Arab Emirates countries of the world. UAE. First prayer at the Sheikh Khalifa Mosque

General information

Official name - United Arab Emirates. The state is located in Southwest Asia in the eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula. The area is 83,600 km2. Population - 5,000,000 people. (for 2012). Official language- Arabic. The capital is Abu Dhabi. The monetary unit is the UAE dirham.

The United Arab Emirates occupy the territory at the northeastern end of the Arabian Peninsula. The UAE borders Saudi Arabia to the south and west and Oman to the east. Its northern coast is opposite across the Persian Gulf, while it is only 50 km to the northwest. The United Arab Emirates consists of seven emirates - Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm Al Qaiwain. Together, these emirates occupy an area about the same size as. The Emirate of Abu Dhabi occupies 85% of the total area of ​​the UAE; and the smallest of the emirates - Ajman - only 250 km 2.

The climate in the United Arab Emirates is almost perfect, except for the hot summer period. The daily temperature range, depending on the season, ranges from +10°C to +48°C. It should be noted that +10°C and +48°C are extreme values. The average air temperature in winter is +24°C at a water temperature of +13°C, in July-August +41°C at a water temperature of +33°C. So the best time to travel to the UAE is from October to May, when a warm sunny day gives way to a cool evening. Usually in the winter months the temperature does not fall below +15°C (the average for January and February is about +18°C). And in the hottest summer months of July and August, the average temperature is about +35°C.

The water temperature on the beaches of the UAE (Persian Gulf) ranges from +15°C in winter (December-February) to +35°C in summer (May-October). In winter, when the water in the Persian Gulf does not warm up even in shallow water, almost no one bathes in open water. Usually at this time of the year everyone swims in indoor pools. The water in the pools at the hotels is heated in winter and cooled in summer, since in summer the water in the Persian Gulf is too warm, and being in it does not bring the desired coolness.

Story

The lands of the United Arab Emirates were developed as far back as seven thousand years BC. e. Already at that time, the region had a promising future: located on the trade route between Mesopotamia and India, it was of great interest to many powerful rulers of that time.

The first state of Dilmun emerged within the future UAE in the third millennium BC. e. As an important trading point, it attracted the attention of many, in the VI century. BC e. the power of the Persian Achaemenid dynasty was established here. In the fourth century, the land of the future UAE was not deprived of attention by the conquering king Alexander the Great (356-323 BC), during which it became the largest empire of the ancient world. However, after the death of the great ruler, little was left of the former power of his state, and the Macedonian lands split into dozens of small possessions. So, by the third century, the future principalities of the UAE were among the possessions of the Sassanids, and their power was held in the region until the 6th century, when the heyday of the Arab Caliphate began. In the lands he captured, which included the southern coast of the Persian Gulf and the northwestern coast of the Gulf of Oman, Islam began to spread.

VIII-IX centuries became a period of self-government of the Arab principalities: then the local rulers managed to resist the onslaught of the Umayyad dynasty. At the end of the ninth century, the Persian Abbasid dynasty succeeded in conquering the future UAE again. In the X-XI centuries. these lands became part of the state of the Qarmatians, and after its collapse fell under the influence of Oman.

From the 15th century Europeans began to penetrate the lands of the current UAE. The first to explore new territories on the Arabian Peninsula were the Portuguese, who held their positions in and Julfar in the 16th-17th centuries. In the 17th century between the rulers of Iran and attempts were made to divide the princely territories, but soon the influence of the eastern states was weakened.

In the XVIII century. The eastern region of the Arabian Peninsula attracted the attention of the British East India Trading Company, which gradually began to take control of the trade routes that passed from the coast of the United Arab Emirates. The Arab population lost profits and was forced to resist the British, but military attacks under the pretext of fighting piracy at the beginning of the 19th century. nevertheless forced the rulers of the local principalities to sign official documents that allowed the East India Company to keep the region under control. As a result of the signing of several more treaties throughout the nineteenth century, a protectorate was established, naming the de facto colony Treaty Oman. The British government appeared in the DO, and military bases began to be built on the territories of the principalities.

The liberation movement was formed in the UAE only in the 1920s. But it was then, quite inopportunely for the locals who yearned for independence, that the British discovered oil fields in the region, which only increased Britain's interest in the colony. Only in 1971, under pressure from the League of Arab States, did the British side grant independence to the future federation.

Attractions UAE

Abu Dhabi- the capital city - spread among the lifeless sands and dry rivers on the shores of the Persian Gulf. It is the largest and richest of the emirates.

Abu Dhabi is called the Manhattan of the Middle East. The city's ideally straight streets form a grid with six main thoroughfares. The most spectacular buildings are grouped along coastline or are located on parallel streets: Sheikh Khallf, Sheikh Hamdan and Sheikh Zayed. The feature that distinguishes Abu Dhabi from any other modern city and that reflects its Muslim character is a large number of mosques in the city and its environs. From anywhere in the city, you can see several intricately decorated minarets at once.

The city of Abu Dhabi was founded in 1760. There is a beautiful legend about the founding of the capital of the UAE. Arab hunters from one of the oases pursued a gazelle. The gazelle meandered through the desert for a long time, and then led the hunters to the shore of the Persian Gulf, where it jumped into the water and wade across to the island. The hunters followed her and the gazelle led them to a spring of fine fresh water. In gratitude, the hunters gave life to the gazelles, and the settlement founded near the source was called the "father of the gazelles", which in Arabic sounds like Abu Dhabi.

The city of Abu Dhabi, located on an island and separated from the mainland by a narrow strait, is rightfully considered a park city.

Ajman- the smallest of all emirates, located 30 minutes from Dubai Airport. And even though there are no oil reserves here, this city has found its way and become famous. Like most cities in the northern emirates, Ajman is built on the shores of the bay, extending inland in the shape of the letter "U".

Once upon a time, Ajman was widely known as a center for pearl mining and boat building. However, the pearl trade is no longer at the heart of its economy.

Ajman shipyard - famous throughout the country for the manufacture of single-masted Arab ships "dhow". These light but strong boats are made from imported teak wood, using centuries-old techniques using equally ancient traditional structures and tools. In the early 90s, fiberglass boats and motor boats, also produced in Ajman, became popular. The shipyard is so famous that customers come from other Arab countries to order ships designed for fishing and boat trips. Numerous tourists who come to rest in the UAE love to ride a dhow.

The main sights of Ajman are the square watchtower and the huge fort in the center of the city. The fort houses the National Historical Museum. The exposition of the museum includes archaeological and ethnographic sections, a collection of ancient weapons, rooms dedicated to the history of the police of the Emirates. Of particular interest to visitors may be the reconstruction of the life of the past and traditional crafts using "wax figures". Next to the museum is the old sheikh's palace. Ajman is also famous for its mineral springs, which supply all the countries of the Persian Gulf with drinking water.

Dubai- the center of tourism and trade. Most tourists who decide to spend their holidays in the UAE choose this particular emirate and this city. Dubai has been famous as a "city of merchants" since ancient times. Here, on the shores of a deep-water lagoon that divides today's settlement into two parts - Deira and Bur Dubai, there were brave men who maintained trade relations between Mesopotamia and the civilizations of the Indus Valley. Already 150 years ago, Dubai was considered the most important port of the Persian Gulf. It was here that the largest markets in the region, referred to in Arabic as "suk", were located.

At the beginning of the XIX century. Dubai was a small, walled settlement located in the Bur Dubai area near the Bay, in the center of which was the Al Fahidi Fort. The population of only 1,200 belonged to the Beni Yaz tribe. In 1833, representatives of another branch of this tribe, headed by the Al Maktoum family, moved to Dubai from Abu Dhabi. This was a turning point in Dubai's fortunes as these settlers soon began building small town- shopping center. At the turn of our century, it was famous for the largest market on the coast with many shops located on the side of Deira. Until the middle of the 20th century, the source of his wealth was the extraction and trade of pearls. But artificial pearls appeared, and a serious threat hung over the prosperity of the inhabitants of the region. But in the 60s, fountains of oil hit from the bowels of Dubai, the reserves of which were determined to be of industrial importance, and its new life began.

Oil was first exported from the area in 1969, a few years later than from Abu Dhabi, and not in the same quantity, but nevertheless sufficient to build a modern city on the site of an old trading settlement. In the whirlwind of development and intensive construction, Dubai, more than any other city in the UAE, has retained its individual features. The bay - the heart of the city - still defines its characteristic appearance. It is always filled with single-masted ships entering and leaving, and small boats "abars" carrying passengers from one coast to the other. To fully enjoy the view from the bay is best from the "abara".

