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Umm Al Quwain, one of the 7 members of the United Arab Emirates, covers an area of 800 square kilometres and stretches from the beautiful, lush green coastal mangroves lining the shores of the Persian Gulf, inland across the rolling sand dunes to the fertile oasis surrounding Falaj Al Moalla.

The inland oasis and hinterland town of Falaj Al Moalla lies some 50 kilometres from Umm Al Quwain city.

From November to March temperatures are idyllic and average 26C in daytime and 15C at night. Temperatures can rise over 40C in the peak of the summer and the humidity levels are high. Rainfall is minimal and averages 42 millimetres a year. The coastline experiences cooling sea breezes during the day.

The name Umm Al Quwain is derived from Umm Al Quwatain, which means "Mother of two powers", a reference to the powerful seafaring tradition of this emirate. The modern history of Umm Al Quwain dates back some 200 years when the Al Ali tribe moved their capital from Al Sinniyah Island to its present location in the mid 18th century, when the sweet water supply dried up.

History

Umm Al Qaiwain's archaeological sites are Ad Door, a thriving port town at the beginning of the common era, and nearby Tell Abraq, a fortified settlement from around 2,500 BC.

Umm al Qiwain opened it first post office on 27 November 1963. The shaikhdom issued its first stamps on June 29, 1964. Umm al Qiwain agreed to join the United Arab Emirates on 2 December 1971. On 1 August 1972 the UAE took responsibility for postal operations.

The tiny emirate of Umm al-Qaiwain (1 percent of the UAE's total landmass) is situated between Sharjah to the south-west and Ra’s al-Khaimah to the north-east, about 20 minutes drive from Ajman.

Umm al-Qaiwain City, capital of the emirate, is situated on a narrow peninsula encircling a large creek, Khor Umm al-Qaiwain. The old town and the business district are at the northern tip of the peninsula, along King Faisal Rd. The town boasts no less than seven forts, one of which, its main gate flanked by defensive cannons, has been renovated.

Traditional occupations of fishing and date cultivation are still important, but a mariculture research centre and a free zone have helped to develop the emirate whose main attraction lies in its small size, relatively remote location, and long clean beaches.