About the Emirates

The oil-rich United Arab Emirates or Dawlat al-Imārāt al-‘Arabīyah al-Muttahidah consists of seven emirates - Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Quwain, Ras al-Khaimah and Fujairah. Once referred to as the Pirate Coast during the 18th to 20th centuries, the Emirates later came to be called as the Trucial States, the result of an agreement between the Arabs and the United Kingdom in 1853. Endowed with rich oil resources, the Emirates rank sixth in the world in oil reserves.

Historians say the Emirates have been known to exist since 5500 BC and were a major trading centre in pearls. In the early 16th century, the great Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama discovered the region and paved the way for the Emirates in being recognised as an important spice destination. Certain portions of the Emirates later came under the rule of the Ottoman Empire during the 16th century. For a brief period, trade suffered because of Indian and European merchants constantly being harassed by raiders on the coast (thus the moniker ‘Pirate Coast’). Things were resolved only after British intervention and the subsequent signing of the Peace Treaty by the Sheikhs and the British. Till 1971, the British protected the waters around the coast. It is during this period of calm that the pearl industry thrived. Unfortunately the First World War and later the Economic Depression and again the Second World War sounded the death knell of the industry which led to a lot of hardships for the inhabitants.

Thanks to the excavation of oil in the 1960s, the Emirates were back in the game again. The immense capital from oil exports led to a continuous gigantic growth in infrastructure that made the United Arab Emirates what it is today.

Abu Dhabi

The capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi or ‘Father of the Gazelle’ is also the largest of the seven emirates and is believed to have been in existence since the 3rd millennium BC when fishing and herding were the main occupations. A tribal confederation called the Bani Yaas have played a key role in shaping the emirate during the 18th century and the present rulers of the emirate belong to this confederation. Well into the 20th century, the majority of inhabitants main source of income was from herding camels, fishing and also pearl diving. While the houses of the rich were made from mud, those of the proletarians were made from palm fronds. To Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan is credited the growth of Abu Dhabi from its humble beginnings to what it is now. When oil was struck here in 1958, it was Sheikh Zayed who pioneered the infrastructural growth of the emirate through the capital derived from the oil exports. And when the British withdrew from the Persian Gulf in 1971, Sheikh Zayed became the supreme ruler of Abu Dhabi and the UAE. After his death in 2004, his son Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan took over as ruler of the Emirates. Beautiful minarets of mosques with an old world charm and modern buildings adorn the Abu Dhabi skyline. A must visit here are the beautiful Liwa Oasis; the Rub Al Khali – a fascinating expanse of land in the desert.

Dubai

In the 1950s, Dubai grew rapidly, and the creek began to silt because of the amount of cargo ships that were coming into the port. Like now, even 60 years ago, the Maktoum family were visionaries. It was the late Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who decided on a grand project of dredging the creek. The result was that more ships were able to utilise the port thereby increasing the cargo handling in Dubai and paving the way for this small fishing village and seaport to begin its rapid expansion. In the 1960s, oil was discovered and, in keeping true to his visionary leadership, His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum used the money from the oil profits to rapidly build the infrastructure of Dubai. The spectacular Dubai International Airport; Jabel Ali, the largest man-made harbour in the world; the majestic Burj Al Arab hotel stand as testimony to this marvellous infrastructural surge. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum has carried on the legacy of visionary leadership and expanded upon what his father started only 50 years ago. It is simply amazing how the once small fishing village turned seaport has grown into a bustling metropolis.

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Sharjah

The third largest of the emirates, Sharjah has a unique geographical location as it is the only one that lies on the Persian Gulf as well as the Gulf of Oman. From the 18th century till date, Sharjah has been ruled by the Al Qasimi clan. It is the Al Qasimi clan that has worked tirelessly in making Sharjah what it is today. Besides the numerous mosques and mega malls, Sharjah which is a melting pot of Arab culture is home to 17 museums, the Al Jazeirah Fun Park, the Expo Centre, and the spectacular Dhaid Oasis. In 1998, Sharjah won the UNESCO Award for the cultural capital of the Arab world.

Ajman

The smallest of all the emirates, Ajman has a square area of only 260 square kilometres. This emirate is ruled by the Al Nuami tribe. In recent years, there has been immense development in the city most notably in real estate. Not surprisingly, this has led to a rush of investors. In the coming years, Ajman is poised for a giant leap in property development and numerous prestigious projects are in the pipeline including the creation of The Emirates City on the Emirates Road that when completed will have around 100 buildings.

Umm al-Quwain

The beautiful emirate whose name has been derived from the Arabic word Umm Al Quwatain (meaning Mother of Two Powers) is known for its seafaring tradition. Umm al-Quwain spans the beautiful mangroves of the Persian Gulf, lovely sand dunes and a breathtaking oasis. Visitors can get to see a lot of falconry, camel racing, fishing and other very Arabic activities in the city side. Some of the attractions here are The Aquarium, the sandy Islands of Umm al-Quwain, the Umm al-Quwain Museum, and the Lulu Hypermarket.

Ras al-Khaimah

Once called Julfar, Ras al-Khaimah consists of Old Ras al-Khaimah and Nakheel that lie on either side of a creek. In ancient times, the emirate was occupied by the Azd tribe. In the 18th century it was taken over by the Quwasim clan who rule the emirate even today. A must visit here are the hot springs of Ain Khat, the Al Ghail Wadi, the Awafi Desert and the Al Manal Mall.

Fujairah

The mountainous emirate lies completely on the Gulf of Oman and enjoys the heaviest rainfall among all the emirates. Cement, stone crushing and mining are the major industrial activities in this emirate. In the coming years, Fujairah is expected to have a major influx of tourists with the completion of the Al Fujairah Paradise, a resort that will have 1000 luxurious villas and hotels. The landscape of Fujairah attracts a lot of adventure seekers on weekends. Water sports are a favourite pastime in this region.