, located near the border of Oman, between the Hajar Mountains. The capital of Dubai is located along the Creek, a sea river and natural harbor, which was traditionally the base of the trade industry. Under the wise leadership of its rulers, Dubai focused primarily on trade and industry, transforming the city into the main commercial port of the southern Gulf.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum is the current ruler of Dubai.
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SHARJAH
Sharjah, which borders Dubai to the south, is ruled by the Al Qasimi family. It has an area of approximately 2,600km2 and is the only emirate that has a coastline on both gulfs, the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Gulf.
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In the S. XIX the city of Sharjah was the main port on the lower Gulf. Goods from the interior of Oman, India and Persia arrived here.
Today, under the leadership of Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Sharjah is the cultural city and educational center of the United Arab Emirates and strives to preserve the country's cultural heritage as well as promote Arab culture and traditions.
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RAS AL KHAIMAH
RAS AL KHAIMA is the northern Emirate, ruled by another branch of the Al Qasimi family. Thanks to the water currents from the Hajar Mountains, this emirate has abundant flora and therefore agriculture is important for the local economy.
It is also supplied from stone quarries and fishing, which is abundant in these rich gulf waters. The current ruler of Ras Al Khaima is Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi.
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FUJAIRAH
It is the only Emirate that does not face the coast of the Arabian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Sharqi family.
It is located on the coast of the Gulf of Oman and has an area of 1300km2. Unlike the other emirates where the desert forms a significant part of the territory, mountains and plains are the predominant features of Fujairah.
Its economy is based on fishing and agriculture. Like Ras Al Khaima, the land of Fujairah is irrigated by rainwater from the Hajar Mountains, making it ideal farmland. The current ruler is Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi.
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UM AL QWAIN
UM AL QWAIN is ruled by the Al Mualla family. It is the second smallest Emirate with a total area of 770km2. Located between the emirates of Sharjah and Ajman to the south and Ras Al Khaima to the north, this Emirate is the one with the least population.
The main source of income for the local population is fishing and date plantations. After the union of the emirates in 1971 Umm Al Qaiwain developed into a modern state and continues to progress under the rule of its current ruler Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmed Al Mualla.
AJMAN
AJMAN is the smallest of the seven emirates with only 260km2. It is ruled by the Al Nuami family. Surrounded mainly by the Emirate of Sharjah, Ajman also has the small enclaves of Manama and Musfut in the Hajar Mountains.
The manufacture of "dhows" (wooden boats typical of this area) in the Creek was their main commercial activity. Fishing and date palms were also the main sources of subsistence for its local population.
Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuami has been its ruler since 1981.
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