These small water buses cross the Cove from the Markets on the Deira side to the marinas at the market on the Bur Dubai side. For 30 dirhams an hour you can hire an abar and cruise up to the Maktoum Bridge and down to the sea. You can also see many migratory birds at the inner end of the Bay in a large lagoon, and of course the most beautiful of them - flamingos.

The landscape of the Bay in a modern way was complemented by tall buildings from the Deira side, the most beautiful of which is undoubtedly the Deira Tower. One can endlessly marvel at the contrast between the white high-rise buildings and the small, archaic sailboats that float at their base. On the Bur Dubai side, the development is lower, which allows sunlight and air to enter the Bay.

The tallest building in the city is on the Bur Dubai side. The 39-story Dubai World Trade Center stands on the road to the city from Abu Dhabi. This powerful tower is one of the tallest buildings in Arabia. It was built under Sheikh Rashid, who planned to transform Dubai from a small traditional market town into a modern city. The Maktoum Hospital was founded by his efforts, the airport was designed, which made Dubai the leading emirate even before the oil era. In 1985, Dubai opened its own airline, the main base of which was a significantly expanded in recent times Dubai International Airport.

UAE Cuisine

The UAE uses traditional and practically the same cuisine for Arab countries, formed under the influence of the special natural, climatic and religious features of the region. Since Muslims do not eat pork, meat dishes are mainly used beef, goat, veal, poultry, fish and eggs. The meat is often fried in a hot frying pan without fat, which gives it a special taste. It is worth trying lamb meat with rice and nuts - "guzi", barbecue "tikka", traditional Arabic "shawarma" (shawarma, shawarma), lamb cutlets with herbs "kustileta", the famous barbecue of marinated lamb or beef - "kebab", lamb "shish kebab", meat with spices and rice "makbous", traditional minced meat kebab "kofta", fried meat balls "kebbe", cold cuts roast "meshui-mushakkal", a kind of pizza "rice" stuffed with young lamb pepper and many other, no less original dishes.

Very popular poultry dishes - chicken stew with tomato, steamed chicken "al-mandi" with honey, chicken casserole "haris" (often with veal), rice with pieces of chicken stew "biryani-adjaj", chicken skewers "tikka-dajaj", spicy chicken"dzhaj-tannuri", quail meat "samman", which is very revered in the East, etc. Rice and fresh vegetable salad are used as a side dish for such dishes. All sorts of spices and seasonings are used in large quantities. An important place on the table is occupied by thick meat soups with beans and rice, peas, potatoes, capers, etc. The meal is often accompanied by pies made of coarse wheat flour with "kubbe" meat or small triangular "sambusa" pies with vegetables - "khudar", cheese - "jabna", meat - "lyakhma" or spinach - "sabeneh".

Vegetables and greens are widely used - khomus (hummus), hommos bi-tahin, wheat or corn porridge"burgul", stuffed zucchini "kuzhet", vegetable salad with Arabic bread "fatush", eggplant caviar "mutabbal", "tabbulya" - a dish of wheat and finely chopped greens, cabbage rolls (dolma) from the grape leaf "warak-anab ", white soaked peas" dahnu ", rice in all sorts of combinations, as well as pickled and salted vegetables and seasonings.

Dishes made from sour-milk products, especially cheese, as well as fish and seafood are consumed in large quantities - "biryani-samak", a kind of pilaf with fish "makbus-samak", sea bass "hamur", "sultan Ibrahim" (sultanka or red mullet), "shaari", "zubeidi", various crustaceans and even sharks. Traditionally, fish is cooked exclusively on charcoal.

Local desserts are very good - umm-ali milk pudding with raisins and nuts, sweet cheese pie with cream "ash-asaya" (or "as-saraya"), pistachio pudding "mehallabiya", "baklava", donuts with honey "ligemat", "sherbet", a kind of Arabic dessert "asyda", etc.

A special kind of meal is coffee. This is both a traditional drink for conversation and a special art, which should not be neglected in Arab countries. Coffee is prepared "on the spot", no machines are recognized in principle, and it is poured from traditional "dalla" coffee pots into small bowls. There are a lot of varieties of this drink, but the most popular are traditional black varieties, as well as light Arabian and coffee with cardamom.

United Arab Emirates on the map

Transcription of geographical names is given according to the Middle East and directories of the USSR and the Russian Federation

The territory of the UAE has long been inhabited by humans. Archaeologists have discovered traces of people living here who lived in the 5th millennium BC. The ancient Sumerians and Assyrians called the area of ​​the Gulf Dilmun, believing that there is paradise, and took the bodies of the dead for burial on the island of Bahrain. The ancient Greeks called the bay “Thylos”, which means “pearl”, because such valuable pearls were mined in its waters. The Iranians call it Persian, the Arabs call it Arabic, and in the rest of the world they most often use the word “Gulf”.

The British on their maps designated the coast of the future Emirates as the "Pirate Coast", and from the middle of the 19th century. after the signing of a number of peace agreements with local sheikhs - "Treaty Oman". The ancestors of the inhabitants of the UAE called their land Es-Syr” - “homeland”, and the coast - “Es-Sif”. By the way, Es-Sif is called the embankment along the bay-creek in Dubai on the side of Bar Dubai and the embankment in El Kuwait). The inhabitants of southern and southeastern Arabia called these lands "Esh-Shimal" ("north").

In the toponymy of the Emirates, one can find geographical names that reflect the history of the settlement of the country in the middle of the 18th century by Yemeni tribes. That period was a time of great upheaval for Arabia. Three dry years in a row, inter-tribal wars over springs and pastures, plague and cholera epidemics caused the migration of tribes from various parts of the peninsula to the Gulf coast. The ancestors of the inhabitants of Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and the Emirates settled on the deserted coast at that time. Yesterday's Bedouins became "marine Arabs" - fishermen, sailors, pearl divers and shipbuilders.

Constant tribal clashes forced the Arabians to unite, creating a kind of military blocs. Some such alliances numbered tens of thousands of warriors, for example, the Anaza confederation could field 60 thousand warriors. Among them was the association of Bani Yas, which included more than 15 Yemeni tribes numbering about 15 thousand men. The Bani Yas tribes were not rich: they had only 180 horses and 400 camels. The founder of Bani Yas is considered to be mentioned in the manuscripts of the mid-16th century. Yemeni Sheikh Mohammed Yasi. Bani Yas literally translates as “sons of Yasi”.

The Bani Yas tribes first settled in the chain of small oases of Liwa and Salva, and then began to develop the coast. The name of the large island-reserve Syr Bani Yas in the south of the UAE shows that the tribes lived on it for some time. Today, the name of Bani Yas is a town 40 km east of Abu Dhabi, streets and squares of various cities in the country.

Abu Dhabi

In literal translation, the name of the emirate and the capital of the UAE means “father of the gazelle”. There is a legend that in the middle of the 18th century. a local hunter wounded a gazelle (“dabi” in the local dialect). In the heat of the chase, he crossed the sea channel that separated the deserted lifeless island, which the Bedouins called “Maliha” (“Salty”) from the mainland, and, getting lost there, died of thirst. Not far from his body and the dead gazelle, the tribesmen found a spring, which they called “Abu Dhabi”. This spring key, 2 km south of the Corniche, is still preserved.

Subsequently, people found several more sources of water and began to settle around them. For the first time, the village of Abu Dhabi is mentioned in the notes of an assistant British political agent in Bombay who traveled in 1761 across the Gulf. He counted about 400 barasti huts made of reeds, or rather, palm leaves, and indicated that the inhabitants were engaged in fishing.

There is another, more prosaic, but most likely plausible version of the appearance of the name “Abu Dhabi”. In the Eastern Arabian dialect of Arabic, the word "Abu" - not only "father", but also "rich" in something, is often used to denote the abundance of something. You yourself can translate, for example, “abu dollar”.

Local residents have long noticed that at low tide, herds of gazelles moved to the island and went to the watering place. Therefore, “Abu Dhabi” means “a place abounding with gazelles”, or simply “gazelles”. This version is also supported by the fact that the island was originally called “Umm Dhabi” (“mother of the gazelles”, or see above). Located near Abu Dhabi, the island is called Umm Nar - "Fiery". The village, and then the entire island and the territory of the current emirate of Abu Dhabi, began to be called by the name of the source.

Dubai

The name of the second largest emirate and its capital of the same name comes from the Arabic name of the juveniles of one of the locust species - the sixth locust (in Arabic, the locust is “dibba”, and the diminutive derivative word is “dubai”.

