The largest emirate in the UAE is Abu Dhabi, which consists of several oasis cities. According to ethnicityology, the capital of the emirate is the city of Abu Dhabi. The fact that people lived on this land for a very long time is evidenced by numerous archaeological finds. Previously, this city was an ordinary cluster of houses near a source of fresh water, but over time it grew and now it is one of the most modern cities in the world, with surprisingly straight and clean streets, buildings of the most incredible architectural forms and numerous green spaces, which, in the local climate and lack of fresh water, cause admiration. One of the few historical monuments in the capital is the Old (White) Fort, built in the 19th century to protect the source of fresh water. Today, the fort building houses the Center for the Study of the Region. A characteristic feature of Abu Dhabi is the presence of a huge number of mosques, which can be just in the middle of a business modern quarter. Numerous fountains scattered throughout Abu Dhabi bring a wonderful atmosphere to the hot city. Most of the city’s fountains are concentrated on the Corniche Road Fountain Embankment, where you can relax on a sunny afternoon. Here, on the Corniche Road, there is a huge number of entertainment venues. Not far from the embankment is the so-called “Watershed”, where the best restaurants of the city work. And not far from the coast, at the moment, the construction of the artificial island “Lu-Lu” is underway, on which there will be a water park, and it will be connected to the city using an underwater tunnel. The largest trading hub in the Middle East is the Emirate of Dubai, lying on the coast of the Persian Gulf. The city is divided by Khor Dubai Bay into three parts: the business center of the capital of the emirate – Deira, the resort area with many beaches – Jumeirah and the Bar Dumai area, where the seaport and a significant part of large offices are located. It is best to start your acquaintance with the city with a boat trip along the bay. So you will have the opportunity to get to know modern urban architecture in a more comfortable environment. The most interesting, in terms of architecture, are the buildings in the Arabic style in the Bastakiya region and the old quarters of Deira. The main city attraction is the 39-storey building, which houses the Dubai International Trade Center. Representative offices of the world’s largest trading companies are located here, an international trade festival is held here every year, which is visited by more than two million people. Dubai’s numerous mosques attract particular attention, among which the Rashid Hospital Mosque and the Jumeirah Mosque stand out the most. The best way to take a break from a grueling walk around the city is to visit one of the many parks. One of the largest parks in Asia is located right here – this is the amusement park “Worderland”, in which, in addition to the park itself, there is also a huge water park. Two parks also lie off the ocean coast: Jumeirah and Al-Mumzar. The tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa, has become Dubai’s main modern landmark. The exact height of the building is 828 m (with the number of floors – 163). Previously, the Burj Khalifa skyscraper was better known as the Burj Dumai, but after the opening, the name was changed. Sharjah, the capital of the emirate, lies 13 kilometers from Dubai. The city of Sharjah is considered the most traditional Arab city in the UAE, Islamic traditions are observed here more than anywhere else in the country. The main pride of the inhabitants of Sharjah and the entire Middle Eastern world is the King Faisal Mosque, which can accommodate about three thousand worshipers within its walls, and now it is the largest mosque in the Middle East. Thanks to the huge number of museums in Sharjah, he received the name “Museum Treasury of the UAE”. One of the most unusual emirates is Ajman. It occupies the smallest part of the territory of the entire country, only 0.3% and is the only emirate in which no oil has been found. Since ancient times, Ajman has been known as the best manufacturer of ships and pearls. The main trading and commercial organizations are concentrated in the capital of the emirate. It is recommended to visit the National Historical Museum, located in a giant fortification of the 17th century. The museum’s collection consists of ancient manuscripts, weapons and other archaeological finds. Of no less interest is the city shipyard, which, like many years ago, manufactures traditional sailing ships.
National cuisine of the United Arab Emirates
The cuisine of the UAE is no different from the cuisine of other Arab countries, where culinary traditions were formed due to a unique religion and special natural and climatic conditions. The religion of Muslims does not allow them to eat pork, so beef, veal and poultry are most often used in dishes. The meat undergoes a rather peculiar heat treatment – it is fried in a pan without fat, which gives it a unique taste. Such Arabic meat dishes as shawarma and kebab are known far beyond the borders of the country. Poultry meat is also very popular, especially quail meat, which is very revered in eastern countries. Such dishes are usually served with a side dish in the form of rice and vegetable salads, which are heavily flavored with all kinds of seasonings and spices. Arabic coffee is not just the main drink, but a special art. Coffee here is prepared only by hand, coffee machines are not recognized. The number of varieties available is simply huge, but the most popular are traditional black and light Arabian coffees with cardamom.
