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   United Arab Emirates / EmiratesFujairah Arabic: 'al-fujayra Other spellings: Al-Fujairah, Al-Fujaira, Fujaira, Al-Fujayrah, Al-Fujayra, Fujayra
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Fujairah's surface area represents about 1.5% of all of the UAE. Fujiarah is the only emirate without a coast along the Persian Gulf, rather it takes up most the coast along the Gulf of Oman, broken only by 3 regions under the administration of Sharjah. A great part of the territory of Fujairah is mountainous, the strip of lowland along the coast is narrow most places.Fujairah has its own international airport.Artificial coral reefs have been constructed along the coast. At Khor Kalba exists the oldest mangrove forest on the Arabian peninsula.Shaykh Hamad bin Muhammad ash-Sharqi has been the ruler of Fujairah since 1974.
Economy
Much of the economy of Fujairah is based upon agriculture and fishing. Fujairah does less to attract investments than other emirates, and non-nationals cannot own land. Still, Fujairah has established a free trade zone, formed around the leading sea port on the Gulf of Oman. This port has been promoted as a new alternative, in periods when the Persian Gulf has been struggling with unrest and war.
Fujairah also receives subsidies from the federal government. Tourism facilities are under development, located to the northernmost section of the coast, near the border to Omani Musandam.
Petroleum concessions have been granted on Fujairah territory, but as of yet, oil production has not yet begun.
Local industries of Fujairah produce marble, tiles, insulation, concrete blocks, cement, tyres and shoes.
History
1952: Gains independence from Sharjah.
1971 December 2: Fujairah joins the United Arab Emirates, along with all present emirates except Ras al-Khaimah that would join the following year.
1975: Fujairah abandons its own red flag in favour of the federation's shared flag.
1995: An oil refinery is put into production, with a 30,000 b/d capacity, allowing exports directly to the Gulf of Oman.
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By Tore Kjeilen |
