Ajman

Ajman is a major city in the United Arab Emirates.

It serves as the capital of the Emirate of Ajman. The city sits on the coast of the Persian Gulf. On land, it is surrounded by the Emirate of Sharjah. It is part of the Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman metropolitan area. This means the urban areas of these cities flow into one another.

The name Ajman comes from the Arabic word "ajmān." This term is related to "ajam," which means "foreigner." This name exists because Persians once lived in the area.

The history of Ajman involves many shifts in power and diplomacy. In 1816, Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi took control of the settlement. He and fifty followers took the area from the Al Bu Shamis Nuaimi tribe. His rule was later endorsed by the Sheikh of Sharjah. In 1820, Rashid bin Humaid signed the General Maritime Treaty with the United Kingdom. This followed a British military action in nearby Ras Al Khaimah. Later, in 1835, Ajman signed the Maritime Treaty in its own right. This treaty helped end conflicts between various local powers. In 1853, the coastal Sheikhs entered a "Perpetual Treaty of Peace."

Eventually, Ajman joined the United Arab Emirates on December 2, 1971.

In the early 1800s, the lifestyle in Ajman was very seasonal. An 1822 British survey described it as a small town. It featured only one fortified building, which was the ruler's house. The population moved based on the time of year. Between April and September, many men lived there for pearl hunting. During the date season, they often migrated to Al Buraimi. By the 20th century, the town was still quite small. A survey by J. G. Lorimer showed only 750 inhabitants. In comparison, Dubai had over 10,000 people at that time.

Ajman has experienced massive population growth over the last century. In 1950, the population was only 231 people. By 2024, the population of the emirate reached 582,852. The city itself holds about 565,767 of those people. This shows a rapid trend of urbanization. The city is also noted for its safety. In 2025, a report ranked Ajman as the second safest city in the world. Abu Dhabi held the first spot, while Sharjah and Dubai followed.

The economy of Ajman relies on many different sectors. The Ajman Free Zone is a major contributor to the economy. It has the capacity to hold 1,500 companies. It also serves over 1,000 vessels every year. Companies in this zone export to more than 65 countries. These businesses make up about 20% of the UAE's industrial units.

The city also has a strong commercial sector. It features many banks, such as Ajman Bank and Emirates NBD. Large shopping malls like City Centre Ajman are also important. The fishing industry and seafood trade are vital to the region as well.

Tourism is a growing part of the emirate's identity. The Ajman Vision 2030 plan aims to make it a cultural hub. Visitors can explore the Ajman Museum at the old Ajman Fort.

The Al Zorah area offers nature reserves and mangroves.

For those who like the water, Marsa Ajman provides waterfront dining.

Other sites include the Masfout Museum and the Masfout Oasis. In 2025, the UN named Masfout the "Best Tourist Village in the World." The emirate also hosts equestrian activities at the Ajman Stud. This facility specializes in purebred Arabian horses.

Transportation in Ajman is managed by the Ajman Transport Authority. The city uses buses to connect people to other emirates. In the first half of 2025, ridership reached 1.9 million passenger trips.

Taxis are also very common in the city. In October 2024, the entire taxi fleet became eco-friendly. There are even special taxis for women and people with special needs. For water travel, people use traditional wooden boats called abras. Large abras can carry up to 25 passengers along the coast. While Ajman has no airport, it is near Sharjah and Dubai airports.