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United Arab
Emirates
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Umm-Al-Quwain
Emirate of Umm al-Quwain
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إمارة أمّ القيوين
Umm Al Quwain, one of
the 7 members of the
United Arab Emirates,
covers an area of 800
square kilometres and
stretches from the
beautiful, lush green
coastal mangroves lining
the shores of the
Persian Gulf, inland
across the rolling sand
dunes to the fertile
oasis surrounding Falaj
Al Moalla.
The inland oasis and
hinterland town of Falaj
Al Moalla lies some 50
kilometres from Umm Al
Quwain city.
From November to March
temperatures are idyllic
and average 26C in
daytime and 15C at night
(79F to 59F).
Temperatures can rise
over 40C (104F) in the
peak of the summer and
the humidity levels are
high. Rainfall is
minimal and averages 42
millimetres a year. The
coastline experiences
cooling sea breezes
during the day.
The name Umm Al Quwain
is derived from Umm Al
Quwatain, which means
"Mother of two powers",
a reference to the
powerful seafaring
tradition of this
emirate. The modern
history of Umm Al Quwain
dates back some 200
years when the Al Ali
tribe moved their
capital from Al Sinniyah
Island to its present
location in the mid 18th
century, when the sweet
water supply dried up.
Heritage
Umm Al Quwain enjoys a
good location with its
fascinating coasts
overlooking small,
medium and large
islands. From the coast
of the old Umm Al Quwain
city, a group of natural
islands with beautiful
shapes, east of the
city, can be seen. These
are sand islands, the
biggest of which is the
Al Seeniyah Island,
which occupies an area
of 50 square kilometres,
followed by Al Ghallah
and Al Kaab islands.
There are some small
islands including Al
Sow, Al Qarm, Al
Humaidha, Al Seyweiriyah
and Al Harmalah.
Al Madar Creek, which
passes through these
islands, forms a passage
for fishermen as well as
an unforgettable sea
picnic. It is also
considered as a habitat
for wildlife.
These islands gained a
great attention from
Shaikh Rashid, who
ordered to turn Al
Seeniyah Island into a
sanctuary for birds,
fish and rare animals.
Archaeological
excavations were carried
out in Umm Al Quwain in
line with Shaikh
Rashid's instructions to
look for the roots of
human existence in the
emirate and deep
relations with the
history of the UAE and
surrounding areas.
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