Holidays and events
Public holidays
There are a number of public holidays that do not have a fixed date but are based on the time of Easter. Easter falls on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the beginning of spring. Lent, which lasts 46 days, begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday. Pentecost is 50 days after Easter. The Corpus Christi festival is celebrated on the 2nd Thursday after Pentecost. All Saints’ Day is celebrated for Orthodox Christians on the 1st Sunday after Pentecost, but for Catholic Christians the date is fixed on November 1st. On October 31, Protestants celebrate Reformation Day. The Halloween festival also takes place on this day.
Date | Holiday |
January 1 | New Years Day |
January February | Al-Hijri (Islamic New Year) |
April May | Maulid al-Nabi (Prophet’s Birthday) |
6th of August | Day of the accession to the throne of Shaikh Zayed |
August September | Lailat al-Miraj (Ascension of the Prophet) |
October November | Eid al-Fitr (festival for breaking the fast after Ramadan) |
23rd of December | National holiday |
December January | Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice for the pilgrimage to Mecca) |
Source: Countryaah – United Arab Emirates Holidays
Regular cultural events
The Dubai Shopping Festival takes place annually for one month in spring. In addition to radical price reductions, numerous cultural events take place.
Regular sporting events
Golf is very popular in the United Arab Emirates. There are three championship golf courses to date. The Dubai Dessert Classic Golf Tournement is a major golf tournament. It will be awarded with prize money of US $ 2 million.
The Dubai Tennis Champinships (ATP tennis tournament) take place in Dubai every February. Only the world’s best tennis players take part in this tournament. The winner will be awarded $ 2 million.
The Dubai World Cup is a world-famous horse race that is awarded with prize money of US $ 15 million.
The UAE Desert Challenge is a car rally through the Emirates that starts every October in Abu Dhabi.
The Raft Race is a sports festival that takes place annually in November at the Gulf Hotel in Abu Dhabi.
climate
Travel times
There is a hot and mostly dry climate. Temperatures from November to March are around 26 °C during the day and 15 °C at night. Between June and August, temperatures of 33 °C-38 °C are reached during the day with very high humidity. However, maximum values of 49 °C have also been measured. The average amount of precipitation is only around 65 mm. Half of it falls in December and January.
Sun- hungry people who like to enjoy a lot of sun and for whom higher temperatures do not cause any discomfort will not have any problems in the United Arab Emirates.
Climate table
Month | Average number of rainy days | Mean maximum temperatures in (°C) | Mean minimum temperatures in (°C) |
January | 1 -2 | 30 | 20 |
February | 1 -2 | 30 | 20 |
March | 0 | 30 | 20 |
April | 0 | 30 | 20 |
May | 0 | 30 | 20 |
June | 0 | 45 | 35 |
July | 0 | 45 | 35 |
August | 0 | 45 | 35 |
September | 0 | 45 | 35 |
October | 0 | 30 | 20 |
November | 0 | 30 | 20 |
December | 0 | 30 | 20 |
National customs
In the United Arab Emirates, people eat with the right hand. The left hand is considered unclean and should not be used.
During Ramadan, in Muslim countries, people do not eat or drink before the sun has set. Tourists should also adhere to this custom and refrain from public consumption of food and drinks.
Tenderness between men and women in public is taboo.
There are very high penalties for drug possession in the United Arab Emirates. The death penalty can be imposed for drug trafficking.
Military installations, harbors, airports, palaces, public buildings, industrial plants and oil/gas installations may not be photographed.
People should be asked for permission before being photographed.
Alcohol consumption is only permitted in licensed hotels. Alcohol consumption in the Emirate of Sharjah is completely prohibited. Alcohol violations are severely punished, usually with prison sentences.
Falcon hunting is one of the oldest sports in the Arab world. According to tradition, it dates from the 2nd century BC. A trained falcon costs between $ 2,000 and $ 200,000.
When entering a mosque, shoes must be removed. You should also take off your shoes when entering apartments.
The times of prayer are proclaimed over the minarets five times a day.
