Ajman
The Emirate of Ajman is
situated on the coast of the Arabian Gulf, extending
over a distance of 16 km, between the emirates of
Umm al-Qaiwain and Sharjah. The area of the emirate
is 259 square kilometers, equivalent to 0.3% of the
country's total area, excluding the islands.
The town of Ajman, the
capital of the emirate, lies on the coast of the
Arabian Gulf. It comprises the Ruler's office,
companies, banks and commercial markets. The port of
Ajman is located along a natural creek (Khor) which
penetrates the town.
The two major regions in the
emirate are Masfout, an agricultural area, lying at
a distance of 110 Km long at the South east, and
Manama located 60 km to the east.
Umm al-Qaiwain
Umm al-Qaiwain is situated
between Ajman and Ras al-Khaimah on the West coast.
The traditional occupation of this emirate has been
fishing and date cultivation.
Umm al-Qaiwain's attraction lies in its long clean
beaches, an enclosed lagoon and public horse riding
stables. Located 50 Km south of Umm Al Qaiwain is
Falaj Al Mulla, the agricultural part of the
Emirate. Seneyah Island, one kilometer away from the
town of Umm al-Qaiwain, is a natural reserve for a
large species of birds, deer and Al Qaram trees.
Ras al-Khaimah
Ras al-Khaimah is the
northern most emirate of the UAE. It’s history
extends into antiquity. Archeological excavations
reveal that a settlement with an advanced
civilization that carried on trade with the Indian
sub-continent existed in this region. Later
historical records cite that the town of Ras
al-Khaimah, then known as Julfar, belonged to early
Muslim Caliphs. In the 18th century, after the
invasions of the Persians, Portuguese and the Dutch,
it finally became a part of the Al Qawasim State. It
was also once the center of the naval strength of
the southern Gulf states.
The traditional occupations of this emirate are
mainly fishing, trading and agriculture which have
been heavily modernized to meet the demands of the
UAE's economy. Fruits, vegetables, milk, poultry are
supplied to the other emirates from here.
The sea around Ras al-Khaimah abounds in tuna fish.
The mountains have enabled the set up of stone
quarries and a cement factory. Also the oilfield of
Saleh, has boosted up the revenues of the emirate.
Mina Saqr, located next to the town of Ras
al-Khaimah, is a deepwater port with heavily
utilized bulk handling facilities where major
amounts of transshipment takes place. It can handle
vessels up to 260 meters long and 11.5 meters
maximum draught and is ideal for low cost general
cargo and container handling.
Fujairah
Fujairah holds a unique
position in the UAE. It is the only emirate that
lies on the eastern side of the UAE, along the Gulf
of Oman, while all the six other emirates are along
the Arabian Gulf.
The Hajar mountain range that divides the UAE in
two, from Ras al-Khaimah to Al Ain has kept Fujairah
separated from the rest of the country.
Fujairah's main occupation in the past were fishing
and agriculture. Pearl fishing was non-existent
because the waters of the Gulf of Oman were much
deeper and colder than the Arabian Gulf, not
suitable for the growth of pearl oysters.
The Fujairah port is an important port for container
liners and for the world's largest livestock
shipping companies which have set up their main
holding station for sheep and cattle for the entire
Arabian peninsula here.
Its clean beaches, the numerous water sports like
swimming, yachting, water surfing and deep sea
fishing attract tourists all round the year. The
Fujairah Tourism Bureau has the specific task of
promoting in bound tourism. The Ministry of
Agriculture and Fisheries are planning to build a
dam in this area where there is a famous waterfall.