How does it sound in Russian - "locust"?. Perhaps this name is due to the fact that here was a place of periodic breeding of locusts, which love moist soil. Judging by the preserved name of the urban area “Bur Dubai” (“Locust Well”), there was once a well here. By the way, the locust is immortalized in the name of another Emirati city - Dibba on the east coast. Another district of Dubai - Deira in the local dialect simply means "village".

Sharjah

The name of the city and the emirate comes from the Arabic word "sharq" - "east", which in the local dialect is pronounced as "sharj".

Ajman

The name of the smallest among the Arab Emirates, most likely, was given in honor of the once strong Ajman tribal confederation, in which there were about 5 thousand warriors. There is another version: in Arabic “ajm” means “non-Arabs, foreigners, Persians”. In this interpretation, "Ajman" can be translated as "non-Arabic, hostile place."

Umm El Qaiwain

Locals pronounce the name of the city and the emirate Umm al-Ghaywin, which in the local dialect means “the place of two lowlands” (“hollows”), which reflects the geographical relief of the peninsula of the same name where the city is located.

Ras Al Khaimah

"Cape of the Tent". According to legend, the leader of one of the local tribes once chose a cape for his headquarters, pitching his tent there. According to legend, the Queen of Sheba stopped at this place for the night while traveling to Solomon.

fujairah

It comes from the name of a large mountain spring, which still supplies water to several villages of the emirate. Derived from the Arabic word with the root “fajara”, meaning “to overflow, gush, gush (of a source)”.

There is no bad weather or low season in the Emirates - here, in July and February, excellent hotels for a real vacation and exciting shopping at attractive prices await tourists. Perhaps the policy of the UAE (we will present photos of stunning views in our article) regarding tourism can be expressed in the following words: “We want to surprise everything that the country has, and if something is not there, it will be built, and then we will surprise you again more!"

A little about comfort

The flow of tourists wishing to visit the country is growing. After all, everything is combined with everything in it: in the dunes from the nomad camp you can see the luminous Burj Khalifa needle, and camel races are held on a platform neatly squeezed between modern skyscrapers. If you value comfort above all else, but at the same time are not indifferent to Arabian exoticism, the Emirates is a place that can satisfy your needs by 100%!

UAE: map of the state and geographical features

A new country that appeared on the world map in 1971, which united six emirates that were under the protectorate of England, in a short time turned into a developed state with the lowest crime rate in the world and high level life.

The UAE (you can see the photo in the article) are located mainly on the coast of the Persian Gulf (except for the emirate of Fujairah, located on the Indian Ocean). Moreover, a significant part of the state falls on the areas occupied by the Arabian desert. In order to see such beauty: the azure sea, the velvet desert, the majestic Hajjar mountains, luxurious cities and masterpieces of palace architecture, it is worth visiting this pearl of the East.

Climate is no problem

The Emirates is a country with a dry climate close to tropical. Rains here are rare and mostly in winter. Imagine that no more than 10 rainy days are accumulated in this territory in a year! And the temperature in January is surprisingly comfortable: +24 °C. By the way, despite the fact that the UAE in August turns into a real "brazier" (with a temperature of +48 ° C), at this time there are still a lot of people who want to visit a hospitable country that offers surprisingly comfortable conditions for recreation.

Let's go there now!

capital - get acquainted!

Abu Dhabi is perhaps the greenest city on the coast. He is proud of his parks, fountains and sculptures that adorn the boulevards and squares. Abu Dhabi can be compared to a colorful jigsaw puzzle of ultra-modern landscapes and ancient architectural traditions. Skyscrapers, mosques, overflowing with aromas of spices and colors of exotic fruits - all this will make an unforgettable impression on the traveler.

The streets of the city are perfectly straight, and the inhabitants are friendly and always friendly. A special sign of Abu Dhabi is a huge number of mosques with intricately decorated minarets. They can be admired endlessly.

The pride of the capital (and the whole country) has always been considered its stunning hotels, built with all kinds of luxury and comfort. They are famous all over the world for their service, interiors and a huge range of additional services. It is in the hotels that most of the galleries, shops, gyms and diving centers of the city are located.

The UAE, whose photo of the capital is offered here, is fighting for the attention of tourists, is actively building more and more unthinkable buildings. Let's take a look at these mind-blowing human creations already available in Abu Dhabi.

On Al Raha Beach, you can admire the round skyscraper in the form of this symbol of perfection and stability, designed by the MZ studio, it is impossible to ignore.

Capital Gate (the so-called falling skyscraper), built at the end of 2011, will cause you no less delight. Imagine that the angle of its inclination is 4 times greater than that of the Leaning Tower of Pisa! On the upper floors of this building there is a helipad owned by the Abu Dhabi Sheikh family.

Don't forget the Marina Mall tower with its slowly rotating top.

Why, it is impossible to describe all the wonders of the city in a short article: go and see for yourself!

Local restaurants are a gourmet paradise

But what are the skyscrapers of the UAE compared to the cuisine of the Middle East! Go to any restaurant you like and you won't go wrong. Among them there are those who prefer only the Lebanese, Moroccan or Iranian tradition. And for lovers of European cuisine, there are enough Italian, French, Greek, etc. restaurants, where dishes will be selected and served with unforgettable elegance.

Note to travelers: Special attention the menu should be given to fresh fish from the Persian Gulf or seafood: lobster, crabs, shrimp. In any kitchen, they are the decoration of the menu!

Fans of hearty and inexpensive food are offered a huge number of small cafes and eateries, which, nevertheless, offer visitors a high level of service and, most importantly, quality products. You will not be bored while your order is being prepared: as soon as you sit down at a table, you will be offered salads and bread. Special tip: be sure to try the local fruit drink - mocktail.

By the way, lunch will cost a hungry tourist an average of about $ 10. And tips are already included in the bill, so there is no need to leave them.

A few tips for tourists, or "To a strange monastery with its charter ..."

Coming to a Muslim state, you need to be especially attentive to the traditions of the people who have welcomed you. You should not appear on the streets in mini, transparent or low-cut clothes.

It is not recommended to photograph Muslim women and flirt with them, and it is unacceptable to show more than friendly feelings in public places. In the UAE, whose photo you can see here, littering, drinking alcohol-containing drinks or offering them to local residents are serious offenses.

Staying in the UAE during Ramadan requires tourists to be especially respectful of the religious feelings of believers, and non-compliance with regulations is a crime in this country even for foreigners.

Please note that during Ramadan, many shops open from 20:00 to 3:00 am, and most bars and restaurants do not provide musical or other entertainment performances. During daylight hours, fasting is observed in the country (you can not only eat and drink, but also smoke, and even just chew gum on the street). True, tourists are allowed to do all this on the territory of their hotels.

What is the best way to rest?

The United Arab Emirates is famous for its opportunities for outdoor activities and various sports, which more than makes up for the lack of historical attractions.

So, a jeep or motorcycle safari is very popular in the country, which allows you to get to know the life of the Bedouins better. In addition, go-kart racing, horseback riding, camel racing, as well as excursions to the Sheikh's Stables and zoos are also offered. Sea fishing is very popular, or sand skiing is no less common.

And shopping in the Emirates has long been a special attraction. After all, the UAE is a huge trade zone, on which duties are not imposed, a similar circumstance, in turn, allows you to set competitive prices for popular goods in countries.

If you miss the snow, then in this situation the Emirates will be able to offer you a great vacation: ski resort Ski Dubai. This is a unique indoor complex that offers skiing, snowboarding and sledding. Given that the Arabian desert is spread around, bathed in the hot sun, you can imagine how exotic such a vacation (possible only in the UAE) looks like!

Brief information about the country

Date of Independence

Official language

Arab

Form of government

A constitutional monarchy

Territory

83,600 km² (114th in the world)

Population

5 473 972 people (114th in the world)

United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED)

Timezone

The largest city

$271.1 billion (49th in the world)

Internet domain

Telephone code

United Arab Emirates, the most spectacular showcase of the Middle East and one of the best vacation spots on the planet, is located in the northeast of the Arabian Peninsula and is washed by the azure waters of the Persian and Oman Gulfs. El-Imarat al-Arabiya al-Muttahid, as its inhabitants call their country, is a federal state and includes 7 emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras al-Khaim, Fujairah, Umm al-Qaiwain and Ajman . Each of them has its own zest, its own customs and natural features.

Video: UAE

Basic moments

This eastern country, which has not yet celebrated its 50th anniversary, owes its prosperity not to the dictates of a fabulous genie, but to the colossal deposits of oil and gas found in this region, as well as to a reasonable, far-sighted and fair approach to the use and distribution of natural treasures inherited by it.

