Ras Al Khaimah is an emirate or soverign state of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and is the northernmost emirate in the UAE. Ras Al Khaimah boasts a very diverse geography from unspoilt beaches to deserts and mountainous areas as well as the fast developing ultra modern capital city. The people are proud of their culture and sports facilities just like all of the other emirates that make up the UAE, and many tourists and locals take full advantage of these pursuits.
Ras Al Khaimah's government has recently announced that they are focussing on growing their tourist industry in coming years and have started a development strategy that will see the number of hotel rooms? rise from the current level of 1,400 to more than 7,500. The RAK government is also planning on allowing the building of more than 30 hotels to serve tourism needs. This commitment to tourism by the government can only lead to improved facilities and activities for visitors to this emirate and is certainly going to be worth watching in the future.
Ras Al Khaimah is much smaller than Dubai and is trading on this fact, as some tourists find Dubai overpowering. Ras Al Khaimah offers the shopping and nightlife to tourists that can be found in the larger emirates but some say at a slightly more relaxed pace.
Ras Al Khaimah also has the advantage of having a wide geographical range, which allows tourists to this emirate the chance to experience unspoilt beaches, desserts, hot springs, mountainous regions. The government of Ras Al Khaimah is committed to developing eco tourism so that visitors can experience their diverse geographical features and take full advantage of the activities each of the areas is uniquely suited to whilst doing no harm to the environment or the local cultures. Activities that tourists can currently partake in include four wheel drive adventures, rock climbing, and all forms of water sports.
Khatt Hot Springs Spa is a modern hotel and resort that is built in the town of Khatt a 20 minute drive from Ras Al Khaimah city. The town is home to three hot mineral springs that attract visitors from all over the world who come to the area to bathe in the waters for their reputed therapeutic benefits. The hot springs are said to aid in the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis and other muscular problems.
The geographic diversity of Ras Al Khaimah has lead to several different cultural groups from fishermen to pearl divers and mountain tribes to farmers all calling this emirate their home. This diversity of cultures is celebrated in Ras Al Khaimah and tourists are encouraged to learn about these different cultures through celebrations, folk music and dance performances that are regularly held across the emirate.
Golf has seized the imaginations and passions of residents of Ras Al Khaimah just as it has with residents of the other emirates, several world class golf courses and clubs can be found in RAK for the enjoyment and use of both residents and visitors to the area. Golf holiday resorts can also be found in the emirate for those who cannot bear to be too far from the course.
Ras al Khaimah was the second emirate of the United Arab Emirates (the UAE) to allow foreign freehold property ownership, and was the first emirate to actually pass a law granting foreign nationals property rights. This early entry into the freehold market has meant that there are many exciting property developments constructed and under construction in Ras al Khaimah City.
The first freehold development built in Ras al-Khaimah is Al Hamra Village, a premium beachfront real estate and tourism precinct. The village is situated 40 minutes drive from Dubai International Airport. The development houses three hotels, over 1350 residential dwellings of various sizes and types, a shopping mall, 18 hole golf course, marina and a 5 kilometre jogging track among other numerous features. The development is also home to a man made island that houses a 22 floor, 400 room, five star hotel; the island is linked to the main development by a bridge.
The Cove is the second freehold development to be built in the emirate of Ras al-Khaimah and is a beach resort of approximately 50 acres. It will include a five star beachfront hotel and over 130 Nubian style furnished chalets.
Currently due for completion is the Julfar Towers, a commercial and residential freehold development consisting of 40 story residential and commercial towers built over a three level podium of retail and food outlets. The commercial tower will house 468 office units of various sizes whilst the residential tower will offer accommodation ranging from a limited number of exclusive duplexes, and 349 apartments ranging from four bedroom deluxe flats to studios. The Julfar Tower complex development will offer a wide range of ameneties including a kindergarten, fitness centre, advanced business centre and parking for over 1500 cars, along with breathtaking views of the mountains, mangroves and creek.
There are two man-made island developments currently under construction in Ras al-Khaimah, these are Saraya Island and Al Marjan Island. Saraya Island is a tourist development that will include three man-made islands, onto which three luxury hotels, 200 villas and cultural and commercial venues will be placed.
The Al Marjan Island development is a series of five coral shaped islands that will extend two kilometres into the Arabian Gulf, 27 kilometres from the city centre. The development will include a water theme park, a marina and marina village, 10 major hotel sites and fifty large villa sites. The main development is due for completion by 2009. A sub development of the Al Marjan Island development, the Gateway, is a residential and commercial development that will house fifty thousand residents and is being constructed in five stages which have a completion date of 2012. La Hoya Bay is another development being built on Al Marjan Island, a residential, commercial and leisure project. The project will be built in six phases with the first phase scheduled for completion in March 2008.