Emirate of Fujairah

The Emirate of Fujairah is a unique part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is one of seven emirates that form the nation. Most of the UAE is located along the Persian Gulf. Fujairah is different because its coastline sits only on the Gulf of Oman.

This location makes it a distinct geographic area. It is the fifth-largest emirate in the country. It covers about 1.5% of the total area of the UAE.

The geography of Fujairah is shaped by the Hajar mountain range. These mountains encircle the emirate and create a special environment. The mountains influence the weather through a process involving moisture and wind. Prevailing winds blow from the east across the warm Indian Ocean. These winds carry water-laden clouds toward the coast. When these clouds hit the Hajar mountains, they result in higher precipitation. This means Fujairah receives more rainfall than most other parts of the UAE. The weather is warm for most of the year. The coolest months are December through March. During this time, daytime temperatures average around 24 degrees Celsius. In the summer, temperatures can climb above 40 degrees Celsius.

Fujairah has a very long history of human activity. Archaeological evidence shows people have lived here for at least 4,000 years. Scientists have found ancient burials at Bithnah and the Qidfa' Oasis. These sites date back to between 2,000 and 1,300 BC. The area also contains many late Islamic fortresses. One notable site is the Portuguese fort at Bidiyah. This fortress was built between 1450 and 1670.

Another important landmark is the Al Badiyah Mosque. It was built in 1446 using mud and bricks. It is the oldest mosque still in use in the UAE. Unlike many other mosques, it has four domes and no minaret.

The political history of the emirate involves many changes in leadership and territory. For a long time, the east coast was subject to Muscat. In 1850, the Al Qasimi of Sharjah annexed the area. In 1901, Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Sharqi declared independence for the Sharqiyin tribe. This independence was recognized by some local leaders and Muscat. However, the British government did not recognize it at that time. In 1952, Fujairah entered into treaty relations with Britain. This made it the last of the emirates to join the Trucial States. On 2 December 1971, Fujairah officially joined the United Arab Emirates. Today, it is an absolute monarchy. It is ruled by a Hakim, or ruler, named Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi.

The economy of Fujairah has evolved significantly over time. In the past, people lived mainly through pearling and growing dates. Today, the economy relies on federal government grants from Abu Dhabi. Local industries include mining, stone crushing, and cement production.

There is also a flourishing free trade zone. In these zones, full foreign ownership of businesses is allowed. This is different from the rest of the emirate, where foreigners cannot own more than 49% of a business. The National Bank of Fujairah is another important part of the economy.

It was incorporated in 1982 and supports many different industries.

As the population grows, the infrastructure of the emirate continues to develop. The population was 125,698 in 2005 and reached 256,256 by 2019. Modern highways have made travel much easier. The Sheikh Khalifa Highway links Dubai and Sharjah to Fujairah. This road can make the trip take only 30 minutes. The Fujairah International Airport also serves the area. It provides commercial service to Abu Dhabi. For shopping, residents and visitors use places like LuLu Mall and City Centre Fujairah.

Fujairah is also a place of diverse social systems. The healthcare system is a mix of public and private services. Local citizens receive free treatment at federal government hospitals. Foreigners must pay for their medical care. The government also operates local clinics known as "medical houses." These clinics help manage the workload of the main Fujairah Hospital. Education is also widely available through many different types of schools. There are government schools for Emirati and Arab residents. There are also many private schools. Because many residents come from the Indian subcontinent, many private schools follow the Indian CBSE syllabus.