Harmoniously combining the traditions of East and West, the United Arab Emirates managed to expressively combine the past and the present. Here, structures made of concrete and glass side by side with ancient mosques built of clay, modern shopping centers - with exotic oriental markets, and the strict laws of Islam do not apply to tourists who want to have fun in their hotel or take care of alcohol supplies in duty free .

The sunny country, where there is almost no rain, is ready to receive tourists all year round. In winter, the air temperature in the UAE does not fall below +20 °C, and in summer it usually exceeds +40 °C. But since the climate here is dry, the heat is tolerated quite easily, besides, all rooms and even bus stops are air-conditioned.

Hotels in the UAE will give you comfort, and the beaches will amaze you with the contrast of colors that have absorbed the whiteness of the sand, the emerald shades of the foliage of date palms, located in disorder on the shore, and the azure of gentle coastal waves. You can discover the wonders of the underwater world by diving off the coral reefs or by riding a camel and heading into the desert to feel its hot breath. In the United Arab Emirates, inquisitive travelers will find ancient architectural monuments and interesting museums. At the service of tourists who prefer active recreation are tennis courts, golf courses, football grounds, the opportunity to go in for horseback riding, archery, water sports, including extreme ones. Passionate shopping lovers should be reminded that the UAE is the best place on the planet for this exciting activity.

UAE cities

All cities in the UAE

Attractions UAE

All sights of the UAE

History of the United Arab Emirates

The entire history of the United Arab Emirates is divided into pre-Islamic and Islamic periods. It is known that before the advent of Islam, this territory was inhabited by nomadic tribes. They were engaged in hunting, fishing, catching pearls. A special place in the way of life of the Arabs was occupied by the breeding of camels - animals, without which life in the harsh conditions of the desert would be even more difficult. Camel hair was used for making clothes, animal meat for cooking, droppings for making a fire, and their endurance helped the nomads overcome hot sandy impassability.

For a long time, the scarce land did not attract conquerors from the great empires that existed in the neighborhood to these lands, at that time even merchant ships rarely came here. However, life was not peaceful here: the tribes constantly fought among themselves for water and land more suitable for life. The Arabs themselves call this period "Jahiliya", which means "primitive rudeness, ignorance."

Despite tough natural conditions, progress was made in the life of nomads: they learned how to extract groundwater and use it in agriculture. By the 7th century, when the power of the Arab Caliphate, which brought Islam here, was established in this territory, there already existed large settlements with dwellings that were built from clay and fragments of coral reefs. The most significant of them - Dubai, Fujairah, Sharjah - soon became cities.

As the Arab Caliphate weakened, this territory gradually withdrew from its sphere of influence, and then independent sheikhdoms (emirates) were formed - small states. On these lands of the Arabian Peninsula, located at the crossroads of sea routes connecting the countries of the Mediterranean and India, trade began to develop. Ships moored to the shores of the Persian Gulf more and more often, and merchants from all over Arabia, India and Persia equipped caravans for local pearls.

In the 10th-11th centuries, the sheikhdoms fell under the influence of neighboring Oman, and from the 15th century Europeans began to show interest in this territory. Over time, the Portuguese, and then the British, fortified here and controlled the sea routes and trade. The British protectorate existed here until 1971.

In the 1920s, colossal oil reserves were discovered in the Persian Gulf, but the active extraction of "black gold" began thirty years later. In 1964, the League of Arab States, which declared the right of the Arab countries to independence, opposed the protectorate, and in 1968 the British government announced its decision to withdraw its troops from this Middle Eastern region.

The meeting of sheikhs in Abu Dhabi on December 2, 1971 is considered to be the starting point for the history of the realization of the “great Arab dream”. It was then that the six emirates of the Persian Gulf decided to unite their territories and resources. The seventh emirate, Ras Al Khaimah, joined the federation a year later.

The political system of the UAE is unique in its own way: it combines elements of a republican (electoral) system with a monarchical form of government, where the ruler of each emirate is unquestioning authority.

modern country

Today it is difficult to imagine that even 50 years ago in the UAE, from the shores of the Gulf to the horizon, a hellish desert stretched. The impetus for the phenomenal development of the region was given by the oil boom that began in the 70s. Crowded cities with skyscrapers and palaces, wide highways and green parks began to appear in the desert scorched by the Arabian sun.

The prudent and wise emirs, the heads of the seven emirates, who considered that tourism is one of the best investments of profit from the oil and gas trade, showed creative thinking and decided that their tourist paradise would not be like the resorts of Egypt, Turkey, Lebanon, Tunisia. They invited the most talented architects and engineers from all over the world, obsessed with original, sometimes seemingly insane ideas, to the country, and today, looking at local hotels, shopping malls, office buildings, one gets the impression that the UAE is a phantasmagoric living illustration for fairy tales from 1000 and one night. But in the Emirates, instead of fabulous palaces, futuristic buildings impress with their magnificence, instead of camel caravans, luxury cars rushing along impeccable roads at a minimum speed of 160 km / h cross the desert, and mysterious houris in translucent robes have given way to modern divas in no less seductive beach outfits that , however, can only be demonstrated in the resort area.

Every day fabulous sums pass through the banks of the UAE, which are one of the cornerstones in the financial system of the Middle East. And the endless flow of money here is as regular as the ebb and flow in the Persian Gulf. Many residents of the Emirates are the richest people in the world, and the title of "sheikh" today is steadily associated with countless treasures, palaces, yachts, luxury cars. However, the rest of the citizens of the United Arab Emirates can hardly be called poor.

Population

After the declaration of the state, the first census was carried out. The registries included two hundred thousand indigenous people who received passports of citizens of the United Arab Emirates. Today, their number has increased to almost a million, which is 11% of the total population of the country. The majority of those living in the UAE are from other Arab countries, South Asia, North Africa, and they are not covered by the benefits available to indigenous people: free medicine, education (including in foreign universities), subsidies for utility bills.

Young citizens of the UAE, upon marriage, receive land from the state or funds for its acquisition, as well as an interest-free loan for building a house, which, moreover, can be repaid from the state budget after the birth of a third child. The houses of local residents are more like palaces surrounded by green gardens. By the way, fertile land and trees in the Emirates are imported items, and landscaping is not at all cheap, as is water for the irrigation system, which is individual for each tree and bush here.

Indigenous people of the United Arab Emirates work in public institutions or in management positions in commercial firms. The rest of the work is the lot of visitors, who live here not so badly.

It may seem that the golden rain of petrodollars has severed the connection between the past and the present. But the inhabitants of a dynamically developing country remain faithful to Islam, strictly adhere to the morality and traditions laid down by the ascetic prophet Muhammad, and do not change their traditional clothes.

UAE currency

The official currency in the United Arab Emirates is the dirham. The rate of 3.67 dirhams to $ 1 was fixed in 1980, and has not changed until now. A large number of international banks is represented in the UAE by its branches. It is better to exchange currency in one of them, since the exchange rate at the hotel is significantly lower.

Customs

The customs laws of the United Arab Emirates, in general, are quite liberal, and any goods can be exported from the country in any quantity. Import and export of currency is also not limited. However, there are restrictions on the import of certain goods. You can import no more than ten packs of cigarettes, four hundred cigars, two kg of tobacco into the UAE. But, first of all, strict import restrictions apply to alcohol. A foreigner who crosses the border of the Emirates is allowed to import no more than 2 liters of spirits and 2 liters of wine per person.

Emirate of Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is the largest emirate of the United Arab Emirates in terms of area, where the capital of the country of the same name is located. It is the richest in the Commonwealth of the Emirates, which is not surprising, because it has 20 times more oil fields than Dubai, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah combined.

The northern coast of the capital emirate is washed by warm waters The Persian Gulf, in the east rises the Jabal al-Hajar mountain range, and in the south, in the Liwa oasis, dozens of emerald “patches” of land with the fertile shade of palm trees alternate with the majestic mobile sand dunes of the Rub al-Khali desert.

Capital

The city of Abu Dhabi is located on the island of the same name, separated from the western coast of the Ruus el Jibal peninsula by the Al Maktaa sea strait, the width of which is 250 m. The island, in turn, is surrounded by small islands of natural and artificial origin.

On the mainland there is part of the urban area, suburbs, international Airport Abu Dhabi. Here, in the coastal strip, there is one of the few historical sights of the city - Al-Maktaa Fort, built in the century before last to protect the coastal territory. For the same purpose, the Al-Maktaa watchtower was built, which can be seen on a stone island in the strait.