Attractions
- Abbreviationfinder.org: Presents the way that AE stands for the nation of United Arab Emirates as a two-letter acronym.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Al Ain cultural sites in Abu Dhabi
The Al Ain cultural sites are located in the emirate of Abu Dhabi on the border with Oman – about 160 km southeast of the city of Abu Dhabi. Translated, “Al Ain” means “spring” and the name is appropriate as there are numerous springs and many tree-lined, shady places in the city. There and in the vicinity you can find graves that are over 4,000 years old. Some oasis farms still use the functional “falaj”, an irrigation system that was used in earlier times. The system is fed from underground sources.
More than 1,000 years ago, the oasis was a traffic junction for caravans that moved from there to Persia, India and the Mediterranean region.
At the foot of the Jebel Hafeet mountain is the “Green Mubazzarah” park. In this park there are numerous thermal springs and waterfalls that tumble from the rocks towering in and around the park.
The cultural sites of Al Ain were added to the in 2011 List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites added.
Important cities
Abu Dhabi City
Abu Dhabi City is the capital of the emirate of the same name and the Federation of the United Arab Emirates. The largest city in the Emirates is located on the Gulf on an island and is connected to the mainland by bridges. Twenty years ago the city had neither electricity nor sewerage. Today, however, it is one of the most modern cities in the world, with numerous high-rise buildings, many green spaces and a six-lane urban motorway. As in all the Emirates, the city’s wealth is based on oil production.
Dubai City
Dubai City is the real trading center of the United Arab Emirates. However, wealth and luxury still meet original neighborhoods with souqs and traditional houses. The city, whose history dates back to the 4th century BC. BC, is cut by a natural inlet, the so-called creek. The two parts of the city are connected by bridges, a tunnel and many water taxis. Dubai became known, among other things, for its luxury. Five large golf courses, a ski slope, the luxury hotel Burj al-Arab and the man-made Palm Islands off the coast of the city make Dubai one of the most luxurious and expensive cities in the world
Sharja City
Sharja City lies on the Gulf and, like Dubai, is divided into two districts by a large lagoon. A smaller lagoon in the west of the city forms the natural border with Dubai. Both lagoons are connected by a canal. The city once lived from fishing and the pearl trade. From the middle of the last century, however, Sharja lost its influence. The city has had a large port since 1974, which was once the first container port in the Emirates.
Ajman City
Ajman City is small and quiet compared to the other capital cities of the Emirates. It is located on a headland and protrudes into the gulf. Many of Ajman’s residents work in Dubai or Sharja, but prefer the quiet life in the 100,000-strong city of Ajman.
Umm al-Quwain-Stadt
Umm al-Quwain-Stadt is very manageable with its 24,000 residents. Umm al-Quwain City was built on a 1 km wide and 12 km long headland that protrudes into the Persian Gulf. The city has no high-rise buildings. Their appearance is still traditional.
Ras al-Khaimah City
Like Umm al-Quwain City, Ras al-Khaimah City is a small city that has not yet reached the standards of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. This city is also divided by a lagoon. A long bridge connects the districts with each other. Fujairah City
Fujairah City is located on the east coast of the Arabian Peninsula. The emirate is the only one that is not located on the Persian Arabian Gulf. The city is not very interesting for tourists. However, it is a good starting point for excursions to the nearby Hajar Mountains.
Special buildings and structures
Al-Ahmadiya School
The Al-Ahmadiya School in Dubai is the oldest school in Dubai and is now a museum. The classrooms opened from the porticoes in the inner courtyard. The farm dates from 1912.
Old Watchtower
The old watchtower at the Maqtaa Bridge looks back on a 200-year history.
The tower was once part of the city’s fortifications.
Shimal Archaeological Site
The Shimal archaeological site dates back to the 2nd millennium BC. BC back. Archaeologists found old graves and grave goods as well as remnants of former settlements there.
Bastakiya
In the historical center of Dubai, called Bastakiya, there are still historical buildings from the early 20th century, which were built by merchants from clay and coral stone.
