Overview
Travel warning
Foreign nationals visiting the United Arab Emirates are advised to be very vigilant due to a significant terrorist threat to westerners. For further advice, contact the relevant local government travel advice department.
The Emirates are bordered to the north by the Gulf and the Musandam Peninsula, to the east by Oman, to the south and west by Saudi Arabia and to the northwest by Qatar. The land is mountainous and mostly desert. Abu Dhabi is flat and sandy, and within its boundaries is the Buraimi Oasis. Dubai has a 16km- (10 mile-) deep-water creek, giving it the popular name of ‘Pearl of the Gulf’. A predominantly modern city, Abu Dhabi nevertheless retains some of its ancient past. The Diwan Amiri (White Fort) was built in 1793 and still survives. There are many mosques, from the huge blue mosque on the corner of the Corniche to the smaller one in the centre of Khalifa Street Roundabout, surrounded by trees. Dubai has outstanding sporting and conference facilities. Bur Dubai, the original town, has old buildings, atmospheric alleyways and markets.
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