Ajman is the smallest emirate of the United Arab Emirates. The emirate is only 260 square kilometers and is surrounded on all sides by the emirate of Sharjah.
Ajman is about 50 kilometers from the center of Dubai and, like Dubai, is located on the Persian Gulf. Due to the small size of the emirate, almost 95% of the population lives in the city which has the same name, Ajman. Ajman is also the only city in the emirate. Due to the large urban expansion of Ajman, the emirate forms almost a whole with the neighboring emirate of Sharjah. This Ajman city can hardly expand anymore.
In 1980 only 36,000 people lived in Ajman, but due to the influx of people from Dubai, Sharjah and India, that number has grown explosively. And explosive is really explosive, in 2017 the population counter was already over 500,000. Ajman’s main source of income used to be fishing and pearl fishing, but today the emirate has focused on the shipping industry. Unlike Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Ajman has no income from the oil.
Places of interest in Ajman
Ajman’s has a small size but there is plenty to see in the emirate. Most activities take place on the 16 km long Cornish boulevard at the city. Here you will find shops, souks and shopping centers. Between all the shops and souks you will also find plenty of eateries. Here you can enjoy a traditional Arabic meal with a view over the Persian Gulf.
Nature lovers can visit the Al Naseem Nature Reserve and the Al Zorah Nature Reserve, where you will find beautiful flora and fauna. The Al Zorah Nature Reserve features a 2 kilometer long sandy beach. And you see almost 7 kilometers of water which is home to more than 50 different bird species. Behind it is a 2 square kilometers mangrove forest lives a large colony of flamingos.
History can be found in the Al Manama Museum (Al Mareer Fort) and the Al-Murabbaa Watchtower. The latter is located on the Ajman Corniche and is one of the emirate’s main tourist attractions. The tower was built in the 1930s by Sheikh Rashid Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi to protect the residents of Ajman. In 2000, the tower underwent a thorough renovation and was returned to its original state.
At the top of the mountains is a view with Masfout Castke. The castle was built in the 19th century and consists of two rooms and a large gate. Until 1947, this castle was in use to protect the region against the enemies of the emirate.
For more information about the Emirate of Ajman and the sights in the city, visit the Ajman Tourism website.