They have been restored and are now home to galleries and small shops.
Baynouna Tower
The Baynouna Tower in Abu Dhabi City is 156 m high and has 42 floors. The Hilton Hotel is located in the building.
Bayt Al Wakeel
The Bayt Al Wakeel in Dubai is one of the oldest buildings in the city. It was built in 1934 as an administration building. It has been completely restored and is now one of the most beautiful houses in the city.
Break-Water-Island
The man-made island Break-Water-Island is connected to Abu Dhabi City by a long dam.
From here you have a very good view of the city skyline and the sea. The island was created to protect against high waves.
Burj Nahar in Duba
The Burj Nahar in Duba is a defense tower from the 19th century. It is 8 m high and has loopholes and a parapet on the roof.
Dreamland Aquapark
The Dreamland Aquapark of Umm Al-Quwain is located approx. 20 km outside the city. In addition to water slides and wave pools, there is a go-kart track, a shopping center and a large park.
Dubai World Trade Center
The 200 m high Dubai World Trade Center in Dubai was opened in 1979. More than 180 companies have their headquarters there.
It also houses apartments, restaurants and a viewing platform.
Etisalat Tower
The Etisalat Tower in Dubai is a skyscraper owned by the telephone company. The building is adorned with a huge spherical antenna that resembles a golf ball.
Building of the Arab Monetary Fund
The building of the Arab Monetary Fund in Abu Dhabi City is completely clad with golden mirror glass and offers the viewer an imposing sight.
Heritage and Diving Village in Dubai
The Heritage and Diving Village in Dubai opened in 1997. These are two historical villages that are supposed to bring traditional everyday life and oil production closer.
Heritage Village
The Heritage Village on the Breake Water Island in front of Abu Dhabi is a faithfully recreated folklore village. There you can visit different forms of living such as Bedouin tents, palm frond huts and stone houses, which are traditionally furnished. A rebuilt fort serves as a museum and shows Bedouin tools, fishing utensils, clothing, jewelry and a collection of photographs. In addition, a well and irrigation system and a souq have been recreated.
Hotel Burj Al Arab
The Hotel Burj Al Arab was built until 1999 on an artificial island 280 m away from the mainland. The 321 m high building, which resembles the inflated sail of a boat, can be reached via a footbridge.
The local luxury hotel calls itself “seven star”. In 202 two-story suites, guests can let themselves be “pampered” for 1,500 euros per night.
Municipality Building
The Municipality Building in Dubai is the city’s new city hall. It is an eight-story marble building surrounded by a circular red granite building.
Hili Fun City
The Hili Fun City near Al-Ain is a huge amusement park with an ice rink on its premises. On the edge of the park there are remains of settlements and graves from the 3rd millennium BC. Chr.
There you can also visit finds from the Bronze Age.
Heritage Village
The Heritage Village of Fujairah shows various traditional forms of living and lifestyles of the emirate.
Tools and household items are also on display.
Jazirat al-Hamra
The abandoned fishing village of Jazirat al-Hamra gives a good impression of what the life of the Emiratis was like before the oil production.
In addition to a half-ruined fort and two watchtowers, you can visit the narrow streets with the traditional houses.
Camel Race Track Nad Al Sheba
The Dubai World Cup takes place annually on the camel race track Nad Al Sheba in the south of Dubai.
Saadiyat Island (Island of Bliss)
This cultural center dwarfs almost everything comparable worldwide. On approx. 27 km² and for over 20 billion euros, this cultural center will be built on the island approx. 500 m from Abu Dhabi by 2018 at the latest. A total of five museums should find space here. Frank Gehry (born) is building a branch of the New York Guggenheim Museum. There is also a Maritime Museum, a Classical Museum, Sheikh Zayed Museum and the Performing Art Center. There are also three marinas, around 8,000 private villas and 30 hotels planned here.
But the visitor should also find miles of beaches, many species of birds and mangrove forests. An approx. 21 km long bridge connects the mainland with the island.
