salman ghazwani
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is made up of 7 Emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Qaiwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah. From a western viewpoint the 7 Emirates are similar to America’s individual states. For example, the culture from the Midwestern State Missouri is different from the culture of the Northeastern state of Pennsylvania; likewise, the 7 Emirates are rich with their own unique culture and traditions.
Abu Dhabi is the largest of the Emirates occupying an estimated 86.7% of the total land area in the country. There are 3 primary residential regions: (1) Abu Dhabi, the capital city; (2) Al Ain, a city near the Hajar Mountains; (3) Liwa Oases comprised of multiple smaller villages. The primary sources of revenue are fishing, pearling, date plantations, and camel herding.
Dubai is the second largest of the Emirates and the wealthiest. Dubai is located along the harbor which positions it as a boundless port for the trading industry. Today Dubai is the leading trading port in the UAE, and one of the top visited tourist cities in the world.
Sharjah may share its southern border with Dubai, but it is the only Emirate to have coastlines on both the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Salt and pearling use to be the top exports and trade items of Sharjah, but in the 1930s pearling drastically declined. Today Sharjah is the cultural and educational center in the UAE, proudly preserving and promoting the country’s Islamic cultural heritage.
Ajman is the smallest of the Emirates only 260 square kilometers (about 161.55651 miles). Fishing and date-trees are the primary sources of sustenance for the populace.
Umm Al Qaiwain is the second smallest Emirate (770 kilometers) with the smallest population. Date-farming and fishing are the chief sources of income, and under its present leadership Umm Al Qaiwain continues to develop into one of the most modern states in the UAE.
Ras Al Khaimah is the furthest north of all the Emirates, and absorbs the excess water that streams down from the Hajar Mountains. Due to the water runoff Ras Al Khaimah has an abundance of land vegetation making it an agricultural juggernaut.
Fujairah stands out from the other Emirates for two unique reasons. First, Fujairah is located on the coast Gulf of Oman, and is the only Emirate without a coastline on the Arabian Gulf. Second, unlike its neighboring states Fujairah’s terrain is mainly mountains and plains, opposed to deserts. Fishing and agriculture are the primary sources of income for Fujairah’s residents.
