Ras Al Khaimah is located in the far north of United Arab Emirates between the two latitudes 25-26 north and the two longitudes 55-60 east. The length of its coast is 64 kilometers and overlooks the Arabian Gulf. Ras Al Khaimah is ruled by the Al Qawasim family and its current ruler is HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, a member of the Supreme Council of the Union, may God protect him, and the Crown Prince is HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, may God protect him.
Borders of the Emirate
It is bordered from the south and the north-east by Oman and it shares a border with the emirates of Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah, Sharjah; the distance from the coast into the inside of Ras Al Khaimah is about 128 kilometer. The area of Ras Al Khaimah is about 1684 square kilometers, which is equivalent to 2.17% of the total area of the country, and makes it the fourth largest emirate in terms of area.
The western part of Ras Al Khaimah consists of coastal plains overlooking the Arabian Gulf coast, while the northern part is covered with a rocky mountain chain that extends to the east and reaches the Arabian Gulf near the town of Al Jeer. The remarkable thing is that the area between the coast and the mountains is a fertile agricultural land.
The location of the emirate in the far north of the country nearby the strategic Strait of Hormuz makes it the first emirate to oversee the entrance to the Arabian Gulf, giving it an amazing geographical and natural privilege. The relative length of its coastline made it a center for maritime navigation and commercial activity since ancient times.
Islands of the Emirate
Ras Al Khaimah has many islands such as Al Hamra Island, and Greater and Lesser Tunbs, which are currently occupied by Iran, and peaceful efforts are being made to resolve this issue.
Capital
Its capital is the city of Ras Al Khaimah, which is divided into two parts by a water gill named 'Khour Ras Al Khaimah.': The western section which is known as the Old Ras Al Khaimah city, and the eastern section which consists of several districts such as Al Uraibi, Al Nakheel, Al Hudaiba, Al Mooairedh, Al Mamoura, Al Golan and Shaabiat Rashid.
Other Cities & Regions in the Emirate
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Shaam and Al Jeer areas, the last inhabited area in UAE's norther border with Musandam province of Oman.
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Khor Khuwair area, which is the first industrial zone in the emirate, and home of many industries such as cement and stone industries, in addition to Saqr Port and the Free Zone.
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Ghalila area which is located 30 km north the capital, and considered one of the most fertile areas in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah with plenty of fresh water, farms and orchards as the mountains extend closer to the sea.
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Rams area, which lies north of the emirate and is a famous fishing area, and Khor Khuwair, the known exporter of limestone thanks to Al Khor Port which increased in importance after the establishment of a cement factory in it.
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Digdaga area, the home of many agricultural research centers, the Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries (Julphar), and Digdaga farm.
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Khatt area, a tourist attraction about 35 kilometers south-east of the city of Ras Al Khaimah, famous for its hot springs and archaeological sites.
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Azen area which is distinguished by the beauty of its nature and fertile land, especially in rainy winter seasons.
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The historical Shimal area, one of the largest areas of the emirate and where the archaeological site of Kush is located - the largest archaeological tell in UAE. It is also home of the famous Palace of the Queen Zaba (Qasir Al Zaba'a), which is an agricultural area, and was a popular summer destination for the people of UAE pre-oil discovery and the establishment of federal state.
Climate
The climate is hot and humid during the summer as in the Gulf region in general and the coastal areas in particular are affected by it, and a moderate rainy weather prevails in winter and it tends to be relatively cold, especially in the evening.
Its Mountain Chains
Al Hajar Mountain stretches in the UAE for a distance of 80 kilometers north and south with a width of up to 32 km. In the foothills of the northern regions of this mountain chain is the highest peak of almost 1,900 meters in Ras Al Khaimah which is known as Jabal Al Jais. The western slopes of the mountain chain are characterized by large valleys and canyons some of which are used for cultivation.
People of Ras Al Khaimah
The total population of Ras Al Khaimah was around 250,000 people according to estimates made in 2007. It's a home to many expats of different nationalities, but most of its citizens are from various local tribes such as Shihuh, Habus and Al Dhuhoori tribes who live in mountainous areas, and Al Naqbi tribe who live in Khatt and Daftah areas, while Al Mazroui tribe lives in Sahl Jari areas south of Ras Al Khaimah, and Al Za'ab tribe lives on the island of Za'ab, Khatt and Al Dhait areas, and Al Khawater, Al Msafri, and Al Kebali tribes live in bedouin areas, and other tribes such as Al Shawames live in Kharran area, while other major tribes of Ras Al Khaimah include Al Na'aem who are scattered in different areas, and the tribe of Al Ali who has an area called Freij Al Ali, also there are Al Shohoh, the largest tribe in the emirate, who live in Khor Khuwair, Ghalila, Shaam, Al Jeer and the nearby areas and on top of the mountains, and the tribe of Maharzh who live in the area of Masafi. There is also the tribe of Bani Shmaily who live in the historical area of Shimal and other nearby areas, and the Al Balushi tribes who live in different residential areas, for example: (in Kharran, Al Dhait, Dhan, Khuzam, Al Hamra Island, Shamal, Suhaila), besides the ancient Arabic tribes who migrated from Saudi Arabia such as Al Zahery, Al motlak, Al Skait tribes etc.