Ras Al Khaimah is the capital city, and home to most of the residents of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, one of seven emirates that make up the federation of the United Arab Emirates.
The Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah is in northeastern part of the Emirates, bordering Oman. It is divided by a waterway, known as Khour Ras al Khaimah, into two sections, Old Ras Al Khaimah and Nakheel, on the other side of the creek. There is also an enclave in the south, near Hatta, and a few small islands in the Persian Gulf.
Surrounded by the Hajar Mountains, the city is often used as a base for tourists and Emirati to enjoy the nearby mountains, desert, and beaches. Ras Al Khaimah is also the gateway to the Musandam Peninsula, an enclave of Oman. The RAK receives more rainfall than the other parts of the Emirates, and it also receives underground water streams from the Omani mountains, so its soil is the most fertile in the United Arab Emirates.
People have inhabited the area for several thousands of years. Archaeological evidence from several time periods has been unearthed, including that of the Umm an-Nar Culture, of the 3rd millennium BC.
Founded by Armenians who had escaped the Mongol invasion of Persia, the city was originally known as Julfar, and was once the capital of the Emirate of Sharjah. Over the years, the settlement known as Julfar shifted locations due to silt building up in the harbors. Early Julfar was north of the current city of Ras Al Khaimah.
In the early 1700s, the Al Qasimi dynasty was established on the Arabian Peninsula, in the areas of current Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, and became a powerful maritime force along the Persian and Arabian coasts. Alleging piracy, the British Navy acted against the Al Qasimi fleet. In the 1809 Battle of Ras Al Khaimah, the Al Qasimi fleet was destroyed and, in 1820, Britain imposed a General Maritime Treaty that demanded the end of piracy and slavery, and establishing a British protectorate over the Trucial States that continued until December of 1971.
Ras Al Khaimah split from Sharjah in 1869, but was reincorporated into Sharjah in 1921, separating once again upon entering the federation of the United Arab Emirates in 1972.
As Ras Al Khaimah is not an oil producing emirate, its economic efforts have focused on developing its industrial sector. as well as the mining of iron ore. Tourism is a growing sector of the emirate's economy.
As with the remainder of the United Arab Emirates, the culture of Ras Al Khaimah is tied to Islam and traditional Islamic tradition. Besides the obvious influences of Islamic culture on the architecture, music, clothing, and lifestyle of the city, Muslims are called to prayer five times a day through loudspeakers installed in a network of mosques throughout the city and emirate. As Friday is the Muslim holy day, weekends consist of Friday and Saturday rather than Saturday and Sunday, this despite the fact that the majority of the population are foreign workers and expatriates, not Emirati.
The Ras Al Khaimah International Airport offers passenger and cargo services to locations in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and India, but does not receive flights directly from the United Kingdom, Europe, or the Americas. The most common mode of transportation to the city from the other emirates is by bus or taxi.
The chief focus of websites listed in this category is either on the city or emirate of Ras Al Khaimah or on businesses, schools, religious institutions, or organizations based within the city.
Recommended Resources
American University of Ras Al Khaimah
Originally established as George Mason University in 2005, a UAE branch of the research university in Virginia, the institution of higher learning took its current name when George Mason University discontinued its operations in Ras Al Khaimah in 2009. Its history, licensure and accreditation, leadership, and a campus directory are posted, along with its undergraduate, graduate, and international programs, tuition and fees, scholarships and financial aid programs, and enrollment procedures.
http://aurak.ac.ae/en/
Located in Ras Al Khaimah, in northern United Arab Emirates, the hotel features 102 rooms and suites of various arrangements, including standard and family rooms, singles, doubles, and king-size beds. Photographs of representative rooms are presented, along with the hotel's common areas and other features, a list of amenities and features are posted, and its on-site restaurants, meeting spaces, and local attractions are included. Rooms may be booked online.
http://www.tulipinnrasalkhaimah.com/
Government of Ras Al Khaimah, Department of Antiquities and Museums
Managed by the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah's Department of Antiquities and Museums, the site offers an introduction to archaeological research and findings in the RAK, a history of the department, a bibliography, and highlights of the National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah and other museums in the United Arab Emirates and other regions. Its research library is discussed, and several informational documents are available for download in PDF format.
http://www.rakheritage.rak.ae/en/
Government of Ras Al Khaimah, Tourism Development Authority
Created by the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, the TDA is charged with enhancing the emirate's tourism infrastructure, and promoting its potential for tourism and business travel. Its mission, values, awards, achievements, and team are identified, with details of tourism licensing and classification, marketing, and investment opportunities, as well as research and strategy, tourism development, and other projects.
https://en.raktda.com/
Operated by Polo Rak Amusements, the Iceland Water Park is in Ras Al Khaimah, and features more than thirty water slides, a large wave pool, private cabanas, an Olympic-sized pool, and a beach. Its attractions are highlighted and shown in photographs, and its location is shown on a map. A calendar of events, park layout, contacts, and online bookings are available.
http://www.icelandwaterpark.com/
Offered by the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, an agency of the Government of Ras Al Khaimah, the site promotes the city and Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah as a destination for tourism and travel. A history of the emirate and city are set forth, including Arabic traditions and heritage, local tribes, local flora and fauna, geographical features, and areas of interest. A guide to attractions, events, shopping venues, restaurants, and hotels is included.
https://en.rasalkhaimah.ae/
Based in downtown Ras Al Khaimah, RAKEZ was established to oversee and consolidate the specialized zones and clients of the Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone and RAK Investment Authority. The organizational structure and officers of the zone are set forth, along with its rules and regulations, and an overview of the facilities, legal entities, and getting started as a business. A private portal for existing clients is included.
https://www.rakez.com/
RAK is the northernmost emirate of the United Arab Emirates, and has been inhabited for more than seven thousand years. An overview of the history of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, its role in developing the economy of the Middle East, and its cultural legacies are discussed here. Topics include the ancient civilizations of the region, the various empires and conquests, maritime traditions, pirate attacks, and peaceful developments, along with the various clans that have ruled the region.
http://rakhistory.com/
Featuring ninety-two rooms and suites, the hotel offers views of the Creek and of the Hajar Mountains, and is only a 15-minute drive from the Raj Al Khaimah Hotel. An overview of its guest rooms is presented, with details and photos of its suites, including a list of amenities and features, guest services, and other information. Promotional offers are highlighted, and reservations may be made from the site.
http://www.rasalkhaimahhotel.com/
Saint Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church
Part of the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia, the Latin Rite parish is in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, and was consecrated in June of 2013. Its history, priests, and a list of registered parishioners are presented, along with mass times, program schedules, and a calendar of events, a list of sacraments, and an overview of its programs and ministries, leadership contacts, and announcements.
https://www.stanthonyrak.org/
