Fujairah

Fujairah is one of the most attractive tourist and travel destinations in the region, and this is in part due to its unique character. Not only is it the only Emirate of the UAE that is almost totally mountainous but it is renowned for its rich, diverse and unspoiled natural beauty that also includes waterfalls, oases, long beaches and more than 30 large valleys in addition to several smaller ones. It is also the land of water springs, cold and warm.

No oil deposits have yet been located in Fujairah and it has not, therefore, enjoyed the spectacular growth of its fellow members of the federation, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. However, this Emirate has been blessed with other attributes.
It is the fourth largest emirate in area, covering 1150 square kilometres, or about 1.5% of the area of the U.A.E.; and the sixth in population, with around 130,000 inhabitants. It lies on the Eastern part of the Arabian peninsula, bordered from the east by the Omani coast, from the west by the Emirates of Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah, and from the south Kalba. Fujairah extends 70 km. on the Gulf of Oman from Ousla village to Dibba to the north.

Its historical importance goes back to the period that preceded the birth of Christ, when it was known in the old ages as land of the sea giants. It was the first home for immigrants who came from the southeast of Arabian Peninsula and who were later known as the Phoenicians. Some of those immigrants came from Yemen after the collapse of Ma'areb Dam, and of whom the Sharqis tribes descend.

Weather

The weather is seasonal, although it is warm for most of the year. The months of October to March are generally regarded as the coolest, with daytime temperatures averaging around 25 and rarely venturing above 30 Celsius with temperatures climbing to over 40 degrees in the summer. The winter period also coincides with the rainy season and although by no means guaranteed, this is when Fujairah experiences the bulk of its precipitation. The variability of the east coast climate is partly due to the presence of the Hajjar mountain range.

Fujairah also boasts a higher than average yearly rainfall, allowing farmers in the region to produce one meaningful crop every year. Rainfall here is higher than the rest of the UAE partly because of the effect of the mountains that encircle the Emirate, and partly because the prevailing winds are westerly bringing with them water-laden clouds off the warm Indian Ocean. As with other mountainous areas, precipitation is higher, and this allows for a more varied micro-environment in the area.

Where to Go?

• Ain Madhab Park: A 50 hectare park and resort for families, is a popular park in Fujairah, looks like a green carpet with the grass and many kinds of trees and flowers planted.
• Ain Al Ghamour: Over 20 km south of Fujairah, in a mountains area, the spring water temperature reaches 60 centigrade, and it is visited by tourists and cure seekers from diseases like rheumatism, backache and arthritis.
• Wadi Ham: The largest and longest valley, springs from Masafi area and travel 30 km to the dam.
• Wadi Zikt: Located in Dhadnah area 8 km off the coast. Wadi Zikt dam is one of the largest in Fujairah.
• Wadi Al Wurayah: Major tourist attraction for its lovely scenery and waterfalls, 42 km to the north of Fujairah.
• Masafi: It is well known for its freshwater springs, which provide water for extensive orchards. Furthermore an extensive ‘Friday market’ has been developed near Masafi, with articles as diverse as vegetables, fruits and garden plants, woolen carpets, candy floss and roasted corn-on-the-cob, toys and items of pottery.
• Wadi Al Tawian: Some 45 km off the city of Fujairah, can be reached through rough mountain routs.
• Wadi Siji :About 49km north of Fujairah, springs from Masafi and travel to Al Zaid and Umm Al Quwain.
• Wadi Al Hail: Famous Wadi in Fujairah, Springs from Al Hail and travel 15 km in the south west of the Emirate.
• Fujairah Fort: It is a strategically located mud brick structure. A huge castle built in 1670 A.D. which consists of 3 major parts and several halls and towers surrounded by the old Fujairah.
• Al Bidya Mosque: Dates back 400 years and displays a unique feat of engineering for the time.
• Al Heil Castle: One of the most famous castles in the Emirate of Fujairah, it used to be headquarters for the ruler and had been used for patrolling, surveillance and defense.
• Al Bithna: It is the site of a megalithic T-shaped tomb from the second millennium BC, Wadi Suq period, which was reused in the late first millennium BC; and of an impressive Late Islamic fort, commanding a strategic passage to the Wadi Ham, and considered among the most important forts and castles in the Eastern part of UAE mountains.
• Qidfa: Eighteen kilometres north of Fujairah, along the coast road, lies the village of Qidfa. This is where an Iron Age (500 BC) horseshoe-shaped communal tomb was found during bulldozing work. It was excavated in 1986-1987 and yielded an important hoard of bronze weapons and bowls, jewellery, pottery and soapstone boxes and bowls. The collection is on display in Fujairah museum.

• Water Sports :Fujairah is great for water sports enthusiasts of all kinds. The warm crystal waters harbour a marine life rich in variety making it particularly good for diving and fishing.
• Power Boat Racing World Championship: Hosted in Fujairah every October and organized by Fujairah International Marine Club.
• The Bull Butting: which is one of the major attractions and can be seen every Friday.
• The Archaelogical sites: Some of the most important archaeological finds in the Arabian Gulf have been made in the area.
• The Birds: Nearly 75 percent of the 420 species of bird recorded in the UAE have been spotted on the East Coast. Besides resident species, some of which are difficult to see elsewhere, there are a number of migrant species, which can be seen here more easily than almost any other place in the world.

Remember

• Respect the local culture and dress appropriately.
• Never take any artifacts away from any site

Good Source of Information
http://www.fujairah-tourism.ae/