Ajman Fort

In Focus : Ajman
The Emirate of Ajman is situated on the coast of the Arabian Gulf, extending over a distance of 16 Kilometres long, between the emirates of Umm Al-Qiwain and Sharjah. The area of the emirate is 259 Sq. Km., equivalent to 0.3% of the country’s total area, excluding the islands. The population is estimated to be 123,000 for 1996. The town of Ajman lies on the coast of the Arabian Gulf. It comprises the Ruler’s office, companies, banks and commercial markets. The port of Ajman is located along a natural creek which penetrates the town. The two major regions in the emirate are Masfout, an agricultural area, lying at a distance of 110 Km. long at the South east, and Manama located 60 Km. to the east. Just eight kilometres north of Sharjah lies Ajman, the smallest of the seven emirates but with a charm all its own.

Ajman has the distinction of possessing the Emirates' largest boat-building yards. Its craftsmen have always fashioned the characteristic dhows and boums that ply the Arabian Gulf's water with the same techniques their forefathers used, and their forefathers before them, all without blueprints. History sits visibly in Ajman: traces of the old town are still visible, as in the shape of the fine old watchtower at the town's entrance, and the large fort in the town's centre. Yet Ajman - which now is the northernmost part of the Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman coastal urban belt - is in no way resting on its considerable history. Its dynamic leaders, H.H. Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Ruler of Ajman, and H.E. Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, have set into motion plans that look to make the emirate a significant economic player in the Gulf region.

The gleaming new Dh 10 million Ajman Centre has quickly become another prime trade fair venue in the Emirates. The Centre is seen as a turning point in the development of the emirate and will be a major attraction for cultural and sports activities as well. Ajman's corniche is being developed too, even as in the background a tower for the Ajman Chamber of Commerce and Industry shoots up. And now, the emirate plans to set up a gigantic Dh 2 billion tourism and entertainment city with luxury facilities. To be built at Al-Zawra as part of a consortium with international infrastructure corporations, the fun city will include a hotel, furnished apartments, amusement facilities, shopping centres and parks.