Sheikh Zayed Bridge
The Sheikh Zayed Bridge, along with the Maqta Bridge and the Mussafah Bridge, is one of the three bridges that connect the city of Abu Dhabi to the mainland. The total length of the bridge is 842 m. It is named after the first President of the United Arab Emirates – Sheikh Zayed (),.
The designs for the bridge came from the British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid. The arch bridge was opened on November 25, 2010.
The structure is designed for temperatures between 0 °C and 60 °C. Strong vibration dampers were built in to protect against damage from earthquakes
. This is to symbolize the local sand dunes.
It is remarkable that the bridge shines in different colors during the dark. The concept for this was developed by Rogier van der Heide and installed by Philips.
Shaikh Zayed Heritage Village
The Shaikh Zayed Heritage Village is located between the Al-Safarat and Al-Medina al-Riyada districts in Abu Dhabi and shows the everyday life of the residents of the region before the oil production began. There you can see different types of living, well systems and irrigation systems as well as an exhibition on fishing and pearl diving.
The Palm Islands, The World
The Palm Islands and The World are currently being built off the coast of Dubai. These are two gigantic construction projects. The Palm Island are two artificial palm-shaped islands with 17 palm leaves and 5 km in diameter. Each island will be built with 50 luxury hotels, 2,500 beach villas, 2,400 apartments, two marinas, shopping centers, theme parks and other facilities. The World will become an artificial archipelago in the shape of the world. This building project also serves to create a luxury world.
Interesting forts
Al-Faheidi Fort in Dubai
The Al-Faheidi Fort in Dubai is the oldest building in the city. The fortress was built in 1878 from clay, coral stone and mussel shells. Today the square building houses a museum that houses a weapons collection, an archaeological department, a mosque, a recreated traditional street and other rooms.
Al-Hisn Fort
The Al-Hisn Fort in Sharjah City dates from the 1820s and was once the residence of the rulers of the emirate. The fort has been extensively restored in recent years and is now home to a folklore museum.
Awhala Fort
The Awhala Fort in Fujairah was built in the 18th century and housed the ruling family until the 20th century.
There are numerous ruins of the old city in the vicinity of the fort.
Ajman
Fort The Ajman Fort was built in the 18th century in the Portuguese style. Between 1804 and 1970 the fort was the residence of the Shaikh. In 1981 the building was refurbished to house a museum on the history and culture of Ajman.
Fort of Umm Al-Quwain
The fort of Umm Al-Quwain dates back to 1768 and housed the ruling family until 1969. In recent years the fort has been converted into a museum. There you can find out more about the history and culture of the emirate today. Jahili Fort
The Jahili Fort in the Al-Ain oasis was built in 1898. A three-story round tower belongs to the square fortress. The fort is the birthplace of Shaikh Zayed.
Interesting shopping malls
BuJuman Center, Wafi City, Lamcy Plaza
The BuJuman Center, Wafi City and Lamcy Plaza are some of the most important and beautiful shopping centers in Dubai.
Deira Old Souq
The Deira Old Souq in Dubai dates from the 19th century and made Dubai an important trading city. Many traders from Iran settled there.
By 1910 it was the largest souk on the Gulf Coast. In 1994 it was fully restored.
Dubai Mall
This mall is, as the name suggests, in Dubai. The shopping center has a shopping area of 350,000 m² = 35 hectares. More than 1,200 shops offer their goods here.
In addition, the visitor will find around 120 restaurants here.
But a real highlight of the facility is the extended aquarium, which stretches over three floors with a height of 8.30 m and a width of 32.90 m.
There are 10,000 m³ of lake water in the water basin. The basin is surrounded by 75 cm thick acrylic glass. You can find around 33,000 sea creatures here, including sharks, perches, rays, some reef residents and giant crabs as well as seals and penguins.
A 2 m high tunnel runs through the lower basin, in which one has the feeling of being in the middle of the animals.
The mall opened in 2008.
Financial Center Road, near the Souk Al Bahar Bridge (bridge)
Emirates Mall
This mall (= shopping center) in Dubai – correctly Mall of the Emirates – is located in the Al-Barsha district. The mall is operated by Majid al-Futtain Holding. The mall opened on September 28, 2005.
