View over Al Ain

Al Ain (Arabic: العين, "the spring") is the fourth largest city in the United Arab Emirates with a population of 348,000 (2003 estimate). It is located in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, directly adjacent to the border with Oman. The freeways connecting Al Ain, Abu Dhabi and Dubai form a geographic triangle in the center of the country, each city roughly 150 kilometers from the other two. Download high resolution version (2041x1225, 197 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Download high resolution version (2041x1225, 197 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... The Arabic language (Arabic: ‎ transliterated: ), or simply Arabic (Arabic: ‎ transliterated: ), is the largest member of the Semitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family (classification: South Central Semitic) and is closely related to Hebrew and Aramaic. ... A natural spring. ... Abu Dhabi or Abu Zaby (Arabic language: أبوظبي) is the largest of the seven emirates that comprise the United Arab Emirates and was also the largest of the former Trucial States. ... Flag Coordinates , Government Emirate Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Geographical characteristics Area     City 4,114 km² Demographics Population     City (2006) 1,570,779     Density   293. ...

History

The area, historically known as the Buraimi Oasis, has been continuously inhabited for more than four thousand years and Al Ain is considered central to the cultural heritage of the country. It is the birthplace of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the first president of the United Arab Emirates. Today the name Buraimi refers to the Omani town whose urban area merges with that of Al Ain. There are numerous underground water springs in the area, which explain its attractiveness as an area of settlement. Traces of its traditional past remain, including camel racing and breeding. The ancient falaj system of irrigation is still in use in some areas distributing underground water by a network of tunnels emerging eventually into open channels whose flow can be directed and regulated. Buraimi is an oasis town in northeastern Oman, on the border with the United Arab Emirates. ... Sheikh Zayed Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (Arabic:الشيخ زايد بن سلطان أل نهيان)‎, (1918 — 2 November 2004), the principal architect of the seven United Arab Emirates, was the moderate ruler of Abu Dhabi and president of the UAE for over 30 years (1971-2004). ... Camel racing is a popular sport in Australia, the Middle East, and Africa. ... A qanat or kareez is a water management system used to provide a reliable supply of water to human settlements or for irrigation in hot, arid and semi-arid climates. ...

Modern Times

Al Ain has a higher proportion of Emirati nationals than elsewhere in the country, however the majority of its residents are expatriates particularly from the Indian sub-continent. There are fewer Western expatriates than in the larger centers of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. This gives Al Ain a more authentic Arabic look and feel compared to the larger and more cosmopilitan cities of the Emirates. An expatriate (in abbreviated form expat) is someone temporarily or permanently residing in a country and culture other than that of their upbringing and/or legal residence. ...

It is often called the 'Garden City of the Persian Gulf' given the many parks, tree-lined avenues and decorative roundabouts within the city. Strict height controls on new buildings, to no more than four floors, emphasises the greenery of the city. Map of the Persian Gulf. ...

Tourism & Recreation

Al Ain is developing as a tourist destination. It regularly records the highest summer temperatures in the country, but the dry desert air makes it a welcome retreat from the coastal humidity of the larger cities. Many Emirati nationals in Abu Dhabi have holiday houses in the city making it a popular weekend destination for families from the capital city. Its attractions include the Al Ain National Museum, the Al Ain Palace Museum, several restored forts and the Hili archealogical site, dating back to the Bronze Age. Jebel Hafeet, a 1340 metre high mountain dominates the surrounding area. A visit to the mineral springs at the base and a drive to the top of this mountain for sunset is popular. Other attractions include the Al Ain Oasis in the city centre and other oases dotted around the area, cool retreats in the middle of the summer heat, a zoo, amusement park named "Fun City", many well maintained parks, most popular with families in the summer evenings, and a heritage village. Jebel Hafeet (variously translated Jabal, Jabel and Jebal) is a mountain primarily in the United Arab Emirates on the outskirts of Al Ain. ... Giraffes in Sydneys Taronga Zoo Free monkeys islands at the São Paulo Zoo Panda enclosure at Chiang Mai Zoo Visitors feeding and petting tamed marmots at the Parc Animalier des Pyrenées Sea lions at the Melbourne Zoo For other uses of the term Zoo, see Zoo... Amusement park is the more generic term for a collection of rides and other entertainment attractions assembled for the purpose of entertaining a fairly large group of people. ...

The city is home to the successful association football (soccer) club, Al Ain FC. Football (soccer) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... Al-Ain Football Club (Arabic: نادي العين; transliterated: Nady al-Ayn) is a professional association football club based in the city of Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates. ...

Commerce and Industry

Al Ain is an important services centre for a wide area extending into Oman. There are two major shopping centres, Al Ain Mall and Al Jimi Mall, as well as traditional souks for fruit & vegetables and livestock. Industry is growing, but still small scale, and includes the Coca Cola bottling plant and a cement works. Service industries such as car sales, mechanics and other artisans are located in the area known as Sanaiya. Social and governmental infrastructure includes United Arab Emirates University, Higher Colleges of Technology, well-equipped medical facilities, including the teaching hospital at Tawam, military training areas and Al Ain International Airport. United Arab Emirates University is the largest of the three government-sponsored institutions of higher learning in the United Arab Emirates. ... The Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) was established in 1988, and is now the largest institution of higher learning in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with over 16,500 students. ... Al Ain International Airport is located in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. ...

External Links

• Al Ain National Museum
• Al Ain: Oasis in the Desert (Photographic essay from Al Ain Women's College)
• Al Ain Times