RAK QUICK DIRECTORY

 
NAME: Ras Al Khaimah
ABBREVIATION: RAK
LOCATION: northernmost Emirate, lies between latitudes: 25o and 26o North, and longitudes 55o and 60o East.
AREA: approx. 1,700 square km/656 square miles
POPULATION: approx. 250,000
RULER: His Highness Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammad Al Qasimi
CROWN PRINCE AND DEPUTY RULER: His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi
MAIN TOWNS: Ras Al Khaimah City, Rams, Masafi, Digdaga, Khatt and Huwaylat.
FLAG: White rectangle with a smaller red rectangle inside. 
LOCAL DIALLING CODE: 07 + number.

 

 
 
 
THINGS NOT TO MISS IN RAK
THE DESERT
Tranquil, spectacular and exciting red sands of the RAK’s desert will impress everyone.
HAJAR MOUNTAINS
Dramatic rocky mountains with impressive valleys, hidden villages and farm lands guarantee unforgettable experience.
CAMEL RACE TRACK
Camel race track offers a wonderful opportunity to observe a living tradition of the Arab people.
OLD SOUK AREA
Place where you can purchase some of the traditional products of the Arab culture.
SHIMAL
Shimal is a village with numerous historical treasures.
AL JAZIRAH AL HAMRA
The only fishermen village in the UAE that gives an opportunity to have a pick into the past.
GOLF
Undeniably, golf is a vigorous part of modern RAK.
POWERED PARACHUTING
An opportunity to see the desert, mountains and the city in less than an hour. Unforgettable impressions. 
LOCAL FOOD
Hummos, hamour, biryani, and much more are the local dishes not to be missed.
DATES
Dates are the most loved local delights. They are truly local products and they make the best gifts home.  
MANAR MALL
It is first shopping mall in RAK. It is a place where you can purchase a variety of products, and observe modern local Arabs.
 
 
VISITORS
CHILDREN VISITORS
Ras Al Khaimah is a children-friendly place. Children are welcome by definition almost everywhere, hotels, restaurants, cafés, shops etc. Most of those places have prepared some attractions for the young ones. There are amusement centres in the shopping malls, children menus and high chairs in the restaurants, and numerous shops that offer a variety of toys, books and other children commodities.
You should expect that your child would get lots of attention especially from local women. Some children may be uncomfortable with the unaccustomed attention but this interest is genuine and harmless, as children are generally very much loved in the UAE.
Take extra precaution in the light of traffic, sun and heat. Make sure that you always carry hats, sun cream and water when travelling with children. Never leave your child alone in the car; the temperature inside can rise incredibly fast and it may lead to dehydration or even suffocation.
Most of the luxurious hotels offer childcare, but outside the hotels, babysitting is not available.   
 
DISABLED VISITORS
There is not much attention paid to disabled visitors in Ras Al Khaimah. You might find the steep slopes, stairs and uneven pavements hard going. There are not many toilets adjusted to the disabled needs, and ramps, lifts are virtually none existing. Only luxurious resorts and hotels have some facilities that can accommodate special needs travellers. Transportation has to be arranged far in advance.
 
HOMOSEXUALS
Homosexual practices are illegal in the UAE. Punishment can range from flogging to imprisonment and deportation.
 
WOMEN VISITORS
Women visitors to Ras Al Khaimah and the UAE should feel safe. In general women are highly respected and regardless of the misconception, the atmosphere in the UAE is tolerant and welcoming. Women are often served first in the governmental offices, banks etc., and some places also have separate queues or rooms for women.
Sexual harassment is unlikely to upset your visit, although staring and catcalling happens sometimes, but it seldom goes any further than that. Staring is rather inquisitive than threatening or dangerous. The UAE is a multinational society, and the majority of people here are expatriate bachelors or men who left their families to provide the income for their households. Thus, sometimes the women get lots of attention especially when alone.
Wearing revealing clothes will up the chances of receiving unwelcome advances. It may reinforce the already existing stereotypes that foreign women are wanton. Be aware that your gestures can be read differently than they would have been in your home country. Remember also that what seems to be perfectly normal in your society is often a taboo in more traditional countries, such as the UAE or in countries where most of the expatriates come from. Thus, try to judge the situation from the perspective of the local women or other expatriates females. For example, do not sit in the front seat of a taxi, as most of the Asian women would not do. Do not behave frivolous with men, as simple jokes can be misunderstood for sexual advances. If you hear unwanted comments, try to ignore them, but if it bothers you, firmly demand to leave you alone. In case you feel threatened, do not be afraid to make a public scene, which is what a local woman would do. You will also see that there will be a lot of people who would help you if needed.
 
 
PRACTICALITIES
ADDRESSES
Streets names and road signs are usually written in English and Arabic. Expect to see the name of the street in a variety of spellings. Additionally, many streets have informal and commonly used names apart from their official versions, which were not given until few years ago. Mostly, addresses and directions are given by reference to landmarks such as hotels, distinctive buildings, shops, or roundabouts.
Ras Al Khaimah is in a process of introducing the naming and numbering system for various areas, streets and properties. The Emirate is divided in nine sectors with 194 areas that soon will receive individual postal codes.
 
