Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, Administrative region in northern United Arab Emirates
The territory is an administrative region in the northern part of the country, covering roughly 2486 square kilometers between the coast and the mountains. It includes around 64 kilometers of shoreline along the Gulf and inland areas that rise toward the Omani border.
After British forces left in 1971, the territory stayed independent for several months before joining the federation on February 11, 1972. Archaeological sites show that people have lived here continuously for about 7000 years.
The Al Qasimi family has governed for generations, and visitors can see their influence in public buildings and local customs throughout the region. Many residents continue traditional crafts alongside newer industries, creating a mix of old and new ways of working.
Visitors planning to explore the region can reach both coastal and mountain areas within a short drive, making it easy to see different landscapes in one trip. Travelers crossing the area will notice industrial sites alongside older settlements and farming zones.
Unlike other parts of the federation, this region has no petroleum reserves, so it developed industries around mineral extraction and building materials starting in the 1920s. Remains from the Umm Al Nar period show that the Bronze Age settlements here were particularly dense.
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