Sharjah, known as The City of Knowledge, is a close neighbour to Dubai. It is ruled by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi. Sharjah is the third largest Emirate and the only one to have land on both the Arabian Gulf Coast and the Gulf of Oman.
The Emirate of Sharjah has developed a unique reputation as a cultural, heritage and family tourist destination providing visitors with the ideal getaway at any time of the year. Holidaymakers can enjoy a break in the sun, relax on the beach, shop in the traditional souks and modern malls, explore the heritage sites and state of the art museums, admire the beautiful mosques and minarets, stroll around the lagoons, as well as experience the natural beauty of the Arabian desert, the mountains and the seas.
Sharjah has developed from a small trading town, relying on fishing and pearl diving, to one of the most modern, dynamic commercial and trade centers in the region. It was the most important port on the lower Arabian Gulf from the time of the early trading with the East into the first half of the 19th century.
Sharjah was also the first place in the region to develop tourism and has been a growing destination in the Middle East since 1932 when international flights were operated out of Sharjah, now historic airport. Beautiful sandy beaches and the clear blue seas of the Gulf of Oman have made this coast a haven for swimming, diving, fishing and relaxing. The inland desert is quite spectacular with impressive red sand dunes.
Sharjah City, the capital, overlooks the Arabian Gulf. The central region of the emirate combines lush green oases, gravel plains and rolling red sand dunes. To the east the emirate reaches the Gulf of Oman coast where the landscape changes to a spectacular rocky coastline backed by mountains.
Sharjah is a manufacturing hub, responsible for 48% of the UAE’s total industrial production. It is also home to 5% of the UAE’s gas reserves, which are located offshore and in the interior desert area.
Sharjah is renowned throughout the Arab world for its commitment to art, culture and heritage. It was named the Capital of Islamic Culture for 2014 in recognition of its contribution to preserving and promoting Arab culture.
The city of Sharjah has a population of 800, 000, making it the third largest city in the UAE.