Sharjah

Sharjah is the capital of the emirate of Sharjah. Sharjah shares legal, political, military and economic functions with the other emirates of the UAE within a federal framework, although each emirate has jurisdiction over some functions such as civil law enforcement and provision and upkeep of local facilities. Sharjah has been ruled by the Al Qasimi dynasty since the 18th century.
The city is a centre for culture and industry, and alone contributes 7.4% of the GDP of the United Arab Emirates.^[1] The city covers an approximate area of 235 km² and has a population of over 800,000 (2008). The sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in the emirate of Sharjah without possession of an alcohol licence and alcohol is not served in Sharjah hotels, restaurants or other outlets. This has helped Sharjah succeed in growing its Islamic tourism industry.^[2]

History

Sharjah was one of the wealthiest towns in this region with a settlement in existence for over 5000 years. In the early 18th century, the Qawasim clan (Huwayla tribe) established itself in Sharjah, c.1727 declaring Sharjah independent. On 8 January 1820, Sheikh Sultan I signed the General Maritime Treaty with Britain, accepting a protectorate to keep the Ottoman Turks out. Like four of its neighbours, Ajman, Dubai, Ras al-Khaimah, and Umm al-Qaiwain, its position on the route to India made it important enough to be recognised as a salute state (be it of the lowest class: 3 guns). On 2 December 1971, Sheikh Khalid III joined the United Arab Emirates during the foundation of the united federation.

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Like the other former Trucial States, Sharjah's name is known by many stamp collectors because of the large numbers of stamps that were issued by the Sharjah Post Office shortly before the formation of the United Arab Emirates.^[4] Many of these items feature subjects unrelated to the emirates whose names they bear, and therefore many popular catalogues do not list them.^[5]

Name

Sultan Al Omaimi, a UAE poet and researcher in folk literature, says that some historians speculate that Sharjah was the name of an idol worshipped in the pre-Islamic era which was known as Abed Al Shareq.^{[citation needed]}
Other researchers link the word Sharqah to the fact that the city is located to the Sharq, or east, of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Hence the Arabic classical form of Sharjah is Al Shareqah. It is the colloquial form that is Al Sharjah.

Important Landmarks

Rolla Square

Named after the large Rolla - Banyan Tree - that used to stand in the square^[6] (which inspired the sculpture currently at the centre of the park), Rolla Square is a popular location for workers to stroll during the weekends.

Al Hisn Sharjah

Sharjah Fort was demolished in the 1970s but rebuilt and is today a museum.

'Smile You're In Sharjah' Roundabout

Located between the Blue Souq and Fish Market, near union bank the floral call to cheer up etched on the roundabout has lent its name to the roundabout itself.^[7]

Blue Souq

The Souq Al Markazi, or Blue Souq, is a popular tourist destination and comprises a gold souq, clothing souq and, on its first floors, antiques and jewellery shops.

Mahattah Fort

The fort was built to house travellers on the Imperial Airways Eastern Empire route and was the site of Sharjah Airport until 1977. It is now an aviation museum.

Souq Al Arsah

Part of the regeneration project known as 'Heart of Sharjah', the old charcoal souk has been completely rebuilt.

Sharjah National Park

Sharjah National park covers an area of nearly 630 thousand square feet of area.

Climate

Sharjah has a hot desert climate (Köppen climate classification BWh), with warm winters and extremely hot summers. Rainfall is generally light and erratic, and occurs almost entirely from November to May. About two-thirds of the year's rain falls in the months of February and March.

Transportation

View inside Sharjah airport.

The role of the Sharjah Public Transport Corporation is to reinforce public transportation, setting its policies and find strategic solutions for smooth traffic, providing modern and professional transport services to the passengers, driving Sharjah Emirate or on the InterCity routes, between all emirates in UAE.
Development of transportation services in Sharjah is critical and long term task.

Culture

The Ruler of Sharjah ordered the establishment of several cultural institutions. The projects covered conservation of cultural heritage, active interaction with other cultures, construction of museums and the other cultural, scientific and artistic centres in the Emirate and the setting up of a television satellite channel that reflects and projects the value of culture.
In 1998, Sharjah was awarded the ‘Cultural Capital of the Arab World’ title by UNESCO representing the United Arab Emirates.Sharjah has kept the spirit of its history alive by indicatively incorporating tradition into every aspect of contemporary development.^[9]

Economy

Sharjah city is famous for a used vehicle market located in Abu Shagara area, which is claimed to be the biggest in the Middle East region. Sharjah is the headquarters of Air Arabia, the first low cost airline in the Middle East, which operates to the Middle East, Asia and Europe. The headquarters is in the Sharjah Freight Center,^[10] on the property of Sharjah International Airport.^[11]

Education

The American University of Sharjah (AUS).

There are several public and private schools in addition to universities in Sharjah, including the University of Sharjah, the American University of Sharjah, Troy University – ITS Sharjah Campus, Skyline College Sharjah, Sharjah Men's College, and Sharjah Women's College some of those universities are grouped in one place called the University City. Private schools in the city include the American Community School Sharjah, Indian School Sharjah, Sharjah High School, DPS Delhi Private School, Gulf Asian English School.

Sports

One Day International at Sharjah in 1998 (Australia v India)

The Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium has hosted almost 218 cricket One Day Internationals, more than any other ground, and 4 Test matches. Football clubs include Al Sharjah and Al-Shaab in the First League, and Al Hemriah, Al The-aed, Al Khaleej and Dibba in the 2nd league.

Football clubs based in Sharjah

• Al-Shaab sc
• Sharjah fc
• Ittihad Kalba'
• Al-Thaid
• dibba al hisn club
• Al Khaleej Club
• al hamriya club

Also, the organisers of Sharjah Grand Prix host the Formula One World Powerboating Championships every year at Al Buhaira Corniche, Sharjah. In 2005, it was held under the patronage of Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah.Sharjah