The fort, built in Arabic style using wood and soft stone, has now been restored and houses a tourist office where you can purchase educational literature, guidebooks in your preferred language and maps of the city.

Three bridges lead from the mainland to the central districts of the city, surrounded by luxurious greenery of gardens and parks, two of which are doubled. The first thing you will see when crossing the Al-Maktaa Strait on the bridge of the same name is the domes and four minarets of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which is a symbol of Muslim faith and the personification of the wealth of the state. This majestic mosque bears the name of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the seventeenth Emir of Abu Dhabi, one of the founders of the UAE and its first president. His ashes rest at the walls of the temple.

The luxurious building is decorated with 1000 columns and 82 domes, the largest of which, 85 m high, is listed in the Guinness Book of Records. The world record holders include a huge Iranian carpet covering the floor of the prayer hall, as well as a grandiose chandelier shining with many Swarovski crystals.

The mosque is decorated with artificial reservoirs, its courtyard, located on the territory of 17,000 m², is decorated with colored mosaics. The building of the temple and its courtyard can accommodate more than 41 thousand believers. This shrine is one of the few mosques in the state, which is ready to receive tourists at the set hours.

To the north of the mosque is the Al-Batin Airport, built about half a century ago, the first in the UAE. Today it has been modernized, but only accepts domestic flights and serves business aviation.

Khalifa Park, named after the current President of the United Arab Emirates and Emir of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is located on a vast territory not far from the airport. In this green oasis planted with trees, shrubs and flowers from all over the globe you can spend the whole day. Here guests can enjoy man-made canals and lakes with illumination, fountains, labyrinths of alleys, playgrounds, an aquarium, attractions, one of which, the Time Tunnel, reflects the history of the country.

Al-Ittihad Square, located in the west of the island, is also of interest. It is decorated with six impressive sculptures of snow-white stone, which are symbols of Arabia - a cannon, a watchtower, a kind of cap with which the Arabs cover food, a coffee pot, a vessel for washing hands in rose water and a bowl for burning incense.

To the south of the square is the oldest architectural landmark of the city - the fortress of Qasr Al Hosn, or the White Fort, built in 1793. Its most ancient part, one of the watchtowers, was erected to guard the only source of water on the island at that time. The image of the tower can be seen on the banknote of 1000 dirhams. Until 1966, Qasr Al Hosn had the status of the residence of the sheikhs of the Al Nahyan family, which still rules in Abu Dhabi.

The northwestern end of the square borders on the many kilometers of the city's central waterfront - the Corniche, the most beautiful and popular place in Abu Dhabi. It stretches from the Sheraton Hotel to the Emirates Palace, one of the most luxurious hotels in the Middle East. This wide promenade with graceful fountains, restaurants, cafes, bike paths and pedestrian areas is divided into several magnificent landscaped parks. It overlooks the ten-kilometer man-made island of Al-Lulu. According to the project, after the final completion of the work, it will become one of the most prestigious holiday destinations in Abu Dhabi.

The spacious city beach of Corniche Beach Park stretches between Al Hosn Family Park and the Hilton Hotel. It became the first beach among others located on the coast of the Persian Gulf, which was awarded the Blue Flag in 2011 and still holds it. On the seashore with white silky sand, all conditions for a comfortable stay are created. The territory is divided into 5 zones: a beach for families, women and children, where single men are not allowed to enter (10 dirhams for an adult, 5 dirhams for a child), a paid beach where entry is open to everyone (the cost is the same), and three accessible to all free public beach. On all beaches you need to pay for the use of umbrellas, sunbeds and towels. However, you can sunbathe just on the sand - this is not forbidden.

In the northeast of the Corniche, on the Al Mina peninsula, there is a harbor where traditional Arabic schooner dhows, boats and yachts are moored, on which you can go on a mini cruise along the coast.

Nearby are two small colorful markets: the fish market, where freshly caught fish is unloaded and sold in the morning, and the Iranian souk, beloved by tourists, is even rows of shops and shops located at the very tip of the pier. A variety of goods are presented on the shelves: handmade rugs, copper coffee pots, traditional Arab jewelry, chasing, antiques, jewelry. Most of the products are delivered here from Iran, Pakistan, India and Afghanistan.

Not far from the Corniche (across the canal) is the island of Al Marina, where there are many interesting places. Among them, one of the main attractions of the capital is the Abu Dhabi Heritage Village, or, as it is more commonly called, the Abu Dhabi Ethnographic Village. There is an exposition demonstrating the life of the inhabitants of the Arabian Desert in ancient times, archaeological finds are presented: weapons made of bronze, jewelry made of gold. Periodically, there are performances of dancers and musicians. The entrance is free.

Nearby is the grandiose shopping center Marina Mall. Its infrastructure includes a cinema, a bowling alley, a skating rink, an observation deck, cafes, restaurants, but most importantly, it is simply a paradise for shoppers.

A fascinating route around the city on the Big Bus Tours sightseeing buses starts from the Marina Mall. Traveling on one of these dark red open top double decker buses offers the best views of Abu Dhabi. The bus slowly moves along the circular route, along which there are 11 stops. A ticket starting at AED 182 for an adult and AED 90 for a child will allow you to get off and on the next bus at any of the stops. The ticket is valid for 24 hours. The tour is accompanied by an audio guide, which broadcasts in 8 languages, including Russian.

Near the Al-Mina Peninsula is the island of Al-Saadiyat. It has a natural origin and, according to far-reaching plans, should become the cultural capital of the UAE. The main cultural attractions are the Guggenheim Museum of Abstract Art, National Museum named after Sheikh Zayed, the museum complex "Louvre Abu Dhabi" - are at different stages of completion of projects. But the nine-kilometer beach area is already built up with luxury hotels, beach complexes and golf clubs. There is also a small public beach, chosen by tourists due to its white sand and crystal clear water. You need to pay 25 dirhams to enter it, and the same amount for using a sun lounger and umbrella.

A 25-minute drive from the center of Abu Dhabi, in the southern part of the artificial island of Al Yas, the Yas Marina racing circuit was built, which impresses with an original concept. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, one of the stages of the Formula 1 World Championship, is held here.

North of the circuit is the largest indoor theme park on the planet Ferrari World Abu Dhabi with an area of ​​86,000 m². Its gigantic, curved roof (200,000 m²) is curved in places, painted in Ferrari's signature red colors and adorned with the iconic brand's grandiose logo.

Of the many attractions in the park, fans of extreme sports choose the Ferrari Rossa rollercoaster, which gives desperate thrill-seekers the opportunity to feel what the speed of 240 km/h means.

The cost of visiting the park is 275 dirhams for adults, 230 dirhams for children over 3 years old.

Al Gharbiya

The dominant part of the territory of the emirate of Abu Dhabi (83%) belongs to the Al-Gharbiya region. It is called "the place where the desert meets the sea". Luxurious white beaches stretch along the many kilometers of Al-Gharbiya coast, and numerous forts that can be seen here against the backdrop of an impressive landscape remind of the history of this land.

150 km from the capital, among the sands of the endless desert of Rub al-Khali, there is the Liwa oasis, which is a kind of chain of small patches of greenery that stretches for almost 100 km with a horseshoe, uniting fifty cities.

These life-giving corners of land with palm groves and freshwater reservoirs have traditionally served as the home of the Beni Yaz tribe, from whom the dynasties that rule today in Abu Dhabi and Dubai descend. In ancient times, the main occupation of the inhabitants of the oases was the breeding of camels and the cultivation of date palms.

Paying tribute to this tradition, the UAE residents massively come here during the days of two traditional festivals: date and camel. These festivities are held in the main city of Al-Gharbiya - Madinat Zayed. Here the "ships of the desert" compete in beauty, running and milk yield. By the way, the cost of a racing camel exceeds one and a half million dirhams, and some fans of camel competitions own entire herds of such runners. The champion camel is a prestigious and very profitable movable property, because the winners receive valuable gifts - expensive cars, collectible weapons, souvenirs made of pure gold.

In Liva you will see majestic dunes, the color of which changes throughout the day - from light golden to crimson. The sands are especially magnificent in the morning and evening hours. You can ski on the dunes.

One of the most magnificent natural attractions of the UAE, the island of Sir Bani Yas, is located in the most remote corner of Al Gharbiya, 250 km from Abu Dhabi. Almost the entire territory of the island (87 km²) is a natural reserve called the Arabian Wildlife Park.

Archaeological finds indicate that people lived here several centuries ago. But by the middle of the last century, the island had practically turned into a desert. The Emir of Abu Dhabi liked this place, and the island began to come to life. Since 1971, when a nature reserve was established here, more than 8 million ornamental and fruit trees have already been planted on this stretch of land, rare species of animals and birds have been brought here, hotels, restaurants, cafes, equestrian clubs have been built for guests of the island.

