About UAE     United Arab Emirates   Abu Dhabi Dubai Sharjah Umm AL Quwain Ras Al Khaimah Fujairah     Local time: UAE Time is + 4 Hours GMT Language: The official language is Arabic, Arabic and English are commonly used in business and commerce. Hindi and Urdu are also widely used.   Climate: UAE has a sub-tropical, arid climate. Rainfall is infrequent and irregular. Between November and March, Dubai weather is warm and sunny without being unbearably hot. Winter temperatures are around 23 degrees C in the daytime, while nights are cooler.   History   7th century: The peoples of this region are converted into Islam. 16th century: With increased sea traffic along its coast, piracy becomes increasingly important part of local economy. 16th century: The Portuguese starts trade here. 18th century: The British starts trade in this region. 1819: British navy launches attacks on the pirate strongholds. 1820: The British force the shaykhs to a sign a treaty ending piracy; piracy was reduced by not eradicated. 1835: Piracy ends, following more British pressure. 1853: A treaty signed between the shaykhs and the British. The region is given the name of 'Trucial coast'. 1873: The Trucial Coast becomes administered by the British. 1892: A new agreement, the shaykhs gives the British effective control over foreign matters. The British offers military protection in return. 1952: The seven emirates establishes a Trucial Council. 1970: Independence is given to the emirates. 1971 December 2: United Arab Emirates is established, and is made up of six of the emirates. 1972: Ras al-Khaima joins the United Arab Emirates.   Abu Dhabi, UAE   Abu Dhabi is the capital of United Arab Emirates and the seat of government of the emirate of Abu Dhabi – the largest of the seven emirates of the UAE. This second most populous city of UAE lies on a T-shaped island jutting into the arab Gulf from the central western coast. The city is on island, which is connected to the mainland by the Maqta and Mussafah Bridges. Abu Dhabi is a home for around 1.45 million people. (As of year 2008).   Abu Dhabi is one of the most modern cities in the world and in recent years, it has become the major centre for tourism as well as investments. The city is fully equipped with large gardens, parks, green boulevards lining all the streets and roads, sophisticated high-rise buildings, good transport services, international luxury hotels, rich shopping malls, cultural centers providing events all the year round.   Dubai, UAE   Dubai is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the Arab Gulf. Its emirate's main city, sometimes called "Dubai City" to distinguish it from the emirate.   Dubai is the most populous and second largest emirate of the UAE after Abu Dhabi. Dubai is distinct from other members of the UAE in that revenues from oil account for only 6% of its gross domestic product. A majority of the emirate's revenues are from tourism. has become world famous place through innovative real estate projects, sports events, conferences and Guinness records. However, this increased attention, coinciding with its emergence as a world business hub have also highlighted potential human rights quagmires concerning its largely immigrant workforce.   Sharjah   Sharjah is part of the federation of seven United Arab Emirates, SE Arabia, on the Arab Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. The modernized town of Sharjah (1995 pop. 320,095), on the Arab Gulf, is the third largest town in the federation, and has been developed especially as an art museum, cultural, and educational center as well as a commercial center. Oil has been produced in Sharjah since 1961. Formerly a British protectorate, Sharjah was the site of a British base until 1971, when the British withdrew from the Persian Gulf and Sharjah joined the United Arab Emirates. Its ports have long been important both strategically and commercially.   Ajman   The Emirate of Ajman is situated on the coast of the Arabian Gulf, extending over a distance of 16 Kilometers long, between the emirates of Umm Al-Qiwain and Sharjah. The area of the emirate is 259 Sq. Km., equivalent to 0.3% of the country’s total area, excluding the islands.   The town of Ajman 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 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.   Just eight kilometres north of Sharjah lies Ajman, the smallest of the seven emirates but with a charm all its own. Ajman has the distinction of possessing the Emirates' largest boat-building yards. Its craftsmen have always fashioned the characteristic dhows and boums that ply the Arabian Gulf's water with the same techniques their forefathers used, and their forefathers before them, all without blueprints.   