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Lifetime Learning… Building Success… Towards Globalization

Chapter 3The Geography of the UAE

Lifetime Learning… Building Success… Towards Globalization

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UAE Geographical Structure

• UAE is situated in the Arabian Gulf

• UAE Borders:• North and North West- Gulf• West – Saudi Arabia and

Qatar• South – East Sultanate of

Oman and Gulf of Oman

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The Costal Lines

• UAE has the following coast lines:– 644 km coast line stretching from the Qatar in West to Ras

Musandam in the East. It comprises Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al Quwain and Ras Al kaimah.

– 90 km coastal area in Fujairah lies along the Gulf of Oman.

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The UAE Area

• The total area of the UAE excluding the islands is around 77,700 square kilometers.

• Area with Islands amounts to 83,600 square kilometers.• Abu Dhabi is the largest part ( around 86.77%) of the total

area of the state.• It is the third largest in the area among the GCC states after

Saudi Arabia and Oman.

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Geography of the UAE- Features

• Desert:– Most of the country is desert land with some well known oases.

• Mountain: Two important mountain series.I. Jabel Hafeet: Southern border for Buraimi Oasis. The

underground water, near Jabel al Hafeet is utilized through an irrigation network called Aflaj.

II. Jibal al Hajar that divide musandam Peninsula.• Coastal Areas:

– Most of the Coastal Areas are sandy. – The sea water is hot and the Gulf is considered to be the hottest

sea water in the world.• Islands:

– The state comprises hundreds of Islands. Most important are, umm al Nar ( Abu Dhabi) and Tonb al Sugra and Kubra.

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UAE Climate

• The climate in the UAE is hot and humid.– Excessive heat during the summer, the humidity increases.– Temperature varies along the coastal, desert and mountain

and high areas.– High temperature with humidity at coastal areas; – high temperature in desert and moderate on the

mountains and heights.

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• Wind:• Two types of seasonal winds blow across the state:– The North Winds: Its dry and good for the health if not

carrying dust and sand;– The Eastern and South-eastern Winds accompanied by

high humidity.

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• Rain:– The amount of rain and the areas where rain falls fluctuate

from one year to another.• There are mainly two seasons in a year.– Rainy Season from October to March– Summer Season from April to September

• There is little rainfall during the summer.

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The Geological History of the UAE

• The UAE land passed through two periods:• First Period: – It dates back to the Pre-Cambrian era to the end of the

Second Age.– The Emirates land at that time was part of the eastern

continental block of the Arab land. • Second Period: – It is the Modern Period and it extends from the Third Age

till the present time. During this period:• The Mediterranean Sea and the Gulf were separated.• The land rose above the sea level.

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Emirates’ Land-Underground Resources

The land of Emirates is abundant with underground resources such as:

Non-metallic raw materials such as Oil. Metallic raw materials such as:

Zinc, Lead in Zanna Mountain Copper, iron magnesium in the Height of Masffot, Dibba,

Massafi and Ras al Kaimah.

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UAE Seven Emirates- Geography

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Abu Dhabi• Area: 67340 square km.• 86.7% of the total area of the

UAE excluding the islands.• Abu Dhabi – the Capital city

with an area of 60 square km.• 70 % of Abu Dhabi is desert

land. • There are 200 islands- the

most famous is Bani Yas.

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Dubai• Area: 3885 square km. • 5% of the total area of the UAE

excluding the islands.• 72 kilometer on the Gulf Coast.• The creek divides the city into two

parts: Bar Dubai and Deira.• Bordered by the:

– Gulf from the West, – Sharjah from the North and the

East – Abu Dhabi from the South.

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Sharjah

• Area: 2590 square km• 3.3% of the total area of the

UAE excluding the islands.• Situated in a central location• Coastal border with the Gulf

extends for 16 Km.• Three parts Kellba, Khour

Fakkan and Dibba lying on the Gulf of Oman.

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Ajman

• Area : 260 square kilometers.• Less than 1% of the total area

of the UAE excluding the islands.

• Smallest of the Emirates by area.

• The city lies on the coast of the Arabian Gulf.

• Encompasses two landlocked exclaves, Manam and Masfut.

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Umm al Quwain

• Area 777 square km.• Around 1% of the total area of

the UAE excluding the islands.• Extending 24 Km between the

west of Sharjah and the east of Ras al-Khaima.

• Its land extends 32 Km inside the desert.

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Ras al Khaimah

• Area: 1684 Square km.• 2.2 % of the total area of the

UAE excluding the islands.• 64 Km long on the Arabian

Gulf.• Farthest end of the eastern

part of the Arab World.• Long borders with Oman in the

south and north east.

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Fujairah• Area: 1165 square km.• 1.5% of the country’s total

area (excluding islands).• On the Eastern Coast to the

east of Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah.

• Extends 90 Km on the Gulf of Oman.

• Bordering Ras al-Khaima and Oman from north and Kelba and Oman from south.

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Review Question Topics

1. Explain where the UAE is situated. 2. Outline the Geographical features of the UAE.3. Highlight the climate of the UAE.4. Explain the geological history of the UAE.5. Write in the details about the area; location of each of the seven

emirates.