United Arab Emirates sometimes simply called Emirates or the UAE is an Arabian Peninsula nation settled mainly along the Persian (Arabian) Gulf. The country is federation of seven emirates. The constituent emirates are Abu Dhabi (which serves as the capital),Ajman,Dubai,Fujairah,Ras al-Khaimah,Sharjah and Umm al-Quwain.
List of places to visit in U.A.E;
List of places to visit in U.A.E;
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- Burj Al-Arab is a hotel located in Dubai,it is the third tallest hotel in the world. Burj Al-Arab stands on an artificial island 280 metres from Jumeirah Beach an is connected to the mainland by a private curving bridge. The shape of the structure is designed to mimic the sail of a ship,it has a helipad near the roof at a height of 210 metres above ground. The beachfront area where Burj Al-Arab and Jumeirah Beach Hotel are located was previously called Chicago Beach. The hotel is located on an island of reclaimed land 280 metres offshore of the beach of the former Chicago Beach Hotel. Construction of the island begun in 1994,its was build to resemble the billowing spinnaker sail of a J-class yacht,two "wings" spread in a V to form a vast "mast",while the space between them is enclosed to a massive atrium. Several features of Burj Al-Arab are the 28 floors,double-story hotel rooms 202 bedroom suites,the smallest suites occupies an area of 169 m²,and the largest covers 780 m². The Royal Suites,billed US$24,000 per night,is listed at number 12 on World's 15 most expensive hotel suites compiled by CNN GO on 2012. Two Restaurants,Al Muntaha ("The Ultimate"),is located 200 metres above the Persian Gulf,offering the view of Dubai. It is supported by full cantilever that extends 27 metres from either side of the mast,and is accessed by panoramic elevators. Al Mahara ("Oyster"),which is accessed via a simulated submarine voyage,features a large seawater aquarium.
- Sheikh Zayed Mosque is located in Abu Dhabi,the capital city of United Arab Emirates,and is considered to be the key city for worship in the country. The project was launched by the late president of United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.),Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan,who wanted to establish a structure that would unite the cultural diversity of the Islamic world with the historical and modern values of architecture and art. His final resting place is located on the grounds beside the same mosque. The mosque was constructed from 1996 to 2007. It is the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates. The building complex measured approximately 290 metres by 420 metres,covering an area of more than 12 hectares,exclusive of exterior landscaping and vehicle parking. As the country's grand mosque,it is the key place to worship for Friday gathering and Eid prayers. During Eid it may be visited by more than 41,000 people. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center (SZGMC) offices are located in the west minarets,SZGMC manage the day-to-day operations,as a place to worship and Friday gathering,and also a center of learning and discovery through its educational cultural activities and visitor programs. The library,located in the north/east minaret,serve the community with classic books and publications addressing a range of Islamic subjects:science,civilizations,calligraphy,the arts,coins and includes rare publications dating back more than 200 years. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque's design and construction "unite the world",using artisans and materials from many countries,more than 3,000 workers and 38 renowned contracting companies took part in the construction of the mosque. Natural materials were chosen for much of its design and construction due to their qualities,including stone marble,gold,semi-precious stones,crystals,and ceramics. The design of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque has been inspired by Persians,Mughal,and Moorish mosque architecture,particularly the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore,Pakistan and the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca,Morroco being direct influences. The design of the mosque can be best described as a fusion of Arab,Pesian,Mughals and Moorish architecture. The mosque is large enough to accommodate over 40,000 worshipers. The main prayer hall can accommodate over 7,000 worshipers. There are two smaller prayer halls,with a 1,500-capacity each,one of which is the female prayer hall. There are four minarets on the four corners of the courtyard which rise above 107 metres in height. The courtyard,with its floral design,measures about 17,000 m² and is considered to be the largest example of marble mosaic in the world. The Sheikh Zayed Mosque has many special and unique elements:The carpet in the main prayer hall is considered to be the world's largest carpet,made in Iran,The mosque has seven imported chandeliers that was bought in German company,that incorporate millions of Swarovski crystals. The largest chandelier is the second largest known chandelier inside a mosque,the third largest in the world. The pools along the arcades reflect the mosque's spectacular columns,which become even more glorious at night. The 96 columns inside the main prayer hall are clan with marble and inlaid with mother of pearl,one of the few places were you will see this craftsmanship.
