Sharjah, Cultural metropolis in United Arab Emirates.
Sharjah is the third largest city in the United Arab Emirates located within the emirate of the same name with shorelines on both the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. The cityscape shows residential districts of low-rise buildings alongside tower blocks and shopping centers that sprawl across the flat desert terrain.
The Al Qasimi dynasty took control in the 18th century and transformed a trading post into a major coastal trade center. British treaties in the 19th century redefined boundaries and the settlement became a protectorate until independence in 1971.
The name comes from the Arabic word for east and the waterfront shows coral-stone buildings painted in soft tones that date back generations. People gather in the central market district where carpets hang in shop doorways and the aroma of incense drifts through narrow lanes lined with traditional goods.
The international airport sits east of the city and public buses run between main districts while taxis are available throughout all neighborhoods. Visitors should avoid midday heat and go out early morning or late afternoon when temperatures are more moderate.
The public sector introduced a four-day work week as the first in the Gulf region giving Friday through Sunday off. This arrangement aims to align the weekend with international markets while still allowing for Friday prayers.
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