Al Ain: The Garden City Of The Gulf:

Al Ain the largest city in the Eastern Region of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in the country United Arab Emirates. Home of the UAE University and Known as “The Garden City Of The Gulf”. It is surrounded by magnificent red sand dunes and overlooked by an impressive mountain range. Al Ain is located inland on the United Arab Emirates eastern border, at a focal point for journeys by excellent roads to Abu Dhabi Dubai and Sharjah.

The city’s origins date back over four millennium, as evidenced at the many archaeological excavations. Its more recent history has origins in the seven retained plantations or oases where numerous restored and ruined forts and settlements can be seen. Visitors will experience present day Arabia at its best, yet old traditions linger including one of the last remaining and thriving camel markets. Tour the city to experience the contrasts of old and new taking in a visit to a serene oasis. Take a trip to the outskirts of the city for a camel ride or even an over night camel safari amongst the dunes or an exciting four wheel drive journey over the dunes or through the wadis (dry river beds).

Families can visit the largest theme park in the region, the famous Al Ain Zoo which houses one of the largest animal collections in the world, an Olympic sized ice rink or experience a wide variety of other recreation facilities.The city’s magnificent resort style hotels can rival the best anywhere. There is shopping to suit every demand. Gold, electronics, oriental carpets and gifts can be purchased at very low price.

Historic Al Ain

Archaeological discoveries date settlements in Al Ain to around 3000 BC. A visit to the Al Ain Museum with it’s many and varied displays will provide a fascinating insight to the history of the city and region.

There are revealing archaeological excavations for the experts, however a visit to the beautiful Hili Archaeological Park to view the magnificently restored tomb can provide a flavor of times long past. The Arabic words Al Ain mean “spring” and were taken as the city’s name due to the abundant ground water springs in the area. This ground water provided for natural oases in the desert which were the attraction to human settlement. Using ancient but efficient non-mechanized “falaj” irrigation systems, which remain to this day, the oases were developed into major date plantations which were the staff of life to the local population. Modern day Al Ain has its origins in the plantations.

Today a visit to the restored Al Ain Oasis adjacent to the museum can provide visitors with a relaxed walk providing an interesting insight to date cultivation. To view restored and ruined forts and settements amongst serene plantations visit those at Al Qattara, Al Jimi or Al Hili.

Al Ain Hotels -Hilton International Al Ain

Hilton International Al Ain at the crossroads of the ancient caravan routes...   With tree lined boulevards and expansive gardens stretching as far as the eye can see, the hotel is nestled amongst verdant landscaped grounds. The hotel is situated near the city centre just a few minutes drive from major tourist destinations and only 90 minutes from Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Tourist Attractions: Green Mubazzarah, Al Ain

A wide range of modern day tourist attractions can he found in Al Ain. They cater to young and old alike and can provide hours of fun and interest.

Hili Fun City is the largest theme park in the Gulf Region with over forty rides and attractions set in expansive landscaped gardens with picnic facilities and numerous food outlets. A festival is held annually when major international variety shows are presented in a carnival atmosphere.

Throughout each year special shows and attractions can he seen for limited periods. Al Ain Ice Rink adjacent to the Fun City, is a magnificent Olympic sized facility containing numerous children’s games in addition to the skating. Visit Al Ain Zoo and Aquarium to see one of the largest animal collections in the world. As well as elephants, tigers, bears and other favorites, there is a large collection from the Arabian region. Ain Al Fayda resort to the south of the city is located in a spectacular setting at the base of the Hafeet Mountain and offers visitors a variety of leisure activies including picnics in beautifully landscaped gardens, a boating lake, swimming, ten pin bowling and various restaurants and accommodation.

A drive along the impressive winding Hafeet Mountain road to the summit will yield magnificent views across the city and its surrounds. Pull off the road at it’s base to see the the amazing hot spring area.

Any visit to Al Ain Would not be complete without a visit to one to one of it’s delightful parks. In particular the Central Public Gardens has amongst it’s attractions grand fountain displays with changing shapes and lighting effects as you watch and a large children’s adventure playground.

For the more adventurous, who wish to experience the pleasure of the desert, hiring a 4WD vehicle is a must if travelling unescorted. Alternatively take a camel ride through the magnificient red sand dunes. Organised rides ranging from one hour to an overnight camping safari with full catering provided. Then there are dune buggy rides, caving, abseiling or hang gliding for the really adventurous.

Hospitality Industry:

AL Ain has three 5 star resort hotels and there is a guest house and chalet complex within the Ain Al Fayda Resort and a guest house at Al Remah. All rooms and suites are provided to a very high standard. Business centers at the hotel offer service, and communication and conference facilities to compete with the best anywhere. Large opulent ballrooms provide for major functions.

The hotels cater to a very wide variety of leisure pursuits swimming, tennis, spas, gymnasiums, golf, squash, ten pin bowling are some of the top class facilities. In addition there are playgrounds and organized activities for the kids. At night a range of restaurants, bars discotheques and night clubs are provided in the hotels to suit most tastes. Alternatively visit one of the major tourist attractions or simply walk around the town cetre to experience the sights and sound of the cosmopolitan mix of the Al Ain resident population. You will never be far from a modern supermarket. Modern supermarkets offer most things that are found in North America, Europe, and Australia. You are likely to find even greater variety in the UAE due to the range of goods imported to suit the tastes of many nationalities. Prices are comparable to those in most western countries. Outdoor markets sell fresh fish, vegetables, fruits, and spices.

