The Emirate of Abu Dhabi
It covers an area of 67,340 km², or 87% of the United Arab Emirates. In the south and west of the emirate, there are vast expanses of dunes that can rise up to 300 m in the Rub al-Khali, and the oases of Al-Ain and Liwa, with their rich reserves of underground water, have been inhabited for thousands of years. The sea plays an important role in the emirate's geography, with over 200 islands and 700 km of extremely indented coastline. The actual coastline stretches 350 km as the crow flies, along lagoons, salt cones and salt pans (sebkhas, chotts). Three provinces or regions make up the whole: Abu Dhabi, covering the capital city, its suburbs and the coast as far as the gates of Dubai; Al-Ain, encompassing the city, its palm groves, the peak of Jebel Hafit at 1,240 m and the surrounding desert acres near the Omani border; Al-Gharbia, covering the emirate's far south and west (towns of Madinat Zayed, Mezaira'a, Mirfa, Ruwaïs), bordered along its entire length by Saudi Arabia and at its western end by Qatar.
The Emirate of Dubai
Bathed by the waters of the Gulf, the emirate, the second largest in the Federation, is located in the southeastern part of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered to the north by the Emirate of Sharjah, to the south by Abu Dhabi and to the east by the Sultanate of Oman. The entire Federation borders Saudi Arabia to the west and south, and the Sultanate of Oman to the far north and east. Despite its small size (3,885 km²), Dubai is home to the 225 km² Desert Conservation Reserve. To the east of the city, the Creek (an arm of the sea jutting inland) opens up to areas of greenery, rich in wildlife. After a short dozen-kilometre journey, the end of the inlet becomes a bird sanctuary, populated mainly by flamingos, ducks and various wading birds. Sand and dunes then take over again for a little over a hundred kilometers, before coming to an abrupt halt at the foot of the Hajar Mountains. Here, the landscape changes, entering a more mineral world of rocks, gorges and wadis. In Dubai, this world can be discovered in Hatta, a Dubai enclave. Although the area remains rather arid, trees (mostly acacias) and shrubs grow at the foot of the mountains, giving this part of the country a more welcoming aspect. There are many waterholes, often in the form of natural basins, which are filled by rainfall in milder periods.
The Emirate of Sharjah
The territory comprises a main enclave on the Arabian Gulf coast and five other enclaves (Khor Kalba, Khor Fakkan, Dibba al-Husn...), one of which shares sovereignty with the Emirate of Fujairah and another (Nawha) included in the Omani enclave of Madha. Mostly mountainous, the emirate borders Oman and all the other emirates. It owns the island of Sir Abu Nuair and claims Abu Mussa (occupied by Iran). The capital, Sharjah, lies along the Gulf coast and is part of the Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman conurbation.
The Emirate of Ajman
It comprises three enclaves, the largest of which, included in the Emirate of Sharjah and opening onto the Arabian Gulf, is home to the Emirate's capital, the city of Ajman. The other two enclaves are Manama and Masfout (or Masafwat). This emirate is the smallest of the seven that make up the United Arab Emirates: at 460 km² (600 km² including territorial waters), it represents just 0.5% of the country's territory. Its coastline is just 26 km long, and is entirely occupied by the city of Ajman. The city of Ajman lies on the edge of the Gulf. It has developed close to an inland arm of the sea (Ajman Khor), which serves as a natural port. The enclave of Manama is located 60 km east of Ajman, on the road linking Ajman to the emirates of Fujairah and Sharjah, with which it shares borders. It is an oasis located on the edge of the desert, against the mountains. In addition to subsistence farming and the production of building bricks, magnesium and curium deposits are mined here.
The enclave of Masfout is located 110 km southeast of Ajman. It borders the emirates of Dubai and Ras al-Khaimah and Oman, and includes the Mazeyrah and Al-Sabgah regions. Mountainous, the enclave allows for the development of subsistence farming in the valleys.
The Emirate of Umm al-Quwain
It is located in the north of the United Arab Emirates, on the coast of the Arabian Gulf. Unlike some of the country's other emirates, it is a single territory, with no enclaves. It borders the emirates of Ras al-Khaimah and Sharjah. Covered by mangroves and a few oases at the foot of the Hajjar, with a slightly more mountainous relief, it is a vast peninsula that closes off a large lagoon.
The emirate of Ras al-Khaimah
Its name literally means "Head of the Tent". The emirate is made up of two enclaves, the larger of which, including the town of Ras al-Khaimah, is located in the far north of the United Arab Emirates. The territory is predominantly mountainous, which makes it unique: Jebel Jais rises to an altitude of 1,934 meters, making it the highest point in the Emirates.
The city of Ras al-Khaimah is located on the Gulf coast, around a natural harbor (or khor) that divides it into two districts: Old Ras al-Khaimah and Nakheel. It lies at the northern end of the Rub al-Khali desert, between the mountains and the sea. The emirate borders Oman and all the other emirates except Abu Dhabi.
The Emirate of Fujairah
It is the only Emirate in the United Arab Emirates to face the Gulf of Oman rather than the Arabian Gulf. Highly mountainous, its territory comprises two fairly extensive enclaves and two smaller enclaves, one of which shares sovereignty with the Emirate of Sharjah. It borders Oman and the emirates of Ajman (Manama enclave), Sharjah and Ras al-Khaimah.
