Ajman, United Arab Emirates

This small and modest emirate, bordering Sharjah, is located in the central part of the western coast of the United Arab Emirates.

According to getzipcodes, the Emirate of Ajman is located on the coast of the Persian Gulf, with a length of 16 kilometers, between the Emirates of Um Al Quwain and Sharjah and is the smallest of the seven emirates. The search for oil was not crowned with success in Ajman, here they had to look for other sources of prosperity. Covering an area of ​​269 square kilometers, the emirate develops two main industries – fishing and the construction of dhow boats – a popular watercraft used in the UAE. The Ajman shipyard, famous throughout the country, still uses the skills and abilities that have been used since ancient times in the construction of these boats, which are still widely used in the waters of the Arab countries. In the old days Ajman was also the main supplier of pearls, which continued until cultured pearls from Japan appeared on the market.

Ajman today is a modern emirate with excellent roads connecting it to different parts of the country. Those who love to sunbathe and swim will appreciate the magnificent, unpolluted beaches of Ajman. The traditional way of life of this place coexists well with the impending new world, full of industrial and technological transformations. The development of local industry has brought with it many changes that are now playing an important role in the life of the emirate.
Ajman attracts mainly those who are tired of the frantic rhythms of modern life and want to find rest from the hustle and bustle of civilization. Here you can not rush anywhere, enjoying the peace and quiet. And don’t forget to visit the Ajman bazaar to admire its majestic architecture, bargain with vendors and make a good purchase. Do not be surprised if life in this emirate appears to you as simple, natural, calm and unsophisticated.
The area of ​​the emirate is 259 square kilometers, which is equivalent to 0.3% of the country’s territory, not including the islands. The population of the Emirate is estimated at 80,000 as of 1992.

The city of Ajman, the capital of the emirate, is located on the coast of the Persian Gulf. Here are the office of the Ruler, companies, banks and commercial markets. The port of Ajman is located on the shores of a natural bay (Khor) that permeates the city. The two main regions in the emirate are the agricultural Masfout, located at a distance of 110 kilometers to the southeast, and Manama, located 60 kilometers to the east.

In addition to its own city of Ajman, the principality also owns two enclaves on land: Manama and Masfout. The main attraction of Ajman is the museum in the ancient fort, which until 1970 remained the residence of the ruler of the principality. The exposition of the museum includes archaeological and ethnographic sections, a collection of ancient weapons, rooms dedicated to the history of the police of the Emirates. Of particular interest to visitors may be the reconstruction of the life of the past and traditional crafts using “wax” figures.

The main branches of local industry have long been fishing and shipbuilding. The life of Ajman for many centuries has been centered around the natural bay, where the old shipyard is located, where traditional Arabic dhows are built to this day. The capital of the emirate is gradually growing due to the residents of the emirates of Dubai and Sharjah, who come here in an attempt to escape from the hectic city life.

The Ajman Museum is housed in a fort that was built in the late 18th century. The museum was opened in 1981. Its exhibition includes a collection of archaeological finds, ancient manuscripts, weapons, reconstructed traditional Arab rooms and a market, please note that photography is not allowed in the museum.

Climate
Dry, transitional from tropical to subtropical. The best season to travel is from October to May. Average monthly temperatures from +20 C to +35 C (maximum – up to +50 C). Precipitation is about 100 mm. per year, in the mountains – 300-400 mm., mainly – in the winter months. Sometimes it doesn’t rain for several months.

Attractions
The most interesting attraction is a square watchtower at the shore of the bay and a huge fort in its center. The fort, built at the end of the 18th century, houses a historical museum, which exhibits finds made during the construction of an oil pipeline near the city in 1986, a collection of weapons and antique jewelry. In addition, the museum exhibits paintings of ancient life and folk crafts of the country – all exhibits are made of wax.

Shopping
In Ajman, you can buy traditional folk products: Arabic coffee pots, silver and copper swords and “khanjars” (curved Arabic knives), lapis lazuli, malachite and other precious stones, Persian carpets and cotton durri (oblong floor carpets), antique silver jewelry from the Sultanate of Oman and Yemen. There is a market on Sheikh Hamed bin Abdul Aziz st. where you can buy almost everything. Shoe Mart and Al Maya department store are nearby.

Entertainment
In Ajman, you can visit the bingo club, which is a rarity in the UAE, since any gambling is prohibited in the country. Only in Ajman you can ride a “dhow” (one-masted Arab boat).

The landscape of Ajman is located on a picturesque and calm ledge of the coast of the Persian Gulf. Its coastal part is completely surrounded by the emirate of Sharjah.