Today white antelopes, cheetahs, mountain sheep, ostriches, giraffes, gazelles live here. You can travel around the island of Sir Bani Yas by bike or on horseback, and learn about the wonders of the underwater world by dressing in scuba gear. Dolphins live along the luxurious coast, which can be observed from October to March.

Al Ain

Al Ain is the oldest city in the UAE. It is the administrative center of the eastern region of the emirate of Abu Dhabi. The city is located in the foothills of the Jabar al-Hajar massif on the border with the Sultanate of Oman. In Al Ain, which preserves the spirit of a real Arab city, the indigenous inhabitants of crowded cities located on the coast of the Persian Gulf like to relax. Many wealthy families have their own apartments or villas here.

Fertile land and a relatively mild climate have turned Al Ain into a garden city, where flowers are fragrant all year round, and evergreen trees and shrubs give coolness. Here you will not see skyscrapers, as there are restrictions on the height of buildings under construction in the city.

In the heart of the city is the oasis of Al Ain with its huge plantations of date palms. It is to this oasis that the city owes its name, which means “spring” in Arabic.

In the eastern part of the oasis is the ancient Al Ain Palace Museum, which served in the past as the residence of the first president of the United Arab Emirates, whose homeland this city is. The territory of the museum includes several courtyards that once separated the female and male halves of the palace, many halls and chambers, high watchtowers. The rich art gallery of the museum is interesting, where you can see portraits of persons from the ruling family in Abu Dhabi. A visit to the museum will cost 3 dirhams.

The city has many mosques and modern shopping centers, oriental markets and original fountains. It is visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists, for whom the doors of beautiful comfortable hotels are open.

Al Ain is located far from the coast, so one of the most popular places here is Wadi Adventure. This man-made water park is located at the foot of the majestic Jebel Hafeet mountain and is the only water park in the region with artificial water flows, where you can go rafting, kayaking, surfing. There is also a 3.3 meter deep pool and a 1.7 km long kayak ride.

Be sure to visit Wildlife Park & ​​Resort - the largest zoo in the UAE. On its vast territory, in spacious enclosures, animals from different parts of the world found their home, many species of which are now on the verge of extinction. The zoo is located near the Jebel Hafeet mountain (1240 m). You can climb to its top along an 11-kilometer serpentine, and capture amazing panoramas from one of the observation platforms.

Emirate of Dubai

In terms of its territory, the emirate of Dubai is second only to the capital emirate, but outside the city of the same name, the land is almost deserted. In the west, the emirate is washed by the waters of the Persian Gulf, in the northeast it is adjacent to Sharjah, and in the south - to Abu Dhabi.

Everything in this emirate is amazing: the highest buildings on the planet, man-made islands that are visible from space, luxurious hotels - the manifestation of the flight of human imagination, grandiose malls where you can wander forever, and the most incredible leisure options. Its green parks provide cool shelter and shelter from the scorching sun.

Dubai was founded in 1833. The huge city grew out of two tiny settlements located at the mouth of Khor Dubai (often called Dubai Creek): one of them, Deira, was located on the northeastern shore of the bay, and the second, Bur Dubai, on the southwestern shore. Today, these areas are the historical core of an ultra-modern, constantly growing metropolis, where more than 2 million people live.

The northern suburbs of the city have already practically connected with the territory of the neighboring emirate of Sharjah, so the city remains to expand only to the east, conquering the sands of the desert, and to the southwest, beyond Jumeirah - a fashionable area where luxurious villas and hotels are located, which are often called an incredible word " seven-star."

In the southwest of Dubai, there is a grandiose port, as well as the Jabel Ali Free Economic Zone, which is one of the main pillars of the wealth of the UAE. With the business center of the city, built up with skyscrapers, this territory is connected by a high-speed multi-lane highway.

Dubai's main inland water area, which has been its natural harbor since the city's inception, is a narrow sea bay, 14 km deep, cutting into the land, which can be mistaken for a river. The traditional means of communication between the shores were flat-bottomed wooden boats - abra. They still run along and across the bay today, mainly as a water taxi.

The historical district of the city, which is located on the shore of the bay, is called Bastakiya. It is built up with buildings of the late XIX - early XX century. These houses were built according to the traditional Arab principle: the foundation is built from a mixture of red clay and palm wood, and the walls are made from coral blocks and limestone slabs. Merchants, fishermen and wealthy families lived here.

A walk around Bastakiya should start from the Sheikh Mohammed Cultural Center - one of the most elegant buildings in the area, then, bypassing the Bastakiah Nights restaurant, which is also located in a historic building, go to the White Mosque and the last of the surviving sections of the city wall. Next, check out one of the art galleries and head to Al Fahidi Fort, today home to the Dubai City Museum. The main part of its expositions is located in the underground part, equipped with the latest museum technologies.

Many beautiful mosques have been built in Dubai, but only one of them is open to tourists, however, it is the most impressive. This is the Jumeirah Mosque, which first received believers in 1979. Built of pink sandstone, it is an example of Arabic architecture from the 10th-13th centuries and has two minarets. After visiting a Muslim temple, take a stroll through the exotic garden that surrounds it.

The modern areas of the city are crossed by the famous ten-lane Sheikh Zayed Road, rushing towards Abu Dhabi. From its southeast side, you can see the 39-storey building of the Dubai World Trade Center. This is the first skyscraper in the UAE, which was built back in 1979, and its height is “only” 149 m. To the south, the Emirates Towers rush up. These two skyscrapers, built in the shape of a triangle, have different heights, but are similar as twin brothers. The higher building (355 m, 56 floors) houses the offices of the Emirates airline, the other (309 m, 54 floors) houses the prestigious Emirates Towers hotel and the Emirates Towers Boulevard shopping complex, where boutiques under the brands of world fashion luminaries are located.

To the east lies one of the most modern and brilliant areas of Dubai - Downtown Burj Khalifa with its legendary skyscrapers. In the very center there is an artificial lake, in the middle of which there is a musical fountain, the height of its beating jets reaches 275 meters. In the evenings, it is painted in different colors by 6,000 light sources, and the action is a fantastic extravaganza of the dance of water, music and colors.

On the shore of the lake rises the tallest building on the planet - the skyscraper Burj Khalifa ("Khalifa Tower"). It has been under construction for 6 years and opened its doors in 2010. The skyscraper rushes up to 828 m. It has 163 floors, excluding technical ones. Most of the area of ​​the colossal building is reserved for prestigious offices and residences.

The lower floors of the Khalifa Tower are occupied by the luxurious Armani Hotel Dubai, and on the 122nd floor is the restaurant At.mosphere, which is located above all other restaurants in the world. Those wishing to admire the city from a bird's eye view can climb to the 124th floor (505 m). Here they are waiting for the observation deck At the Top. Entrance here is by tickets (from 75 dirhams). They can be ordered in advance on the website of the skyscraper or bought immediately before visiting the observation deck on the lower floor of the Dubai Mall, however, it will be significantly more expensive.

The Dubai Mall Center is one of the largest shopping and entertainment complexes in the world, its total area is 1,124,000 m². On the territory of this four-level shopping center there are more than 1200 shops, two department stores, a gold market, a hundred cafes and restaurants. Among the attractions located on the territory of the complex are an Olympic-sized ice rink and the world's largest indoor aquarium, which is inhabited by a huge number of marine life. You can admire them for free, but to feed the fish by entering a special tunnel, or swim in a steel cage among the sharks, you will need to pay 70 dirhams.

Another well-known shopping and entertainment center "Mall of Emirates" is the world's largest indoor ski resort, hosting guests of sunny Dubai all year round. The height of the complex is 85 m. There are 5 slopes and a 90 m long snowboarding track, as well as lifts, toboggan runs, an ice cave and a cinema.

To get the full impression of Dubai, you just need to visit the man-made islands - Palm Jumeirah. The archipelago consists of three islands, each of which is shaped like palm branches. They are connected with the mainland by a sandy strip, personifying the trunk.

The archipelago is like a beautiful city with elegant houses, apartments, hotels, wonderful roads, restaurants, embankments, offering amazing views of Dubai, especially in the evening when the city begins to light up with lights. Rest here, of course, is not for a budget tourist, but it’s easy to go on an excursion - you can get here by metro or taxi.

