Dubai is one of the world's most exciting new travel destinations. Lying on the blue waters of the southern Arabian Gulf and backed by the majestic desert, Dubai offers visitors year-round sunshine and five-star luxury plus the adventure of a unique Arabian experience.

Dubai- one of seven emirates that constitute the United Arab Emirates - is a place of fascinating contrasts, a distinctive blend of modern city and timeless desert, east and west, old and new. Known in the region as the "city of merchants", Dubai has, for generations, welcomed seafarers and traders to its shores. Today, its tradition of courtesy and hospitality lives on.

Dubai has something for everyone - from the holidaymaker seeking a relaxing break away from the clouds and crowds, to the active tourist looking for a new and exciting experience. The city has superb facilities for sports, shopping, dining and entertainment.

Abu Dhabi is the largest of the seven emirates that comprise the United Arab Emirates and was also the largest of the former Trucial States. Abu Dhabi is also a city of the same name within the Emirate that is the capital of the country, in north central UAE. The city lies on a T-shaped island jutting into the Persian Gulf from the central western coast. An estimated 1,000,000 lived there in 2000, with about an 80% expatriate population. Abu Dhabi City is located at 24.4667° N 54.3667° E. Al Ain is Abu Dhabi's second largest urban area with a population of more than 200,000 and located 150 kilometres inland.

Sharjah extends along approximately 16 kilometres of the United Arab Emirates's Persian Gulf coastline and for more than 80 kilometres into the interior.

In addition there are three enclaves belonging to Sharjah situated on the east coast, bordering the Gulf of Oman. These are Kalba, Khor Fakkan and Dibba al-Husn. The emirate has an area of 2,590 square kilometres, which is equivalent to 3.3 per cent of the country's total area, excluding the islands.

The capital city of Sharjah, which overlooks the Persian Gulf, contains the main administrative and commercial centers together with an especially impressive array of cultural and traditional projects, including several museums.

Distinctive landmarks are the two major covered souqs, reflecting Islamic design; a number of recreational areas and public parks such as Al Jazeirah Fun Park and Al Buheirah Corniche. The city is also notable for its numerous elegant mosques. Links with the outside world are provided by Sharjah International Airport and Port Khalid.

Sharjah also encompasses some important oasis areas, the most famous of which is Dhaid where a wide range of vegetables and fruits are cultivated on its rich and fertile soil. Khor Fakkan provides Sharjah with a major east coast port. An offshore island of Sir Abu Nuáir belongs to Sharjah. Sharjah also claims the Iranian island of Abu Musa.

Sharjah has one Omani enclave, the Madha territory, wherein lies an UAE exclave, called Nahwa.

Ras Al-Khaimah is one of the United Arab Emirates. Ras Al Khaimah is in the northern part of the arabian penninsula.

It is ruled by Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammad al-Qassimi. It is in the northern part of the UAE bordering Oman. The emirate has a population of about 250,000 inhabitants.

The city is home to Ras Al Khaimah International Airport.

The city has two main sections Old Ras Al Khaimah and Nakheel on either side of the creek which flows through Ras Al Khaimah.

It covers an area of 656 square miles (1700 km²). Ras Al Khaimah is in the northern part of the Arabian Peninsula.

The city was historically known as Julfar. Sources say that Julfar was inhabited by the Azd during the eighth and ninth centuries AD, and that the houses of the Azd were built of wood.

In the early 18th century the Qawasim clan (Huwayla tribe) established itself in Ras al-Khaimah.

"the well" or "the eye", and in this case meaning "the spring" in English) is a city in the United Arab Emirates located in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, directly adjacent to the border with Oman. It is often called the 'Garden City of the Persian Gulf' given the many parks, tree-lined avenues and decorative roundabouts within the city. Al Ain, Abu Dhabi and Dubai form a kind of geographic triangle in the center of the country, each roughly 150 kilometers from the other two.

Al Ain is the fourth largest metropolitan area by population in the Emirates with just under 300,000 people. 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 and 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 cosmopolitan cities of the Emirates.

Fujairah is an emirate of the United Arab Emirates. Since 1974, it is ruled by Sheikh Hamad ibn Muhammad ash-Sharqi. It consists of two main parts, both on the eastern coast of the country, along the Oman Gulf. As the waters are colder there than those of the Arab-Persian Gulf, Fujairah could never benefit from the pearl fishing economic asset. From a fishermen and peasants country, it has recently developed into a container port and it tries to develop tourism as well.

Fujairah has a cargo service from Fujairah International Airport. Passengers have to go to another emirate in order to get passenger air service, however. Fujairah is the only Emirate of the U.A.E. that is almost totally mountainous.

All the other Emirates, like Dubai and Abu Dhabi are located on the west coast, and are largely covered by desert. Therefore, Fujairah boasts a higher than average yearly rainfall, allowing farmers in the region to produce a meaningful crop every year.

The weather is seasonal, although it is warm for most of the year. The months of October to March are generally regarded as the coolest, with daytime temperatures averaging around 25 and rarely venturing above 30 Celsius with temperatures climbing to over 40 degrees in the summer.

The winter period also coincides with the rainy season and although by no means guaranteed, this is when Fujairah experiences the bulk of its precipitation. Rainfall is higher than the rest of the U.A.E. partly because of the effect of the mountains that encircle the Emirate, and partly because the prevailing winds are westerly bringing with them water-laden clouds off the warm Indian Ocean.

Ajman is the smallest member state of the United Arab Emirates, with an area of just 260 square kilometres. Its capital is Ajman.

Located along the Persian Gulf, it also controls Masfut and Manama, two small, inland enclaves that are primarily agricultural. The population of approximately 135,000 is located mainly in the capital, Ajman. The population has grown considerably in recent years, due to an influx of people from the neighboring states of Dubai, Sharjah, and other countries .

It is ruled by emir Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi. The Crown prince of the Emirate is Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi. His directions have led to massive development and a construction boom in Ajman in the recent years.