The shopping center has a shopping area of 223,000 m² = 22.3 hectares.
Al Barsha 1
Dubai
Souq al-Markazi
The Souq al-Markazi in Sharjah was erected in the 1970s as a neo-Arabic building on 80,000 square kilometers.
The building has 20 towers and semicircular roofs and consists of a total of 8 building complexes that are connected by bridges. About 600 shops are located there.
Souq al-Arsah
The Souq al-Arsah in Sharjah is a reconstructed historical market. About 70 shops sell spices and food, traditional handicrafts and clothing.
Inrani Souq
The Inrani Souq in Sharjah mainly sells antiques, jewelry and traditional handicrafts and handicrafts.
Bur Dubai Souq
The Bur Dubai Souq in Dubai is a long covered shopping street. Beautiful carved wooden entrances lead into the shops.
Medinat Zayed Shopping
The Medinat Zayed Shopping in Abu Dhabi is a huge dome building that takes up around 200 square meters. There are around 400 shops there.
Abu Dhabi Mall
The Abu Dhabi Mall in the city of the same name houses around 200 shops on four floors.
Marina Mall
The Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi was built on an area of around 110,000 m². Under the large dome there is a huge fountain that spits not only water but also fountains of mist.
Old Souqs
The area of the Old Souq in Abu Dhabi is the only traditional district in the city.
Many small shops and businesses are lined up there and you can get everything your heart desires, from food to clothing and jewelry to household goods and electrical appliances.
Burj Dubai – the tallest building in the world
The Burj Dubai is currently the tallest building in the world in Dubai. It is a hotel, residential and office complex with a floor area of approx. 4 million m². The huge skyscraper has a height of 818 m with 160 habitable floors. A high-speed elevator will then take visitors, for example, to the 124th floor at a height of 442 m, the world’s highest viewing platform.
The high-rise tower stands in the center of a new district of Dubai measuring around 2 km² – known as Dubai Downtown – in which living, leisure, trade and shopping have come together. According to the leading architect – the American Adrian Smith – the three-lobed floor plan of the building is based on the flower structure of the beautiful lily. As the height increases, the building tapers in that one of the “lobes” recedes a little on every eight floors. Around 230,000 m³ of concrete and over 30,000 tons of steel were used in the construction. It is interesting that the special concrete came from Germany. The inauguration of the building was on January 4, 2010.
Museums, graves
Sharjah
Archaeological Museum The Sharjah Archaeological Museum is right next to the Science Museum. The exhibition shows archaeological finds from 5,000 BC. BC to the 7th century.
Art Museum in Sharjah
The Art Museum in Sharjah is the largest art museum in the Gulf region. There are not only fixed but also changing exhibitions. There is also a library in the building.
Arts Center in Sharjah
The Arts Center in Sharjah in the Arts Area is a school for the promotion of art. Changing exhibitions are also held there.
Al-Hosn Fort
The Al-Hosn Fort in Abu Dhabi is the oldest and the only historical structure in the city. The large complex was built in 1793. It served as the residence of the city’s rulers for around 200 years. Since 1983 the fort has housed a documentation center showing the history of the emirate.
Fort Al-Sharqi
In the Fort Al-Sharqi in the city of Al-Ain, a museum with an ethnological and an archaeological section was opened in 1971. The ethnological department shows exhibits from the life of the Bedouins, oasis farmers and pearl divers, such as wedding jewelry, clothing, tools and weapons. In the archaeological section, excavations such as pottery shards and jewelry are shown.
Women’s Craft Center
At the Women’s Craft Center in Abu Dhabi, women are trained in traditional crafts. In the center there is also an exhibition and a small shop where you can buy the manufactured goods.
Desert Park
The Desert Park is about 35 km outside of Sharjah City. The desert museum includes three museums: a natural history museum, a wildlife center and a petting zoo for children.
