The Land of Opportunity

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula, bordering Oman and Saudi Arabia. Four-fifths of the UAE is desert with contrasting landscapes – from the towering red dunes of Liwa to the rich oasis of Al Ain. From the Hajar Mountains to fertile coastal plains.

The city of Al Ain is an old city, central to the cultural heritage of the UAE, and the birthplace of the President H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. It remains close to the heart of the royal family and the people of UAE. It is the second largest city in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and is located approximately 150 km inland from the capital city of Abu Dhabi and the popular tourist destination of Dubai. The UAE consists of seven emirates – Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al-Quwain, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah.

Tourism & Attractions

The UAE has established a position as a major center for trade, tourism and investment.

Abu Dhabi is the federal capital of the United Arab Emirates and the largest Emirate in the UAE. Abu Dhabi has many things to offer visitors and is home to a large concentration of premier cultural institutions including the Sheikh Zayed National Museum, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and Louvre Abu Dhabi, museums and galleries. It has also become a center for world-class sporting events such as the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge Rally and the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix.

Al Ain’s attractions include Jebel Hafeet, a 1,340 meter mountain, which dominates the surrounding area. It is popular to visit the mineral springs at its base and to drive to the mountaintop at sunset. Other places of interest include the Al Ain Oasis in the city center, and other oases dotted around the area, offering cool retreats in the middle of the summer heat. Additionally, tourists can enjoy Al Jahili Fort, the Camel Market, many well-maintained parks, a heritage village, the Al Ain National Museum, the Al Ain Palace Museum, several restored forts and the Hili Archaeological Park which dates back to the Bronze Age. Al Ain also hosts annual events including the Al Ain Classical Music Festival. The city is a popular tourist destination with first class hotels, a golf resort, shopping malls, a wild-life park, a water-adventure park and the recently opened Hazza Bin Zayed football stadium.

Dubai is the second largest Emirate after Abu Dhabi. With year-round sunshine, beautiful beaches, luxurious hotels – including the seven star ‘Burj Al Arab’ – shopping malls, fascinating heritage and a thriving business community. Dubai receives millions of leisure and business visitors each year from around the world. Dubai is known worldwide as a shopping destination and has become symbolic for its skyscrapers and high-rise buildings, in particular the world's tallest building, ‘Burj Khalifa’. Dubai is the venue for many major world class sporting events including the Dubai Desert Classic Golf Tournament, the ATP Dubai Tennis Championships, the Dubai Rugby Sevens, the Emirates Grand Prix (off-shore Power Boat Championship), the UAE Desert Challenge and the Dubai World Cup (the world's richest horse-race). Dubai also recently won the right to host the World Expo 2020.

Religion
Islam is the official religion of the UAE, and Arabic is the official language, although English is widely spoken and most road and shop signs and restaurant menus are in both languages.

Temperature

This is a destination with almost year-round sunshine, little rainfall and near perfect winter temperatures. Temperatures range from a low of around 13°C (50°F) on a winter’s night, to a high of around 42°C (118°F) on a summer’s day. The cooler months, November to April, are the most pleasant time, when temperatures are around 24°C (75°F) during the day and 13°C (56°F) at night.