Much less known, this emirate claims its importance against the potential of Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Many have not heard of Sharjah, one of the emirates that comprise the United Arab Emirates, despite being the most important city among them up until the 1980s.
Just 20 kilometers north of Dubai, Sharjah is a quiet place to enjoy the traditional Arab culture, its heritage and its two dozen museums, to which it owes being recognized by UNESCO as the Cultural Capital of the Arab World.
Apart from the Museum of Arab Culture and the Arabic Calligraphy Museum, this city of arts boasts the Desert Park, comprised of several museums that include the Sharjah Natural History Museum, the Botanical Museum and Sharjah Arabian Wildlife Centre, a great zoo where you can see all the species that inhabit the area.
Nature has an important presence in Sharjah. The central region combines the lush green oasis with gravel plains and red sand dunes. In the east, the landscape changes to a rocky coast with dramatic mountains that are home to archaeological sites.
But obviously, Sharjah is also a beach country. It is the only emirate that has coastlines on the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. It is in this eastern coast, in the enclaves of Kalba, Khor Fakkan and Dibba al-Hush, where the water is crystal clear and allows you to see coral reefs and marine species such as sharks, turtles and an array of tropical fish.
BlueBay Hotels & Resorts soon opens the Armada BlueBay Sharjah**** in this emirate, this opening being one of several planned in the UAE.
Sharjah sheet
- Extension: third largest emirate with 2590 square kilometers
- Sheikh: Sheik Dr. Sultan III in Muhammad al-Qasimi
- Population: 660,000 people
- Only emirate to have coastlines on the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman
