Well! This review dedicated to Annu is a fact about United Arab Emirates and I hope this gives all a chance to analyse inside out of UAE. I prefer it to act as a tourist guide.
United Arab Emirates in general called the UAE is pretty much a coastal country bordered with Saudi Arabia on the south and west while on the right lies Oman. The country is a group of seven sovereign sheikdoms (emirates) which were formed when the British withdrew from the Gulf. The seven sheikdoms are Abu Dhabi (The Capital city), Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras-Al-Khaimah, Sharjah & Umm-Al-Quwain.
UAE is a wonderful and well planned cosmopolitan country and a lot of nationalities represent the country. Infact the expatriates represent beyond the local population that sums up to a total of approx. 2 million.
As compared to Bahrain, UAE competes too hard to keep up the standard of temperature. In summer the temperature reaches beyond 40+ degrees Celsius with high humidity. However it is relatively cool in coastal cities such as Fujairah, KhorFakkan and the mountainous regions of Ras-Al-Khaimah. However in Winter Months starting Oct - March, the temperature cools down to 20 degrees Celsius making it the ideal time for shopping and it is during the end-winter period (March), the world’s biggest shopping Festival, THE DUBAI SHOPPING FESTIVAL (DSF) is held.
This is definitely the shopping paradise of the world. It contains huge malls and traditional shopping complexes (souqs) which never allow people to go back home empty handed. The infrastructure is excellent and is constantly improving.
UAE is a rich nation and has an open economy. The wealth of the country however depends largely on Oil & Gas output and recently Tourism is developing in the nation quite rapidly.
Apart from shopping there are also some interesting places to visit.
Abu Dhabi - Once a little fishing city today is one of the most amazing city in the Middle East. Being the capital it’s the home to the ruling Nahyan family. Its marvellous architecture, Shopping complexes and little parks almost everywhere can be a pit stop if you ever travel to UAE. Abu Dhabi is the richest of all the seven Emirates.
Ajman- Ajman is basically a residential area and has a well maintained corniche. Hardly anything to see around in this emirate but its seaport could be a nice watch over an evening drive.
Dubai- The bustling place, God! This place is full of excitement with the kind of outlook it has. Its basic economy depends on trade and is the venue of Shopping in the Middle East. It is chauvinistic, Shopaholic and the trade malls are amazingly true. The city is divided into two areas called the Bur Dubai & Deira Dubai by the backwaters of Arabian Sea and is linked with 2 bridges and a undersea tunnel. This place holds the famous Dubai Museum (Al-Fahidi fort) once the house of the rulers of Dubai or the Al-Maktoum Family. The museum documents history of the city, musical instruments, life of Bedouins and basically is the archaeological area.
Dubai also has the World Trade Centre which has around 37 floors... (37 floors?? Sarah or Annu can comment better) and the Middle East’s famous computer exhibition called ’Gulf International Trade Exhibition (GITEX) is held here.
Dubai also has a lot of other family entertainment sites such as Al-Nasr Leisure Land, Planet Hollywood (a restaurant if I am right) and Dozens of mind blowing shopping complexes, Gold souqs and Cinemas.
Fujairah- Nothing much to be seen here, except for the 300+ year old fort. It does have quite a lot of museum and some archaeological sites.
Ras-Al-Khaimah- One of the most beautiful places in UAE. It’s the house for greenery surrounded by desert & sea. Amazing to be here! I have heard people saying that it homes the Queen of Sheba palace but never once visited it.
Sharjah- Quite an interesting place and probably one of the oldest shopping areas lying between Ajman & Dubai. It’s worth a visit to the Sharjah Gold Souq and a drive to the Rolla Square. A little well established restaurant (unfortunately, BAD memory, can’t remember the restaurant’s name) close to Sharjah Taxi Stand selling Chats is one of the best I have ever tasted during my stay in UAE. Don’t forget, it’s famous for its cricket ground.
Umm-Al-Quwain- Frankly speaking this place holds nothing but rather is famous for the broadcast of Asian Radio channels and the recent 106.2 HUM FM.
Places such as Khorfakkan & Al Ain are places worth a visit though they are far away from Dubai. Others such as Dibba, & Nad Al sheba race grounds could be visited on a pleasant winter evening.
It’s worth a visit to this country if you have the urge to shop and see a lively place that resembles the sensation of London or New York. Try it out!
PS: This review is a generalised review about the country and does not comment on the life in UAE.