Emirate of Sharjah, Third largest emirate in United Arab Emirates.
The Emirate of Sharjah is an administrative division of the United Arab Emirates that stretches from the Persian Gulf to the Musandam Peninsula. It also holds three eastern enclaves on the coast of the Gulf of Oman: Dibba, Khor Fakkan, and Kalba.
The Qasimi family took control of the territory in the early 18th century and built up a major naval force. Over the following decades, the settlement grew into an important trading post on the Persian Gulf.
The name comes from an Arabic word meaning "rising," referring to the settlement's location by the water. In many parts of the emirate today, you still see traditional souks beside modern shopping centers, where locals buy spices, fabrics, and household goods.
The capital sits directly on the Persian Gulf, while the eastern enclaves on the coast are accessible by road or by plane. Sharjah International Airport serves as a key hub for air cargo and is the home base for the airline Air Arabia.
The emirate shares administrative control of Abu Musa island with Iran, with both flags allowed to fly over the territory. This arrangement is an unusual example of joint territorial control in the Gulf region.
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