Across UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

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Across UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

ABU DHABI This, the largest of the seven emirates making up the UAE, constitutes nearly 80% of the nation's total land area including nearly 200 islands. The cities of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, are the two largest in the emirate. Both places are known for their modern charms mixed with the lush, green beauty of public parks, gardens, and wide boulevards. Besides, the latter, an oasis city, also has an history dating back to 4 millennium B.C. Al Ain Museum: Located within the confines of Al Jahili fort is the nation's largest museum where finds from archaeological excavations on Jabel Hafit, including copper implements, are displayed. Al Ain Zoo and Aquarium: The zoo houses an extremely large and varied collection of wildlife from all over the world. The zoo is also well known for its display of Arabia's indigenous wildlife which includes the spectacular Arabian oryx. Hili Gardens: Impressive ancient tombs of historical importance is of interest here. Jabel Hafit: Close to Al Ain, is this craggy mountain rising steeply from the surrounding desert. An area noted for its flora and fauna (it is one of the last remaining habitats of the rare Arabian tahr), the mountain can be accessed by excellent roads which wind its way right upto the summit, providing a panoramic view of the open countryside. Also of interest are the numerous caves, sites of archaeological excavations, and Ain Al Fayda, a top health resort located over a natural hot spring. Liwa Oasis: About a five hour drive from the city of Abu Dhabi is Liwa, one of the largest oasis in Arabia and a gateway to Rub Al Khali or Empty Quarter. Qattarah Oasis: This small, beautiful sylvan oasis studded with date palms and fruit orchards and located on the edge of Al Ain is noted for its archaeological sites. Some of the ancient relics found here, including beautiful gold jewellery, have been displayed today in the Al Ain museum. Falaj Al-Mualla: This oasis town lying in Al Batha Valley is rich in agriculture. Other entertainments and pastimes include watersports at Umm Al Quwain Marine Club located on the shores of the creek, camel racing at the attractive Al-Labsa, and equestrian at the horse riding club which is linked to a marina.	FUJAIRAH Lying in the south-eastern corner of the Arabian peninsula, Fujairah is the only emirate located on the Gulf of Oman rather than the Arabian Gulf. Unlike other desert emirates, Fujairah has the distinction of only being a narrow coastal strip at the edge of its mountainous terrain. This makes the emirate naturally endowed with scenic beauty. The important resort area of Khor Fakkan has excellent beaches and watersport facilities. Miles of unspoilt sandy beaches facing the aquamarine blue sea with the majestic Hajar mountains forming a magnificent backdrop provides a magical postcard picture effect. Para-gliding, windsurfing, water-skiing, and jet-skiing are excellent pastimes. You can also share the thrills of some of the best deep-sea fishing. The delicate but extremely beautiful world of coral reefs beckons many a snorkeller or diver into Fujairah's shallows. Hajar Mountains: The majestic and rugged Hajar mountains is of great archaeological importance. Recent surveys conducted have revealed several sites, a testimony to man's presence here dating back to thousands of years. Some of the most interesting finds, from Iron Age tombs to ancient Islamic burial grounds, are today displayed in the classic Fujairah museum. The picturesque mountains with castles, several old Portuguese forts and watchtowers, and villages provide visitors the chance to experience wadi-bashing, which simply means exploring dried-up river beds on a four-wheel drive. The green, sylvan splendour of these mountains during the monsoons is a haven for a variety of flora and fauna.
SHARJAH The third largest emirate covering an area of 2600 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 emirate also boasts of some of the most diverse of sceneries and superb waterfronts. Sharjah is a blend of the old and new. Infact 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 who can explore and purchase anything from curios to semi-precious stones and carpets. For the adventurous there is ample scope in watersports - water-skiing, windsurfing, scuba diving, and fishing being the most popular. Trekkers can hit straight for the rugged mountains, and fresh water streams of Khor Fakkan on the east coast or still go into the interiors of this spread out emirate spending some time in a bedouin village oasis with its lovely date palms and nestling in the shelter of massive sand dunes. And if that's not enough you can either relax on an unspoilt beach, dig into the bygone era by discovering Sharjah's archaeological heritage in the numerous museums or at the Mileiha site where fossils as old as 80 million years are to be seen, or simply take a quite stroll through one of the many outstanding public parks. The options are varied and full of fun.	UMM AL QUWAIN Extending 23 kilometers along the coast of the Arabian Gulf, this small peninsular emirate lies between the emirates of Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah. The city of Umm Al Quwain has also witnessed a boom in development activities with modern buildings, roads, parks, and other amenities being the feature. Al Dur Island: Located along the coast near Umm Al Quwain is the famous archaeological site with the remains of a once important town of the region dating a little over 2000 years ago. Several interesting objects including impressive tombs, stone houses, large storage jars, and glassware from Egypt and Syria have been unearthed with successive excavations. Al Siniyyah Island: Across the creek from Umm Al Quwain city lies this island, a haven for birds. The bird sanctuary is also noted for its mangrove swamps, representing an extremely delicate and a fast-dwindling ecosystem. Dreamland Aqua Park: Sprawling over 250,000 sq mts along the coast is Dreamland, a huge entertainment complex. Being one of the largest water parks in the world offering a variety of water games and rides, a souk to take care of your shopping needs, and restaurants and fast-food outlets to satiate your growing appetite, Dreamland is an ideal family destination.
AJMAN This smallest of the seven emirates with an area of just 260 sq kms is centrally located on the western coast of the UAE. Ajman also includes Masfut and Manama, two small enclaves inland in the Hajar mountains, rich in agriculture and farming. Like the other emirates Ajman too has a pleasant blend of the old and the new, the simple and the sophisticated. While beach combers could splash away in any one of the beautiful beaches of Ajman, bargain hunters could do well with a visit to the Ajman souk renowned for its architectural splendour. Ajman is also noted as the world's largest dhow building centre, where these ocean-going vessels are built using traditional tools and manual skills. Ajman Museum: This local history and heritage museum is housed in an 18th century fortress, a symbol that reflects the region's rich heritage. On display are treasures of former rulers, and the social ways and traditional professions of the past.	RAS AL KHAIMAH This northernmost of all emirates, lying at the foot of the Hajar mountains and bordering the Sultanate of Oman to its north and east, is an important port, besides being one of the main agricultural centres. Between the sandy coastal plain to the west and the mountains to the north and east is a fertile land with farms producing a variety of fruits and vegetables including more than 45 different types of date palms. Scenic beauty is another feature of this emirate with its high mountains and natural hot springs, the water of which is known to have medicinal properties, as seen at the resort of Ain Khat. Ras Al Khaimah Museum: Originally an 18th century fortress used by ruling families as their residence, the museum exhibits a good collection of rare relics and fossils from different eras.
DUBAI Dubai is the second largest among the seven emirates in the UAE. For more details click here

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