Goldphin Gallery in Dubai
In the Goldphin Gallery in Dubai you can watch all the victories of the Goldphin Stud of the ruling family on video. Tombs The tombs on the small island Umm al-Nar date from the 3rd millennium BC. The important graves come from the culture of the same name. There are around 50 community graves and settlement remains.
Heritage Area, Arts Area of Sharjah
The Heritage Area and Arts Area of Sharjah are two neighborhoods in the center of the city that feature historic buildings, traditional streets and squares that have been extensively restored. There are several museums that provide information about the traditional life of the emirate.
Heritage Museum in Sharjah
The Heritage Museum in Sharjah is a 150 year old trading house that has been extensively restored and is now open to the public as a museum.
Cultural events are also held in the building.
Louvre Abu Dhabi
On November 8, 2017, the “Louvre Abu Dhabi” museum was officially opened in Abu Dhabi – the capital of the emirate of the same name and the United Arab Emirates.
French President Emmanuel Macron also attended the inauguration by the President of the United Arab Emirates and Emir of the Emirates Abu Dhabi Chalifa bin Zayid Al Nahyan. The museum was then opened to the public on November 11th.
The spectacular building, which is reminiscent of a turtle in the water, was planned by the French architect Jean Nouvel and completed after around ten years of construction.
The museum was given the naming rights of the Louvre in Paris for around € 400 million for 30 years.
The flat dome of the building is particularly spectacular, with a diameter of 180 m and a maximum height of 36 m, reminiscent of intertwined plants.
On an area of around 8,400 m², around 300 important works of art, which were initially made available to the museum on loan, are shown in 12 galleries with various thematic focuses.
The galleries include, for example, “World Religions”, trade routes or “The Modern World”.
The works of art on display include the “Portrait of a Young Woman” by Leonardo da Vinci from 1489 or the “Madonna and Child” by Giovanni Bellini from 1480 and the bronze statue of a lion from Moorish Spain from 1100.
The museum is located on the heaped up and therefore artificial “Island of Happiness” (Saadiyat Island) as the center of a large local development project.
Fujairah
Museum The Fujairah Museum houses an ethnographic and an archaeological collection and provides comprehensive information on the history and culture of the emirate.
Islamic Museum in Sharjah
The Islamic Museum in Sharjah houses a collection on the culture and history of Islam. Furniture, coins, Islamic documents, archaeological finds and household items are exhibited there.
National Museum in Fort Ras al-Khaimah
The National Museum in Fort Ras al-Khaimah provides information about the history and culture of the emirate. The fort itself was the residence of the ruling family until 1960.
Petrol Exhibition
The Petrol Exhibition in Abu Dhabi documents the history of Abu Dhabi’s oil production. With the help of pictures, a film and models you can find out more about oil production.
Science Museum in Sharjah
In the Science Museum in Sharjah you can get interactive information about technical and scientific phenomena. The museum opened in 1996 and also offers training courses and seminars.
Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House
The Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House in Dubai was built in 1896. It was the seat of power for over 40 years. In 1986 the restoration of the palace began. In 1996 it opened as a national museum.
There you can admire a comprehensive collection on the history of Dubai.
Shaikh Zayed Palace Museum
The Shaikh Zayed Palace Museum in the Al-Ain oasis was once the home of Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan and was built in the 1940s. The palace has 6 inner courtyards and houses the original interior of the Shaikh.
Zayed National Museum
This futuristic museum with an area of around 12,000 m² was planned by the British architects Foster + Partners. It is located on a man-made hill on Saadiyat Island. The plans of the building are reminiscent of the wings of a flying falcon, not least because the founder of the United Arab Emirates was a great fan of falcon hunting. The highest of the steel “wings” is 125 m high. The museum is particularly dedicated to the memory of the emirate’s esteemed founder, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who died in 2004 – and specifically his life and the lasting influences of his reforms in religion, education, culture and environmental protection as well as the history of the Emirates. The building will be completed in 2014.
Mosques and churches
Great Mosque of Dubai
The Great Mosque of Dubai is an overwhelming domed building from the 1990s. It was built on the site of a mosque from 1960 and corresponds to this in its appearance. The building includes a Koran school and a 70 m high minaret.