- Al Badiyah Mosque is the oldest extant mosque in the Unite Arab Emirates. It is located in a small village in emirate Fujairah about 50 kilometres north from the region center. It is also known as Ottoman Mosque. The mosque's date of construction is uncertain and because the mud and stone build structures used no woods,Radiocarbon dating is not possible. It is estimated to date to the 15th century,however some much earlier estimates have been proposed. The Fujairah Archaeology and Heritage Department of University of Sydney came up with the conclusion that the mosque was believe to be build in 1446 A.D.,long with the two watch towers overlooking the mosque and village. The small,square structure has an area of 53 square metres and was build from materials available in the area,primary stones of various sizes and mud of bricks coated in many layers of whitewashed plaster. Entrance to the mosque is though double-winged wooden doors. The mosque continue to host daily prayers and is a tourist attraction.
- Al Ain National Museum is a museum in the city of Al Ain,within the emirates of Abu Dhabi. The museum the oldest in United Arab Emirates,is located next to the Eastern Fort (or Sultan Fort). It is in the eastern side of Al Ain Oasis,the largest oasis in Al Ain. It was build by the former President of the U.A.E.,and the museum was inaugurated on 2 November 1971. The museum has two main sections on ethnographic and archaeological aspects of the country,especially around Al Ain. It includes finds from the Bronze Age tombs at the Hili Archaeological Park on the outskirts of Al Ain.
- Dubai Museum is the main museum of Dubai,it is located in the Al Fahidi Fort,build in 1787 and is the oldest existing building in Dubai. The museum was opened by the ruler of Dubai in 1971,with the aim of presenting the traditional way of life in the Emirates of Dubai. From the fort,there is a path to the galleries,which displays the general culture of the land,especially in the 1800s. It includes local antiquities and artifacts from African and Asian countries that traded with Dubai. It also includes several dioramas showing life in the emirate before the advent of oil,in addition to artifacts from recent discoveries as old as 3,000 B.C. Al Fahidi Fort was build in several phases,the oldest tower was build around 1787 and is believed to be the oldest building in Dubai that still exist today. The fort was used to guard the landward approaches to the town from the raids of neigbouring tribes. It has also served,at various times throughout history as the ruler's palace,a garrison,and a prison. Al Fahidi Fort is square-shaped with occupying three of its corner. It was build of coral rocks and mortars in several phases. Just off the southern wall lie the remains of the city walls. Next to them stands a tall dhow (traditional boat) in the middle of a large courtyard that covers the underground galleries. Two cannons guard the main gate to the fort on the eastern wall,adorned by flags of Dubai and United Arab Emirates.
- Wadi Wurayah National Park is a 12,700 hectares area between the towns of Masafi,Khor Fakkan and Bidiyah. It has been designated as Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. Wadi Wurayah is home to more than 100 species of mammals,birds,reptiles and amphibians as well as more than 300 species of plants. Famous for its scenic waterfalls set amid the Hajar Mountains,it is one of few remaining places in the world where the endangered Arabian tahr still roams free. Conservationists believed it to be among the last place in the U.A.E. where the Arabian leopard,which has not been seen in the U.A.E. since 1995,still survives. On 16 March 2009,the Wadi Wurayah became the first protected mountain area in the United Arab Emirates,in addition to the conservation of the areas delicate ecosystem,EWS-WWF has also set up camera traps to photograph the more elusive wildlife,and arranged field trips for students to help raise awareness to the area.
- Jumeirah Archaeological Site dates back to the Abbasid period,between the 9th and 11th century A.D.,today owned and managed by Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. It was first excavated in 1969 with different ancient items including architectural and decorative findings,ranging from a mosque,caravanserai,and residencial houses to glazed pottery jars and plate ware,bronze coins,glass stone artifacts. Based on a study of the pottery found at the site,Jumeirah seems to date to the first two or three centuries of the Islamic era. Thus,it is in part contemporary with the sequence at Kush in northern Ras al-Khaimah,and with Jazirat al-Hulaylah. Jumeirah is,however,the only complete settlement with well-preserved architecture yet excavated from this important point. This is one of the most significant archaeological sites in the U.A.E. With the origins in the 6th century A.D.,the settlement was once a caravan stop on a route linking Iraq and Oman and is interesting is that it spans the pre-Islamic and Islamic eras. Old archaeological remains in the 7th and 15th century A.D. where found during the mining in 1968. These remains were found out to be the existence of houses,stores and souks. Among these houses one was found to be the palace of one ruler of that period in this region. Metal armoury,domestic equipment of stone,remain of dwellings,beach rock of farush and lime plaster all these are used to build the houses,other thing's are hunting tools,coins,pottery and other household remains. All these were send to Dubai Museum and Heritage and Diving Village,Shindagha so that tourists can have a look at this ancient and historic things. Jumeirah Archaeological Site is not just a tourist attractions. Archaeologist,reserchers and historians from all oover the world came here to study the digs and artifacts from the 7th to 15th centuries A.D. discovered on sites. Tourists must obtain a special permit from Dubai Museum to visit the digs. This site is one of the top Archaeological Sites for archaeologists,researchers and historians from across the world.
