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There are about 280 million native Arabic speakers in the world, fourth most common in the world behind Mndarin Chinese, English and Spanish. Arabic is spoken mainly on the Arabian Peninsula (Saudi Arabia, Syria, Jordan, Yemen, UAE, Oman, Iraq, and Lebanon) and North Africa (Egypt, Sudan, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, and Libya).
Only 17 percent of UAE are citizens. 71 percent of the population hails from Asia, mostly India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Three percent of the population is classified as "Western."When passing through the area you will notice all types of clothing: Western business suits, Indian Saris, Arab dishdashah, Pakistani shalwar kameez, Muslim hijabs, and lots and lots of East Asians in very short shorts and tight shirts.
The Quran is the central text of Islam and is said to be the word of God as recorded by Muhammad between the years 610 and 632 CE. The Quran is for sale in a few of the bookshops in the Dubai airport, though the copies are kept locked up in a glass case.http://quran.com/
The sheesha, often called a hookah in the US, originated in India, but are most popular throughout the Middle East. It is said that the sheesha dates back to the 1500s, and its design was intended to filter tobacco smoke through water before inhalation. Sure the smokes passes through water on the way to the smoker, but the water reportedly does little to remove harmful chemicals. There are a few sheesha shops in Dubai airport, though I don't know if you can smoke in the terminal.
The UAE consists of seven states, termed Emirates. I’ve been to five of them:Ajman with 8 tips; Fujairah with 9 tips; Sharjah with 2 tips; Dubai with 1 tip; Ras Al Khaimah with 5 tips; Umm Al Quwaynwith 6 tips.I have only one Emirate for the next visit – Abu Dhabi with the capital and second largest city of the United Arab Emirates of the same name.The United Arab Emirates has the world's sixth largest oil reserves (after Saudi Arabia, Canada, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait). By the way Russia has the eight oil reserve (after Venezuela). It possesses one of the most developed economies in the Middle East. And you can see its growth at every step while being in the UAE.
If you pay attention to the roads as you venture anywhere, you may quickly notice how much of them have trees, grass and greenery lining the corridors.As you can imagine, these plants would not survive without the extremely expensive gift of continuous water. I've been told various financial figures, but the truth remains that the government spends an exorbitant amount of money on keeping the roadways green into the vast corners of the country.There are mixed feelings about this. Some argue that it is artificial, too costly and blocks the views of the deserts. Others say that it is pretty and refreshing. Regardless of the typical motorists' opinion, it is done to minimize the effects of the sand. The greenery helps keep the sand at bay from the roadway and the traffic. It also helps prevent the dunes from enveloping the roads.As counter point to this, I have driven some of the...
If you would like to have a couple of beers or any other alcohol for that matter, you are allowed to bring into Dubai 2 liters of alcohol. Drinks are only sold in hotel bars, and can be expensive. Go to the Duty Free store in the airport as you arrive, and pick up a case of beer to take with you to your hotel. You can't buy any alcohol in any store in the UAE. The people were very friendly, helpful to tourists, and generally spoke very good English. This was our first visit to a true Arab country. In Dubai, they are very tolerant of visitors, since they depend so much on tourism. It is amazing to hear of the plans for all the construction that is everywhere. I had seen many pictures and videos, but seeing in person was so much better. It is a fascinating place, many things to do and see. Driving is an adventure, but not as daunting as I had expected. Roads are good, generally well...
Fujairah faces the Indian Ocean, and is the only emirate not located on the Persian Gulf. It is separated from the other emirates by the Hajar Mountain range. The mountains served to protect Fujairah from foreign domination and outside tribal influences. Its capital, Fujairah city, was founded in the late eighteenth century when the ruling sheikh established a fort between the coast and mountains.During British rule of the Trucial Coast, Fujairah was considered to be part of Sharjah emirate. Sheikh Homad, a former ruler of Fujairah, engaged the British Royal Navy in an attempt to gain independence from Sharjah. This caused the British to bombard Fujairah city for 90 minutes. It was not until 1925 that Fujairah was acknowleged as the seventh emirate.Nowadays, Fujairah is a popular destination for daytrippers from Abu Dhabi and Dubai, as well as foreign tourists drawn by its diving sites...
The Old Town of Ras al-Khaimah was first settled in about 1500 at the mouth of Khor Ras al-Khaima (khor is Arabic for "creek" or "lagoon"). It is the northernmost of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates. Since its founding, Ras al-Khaimah has been ruled by the Qawasim family, who claims to be descended from the Prophet Mohammed.Due to its strategic location near the Strait of Hormuz and at the mouth of a protected port, Ras al-Khaimah became a maritime and trading power. In the early 1800s, Ras al-Khaimah was involved in several naval skirmishes with the British Royal Navy. The Qawasim were labeled by the British as "pirates," and the city of Ras al-Khaimah and the other Qawasim ports of Sharjah, Umm al-Quwain, and Ajman were razed in 1820. The General Treaty of Peace signed between the British and Qawasim was the start of the British protectorate over all of the Trucial...
As per the 2004 LP edition on Arabian Peninsula, most museums have free entrance, but they close at noon, between 1 – 5 p.m, thus making them difficult to visit.I do not know to what extend the rule applies in summer time, but I can assure you that this is definitely not the case in winter time, opening hours from 9/10 a.m. until after sunset.The same with the free entrance – most museums charge 5 dirhams.
Grosvenor House West Marina Beach By Le Meridien Dubai
4 Reviews and 897 Opinions Run by le Méridien, the Grosvenor House hotel is one of the group's most luxurious hotels in Dubai....
Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi
9 Reviews and 509 Opinions this is a wonderful hotel, living like royalty! 1.3 km pvt beach, beautiful gardens, massages, tea...
Radisson Blu Resort Sharjah Sharjah
4 Reviews and 91 Opinions We stayed here in 2004 as a change from Fujairah. I telephoned the hotel prior to our stay to...
Reviews and photos of United Arab Emirates attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for United Arab Emirates sightseeing.
Q: Just a practical question - have a lay-over at Dubai on a New York to Kozikode flight. If I buy liquor at the NYC airport will it...
A: http://www.abudhabiairport.ae/english/shop-dine-and-unwind/after-passport-control/shop.aspx
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