Al Mamzer Beach Park is located on the northeast coast of Dubai. Its vast well-groomed territory is divided into five zones located in small bays. The park has two large swimming pools, sports and playgrounds, cozy cafes, kiosks where you can buy ice cream and water. Entrance here costs 5 dirhams, entry by car - 30 dirhams, you need to pay for an umbrella and sun loungers separately, as well as for using the pool.

Al Mamzer is the extreme point of Dubai. The coast stretching further to the northeast is already Sharjah.

Emirate of Sharjah

In the west, the coast of the emirate of Sharjah is washed by the waters of the Persian Gulf, and in the east - by Oman. Its history begins in 1630. It is known that Sharjah was the richest city in the region, whose wealth was based on pearling, trade, slave trade and piracy. In 1727, the Al-Qasimi tribal clan established itself here, ruling to this day in Sharjah and the neighboring emirate of Ras al-Khaimah. This dynasty, whose representatives in the 18th century commanded the entire pirate fleet in the Persian Gulf, especially adheres to the dogmas of Sharia, therefore the basis of all areas of life in Sharjah is the conservative traditions of Islam.

Alcohol is strictly taboo here, it is impossible to buy it even in hotels. Keeping strong drinks in a hotel room is also prohibited. In practice, no one, of course, will conduct a search, but it is unpleasant to feel like a violator of the law. This is probably why the prices for accommodation in local hotels are much lower than in other emirates, which reduces the cost of the tour. Hugging and kissing on the streets is unacceptable, you can be fined for this. Also, according to local laws, it is forbidden to appear on the beaches in open swimsuits. On the beaches of hotels, they turn a blind eye to a “frivolous” view, but on public ones, of which there are quite a lot, security guards can approach the violator of the law and ask to change clothes.

But Sharjah is a real museum and cultural treasure. None of the emirates of the UAE can be compared with it in terms of the number, variety and technical equipment of museums. Many of them are housed in fine modern buildings and lovingly restored forts. For such a respectful attitude to its historical traditions in 2014, Sharjah received the honorary title of cultural capital. Arab world.

The architecture of the emirate's capital Sharjah contrasts sharply with the architecture of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. It is closest to the traditional, Arabic. There are about 600 mosques in the city, and they continue to be built. The only mosque in Sharjah that is open to tourists is the Al Noor Mosque. But you can visit the Museum of Islamic Civilization on any day of the week except Friday. It has a rich collection of spiritual literature, Islamic art and crafts from the 17th-19th centuries. Women will be interested in admiring jewelry created in different eras, and men will be interested in seeing a wonderful collection of weapons. Curious tourists do not miss the Sharjah Archaeological Museum, where you can get acquainted with the history of the region, starting from the times when it was inhabited by primitive communities. No less interesting is the Art Museum with a delightful interior that can be called a work of art. The museum is one of the largest art galleries in the UAE and throughout the Middle East. Most of the art exhibition is the work of oriental artists of the XVIII century.

The Sharjah Al-Hish Fort is located in the historical part of the city. This restored fortification is a classic example of local architecture. early XIX century.

In search of entertainment, head to Al Kasbah. This park is located in a pedestrian area near Khalid Lagoon. Here, as in the whole city, everything is very decent. In cozy cafes and restaurants, you can have an inexpensive bite to eat, sending the children to play on a completely safe playground, then ride a Ferris wheel, stroll along the embankment, and in the evening admire the show of singing fountains.

It is pleasant to make purchases at the famous Blue Market. It sells beautiful handmade Iranian silk carpets, original copper, silver and gold products, clothes, perfumes and, of course, all kinds of gadgets.

Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah

The northernmost emirate of the UAE is bordered by the picturesque Hajjar Mountains in the east and the coast of the Persian Gulf in the west. It also includes several islands in the bay. It lacks the luxuries that amaze in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, but there are majestic mountains approaching the coast, lush vegetation, magnificent beaches, some of the best in the country, and thermal healing springs, around which the popular balneological resort of Hutt Springs is equipped.

The emirate is also famous for the fact that here is the highest mountain in the UAE - Jebel Jays. Its peak reaches a height of 1934 m, and a 20-kilometer serpentine road leads to it. Recently, the authorities of the emirate announced their intention to build a fashionable resort with a sports bias here.

Ras al-Khaimah is also a pioneer in the introduction of the All inclusive system, here more than half of the hotels already operate on it.

And there is also a unique water park "Ice Land", the pride of the emirate, where, in addition to tourists, residents from all over the country come together. In the style of the park, located in the capital of the emirate, the city of Ras al-Khaimah, there are fantasies on the theme of the Ice Age. Its talented design will really create the impression that you are in the Arctic Circle, and surrounded by figurines of penguins, seals, polar bears, you will enjoy spending time having fun on water attractions. Entrance to the water park - 175 dirhams for an adult, 110 dirhams - for a child.

In the Old City of the capital of the emirate, it is interesting to look at the noisy market, see the old mosque, take a walk along the fishing pier. Its main historical attraction is Al-Khisi Fort, where the residence of the emirs from the Al-Qasimi dynasty was located. Today it houses the National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah.

The main historical monuments of the emirate are located outside the capital. 18 km from its center is al-Jazira al-Hamra - an abandoned village, which is often called the "ghost town". This is a unique corner of the UAE, because the ancient settlement, founded in the 4th century, has not been restored and seems to be frozen in time. Here you can see the fortress, market, mosques, houses, many of which are built of coral stone.

Not far from the capital is the Old Fort, or Dayah Fort. This fortress, built in the 16th century of unbaked brick, rises on top of a hill and faces the bay. For centuries, it has protected the region from attacks from the sea. From the hill, a delightful panorama of the surroundings of the emirate opens.

To the north of the capital, near the Hajjar Mountains, there is an area that is the most important archaeological site in the UAE. Here, near the village of Shamal Jalfar, archaeologists have discovered several hundred tombs of the pre-Islamic period and settlements dating back to 2000-1300. BC e.

Emirate of Fujairah

The Emirate of Fujairah is located in the very east of the UAE, and its coast is washed by the waters of the Gulf of Oman. Almost all of its territory, except for the coast, is occupied by mountains interspersed with picturesque valleys. The climate here is quite mild, a refreshing breeze blows on the coast, and in winter there are even heavy rains.

Fujairah is called the most beautiful emirate of the UAE. Its beaches with secluded coves are incredibly alluring, while the coral reefs off the coast and the clear sea attract scuba diving enthusiasts. luxury beach resorts located away from the bustle of the city. They are popular among those tourists who prefer peace and solitude to noisy rest.

In the emirate's capital, Fujairah, there are no grandiose skyscrapers, but its wide streets with beautiful modern buildings, fountains, sculptural compositions in the form of falcons, traditional coffee pots, cups, incense burners are very beautiful and elegant.

It is in this emirate that the oldest mosque in the UAE, Al-Bidiya, built in the middle of the 16th century, is located. This mosque has no minarets and is quite modest. Its main value is spiritual.

Another historical attraction of the emirate is the Al-Batna fortress, which is located in the city of Siji. This fort, built in 1735, guarded the caravan routes for many years.

Directly in the capital there is a historical fort and a museum, where a large composition of archaeological and ethnographic rarities is presented.

Emirate of Umm el Quwain

The miniature emirate of Umm al-Qaiwain is located in the northeast of the UAE. It extends 50 km from the coast, where its capital, Umm al-Qaiwain, is located.

A measured life flows here, and there are no large shopping centers, public transport, and there are not even a dozen hotels here. However, this provincial emirate is very curious. It is called an eco-emirate, as many corners with virgin nature have been preserved here.

Not far from its coast there are islands where they have chosen a place to relax. migratory birds, graceful flamingos stand out among them. The largest among the islands is Al-Sinnia. You can meet gazelles on it, and reef sharks swim in the coastal waters.

The emirate is also famous for its Marine research center. The entrance for tourists is open here, in its aquarium they can observe the life of the inhabitants of the Persian Gulf.

Umm al-Qaiwain also has historical sights. Near the coast, archaeologists find artifacts dating back to the 5th century BC. e. In the neighboring village of Al-Dur, which is believed to have existed already in the III millennium, tombs, an ancient fort and a temple have been preserved. The archaeological finds of Al-Dur can be seen in the historical museum of Umm al-Qaiwain, located in the Old City of the capital in the restored premises of the ancient fort.

The largest water park in the UAE is also located in the capital of the emirate - Dreamland Aqua Park with a huge number of water attractions.

Fans of fish restaurants should definitely check out Wadi Al Neel Seafood Restaurant. Here they prepare excellent dishes from sea bass, flounder, king mackerel, shrimp, crabs, which is not surprising, because Umm al-Qaiwain is one of the largest fishing centers in the UAE, and it is from here that many species of the inhabitants of the underwater world are supplied to other emirates.

