The Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah is one of the emirates constituting the United Arab Emirates. Located in the southernmost part of the Arabian Peninsula, it directly overlooks the Arabian Gulf with a coastline extending up to 64 kilometers. It is governed by Prince Saud bin Saqr, and its capital is the city of Ras Al Khaimah. The population is approximately 345,000.
Ras Al Khaimah
The emirate boasts a diverse economy, ranking fourth in terms of area within the UAE. It joined the United Arab Emirates in 1972. Ras Al Khaimah includes numerous islands, such as Red Island, and Greater and Lesser Tunbs, which are claimed by Iran.
Historically, the emirate was known for hosting large scientific circles led by scholars from Saudi Arabia, especially from the Najd region. They came during the British campaign against the Emirates in 1819. Agriculture is the primary activity of the population, followed by fishing and pearl diving. The emirate is also known for activities like sheep farming and some types of industries, including wooden shipbuilding.
Geography of Ras Al Khaimah
Situated in the extreme northeast, Ras Al Khaimah is close to the Arabian Peninsula, with the Omani mountains to its east. The total area of the emirate in 2020 is reported to be 1,684 square kilometers. It ranks fourth in terms of size within the UAE.
The emirate features a waterway called Khor, serving as a harbor attracting tourists due to its distinctive bridge and road. The emirate also has sandy plains connecting to the Gulf waters and a mountain range reaching the Arabian Gulf shores. Fertile agricultural lands are widespread, and the northern region includes Oman's Musandam Governorate.
Key Geographic Information
Ras Al Khaimah has low sandy terrains, some connected to the Arabian Gulf, and others closed. The emirate has distinctive mountain ranges, valleys beneath those mountains, and green areas in those valleys despite being in mountainous terrain.
The general climate is humid and hot during the summer, influenced by the desert nature, but it is moderate and sometimes rainy in winter. The emirate has several natural reserves for both wildlife and marine life, totaling five.
Entertainment Live in Ras Al Khaimah
The cultural life in the emirate dates back centuries, always serving as a center for scientific circles. The entertainment life in Ras Al Khaimah includes various cultural activities. There are specialized centers for documents and studies, along with the National Union of Writers and Authors in the emirate. Strong support is given to visual arts.
Ras Al Khaimah has the RAK Rowing Club, and it hosts numerous festivals and events, such as the annual Visual and Fine Arts Festival, attracting visitors worldwide to share exclusive artistic moments. The Awaifi Festival is also significant, focusing on diving and pearl extraction. The emirate has multiple museums, which will be detailed later.
Museums in Ras Al Khaimah
In 1987, the ruler of Ras Al Khaimah decided to establish a large museum in place of the Governor's Fort. The fort was renovated and transformed into one of the most important buildings in Ras Al Khaimah.
Various real estate development companies used local building materials to turn the fort from a historic old structure into a prestigious and modern building. The museum, divided into several rooms, includes the most important one called Al-Qawasim, located on the upper floor.
It houses documents, manuscripts, treaties between the British government and the ruling family, traditional weapons, and ancient artifacts dating back to the 15th century BC. Additionally, the museum showcases Islamic-era artifacts, rare manuscripts, and valuable historical jewelry made of gold and silver.
Sports Activities in Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah is considered an ideal destination for those who love various sports activities, including flying, skiing, squash, swimming, tennis, off-road car trips, and exploratory trips to the towering mountains.
The emirate also offers a unique type of sport, heritage sports, attracting numerous tourists who come to indulge in falconry, various horse races, and the Island Aviation Club, one of the first licensed clubs for enthusiasts of small glider planes.
This club, licensed by the General Civil Aviation Authority of the United Arab Emirates, allows visitors and members to experience the thrill of riding small planes. It's worth noting that this sport is not limited to practitioners but is also available for spectators.
Additionally, Ras Al Khaimah has several golf clubs that host various events and championships. The emirate also hosts the half marathon, a professional international race attracting tourists from around the world.
Touristic Activities in the Emirate
The three-kilometer-long Corniche Al Qawasim is a distinctive tourist destination with notable restaurants, green spaces, colorful fountains, swimming pools, and unique water lakes. Visitors to the Corniche can enjoy these beautiful views, and there is a special activity for cyclists along the promenade, extending along the beach to Corniche Al Rams.
It's worth mentioning that tourism revenues in the emirate exceeded billions in 2014, according to the latest economic statistics. The emirate possesses exceptional marketing centers, such as Al Manar Mall, the oldest among various shopping centers.
There is also RAK Mall, constructed with an estimated value of around 400 million UAE dirhams in 2012. Besides these, the emirate has popular traditional markets like the Old Souk, overlooking Ras Al Khaimah's private beaches, and the Mairid Souk, considered the oldest market within the emirate.
Ras Al Khaimah offers various tourist products and international hotels, including fifteen hotels and more than twelve products. Notable among them is the Rixos Bab Al Bahr resort in the Marjan area, which received the award for the best resort in 2014.
Investment Aspect in Ras Al Khaimah
One of the fastest-growing and most secure investments is within the emirate. It has become an attractive global investment destination, both for the Gulf region and foreign areas. The emirate stands out as a distinctive tourist destination, showcasing the beauty of the past, its heritage, and the brilliance of the present and its development.
This success is attributed to the confident steps taken towards a successful future, with wise leadership being the primary factor. The emirate received the Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority award as the best region in the Middle East for 2014, following a survey conducted by a global magazine specializing in investment and the world economy. In the following paragraphs, we will delve into the successful economic aspect of the emirate.
Economic Aspect within the Emirate
Ras Al Khaimah is distinguished by a robust and resilient economy, driven by a wide range of activities, including industries, agriculture, and pearl extraction. The emirate's specialization in boat manufacturing and pearl extraction through diving has elevated its status in the Arabian Gulf region. The contributions of divers play a significant role in its economic growth.
Notably, in 2013, the emirate successfully extracted pearls valued at 30.9 billion dirhams. Additionally, Ras Al Khaimah houses various industries, such as cement and ceramics factories, securing a prestigious economic position within the United Arab Emirates.
Due to the emirate's success in the ceramic industry, it has become a subject of study for master's students at an American university. The emirate also plays a vital role in banking, with the establishment of 39 banks.
Tourist Attraction Areas within the Emirate
Ras Al Khaimah stands out as one of the best tourist destinations in the Gulf region, offering diverse landscapes and geographical features. The emirate boasts a long coastline along the Arabian Gulf, golden sandy beaches, and numerous saltwater lagoons.
The emirate is characterized by the presence of dwarf mangrove trees, and it shares borders with Sharjah and Fujairah. It includes sulfur springs near famous mountainous areas, serving as the primary habitat for rare animals like the Arabian tahr and a type of fox.
Ras Al Khaimah is home to the highest mountain peak in the UAE, Jebel Jais, standing at approximately 1934 meters. It also features the longest zipline in the mountains, recorded in the Guinness World Records. Visitors to the Emirates can enjoy endless adventures and dine at the highest restaurant in the UAE.
In 2020 and 2021, Ras Al Khaimah was chosen as the most tourist-friendly emirate in the Gulf region. Key tourist areas include the Department of Antiquities and Museums, along with several other regions that offer a rich experience of the emirate's landmarks and tourist spots.
Various investment projects have been established to provide a wide range of units, including residential apartments, studio units, independent villas, twin houses, and townhouses. The emirate has become a highly attractive area for property ownership, with competitive prices, flexible payment plans, and extended installment options provided by development companies.
