Dubai
When the world thinks of the UAE, the emirate of Dubai is probably the first place that springs to mind. Dubai shot to global stardom with the Palm Jumeirah man-made island development and endless array of gargantuan buildings, such as the Burj Al Arab and the Burj Dubai, and mammoth malls like Mall of the Emirates and The Dubai Mall. It’s also the emirate where most of the expats set up shop, meaning the nightlife, dining and general entertainment options are stronger (see www.timeoutdubai.com for details). Aside from elbow bashing with other shoppers, no visit to Dubai would be complete without wandering around the creek, a 10km waterway surrounded by the city’s souks and cheap eats.
Ajman
At just 260 sq km, Ajman is the dinkiest emirate of all, and one of the poorest. If you drive through it, it looks like an extension of Sharjah, but it has a distinct personality of its own. Unlike Sharjah, Ajman has bars and restaurants licensed to sell alcohol, and women are allowed on its beaches. It has become popular with Dubai workers looking for cheaper rent, plus it has a distinctly laid-back vibe.
Fujairah
Fujairah’s coastline may be the most aesthetically pleasing in the UAE. The city proper isn’t very developed, so visitors generally enjoy the emirate’s natural assets. It has a strip of hotels and small towns with decent beaches on one side, and the craggy, Martian-esque Hajar mountains on the other. Probably the best-known landmark is Snoopy Island (it looks like the cartoon dog’s silhouette – if you squint). The whole east coast is a firm favourite with the Dubai diving set, with the coral reefs home to more exotic fish, turtles and sharks than anywhere around the UAE. The mangroves of Khor Kalba are a favourite with twitchers and kayakers.
Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah has a schizophrenic landscape, composed of a desert, a mountain range, a coastline and fertile land with hot springs. The mountains are dramatic, the sea clear and full of marine life. It is fairly undeveloped, but has some wacky plans for the future, including a station offering commercial flights into space. The fact that this is likely to come before a network of public buses draws no comment whatsoever.
Sharjah
Sharjah’s reputation as the most conservative emirate (alcohol is banned, and women must dress more conservatively) makes its appeal more limited. But the emirate has more galleries and a broader culture and art scene than anywhere in the UAE (at least until Saadiyat Island opens in Abu Dhabi). The Sharjah Biennial (www.sharjahbiennial.org) will next be held in 2009, and the city is also known for its atmospheric souks.
Umm Al Quwain
As the least-developed emirate, Umm Al Quwain is not a bustling metropolis. Its only industries are fishing and date planting, but they barely cover the bill. Its real claim to fame is thrill-seeking sports activities. The aeroclub (www.uaq aeroclub.com) and autodrome (www.motorplex.ae) are regularly coming up with new ways to defy gravity and burn rubber. Beach bums venture here for peaceful stretches of clean sand unmarred by construction. Then there’s Dreamland Aqua Park and the largest lagoon on the west coast, with ample opportunities for boat trips, snorkelling and even a spot of crab hunting.
