City guide article

Sharjah Fast Facts

• Location: situated on the west coast of the UAE: • Dialing code: country - 971 city - 06; Emergency numbers –Please include the following:: • Police: Emergency – 999, Headquarters – 563 1111 • Fire: 997 • Ambulance: 998/999 • Tourist Information Helpdesk: 556 6777 • Car Breakdown Service: Arabian Automobile Association – 800 4900 • Highway Patrol: Unknown • Telephone Directory Services: • Airport Enquiry: +971 6 5581111 • Railway Enquiry: Not applicable; • Population: 801,004: • Languages: Arabic is the official language. English is used as a preferred communication in trade and commerce. Signs in the UAE are in both languages. • Time zone: UTC/GMT is +4 • Average January temperatures: 23°C • Average July temperatures: 38°C • Annual rainfall: Unknown as rainfall in Sharjah is scant however the wettest months are considered to be January, February and March. Rainfall can sometimes be accompanied by tropical storms so keep a pair of rubber boots handy.

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• Location: situated on the west coast of the UAE	• Dialing code: country - 971 city - 06
Emergency numbers –Please include the following:	• Police: Emergency – 999, Headquarters – 563 1111 • Fire: 997 • Ambulance: 998/999 • Tourist Information Helpdesk: 556 6777 • Car Breakdown Service: Arabian Automobile Association – 800 4900 • Highway Patrol: Unknown • Telephone Directory Services: • Airport Enquiry: +971 6 5581111 • Railway Enquiry: Not applicable
• Population: 801,004	• Languages: Arabic is the official language. English is used as a preferred communication in trade and commerce. Signs in the UAE are in both languages. • Time zone: UTC/GMT is +4 • Average January temperatures: 23°C • Average July temperatures: 38°C • Annual rainfall: Unknown as rainfall in Sharjah is scant however the wettest months are considered to be January, February and March. Rainfall can sometimes be accompanied by tropical storms so keep a pair of rubber boots handy.

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Sharjah History

The history of Sharjah begins 5000 years ago when it was one of the wealthiest civilizations of the Gulf region, originally called Sarcoa. Trade was conducted through farming, hunting, fishing and peal farming. During the 16th century the Portuguese conquered the area to control the spice trade; the fort at Khor Fakkan, Kalba and Dibba were built during that era, with the Dutch then trying to take over. In the 17th century the British arrived and began trading with Qawasim, the founding fathers of the present ruling family however the relationship between them deteriorated during the 18th century for attacks between parties. In the year 1820, the first of many peace treaties was signed to confirm peace and protection from British attacks for the next 150 years. The coast was then known as the Oman Peaceful Coast and Sheikhdoms of Oman as reconciled countries. These names would remain until the formation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971 which also ended the British presence in Sharjah. On 2nd December 1972, Sharjah became part of the UAE as a founding member; his Highness Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi succeeded as the ruler of Sharjah in 1972. In the same year oil was discovered which led to a new era of prosperity for the region.

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Visa Information

Visa requirements vary between cultures for entry into the UAE; hence it is advisable that you check before you travel. All passports must be valid for up to six months from date of arrival. At the current time, all nationals except those of the Gulf Cooperation Council (Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia), expatriate residents of the GCC and British citizens with the right to abode in the UK. Nationals of over 34 developed countries (including most of Western Europe, Australia, Brunei, Japan, Hong Kong, New Zealand and the USA) can receive free visas upon arrival in the UAE by air, land or sea travel.

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