Sharjah (emirate)
Sharjah (Arabic الشارقة highly Arabic pronunciation al- Schāriqa, locally al- Sharjah, . Shariqah alternative spelling, English Sharjah ) is one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
According to the decision of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO ), a subsidiary organization of the Muslim World League, Sharjah is "Capital of Islamic Culture 2014".
Emirate of Sharjah
Sharjah consists of five sub- territories, of which the largest is by far the eponymous capital of the Persian Gulf and the section Adschmans on which the capital is situated, landside completely encloses. The other four roughly equal sections lie on the east coast on the Gulf of Oman. Three of them have direct access to the sea and hot from north to south Dibba al - Husn, Khor Fakkan and Kalba. A parcel located in the hinterland and connects to a connection point to the southernmost of the three territories. Sharjah also has important oasis areas, the most famous of Dhaid is where a wide range of fruits and vegetables are grown.
Sharjah also laying claim to the islands of Abu Sir and Abu Musa Nu'ayr which is occupied by Iran since 1992 and its affiliation controversial.
The Emirate of Sharjah is a total of 2590 km ², representing 3.3% of the land area of the UAE.
Sharjah was until the mid-1950s the most important emirate in the UAE, but could not keep up with the growth of Abu Dhabi and Dubai because of the comparatively small oil reserves. Today, Sharjah, with about 946,000 inhabitants ( end of 2008) the third-largest by population emirate. Many residents travel to work in the southwest bordering Dubai, but to live the lower rent due in Sharjah. This has a major traffic problems on the roads in the morning and in the evening result. Ruler ( Emir ) since 1972 Sultan bin Mohamed from the ruling family of al - Qasimi.
On December 2, 1971 Great Britain dismissed the former Trucial States of the Persian Gulf, including Sharjah belonged to independence. Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al - Qaiwain and Fujairah - - Under the leadership of Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates from the hitherto dependent territories were established. Then entered on February 10, 1972 Ra's al -Khaimah as the seventh and last former Trucial State of the Federation at.
Sharjah is considered the most conservative emirate of the UAE, as it largely complies with the religiously legitimized, immutable law of Islam, the Sharia. It has, for example a strict ban on alcohol also for foreigners. Furthermore, set dress code for the appearance in public. Failure to do so has a warning and, in the continued violation a money- and possibly even a prison penalty. Similarly, strict procedure is used for possession of drugs or recreational drugs; Even the smallest amounts can have drastic penalties.
Sharjah City
The Emirate of Sharjah Capital City ( مدينة الشارقة ) in the Persian Gulf are growing, living here in early 2009, with around 800,000 people over 90 % of the emirate inhabitants. It houses the main administrative and commercial centers and also has a number of projects for the conservation of native traditions and culture, including several museums. In the field of so-called Heritage Area relatively large number of buildings in traditional Islamic style still remain. Structural landmarks are the two covered souqs in Islamic style. The city is also known for its many mosques. Since 2011 there is also a Russian Orthodox church.
With the onset of the vehement urban growth around 1990, which is also a consequence of the extremely strong growth of just 15 kilometers away in Dubai, Sharjah has made a drastic transformation of the entire city area. On the largely unpopulated areas south-west facing three interrelated artificial bays were created on which to intermediate areas and small islands, but especially at the approximately 13 -kilometer new shores the land were significantly enhanced.
It is currently investing heavily in modern buildings, growing in the edge area of the old town and especially at the edge of the artificial sea inlets or are already many new high-rise buildings, such as the Al Ayaan Sharjah Gate Tower (224 m) or the Salam Tower (210 m).
Traffic
The public transport system has long relied on private bus services without reliable timetables and especially taxis. To cope with the increasing demand, the city government is planning a new powerful system of bus lines with narrow stroke.
The Sharjah ( SHJ) airport, 13 km east of the center will be used, inter alia, from local low-cost airlines, as well as the Port Khalid Bur connect the city with the neighboring countries and the other Emirates. The quiet compared to the near Dubai International Airport airport is used, inter alia, by the Lufthansa Cargo as a hub for the Near East. Passenger flights are partly to Western Europe, with Condor to Germany. The airport is also the main site of the state budget airline Air Arabia, the targets throughout the Middle East, India and Southeast Europe flies to.
Educational location
Sharjah has expanded with the establishment of two universities into a major educational center in the Gulf region. Housed on a leafy campus located south of the airport of about 6 km by 1 km Area is north of the " American University of Sharjah " (OFF) and is followed by the south, founded in 1997, " University of Sharjah " to ( UOS ). Both universities are built on the American model: each several colleges and institutes for Bachelor and / or Master's degrees. All buildings and facilities are built in a traditional Arabic style and equipped with the latest technology. The huge demand for graduates in the region is in accordance with the doctrine currently still in the foreground. In the long term, the expansion of research is aimed at the long-drawn grounds are abundant land reserves available. In both universities the proportion of female students is already over 50%.
Economy, tourism
The city is the seat of the gas company Dana Gas PJSC. With Khor Fakkan Sharjah also has a major port on the east coast. Since 1993, the Sharjah Biennial is taking place there. Another company with headquarters in the city is the CKD assembler SHACMAN engine.
The population Schardschas is still dependent to a large degree on jobs in Dubai. It is estimated that about every other income of residents in the neighboring emirate of Dubai is created while living because of cheaper rent in Sharjah. This trend is expected to reach its peak, because the flattening economy of Dubai Special brings the quiet but steady growth Schardschas on. In the coastal new urban development areas as hotels, office and commercial buildings, shopping centers and homes are built. Here arise mainly jobs in the service and trade.
In addition, Sharjah is also the location of two free trade zones, the Sharjah Airport International Free Zone ( SAIF - Zone ) and the Hamariya Free Zone. Both free trade areas have developed rapidly in recent years and, last but not least become by overall relatively favorable conditions for investors to important economic factors in Sharjah. In the free trade zones, several thousand national and international companies already wrap in the fields of trade, industry and services from their businesses.
The tourism grows relatively unspectacular in the shadow of Dubai, one the boom town often offers priced at the same hotel performance. The private supply of special tourist destinations is still modest, as the first investment in the tourism development in autumn 2008, the " Sharjah Aquarium" opened at the historic Al Khan peninsula, the over 250 species with a comparatively small but educationally prepared overview of the marine fauna offers.