BUSINESS HOURS
The traditional workweek is five and a half days, starting from Saturday morning until Thursday lunchtime. Friday is an official day off, although recently many companies operate all day Thursday and take a two day weekend on Friday and Saturday.
Working hours are often shorter during the holy month of Ramadan.
-      Governmental offices and administration: Sat-Thurs 8am–3pm
-      Banks: Sat–Thurs 8am – 4pm
-      Retailers and shops: Sat–Thurs 10am–1pm, 4pm–10pm, Fri 4pm-10pm, some shops are are open throughout the whole day.
-      Businesses: 8am–1pm, 4pm–8pm
 
ELECTRICITY
Electricity domestic supply is 220/240 volts. Sockets are suitable for three-pin 13 amp plugs.
 
EMERGENCY AND TROUBLES
The UAE has a rightful opinion to be one of the safest countries in the world. The crime rate is extremely low; nevertheless, the common sense should always be followed. Probably, the main danger you can face here is a chaotic and unpredictable driving, therefore pay increase attention while on the road. 
POLICE: 999
AMBULANCE: 999
FIRE: 997
 
HEALTH
Visiting or living in Ras Al Khaimah does not pose any specific health risk. Make sure you drink enough water to avoid dehydration and protect yourself from the sun. In case you require medical attention, visit one of the governmental hospitals, private RAK Hospital or smaller clinics.
SAQR HOSPITAL: 07 2223655
RAK HOSPITAL: 07 2225555 
 
PHOTOGRAPHY
Before photographing people, always ask their permission. Avoid taking photos of Muslim women. Any places of national interest or security such as airports, docks, governmental buildings, and military installations must not be photographed.
Photo films and photographic equipment are available, although the choice is limited. Processing facilities can also be found in Ras Al Khaimah, however cost and quality might not be what you expect.
 
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
The dates of many holidays are based on the Islamic calendar, which follows lunar cycles, as a result the dates of some holidays change every year. In UAE fixed day holidays are National Day on 2nd of December, first day of the New Year in both Gregorian and Islamic calendar are free.
 
Islamic Calendar’s Holidays
YEAR
2009 / 1430
2010 / 1431
2011 / 1432
2012 / 1433
2013 / 1434
2014 / 1435
Prophet’s Birthday
9 March
26 Feb
16 Feb
5 Feb
24 Jan
14 Jan
Lailat Al Miraj
20 Jul
9 Jul
28 Jun
16 Jun
5 Jun
27 May
Ramadan begins
22 Aug
11 Aug
1 Aug
20 Jul
9 Jul
28 Jun
Eid Al Fitr
21 Sep
10 Sep
30 Aug
19 Aug
8 Aug
28 Jul
Eid Al Adha/Haij
27 Nov
15 Nov
6 Nov
26 Oct
15 Oct
4 Oct
Islamic New Year
18 Dec
7 Dec
26 Nov
15 Nov
4 Nov
25 Oct
Actual dates may occur a day later.  
 
SMOKING
The UAE is joining a worldwide effort to stop people from smoking. In 2008, Ras Al Khaimah passed the law, which banned smoking in all enclosed public places. There is also restriction on promotion of tobacco products.
 
TELEPHONE & INTERNET
There are two telecommunication providers in the UAE- Etisalat and DU. Both companies offer mobile connections, land lines and Internet.
ETISALAT, Bin Dhaher St., Main Office is a distinctive building with a ‘golf ball structure’ on top, 101, www.etisalat.ae
DU, Manar Mall, 04 3905555, www.du.ae
Mobile Phones
GSM technology used by the mobile phone network in the UAE is the same as in Europe and Africa. Visitors or tourists from other part of the world may not be able to use their own mobile phones. However, both Etisalat and DU have a short term offer for visitors. Pre-paid mobile sim cards for residents are also available.
Public Phones
Public phone booths are available throughout the city, but you should remember that most of them accept only cards, available at Etisalat and in many shops.
Internet cafes
Access to the Internet is available at Internet cafés and some of the hotels (but rather expensive). Number of Internet cafés is situated along Cornish Road, and there is also one useful Internet café in Manar Mall. The cost is 10dhs for one hour of Internet connection.
 
TIPPING
Unless in the high-end places, tipping is not expected, however it is quite common practice. Some of the restaurants in Ras Al Khaimah add service charge to the bill, however rarely this money reach your waiter, therefore you might leave some loose change. Taxi drivers do not expect to be tipped.
 
TOILETS
Most shopping centres, restaurants, and public amenities have well-maintained public toilets. Outside of the towns, you can find public toilets at restaurants and petrol stations; however, they may not be in good condition and will generally lack toilet paper.
 
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
The UAE uses the metric system, although British and US standard weights and measures are often understood.
Conversions
1m
3.3ft - 1.1yd
1km
0.62miles
1mile
1.6km
1kg
2.2ib
1ib
0.45kg
1l
0.22 imperial gallons