If you prefer dining out, the UAE offers numerous restaurants. All varieties of ethnic cuisine are available in 5 star hotels and restaurants. Fast food type outlets are also available and include some of the most well known western outlets. Arabic, Lebanese and Indian fast food outlets are also plentiful. Tap water in the UAE is safe to drink, but most people choose to drink bottled water. Local bottled water is cheap at approximately Dhs 1.5 / litre bottle. Water coolers are available for rental and purchase and there are many water delivery services.

Fujairah

Fujairah is the seventh in the union of U.A.E. Al Fujairah was named after a small stream in the Emirate. The Emirate lies in the Eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula.  It is the bride of the Emirates on the East Coast of the Gulf of Oman. It is the only Emirate on the Gulf of Oman, its area is 1,450 square kilometers. It is characterized by its mountains that have different colors, its fertile valleys that are full of natural water springs and its coastal belt with its clean golden sands extending to more than 90 kilometers. 80% of the population of the Emirate inhabit this coastal belt.

Fujairah is considered to be the crossing part to and from the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, across the Indian ocean to the states of East Asia, Europe and the whole world. This Emirate witnessed many historical events, as its past goes back to the period before Christ. Its land saw many important battles relating to Islamic history after the war of apostasy. The history of Fujairah goes back to the reign of Sheikh Mohammad Bin Matar, head of the tribe of Al Sharqiyeen, who is credited for uniting the tribes of the area. The founding and independence of the Emirate is due to Sheikh Abdulla Al Sharqi and his son Sheikh Hamad Bin Abdulla Al Sharqi. Then the Emirate was ruled by Sheikh Mohammad Bin Hamad Bin Abdulla Al Sharqi, after the death of his brother Seif Bin Hamad Al Sharqi, during whose reign the Emirate enjoyed a true measure of independence and sovereignty. His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Hamad Bin Abdulla Al Sharqi, played a positive role with his brothers, Rulers of the Emirates in declaring the union which Fujairah is one of its seven Emirates.

Ras Al Khaimah

This Emirate is the most northern of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It consists of two parts separated by territory belonging to the Al Fujayrah emirate. It stretches towards interior for a distance 128 Kilometres long. It has an extremely mountainous borderline with Sultanate of Oman to the South and North east. A number of important islands are part of the emirate, the most well known are the Bigger Tunub and Smaller Tunub. The area of the emirate is 168 Sq. Km., equivalent to 2.2% of the country’s total area, excluding islands. The town of Ras Al-Khaimah is divided into two parts by a water gill named Khour Ras Al-Khaimah. The western part is known as the Old Ras Al-Khaimah, it comprises Ras Al-Khaimah National Museum and some of the governmental departments. While the eastern part, known as Al-Nakheel, comprises the Ruler’s office, governmental departments and commercial companies. The two parts are connected via a large bridge built across the Khour to facilitate traffic between the two parts.

Biz Zone

PROJECTS: The UAE has embarked on a massive program of investment in its gas sector including a shift toward gas-fired power plants and transforming the Taweelah commercial district into a gas-based industrial zone. The Dolphin Project (see below) is part of this move.

The second phase of the UAE's $1 billion onshore gas development program (OGD-2) at the Habshan natural gas complex located over huge Bab oil and gas field is underway. This second phase includes the construction of three or four gas processing trains to process 1 billion cubic feet per day of gas, 300-500 tonnes per day of natural gas liquids, 35,000-55,000 tonnes per day of condensate and up to 2,100 tonnes per day of sulphur. The construction contract went to Italy’s Snamprogetti. Completion expected early 2001. Another project linked with OGD-2 is the Asab gas development project, which was recently completed. The Asab development processes 830 million cubic feet per day of associated wet gas from the Thamama F and G reservoirs and produces up to 100,000 b/d of condensate for processing at the Ruwais refinery. The gas will support other industries in Ruwais and be re-injected into Asab reservoirs to maintain field pressure. UAE’s Supreme Petroleum Council awarded the $700 million project to Snamprogetti in 1997.

SUPPLYING DUBAI: Dubai’s gas consumption is expected to grow by up to 7% each year through 2005, due to industrial expansion, a switch to gas by its power stations, and the need for an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) system based on gas injections for its dwindling oil formations. Dubai projects future demand will average 655 million cubic feet per day in 2000 and 810 million cubic feet per day in 2005, with seasonal consumption patterns. Currently, Dubai’s entire gas supply comes from fellow UAE member Sharjah, which transports about 430 million cubic feet per day at approximately $1.25/million Btu. Amoco operates three fields and the 800 million cubic feet per day Sajaa processing facility in conjunction with the Sharjah government. A project to pipe gas from the offshore Khuff field to Dubai and the Taweelah industrial complex was abandoned in May 1999. Instead, Dubai will be connected to the main Abu Dhabi gas receiving station.

THE DOLPHIN PROJECT: The Dolphin Project aims to develop links between the gas infrastructures of Qatar, the UAE, and Oman, with a possible future link to Pakistan. It will allow the export of non-associated gas from Qatar's offshore North Dome field. A Statement of Principles for the project was signed in March 1999 between the UAE Offsets Group (UOG) and the Qatar General Petroleum Corporation (QGPC). Mobil Oil Qatar signed a memorandum of understanding covering its role in the project's upstream component in July 1999. Estimated to cost $8-$10 billion over the next six to seven years, the project will begin as a subsea pipeline from Ras Laffan in Qatar to Abu Dhabi, which will then be extended to Dubai and northern Oman. It will start at 48 inches in diameter stepping down to 30 inches by the time it reaches Oman. In its initial phase, the pipeline is to carry 3 billion cubic feet per day of Qatari gas to the UAE and Oman, accounting for nearly 10% of total world gas supplies shipped by pipeline.
 Al Ain Tourism

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Press Releases 2004.. A Tribute to UAE President ..from Global Citynews UK
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