History sits visibly in Ajman: traces of the old town are still visible, as in the shape of the fine old watchtower at the town's entrance, and the large fort in the town's centre. Yet Ajman - which now is the northernmost part of the Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman coastal urban belt - is in no way resting on its considerable history. Its dynamic leaders, H.H. Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman, and H.E. Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, have set into motion plans that look to make the emirate a significant economic player in the Gulf region. The gleaming new Dh 10 million Ajman Centre has quickly become another prime trade fair venue in the Emirates.   Umm AL Quwain   The scream of people as they jump off their planes can be heard in the air, the smell of burnt rubber looms over the area and the booming sound of shotguns fired into the air awakens people from their dreamy state. Umm-al-Quain is the fastest growing spot for extreme sports.   Umm Al Quwain is situated between Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah on the West coast. Its land spreads towards the interior for a distance of 32 km approximately. The city of Umm Al Quwain is the capital of the emirate, situated on a deep creek one kilomter in width and five kilometers long. It comprises the Ruler's office, companies, establishments, banks, commercial markets, the Seaport and the Research and Pisciculture Center, which helps to develop fisheries in the country. The traditional occupation of this emirate has been fishing and date cultivation. The Ruler of Umm Al Quwain is H.H. Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmed Al Mu'alla. He succeeded his father in 1981.   The area of Falaj Al Mualla is located 50 km south east of Umm Al Quwain city. The Seneyah Island is located one kilometer away from Umm Al Qiwain city with a total area of 90 Sq km. Umm Al Quwain city has witnessed drastic developments over the last few years including construction of buildings, roads, parks and other amenities. Also the city is linked by a modern network of roads with the typical villages set up for settlement of Bedouins. Umm Al Quwain's attraction lies in its long clean beaches, an enclosed lagoon and public horse riding stables. Located 50 kilometres south of Umm Al Qaiwain is Falaj Al Mulla, the agricultural part of the Emirate. Seneyah Island, one kilometre away from the town of Umm Al Quwain, is a natural reserve for a large species of birds, deer and Al Qaram trees.   Living life on the edge mixed with a tinge of insane fun and a dash of daring sports marks the qualities that make Umm-Al-Quwain an extreme holiday for anyone.   Ras Al Khaimah   Ras Al-Khaimah is one of the United Arab Emirates. It covers an area of 656 square miles (1700 km²). Ras Al Khaimah is in the northern part of the Arabian Peninsula.   It is ruled by Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammad al-Qassimi. It is in the northern part of the UAE bordering Oman. The emirate has a population of about 250,000 inhabitants. The city has a population of 102,000 (2003 census estimate). It is served by the Ras Al Khaimah International Airport. The city has two main sections Old Ras Al Khaimah and Nakheel on either side of the creek which flows through Ras Al Khaimah.   Fujairah   Fujairah is prominent among the Emirates and a favorite tourist destination. Trade opportunities are also abound in this part of the world, which is an incentive for investment and attracts businessmen and entrepreneurs alike. The strategic location of the Airport makes the main city perfectly accessible. Fujairah is the UAE's most scenically attractive Emirate with its picturesque fortresses, dramatic mountain scenery, unspoilt beaches and a salubrious climate. A beautiful society, a friendly people, a marvelous climate and superb seashore have put Fujairah on the international tourist map. Tourist attractions abound and the Emirate has variety of hotels, catering to all the tastes of both the business and leisure travelers and offer excellent facilities including diving. More hotels are also being planned. The travel trade operating in the region expects tourism into Fujairah and the East Coast to increase substantially with more holiday charters arriving at the airport. Transit passengers from technical stopovers as well as "shoppers" from the Indian subcontinent and C.I.S. countries are dramatically adding to the tourist traffic of the Emirate. With a strong commitment to trade and industry in the region, and an open policy towards the growth of its economy, Fujairah is fast becoming a renowned, commercial and industrial principality in the Emirates. Fujairah today has a thriving port, an impressive international airport, a variety of light-to-large industries and successful agricultural ventures. In addition, the Emirate has seen the influx of some of the leading names in banking and insurance, and its free trade zone reflects Fujairah's progressive policies.