RAK GEOGRAPHY
Ras Al Khaimah is situated in the northernmost part of the UAE and is often referred to as one of the Northern Emirates. It borders the emirates of Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah, Sharjah, and the Sultanate of Oman in the North and South. Additionally, Ras Al Khaimah has one large enclave in the Southeast part of the UAE and a few small islands including Greater and Lesser Tunb.
Ras Al Khaimah covers an area of 1,700 square km, which is about 2.2 percent of the total UAE land area, making it the fourth largest emirate.
With the varieties of landscapes, Ras Al Khaimah is an interesting and attractive area to visit. The waters of the Persian Gulf and 65 km of sandy coastline form a natural border in the West. The Eastern part has a spectacular mountain range called the Ru’us Al Jibal. It is part of the Hajar Mountains, which start in the Musandam Peninsula and run as far south as Sur in Oman. These rocky mountains were formed more than 70 million years ago and in Ras Al Khaimah reach up to 1200m. This Emirate is also famous for its palm gardens and fertile grounds, which have provided food and shelter in the region for many centuries. The red sands of the desert cover the rest of the Emirate.
The city of Ras Al Khaimah is the capital of the Emirate and is divided into two parts by a natural creek. A bridge connects these parts. Ras Al Khaimah’s old city, usually called RAK City, hosts government departments, residential neighbourhoods and markets. The other part is called Al Nakheel and is the commercial, administrative and residential part of the city. Apart from the capital, this Emirate has other significant areas such as Khor Khuwair (an industrial part), Rams (a culturally important district), Jazirat Al Hamra (an old coastal town) Digdaga and Al Hamraniya (regions vital for their fertile soils), and Khatt (a tourist area with thermal springs). In the Southeast of the UAE, Ras Al Khaimah has one enclave, which includes Masafi (an area known for its pure drinking water) and runs further south to Huwaylat, near the border with Oman.
Territory of Ras Al Khaimah
Distances from RAK in km
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Abu Dhabi
|
243
|
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Al Ain
|
212
|
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Dubai
|
96
|
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Fujairah
|
121
|
|
Ajman
|
73 |
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Khor Fakkan
|
141
|
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Sharjah
|
80
|
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Umm Al Quwain
|
64
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