United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is actually a union of seven sovereign sheikhdoms situated in the south-east Arabian Peninsula in Southwest Asia. They were formed in 1971 when the United Kingdom withdrew from the Gulf. The land is fairly flat, dry, and barren, with mountains in the east. Out of the UAE’s 4 million residents, less than half of the population are UAE citizens.

The country’s valuable oil resources have given it an extremely high standard of living. It’s the third largest producer of oil in the Gulf after Saudi Arabia and Iraq; however, the government is keenly aware of the limits of their source of wealth and has sought to wean the country’s economy from finite oil reserves, cultivating a rapidly growing tourist industry.

Abu Dhabi is the country’s capital as well as the name of its largest, richest, and most politically important emirate. As the seat of the country’s government, this sleek and highly developed city boasts sunny skies just about all year long. However, despite its glossy exterior, there is still a beating heart within the city found in the vestiges of its humble roots only a short time ago, including traces of old world architecture and the existence of Bedouin markets.

The oasis city of Al-Ain, or Alain, is found with the Abu Dhabi emirate is considered a popular tourist attraction for its “Fun City,” which includes a zoo, amusement park, several parks and heritage villages. Its rainfall gives it much more blissfully cool temperatures than other parts of the emirate, making it a cool getaway from the hot, desert heat.

If Abu Dhabi is the UAE’s most serious city, then Dubai is its most fun, brimming with sand, sun, and world-famous duty-free shopping. Huge skyscrapers, artificial islands, and air-conditioned malls still mix and mingle with ancient mosques, wind towers, and souks of the Old Dubai.

Ras al-Khaimah, the UAE’s northernmost emirate, also claims some of its most beautiful scenery. Thanks to careful irrigation, the region has abundant greenery that is surrounded by a cool sea, flat desert, and rugged mountains. Within the city of the same name, you can enjoy the old town atmosphere, including a museum, souq and fishing port, and some of the best camel racing in the country. Some interesting archaeological sites like nearby like the Queen of Sheba Palace in Shimal, which is about 3 miles north of the city.

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TripLogs: United Arab Emirates