Ras al-Khaimah

Ras al-Khaimah literally "The Top of the Tent", formerly known as Julfar, is one of the emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in the southwest of the Persian Gulf. It is in the northern part of the UAE bordering Oman. The emirate has a population of about 300,000 inhabitants. It covers an area of 656 square miles (1700 km²), mostly desert. The emirate is ruled by Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammad al-Qassimi.

The capital city and home of most residents is also called Ras al-Khaimah. The city has a population of 263,217 as of 2008. The city has two main sections, Old Ras Al Khaimah and Nakheel, on either side of a creek. It is served by the Ras Al Khaimah International Airport in Al Jazirah Al Hamra.

As the poor emirate will never be a major oil producer, RAK has instead had to concentrate on developing its industrial sector. It opened the UAE's first cement company in the early 1970s and is now the UAE's largest producer of cement. In the 1980s, the emirate formed RAK Ceramics, which has become the world's largest ceramics producer, and Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries - Julphar, the Persian Gulf region's first pharmaceuticals company. It is tryinng to emerge as an investment destination par excellence.However it suffers great electricity shortage.This energy shortage has caused so many residential buildings and villas to be abondoned for years, waiting for the electricity to be connected.

Shopping Malls

The following are some of the big and good shopping malls in Ras Al Khaimah

• Manar Mall (Carryfour): The biggest mall in Ras Al Khaimah with Shops of Various kinds, Food Court, Play area for Kids, Movie theaters etc.
• Lulu center
• Safeer Mall: Shops of Various kinds, Food Court, Play area for Kids
• Safeer Market
• Kerala Super Market
• Al Wafa Super Market

Park

Saqr Park is one of the favorite destinations in Ras Al Khaimah. This park is situated in the Air Port Road. This park is clean, green and well maintained. Ras Al Khaimah International Airport is 18 kilometres (13 miles) away from the city of Ras al-Khaimah.