Jumeirah Mosque
The Jumeirah Mosque in Dubai was built in 1983. It is made of ivory-colored sandstone, has a main dome and other smaller domes and two slender minarets. Non-Muslims are also allowed to enter this church.
King Faisal Mosque
The King Faisal Mosque in Sharjah is the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates. The mosque was once donated by a Saudi ruler as a gift of friendship between Saudi Arabia and the Emirates. It has two slim minarets and can accommodate around 3,000 worshipers.
Cathedral in Abu Dhabi
In Abu Dhabi is the seat of the “Bishop of Arabia”, a diocese with an area of 3 million km² with around 2 million Catholics. In addition to the Arab Emirates, the diocese also includes Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Yemen and Saudi Arabia. However, the “cathedral” does not even have a steeple and is otherwise not recognizable as a Christian church from the outside. It’s basically a kind of multi-purpose hall.
Important universities
University of Sharjah
The University of Sharjah was founded in 1997 in Sharjah. The university currently has around 9,000 enrolled students. It has the following faculties:
- Sharia’a and Islam Studies
- Natural sciences
- Economics
- Engineering
- law Sciences
- medicine
- pharmacy
University of the United Arab Emirates
The University of the United Arab Emirates was founded in 1976. This makes it the oldest public university in the United Arab Emirates. The university campus is located in al-Ain. Approximately 15,000 students are currently studying in the following faculties:
- Humanities
- Social sciences
- Natural sciences
- pedagogy
- Economics
- law Sciences
- Agricultural Sciences
- Engineering
- medicine
Zoological gardens
Dubai
Zoo In the Dubai Zoo you can mainly see animals from the region. The zoo was inaugurated in 1967. Today around 1,400 animal species live there.
Zoo in the Al-Ain oasis
The zoo in the Al-Ain oasis was opened in 1969 and is considered the largest zoo in the Middle East. The facility even includes an aquarium and a penguin enclosure.
natural beauties
Al-Ain Oasis
The Al-Ain Oasis in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi is dominated by date trees. The water for growing fruit and vegetables is supplied by wells and rivers, but these do not have water all year round. Canals run through the oasis and ensure excellent water distribution.
Jebel Hafeet
The Jebel Hafeet is a mountain in the Hajar Mountains in Abu Dhabi. About 130 million years ago the mountain was covered by an ocean. Even today you can find countless petrified animals and shells, so-called fossils, in the rock. About 500 graves from the 4th millennium BC were found at the foot of the mountain. Found. From the viewing platform at a height of 1,063 m you have a fascinating view of the surrounding area.
Moreeb Dune
The Moreeb Dune is part of the Rub al-Chali. It is approx. 120 m (210 m above sea level) high and is therefore not only the highest sand dune in the Rub al-Chali, but also one of the highest sand dunes in the world.
It is located near the Liwa Oasis in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The length of the Moreeb dune is approx. 1,600 m and its inclination angle of approx. 50 degrees is the reason that the impression is created that the dune extends almost vertically upwards.
Every year during the winter, motor sports such as dune racing take place here as part of the 7-day “Liwa International Festival”. The event is visited annually by numerous tourists from all over the world.
The nearby Liwa oasis is inhabited by around 20,000 people.
Ports and dhow yards
Mina Zayed
The port of Mina Zayed in Abu Dhabi is a large container port, which mainly dates from 1987.
Port Rashid
The port of Dubai – Port Rashid – is the hub of shipping and trade in the Arab world. It is also the only natural port in the United Arab Emirates.
Marina
The clubhouse of the Marina in Dubai is reminiscent of a sailing boat. You can admire the beautiful marina through the window front of the restaurant.
Dhow Yard
The Dhow Yard in Abu Dhabi is one of the largest in the United Arab Emirates. The traditional wooden boats are still made by hand there.
Dhow shipyard in Ajman
In this dhow shipyard, numerous dhows for fishing are still manufactured today. You can see the individual steps involved in building the dhow there.