Al Ain
| Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates العين |
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| Al Ain | |||
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 Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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| Coordinates: 24°12′27″N 55°44′41″E / 24.2075°N 55.74472°ECoordinates: 24°12′27″N 55°44′41″E / 24.2075°N 55.74472°E | |||
| Country | United Arab Emirates | ||
| Emirate | Abu Dhabi | ||
| Subdivisions | |||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Constitutional monarchy[citation needed] | ||
| • Sheikh | Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan | ||
| • Crown Prince | Mohammed Bin Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan | ||
| Population (2009) | |||
| • Total | 374,000 | ||
| Time zone | UAE Standard Time (UTC+4) | ||
Al Ain (Arabic: العين, al-ʿayn, literally The Eye), also known as the Garden City due to its greenery, is the second largest city in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the fourth largest city in the United Arab Emirates. With a population of 374,000[1] (2009), it is located approximately 160 km east of the capital Abu Dhabi and about 120 km south of Dubai. Al Ain is the birthplace of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the first president of the United Arab Emirates, and it has the country's highest number of Emirati nationals.
Al Ain is located in Abu Dhabi, inland on the border with Oman. The freeways connecting Al Ain, Abu Dhabi and Dubai form a geographic triangle in the center of the country, each city being roughly 130 kilometers from the other two.
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[edit] History
Historically the area was known as Tawam, Al Buraimi oasis and Al Ain, which means "the water spring". Al Ain has been continuously inhabited for more than four thousand years and is considered central to the cultural heritage of the country. It is the birthplace of Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the first president of the United Arab Emirates. Today, the name Buraimi refers to the Omani town whose urban area merges with that of Al Ain.
Until late in 2006, Al Ain and Buraimi enjoyed an open border and functioned as a single economic unit. Then on September 14 of that year, the UAE government closed the open border and required all individuals to clear immigration when entering or leaving the UAE. While citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries may cross the border at any crossing, expatriate residents and visitors from other countries must cross at either the Hili or "Intercontinental" border crossings.
The area's numerous underground water springs explain its attractiveness for settlement. Traces remain of its traditional past, including camel racing and camel breeding. The ancient falaj system of irrigation is still in use in some areas; this system distributes underground water by a network of tunnels which emerge eventually into open channels whose flow can be directed and regulated.
[edit] Geography
Al Ain is located in the eastern region of Abu Dhabi Emirate just south of Dubai and east of Abu Dhabi. The Eastern region covers an area of approximately 13,100 km². Oman lies to the east, Dubai and Sharjah to the north, Abu Dhabi to the west and the Empty Quarter desert and Saudi Arabia to the south. The topography of Al Ain is unique and varies as you travel to the east. Jebel Hafeet (Hafeet mountain) is considered one of the monuments of Al Ain, lying just to the southeast and rising to 1,300 meters in elevation. Sand dunes of varying texture that are tinged red with iron oxide lie to the north and east of Al Ain.
[edit] Weather
In Al Ain, the mean annual rainfall is 96 mm and the average relative humidity is 60% (United Arab Emirates University, 1993). Low humidity in Al Ain, particularly during the summers, makes it a popular destination for many people at that time of year. Boer (1997) classified the UAE climate as hyper-arid and divided it into four climatic regions: the coastal zone along the Persian Gulf, the mountain areas northeast of UAE, the gravel plains around Al Ain area, and the central and southern sand desert. More rainfall and lower temperatures occur in the northeast than in the southern and western regions. The monthly average rainfall around Al Ain was (100–120 mm) from the period 1970 to 1992.[citation needed]
[edit] Present-day Al Ain
Al Ain has a higher proportion of Emirati nationals than elsewhere in the country, but the majority of its residents are expatriates particularly from the Indian sub-continent. Many people are from Pakistan and some from Afghanistan.[citation needed] There are fewer other expatriates than in the larger centers of Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Al Ain is often called the 'Garden City of The Gulf' given the many oases, parks, tree-lined avenues and decorative roundabouts within the city. Strict height controls on new buildings, to no more than four floors, emphasise the greenery of the city.
The city is known for its relatively empty roads; this is a growing concern, however, as the population is increasing and the roads have not been able to accommodate the excess traffic
[edit] Tourism and recreation
Al Ain is developing as a tourist destination. the dry desert air makes it a welcome retreat from the coastal humidity of the larger cities. Many Emirati nationals in Abu Dhabi have holiday houses in the city making it a popular weekend destination for families from the capital city. Its attractions include the Al Ain National Museum, the Al Ain Palace Museum, several restored forts and the Hili Archaeological Park site, dating back to the Bronze Age. Jebel Hafeet, a 1340-metre-high mountain, dominates the surrounding area. It is popular to visit to the mineral springs at the base and to drive to the mountaintop at sunset. Other attractions include the Al Ain Oasis in the city centre, other oases dotted around the area — all cool retreats in the middle of the summer heat — Al Ain Zoo, an amusement park named "Hili Fun City", many well-maintained parks popular with families in the summer evenings, and a heritage village.
Al Ain has three major malls — Al Ain Mall in the town center, Al-Jimi Mall in the Al-Jimi district, and Bawadi Mall located in the Al-Khrair District. Most commercial activity is centered in and around town center.
The city is home to the successful football club, Al Ain Club.
