Emirate of Sharjah

The Emirate of Sharjah is a constituent part of the United Arab Emirates.

It is the third largest emirate in the country by land area. Sharjah is unique among the emirates because it possesses coastlines on two different bodies of water. It sits along the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

The emirate covers 3.3 percent of the total area of the UAE, excluding its islands. It consists of the capital city, Sharjah, and several other towns and enclaves. These include Kalba, Al Dhaid, Dibba Al-Hisn, and Khor Fakkan.

The geography of Sharjah is diverse and includes many different types of environments. The main city of Sharjah overlooks the Persian Gulf and is very crowded. It forms part of a conurbation with the neighboring emirates of Dubai and Ajman. On the east coast, Sharjah owns three enclaves that provide important access to the Gulf of Oman. These enclaves are Kalba, Dibba Al-Hisn, and Khor Fakkan.

The emirate also includes the island of Sir Abu Nu’ayr in the Persian Gulf. Within the land, there are important oasis areas like the fertile Dhaid region. In this region, people grow many different types of fruits and vegetables.

Human history in this region is incredibly ancient. Evidence shows that people have lived in this area for over 120,000 years. Archaeologists have found early stone axes and tools in several locations. These include Al Dhaid, Al Thuqeibah, Mileiha, Tell Abraq, Muwailah, Al Madam, and Jebel Faya. Significant finds of copper and iron age implements have also been discovered. The Mleiha Archaeological Centre displays finds that suggest human migration from Africa to the rest of the world.

Sharjah has a long history of maritime activity and trade. Around 1727, the Al Qasimi clan took control and declared independence. The emirate was historically one of the wealthiest towns in the region. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, it served as an important pearl fishing port. A British survey in 1830 recorded between three00 and four00 boats fishing during the season. This industry earned the ruler 100,000 Maria Theresa Dollars. In 1932, Sharjah became a stop for Imperial Airways on the Eastern British Empire route. The Mahatta Fort was even built to house the airline's guests.

The political structure of Sharjah is an absolute monarchy. It has been ruled by Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi since 1972.

The ruler appoints the Sharjah Executive Council and the Sharjah Consultative Council. These groups help manage the daily affairs of the emirate. The government oversees more than 126 different departments and public organizations. Sharjah also uses an e-government portal to provide services to its citizens. The emirate has experienced periods of political instability, including attempted coups in 1972 and 1987.

Modern Sharjah is a major center for commerce and tourism. The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority was created in 1996. This group works to attract tourists and foreign investment. One famous event is the annual Sharjah Light Festival. The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority, known as Shurooq, manages many large projects.

One major project is Al Qasba, which features a man-made canal and a large observation wheel. This area attracted two million visitors in 2011 alone. Other developments include the Al Majaz Waterfront and the Heart of Sharjah project.

Demographics show that Sharjah is a rapidly growing place. The population reached over 1.8 million people in 2022. This was a 22 percent increase from the 2015 census. Emirati citizens make up 11.5 percent of this total population. Most residents are non-nationals, with 1.1 million men and 500,000 women. More than half of the population is between the ages of 20 and 39. The emirate also maintains specific social laws. Sharjah is the only emirate where the sale of alcohol is prohibited. It also has strict decency laws regarding dress and public behavior.