- Palm Jumeirah is an artificial archipelago in United Arab Emirates,created using land reclamation by Nakheel,a company owned by Dubai government,and designed and develop by Helman Hurley Character Peacock/Architect,Inc. It is one of three planned islands the Palm Islands (Palm Jumeirah,Palm Jebel Ali,and Palm Deira) which would have extended into the Persian Gulf,increasing Dubai's shoreline by a total of 520 kilometres. The Palm Jumeirah is the smallest and the original of the three Palm islands,it is located on the Jumeirah coastal areas of the emirates of Dubai. The construction begun with the Palm Jumeirah island in June 2001 and the developer announced the handover of the first residencial units in 2006. In early October 2007,the Palm Jumeirah has already become the world's largest artificial island. Also at this time,75% of the properties were ready to hand over,with 500 families already residing on the island. By the end of 2009,28 hotels were opened in the Crescent. Palm Jumeirah monorail is a 5.4-kilometres-long monorail connecting the Atlantis Hotel to the Gateway Towers at the foot of the island,opened on 6 May 2009. The monorail connects the Palm Jumeirah to the mainland,with a planned further expansion to the Red Line of the Dubai Metro. The line opened on 30 August 2009. It is the first monorail in the Middle East,is a man made island.
- Qasr al-Hosn is the oldest stone building in the city of Abu Dhabi,the capital of United Arab Emirates,it is located along the first Street and houses the Cultural Foundation within its grounds. Qasr al-Hosn also known as White Fort (originally not in white colour but painted bright white during 1976-1983 renovations) or Old Fort,was constructed in 1761 as a conical watchtower to defend the only freshwater well in Abu Dhabi island. The tower was later expanded into a small fort in 1793 by the then ruler,Shakhbut bin Dhiyab Al Nahyan,and become the permanent residence of the ruling Sheik. It remained the emir's palace (hence the name Qasr al-Hosn,meaning the Palace fort) and seat of government until 1966. The fort has been develop several times and is now partially opened to the public. The Qasr al-Hosn is currently the subject of extensive historical,archaeological,and architectural research. The fort houses a museum displaying artifacts and pictures representing the history of the country. It also has a range of weapons,used through the region's of history,on display.
- Wild Wadi Water Park is an outdoor park in Dubai,situated in the area of Jumeirah,next the Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Beach Hotel. Wild Wadi has a heated/cooled wave pool,multiple water slides and two artificial surfing machines. In addition,the park had the largest water slide outside of North America,but it has since been removed to make space for two other rides. Another feature of the park is an 18metres (59 ft) waterfall that goes off every ten minutes. The water park has several ride,slides and other amenities,this are some of them White Water Wadi,Jebel Lookout,Wadi Leap,Hoz'N Hurler,Falaj Fury,Wadi Twister,Wadi Bazher and Flood River Flyer. Ring Rides are the traditional downhill slides. Riders can choose to sit in either a single or double rings. They includes Tumble Falls,Falcon Fury,Rushing Rapids,Thunder Rapids and Tunnel of Doom. Tantrum Alley and Burj Surj,are two slides that replaced the family rides,both are the first of its kind in the region. Tantrum Alley is a slide with a combination of three tornados and Burj Surj has two bowls. Jumeirah Sceirah,is the tallest and fastest free-fall water slides outside of North and South America. Rising to 33 metres with riders reaching speeds up to 80 km/hr (50 mph). FlowRider rides,wipeout and riptide,are surfing stimulators that shoot out more than seven tons of water per seconds in a thin sheet across moulded foam structures. These rides performance realistic wave effect which allows riders to body-board,knee-board or surf. Breakers Bay is the largest wave pool in the Middle East. It produces parallel and crossings 1.5 metres waves in five different configurations. Juha's Journey is a 360 metres long river which allows guest to relax and slowly float around the park. Juha's Dhow and Lagoon is a Wild Wadi's play area for children and has over 100 water games and rides.