United Arab Emirates - الأمارات العربية المتحدة

The 7 Emirates

The UAE-A Constellation of 7 Stars
The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven emirates or states, each with its own unique character and personality but yet united with a common goal and destiny. The seven emirates are :

Abu Dhabi The largest of the 7 Emirates with Abu Dhabi city as the capital of the UAE. Architecturally, Abu Dhabi is a fascinating place where the domes and minarets of traditional mosques sit comfortably in the shade of gleaming futuristic skyscrapers. tree-lined boulevards, manicured roundabouts, dazzling fountains and extensive parks soften the modern cityscape.
Burj Al-Arab Hotel	Dubai The city has a laid-back, easy going attitude and is described as a 'shangrila in the desert'. More than 2 million tourists visit yearly and it is easy to see why. There aren't many places where you can experience desert safaris, sand skiing, sailing, cruises, camel rides and amazing shopping bargains while you stay in world-class hotels.	gold souk
	Sharjah Sharjah city, the main administrative and commercial centre, has some fine design, and the many elegant mosques. In 1998 Sharjah city was designated by UNESCO as the cultural capital of the Arab world for its commitment to art, culture and the preservation of its heritage.
	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. The capital city, Ajman, has an historic fort at its centre. The emirates is blessed with a natural harbour in which the Port of Ajman is situated. Fishing and dhow building are still important industries.
Umm Al-Qaiwain In this 777 square kilometers emirate, traditional occupations of fishing and date cultivation are still important, but a mariculture research centre and a free zone have helped to develop the emirate whose main attraction lies in its small size, relatively remote location, and long clean beaches. Sinayah island, lying a short distance offshore, has important mangrove areas together with a breeding colony of endangered Socotra carmorants.		Al Siniyyah island, a sanctuary for birds
	Ra's Al-Khaimah Ra's Al-Khaimah, the most northerly emirate on the UAE's west coast, has an impressive coastline bordering the Arabian Gulf. This is backed by a fertile palm-filled plain which is overshadowed by the precipitous Hajar Mountains to the east. in the north, close to the emirate's border with the Sultanate of Oman, the sheer rocky slopes seem to rise straight out of the sea.	National Museum
	Fujairah Fujairah's natural beauty features jagged mountains and valleys sweeping down to the palm-fringed coastal plain. there are some stunning beaches and good diving locations along the coast, whilst both the coastal strip and the hinterland contain many cultural and historic sites. Agriculture and fishing, two traditional mainstays of the economy, still feature prominently. Fujairah city is an attractive town and a rapidly developing commercial and tourist centre. Its strategic location outside the Straits of Hormuz, 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.