UAE Area Guide, Part 3 of 8 - Ajman

Ajman is the smallest of the seven emirates thatby workers laying a sewerage pipe in 1986. The
make up the United Arab Emirates (or UAE).site was then excavated as an archaeological site
Ajman is undergoing dramatic growth andat which several copper implements numerous
development like the rest of the United Arabbeads, a number of ceramic vessels and human
Emirates so tourist attractions and activities asremains among other artifacts have been
well as shopping, cultural and sporting opportunitiesunearthed. This site was the first site to be
are going to dramatically increase in the very neardiscovered that showed that the area was
future. Currently there are three main touristoccupied in the Um al-Nar period.
attractions in Ajman and this article will exploreAjman's beaches have also long been a traditional
these further.tourist attraction, the climate of Ajman being
Shopping in Ajman is available in both modernsuperbly suited to beach life. Dolphins are common
malls, which offer many of the designer andoff the coast of Ajman and dolphin spotting is a
luxury items you would expect from a modernpopular recreational activity with both tourists and
shopping mall in the UAE, and the traditional shopslocals alike.
where local products such as traditional potteryAjman has a variety of food and places to eat
can be purchased.out, you will find everything from western fast
Tourists to Ajman have always enjoyed a visit tofood outlets to high class restaurants and
the Dhow Yard which is the biggest and one oftraditional café and street vendors. Even
the busiest Dhow building yards in the United Arabthough Ajman is a Muslim state, alcohol can be
Emirates. Here visitors can see Dhows being builtpurchased in restaurants and hotels. This is the
in the traditional manner, exactly the same asnorm through most of the UAE; alcohol can be
they have been built for centuries. The Dhowpurchased by non Muslims in hotels and
Yard also builds modern speed boats thatrestaurants although it is generally not possible to
compete in the Dubai Speed Boat races.purchase alcohol outside of these places.
The Ajman Museum is also well worth a visit. ThisAjman is currently experiencing a huge growth in
museum was opened in 1981and is housed in adevelopment so over the next few years tourism
fort that dates from the 16th Century. Theand tourist attractions will grow in number and
museum has a strong emphasis on the traditionalvariety. There are several theme parks and other
culture of the region and visitors cannot only seetourist related developments currently under
ancient artefacts but also modern reconstructionsconstruction or well into the planning stages.
of traditional Bedouin ways of life including bothSports facilities, clubs and venues are also
social and trade reconstructions. The Ajmancurrently under development as are cultural
museum also houses a large collection of artifactsattractions such as theatres, museums and
from the Mowaihat archaeological site.galleries.
The Mowaihat Archaeological site was discovered