Another popular pastime for Emiratis and expatriates alike is spending time in coffee shops and Shisha cafes. There are many cafes in Al Ain, ranging in size and quality.
Al Ain also has an International standard Go-Kart circuit. Al Ain Raceway was selected to host the 2007 Rotax Max World Karting Finals, an event which saw 220 drivers from over 55 different countries compete for the Karting world title. Al Ain Raceway opened to the general public in May 2008 and proves a popular activity for local Emiratis and tourists alike. It was announced in late 2010 that the 2011 Rotax Max World Karting Finals will be held at Al Ain Raceway, this will bring nearly 1000 tourists to the small garden city.
Like the rest of the UAE, Al Ain has strict laws governing the consumption and distribution of alcohol. Four facilities in the city currently serve alcohol, three of which are hotels. The Al Ain Rotana, Hilton, and Intercontinental hotels all have pubs, bars, or night clubs. In addition to the hotels, the Al Ain Palms Sports Resort in Al-Maqam also serves alcohol.
Currently, there are only three locations that sell alcohol for private use — Spinneys near the Al-Jimi district, an outlet to the left of the Hilton hotel (next to the hotel's staff quarters), and the North Africa Market in Sanaiya.
The city has two English-speaking radio stations 100.1 Star FM, which plays English-speaking hits alternating with Arabic-speaking hits, and 105.2 Abu Dhabi Classic FM, which plays classical music.
[edit] Oasis
Al Ain's oases are known for their underground irrigation system "falaj" (or qanāt from Arabic قناة) that brings water from boreholes to water farms and palm trees. Falaj irrigation is an ancient system dating back thousands of years and is used widely in Oman, UAE, China, Iran and other countries. Al Ain has seven oases; the largest is Al Ain Oasis, near to Old Sarooj, and the smallest is Al Jahili Oasis. The rest are Qattara, Al Mutaredh, Al Jimi, Al Muaiji, and Hili.
[edit] Commerce and industry
Al Ain is an important services center for a wide area extending into Oman. There are three major shopping centers, Al Ain Mall, Al Jimi Mall and Al Bawadi Mall (opened in 2009 in the Al Khrair area) as well as traditional souks for fruit and vegetables and livestock. Industry is growing, but is still on a small scale, and includes the Coca Cola bottling plant and the Al Ain Portland Cement Works. The water in Al Ain is very good. Service industries such as car sales, mechanics and other artisans are located in the area known as Sanaiya and Pattan Market.Social and governmental infrastructure includes United Arab Emirates University, Higher Colleges of Technology, Abu Dhabi University (Al Ain campus), well-equipped medical facilities including the teaching hospital at Tawam, military training areas and Al Ain International Airport.
[edit] Education
Al Ain is home to the main federal university in the UAE, United Arab Emirates University, and to two campuses of the Higher Colleges of Technology - Al Ain Men's College and Al Ain Women's College. There are also several private higher education institutions including the Al Ain University of Science and Technology and Abu Dhabi University (Al Ain campus). Many of Al Ain's private schools, catering mainly to the expatriate population, are located in the Al Manaseer area. These include the Al Ain English Speaking School, Al Dhafra Private School, Al Sanawbar School, Liwa International School, Al Madar International School, Global English School, Emirates Private School, a branch of the International School of Choueifat, and an Institute of Applied Technology campus. Other private schools include the CBSE affiliated school Indian School Al Ain.
[edit] Health
The first hospital in Al Ain was Oasis Hospital, established in 1960 at the invitation of Sheikh Zayed. Oasis serves all nationalities, and provides training for medical students from UAE University. Ground has been broken for a new hospital to be completed in 2011.[citation needed] Oasis Hospital is part of CURE International.
Al Ain is the home of Tawam Hospital, a training and research hospital linked with the UAE University. It was officially inaugurated on 17 December 1979. In March 2006, Johns Hopkins Hospital (Johns Hopkins Medicine International) (JHMI) took over the management of Tawam hospital.
Al Ain Hospital (abbr: AAH, also known as Al Jimi Hospital) is the general hospital delivering health services to all Al-Ain patients regardless of their nationality. It is centrally located in the Al Jimi district and is linked with the UAE University. Al Ain Hospital still occupies old 1970s buildings, but a new building is planned. AAH currently has about 450 beds and provides services in all medical disciplines. In September 2007, the Medical University of Vienna International[2] (MUVI) took over the management of AAH.
[edit] Sport, culture, and the arts
Al Ain is a cultural retreat for residents of Dubai and Abu Dhabi cities. It is home to a major festival of classical music.
Al Ain City is the home of Al Ain Club, which is one of the most successful football clubs in the UAE and Asia.[citation needed] It has many titles and championships to its name.[citation needed]
Hili Fun City hosts two ice hockey teams, the Al Ain Vipers and Ghantoot. Each team has adult and youth teams starting from age 4. The Al Ain Vipers Men's Team won the Emirates Hockey League in the 2009-10 season.
The Palm Resort to the west of the town hosts a popular rugby club with adult and youth teams, and the Al Ain International Soccer Club which has three youth teams, including one for 7-9 year olds.
[edit] References
[edit] See also
- Qanat water management system
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Al Ain (Abu Dhabi) |
- Al Ain Expat
- Al Ain Municipality
- Al Ain: Oasis in the Desert (Photographic essay from Al Ain Women's College)
- Al Ain Bank - rakbankdirect.ae
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