Emirate of Ajman

The smallest emirate of the UAE is located on the coast of the Persian Gulf on a strip of 16 km, between Umm al-Qaiwain and Sharjah. It is this snow-white, like flour, sandy strip that is one of the few objects of interest to tourists. The authorities of the emirate, dreaming of a large flow of guests, are developing a variety of attractive projects, but so far only one of them has brought some results. We are talking about the local store "Hole in The Wall" ("Break in the wall"), where you can buy any foreign-made alcoholic drink without restrictions. Tourists and guest workers from other emirates often visit here, not paying attention to the law that prohibits the export of alcohol from Ajman.

Active recreation

The Arabian desert of Rub al-Khali is a wonderful place for a jeep safari, the opportunity for such a trip will be provided to you in any emirate of the country. The best places for mountain safari are located in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, whose significant territory is occupied by the Hajjar Mountains.

Fans of air adventures should head to the emirate of Umm Al Quwain, where the famous flying club in the UAE is located. Here you can go skydiving, paragliding, parachuting and even take piloting lessons.

A great place for divers is Fujairah, where the best dive sites are located on the coast of the Gulf of Oman. The local area is also popular with fishing enthusiasts.

Clothing, perfumes and electronics are best purchased in large shopping malls. In hotels, this is not worth doing, as the purchase will cost you much more. It is also better to buy gold and silver items in a shopping center so as not to be the owner of a fake.

Original souvenirs can be found in numerous oriental bazaars. There is an excellent assortment, and there is an opportunity to bargain, reducing the price by 15-20%. It is interesting to buy traditional Arabic utensils for making coffee - pretty copper coffee pots and cezves. Among those who like to decorate the interior, transparent vessels filled with sand of different colors, and camel figurines made of stone, wood, gray are popular. Here you can find beautiful jewelry from Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan and handmade woven products.

National cuisine

The cuisine of the UAE differs little from the cuisine of other countries in the Middle East. It uses spices everywhere, and there are no pork dishes. But here others cook well meat dishes. Absolutely incomparable lamb with raisins, chicken with honey, steamed, juicy shawarma, biryani (meat or fish with rice). Fish is cooked here very tasty, and the cost of fish dishes is quite democratic. But seafood does not have an interesting taste, usually they are simply boiled.

Street food in Dubai

The UAE has excellent sweet delicacies: Turkish delight, halva, pies with raisins and sweet cheese, an indispensable attribute of dessert - dates, which are simply magnificent here. The national drink is considered coffee, which the Arabs prepare in copper Turks and drink only freshly brewed.

United Arab Emirates Hotels

There are hotels of various categories in the UAE. In famous luxury hotels such as the Emirates Palace or the Burj Khalifa, which in 1999 awarded itself a 7-star rating, the marble floors of royally luxurious rooms are covered with handmade carpets, coffee is served on silver trays strewn with rose petals, and on the beaches there will always be someone from the hotel staff ready to rush to you at any moment to wipe your sunglasses or serve a refreshing drink. A night spent in a standard room of one of these hotels will cost you at least $750.

However, in the United Arab Emirates, not only such hotels can boast of their service, as the level of the entire hotel infrastructure is very high here. Hotels can be divided into three groups:

• located on the coast and having their own beach;
• located near the coastline, but not having a beach, which provide their guests with the right to use the beaches of coastal hotels (for a fee or free of charge) and provide a transfer;
• city ​​hotels, which in some cases have their own “branch” in the form of a bungalow on the coast, delivering tourists there by minibuses, or provide a transfer to public beaches.

Rest in a five-star UAE hotel with a private beach costs at least $200 per day, in a four-star hotel - at least $100, in a three-star one - from $80. Prices fluctuate depending on the season.

Transport

Public transport in the UAE is quite poorly developed - it is usually used by visitors wage-earners, so it is recommended to travel around the cities by taxi or rented car. Taxis in the UAE are the main mode of transportation for tourists, so many taxi drivers speak English. All taxis are equipped with taximeters; they are easy to recognize by special identification marks. There is a women's taxi here, these cars are painted pink and driven by women.

Dubai has the only subway in the country, consisting of two lines. The cost of the trip depends on the distance and type of carriage. One trip in an ordinary carriage will cost a maximum of 7.5 dirhams (about $ 2).

You can rent a car in the United Arab Emirates with or without a driver. Driving requires an international driver's license (driver's license of the CIS countries in the UAE is not valid) and insurance. Driver must be over 21 years of age.

Violators of traffic rules are very severely punished in the UAE. A fine of $800 will be required for running a red light, $150 for not using seat belts, deportation from the country or imprisonment for drunk driving, and $10,000 for damaging state property. The speed limit within the city is 60 km/h, on motorways – 100 km/h. Almost all parking lots are paid, except for the time from 13:00 to 16:00. The quality of the roads in the UAE is excellent, but the locals, especially the wealthy youth, are extremely boorish on the roads.

Connection

Mobile communications in the UAE are provided by Etisalat and Du operators. To purchase a SIM card, you must present your passport. Etisalat has developed the Ahlan tariff plan, which is suitable for a short stay in the country. The cost of a call abroad is about $0.7, the cost of SMS is $0.25. You can get access to the worldwide network by using the services of Internet cafes or Wi-Fi in many cafes, restaurants and hotels in the UAE.

Security

The UAE is the safest Muslim country in the world. Crime is practically absent, you can walk at any time of the day, but in the evening and at night it is recommended to bypass the areas where the settlements of visiting hired workers are located.

For thrown garbage or crossing the road in the wrong place, they will require a fine of $ 135, and for foul language they will be taken into custody.

There are many strong coastal currents in the Persian Gulf, so you should always soberly assess your strength and not let your children go into the water alone. Scuba diving is best done under the supervision of a local instructor who is well acquainted with the characteristic features of the area.

Business

The transformation of the UAE into the most important financial and commercial center in the Middle East is one of the main goals of the government. To achieve it, a number of free economic zones have been created, the banking and transport infrastructure is constantly developing, taxes are eased (corporate, income, VAT, from the payroll fund), the currency (UAE dirham) is freely convertible, the free movement of capital is guaranteed, etc.

All the best hotels are equipped with superb state-of-the-art conference rooms suitable for both inter-corporate negotiations and for organizing major international symposiums and congresses. Every year, business centers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi hold business seminars and exhibitions of products of world-famous companies.

The property

Foreign citizens have the right to purchase real estate in the UAE - this is even welcome. Since 2006, foreigners have received the right to purchase land plots for new facilities, the rest can be taken on a long-term lease. The cost of 1 m² of housing ranges from $2,000 to $6,000. From residential real estate, mainly new buildings come to the market, the secondary housing market is not developed.

Residential buildings in the UAE are always built at an accelerated pace and most often with the use of low-paid labor, so even the so-called "elite" complexes in fact offer poor quality housing. Dense buildings, especially on the “palm trees” in the coastal waters of Dubai, lead to the absence of picturesque views from the window, and one can only dream of peace and tranquility here.

As a commercial real estate, Russian citizens are most interested in the premises of offices, shops, hotels and restaurants. The average cost of 1 m² of an office is $1,700, and that of a hotel is about $7,000.

Muslim traditions are strictly observed in the UAE, so there are a number of prohibitions that apply to tourists as well.

So, you can not appear in beachwear outside the beaches and pools, and sunbathing without a swimsuit or its upper part is strictly prohibited. Women are only allowed to sit in the back seat of the car and in no case should they get into the car without a taxi badge (you may be mistaken for a woman of easy virtue). It is forbidden to be in public places in a state of intoxication. You can not kiss and hug, show obscene gestures. Gambling and unmarried sexual relations are prohibited. You can’t talk to local women on the street, so you can only take pictures of men, after asking their permission. In the United Arab Emirates, there is also a strict ban on photographing the palaces of sheikhs, military installations, banks and government institutions.

man reading the quran

Money, food and things are taken only with the right hand. While visiting the locals, do not give up a few cups of coffee. When shaking hands, do not look into the eyes of the interlocutor.

Customs restrictions, in addition to the standard importation of weapons, pornography and drugs, apply to a number of medicines, so it is best to get a prescription with a Latin name and dosage for the necessary medicines.

When traveling to the UAE during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, be aware that many establishments, including shops and restaurants, may change their opening hours. During the day, there are practically no places where you can dine, since at this time a strict fast is observed between dawn and sunset. Even tourists are condemned here and can officially complain to the police if they eat, drink, smoke or dress obscenely - from the point of view of the local population.