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United Arab Emirates |
Capital: Abu Dhabi
Official Language: Arabic
Currency: Emirati Dirham
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) situated in the southeast of Arabian Peninsula is a federation of seven states namely Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al Qaiwain. The Emirates are bounded by the Gulf and the Musandam Peninsula to the north, by Oman to the east, by Saudi Arabia to the west and by Qatar to the northwest. Most part of UAE is mountainous desert with enchanting sand dunes and pockets of green oases. A rendezvous with the nomadic Bedouin folk is an added attraction. The landscape is contrasting with a wide range of spellbinding scenic views. UAE really offers a kaleidoscope of attractions for visitors from majestic mountain ranges, sandy beaches, lush green countryside, tranquil deserts and the vibrant Arab souks and markets. A holiday vacation in UAE is an unforgettable experience amidst sun kissed natural sceneries, magnificent city life, top-class hotels and grand shopping complexes. The environment is amiable with a unique blend of Arab and Islamic values and culture. UAE's massive oil riches and state of the art tourism infrastructure makes it a notable tourist destination of Asia.
Major Cities
Abu Dhabi is the capital city of United Arab Emirates. Other major cities include Dubai, Al Ain, Sharjah and Fujairah. Dubai also said to be the Pearl of Arabian Gulf is one of the major emirate cities. Bur Dubai offers some pleasurable antic sites and colorful markets and souks like Gold Souk and Spice Souk. The souks are the treasure trove of famous Arab spices, perfumes, clothing, handicrafts and jewels. Dubai museum displays ancient Arab artifacts. Al Fahidi fort, traditional wind tower houses and Sheikh Saeed's Palace are the prime attractions of Dubai. The main Dubai city is a vibrant metropolis with modern skyscrapers, wonderful malls, residential complexes, superb sporting facilities and impressive ranges of hotels and resorts. Dubai offers exciting desert safaris, sand skiing, camel riding and dhow cruises. The emirate of Abu Dhabi located in the oil-rich Persian Gulf region is largest of the seven Arab emirates. It is a sprawling city with fascinating modern architectures, beautiful gardens, green boulevards, state-of-the-art communication services, cultural centers and rich shopping malls. Places of tourist interests in Abu Dhabi are Qasr al-Hosn or White Fort, Clock Tower, the beautiful Corniche Beach, the Old Souk Market, the Breakwater Island and Sheikh Zayed's Palace. Sharjah is the third largest emirate in the United Arab Emirates. It contains various administrative and commercial centers including several museums. Places of interest are the two covered souqs, a number of mosques, public parks such as Al Jazeirah Fun Park and Al Buheirah Corniche. The town of Ajman lies on the coast of the Arabian Gulf. The suburban area consists of the Ruler's office, companies, banks and commercial markets.
Tourist Attractions
Al Ain in Abu Dhabi is a garden city combining several beautiful villages scattered around a desert oasis. The national university, UAEU is situated here. Chief tourist attractions here are a camel market, zoo and a museum containing Mesopotamian pottery. The Palm Islands consisting of three charming islands is a wonderland of natural beauty. The three islands Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and Palm Deira host a number of resorts, hotels and leisure facilities. The northern UAE include visits to Ras al-Khaimah, where there is an old seaport with spectacular views and the majestic Hajar Mountains. Nestled in the rugged cliffs of the Hajar Mountains, the Hatta Rock Pools is a place of untamed natural beauty with bursting waterfalls and turquoise pools. Trips are also available to the natural harbor at Dibba and Khor Kalba shell beach. Wonderful resorts with excellent beaches and water sports facilities are found in Khor Fakkan area.
Getting Around
For the visitor, the UAE offers one of the most spectacular ranges of tourist accommodations in the world. There are beautiful luxury hotels and resorts that are quite expensive. Low-cost accommodations are also available for the middle class people. With quite a few airports and major airlines a travel to the enchanting Arab land is not a difficult task. Dubai is the main hub for air transports. There are direct flights from Dubai to Johannesburg, London, Sydney, Melbourne, Riyadh, Bombay, Hong Kong, Paris, Zurich, Frankfurt, New York City and major European cities. There is road access to the United Arab Emirates from Saudi Arabia in the south and Oman in the east. As there is no rail service getting around by road is the only option. The road condition is safe and good, however signage is poor in some parts. There is a large network of Dhows that transport goods throughout the Gulf region. It may be possible to buy passage on one of these boats. United Arab Emirates is known for its conservative views. Renting a car or driving in the UAE requires a license and car rentals have priced standard. Travelers should be aware and respect the more traditional outlook in the UAE.
For further details and information on United Arab Emirates and its tourist destinations flip through the pages ofallwonderscountries
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