The emirate of Sharjah neighbors the emirates of Ajman and Dubai, and its eponymous capital is located on the Persian Gulf coast. It is quite a large city, the rapid growth of which came in the last two decades. The city of Sharjah has both tourist areas, park areas, industrial neighborhoods, and the "private sector" (when the territory was expanded, several suburban villages were included in the city).
The population of Sharjah is almost one million people. The national currency is Arab dirhams (AED).
Sharjah has always been one of the richest cities in the region. Archaeologists say that in the place where the city is located today, people settled five thousand years ago. And the history of the Emirate goes back more than seven thousand years.
Officially, the city of Sharjah was founded in the first half of the XIX century. Then the active development of trade made the settlement one of the most important seaports of the coast, which gave Mesopotamia access to the Indian Ocean. Apparently, trade with the Persians played a decisive role in the development of the region, which became the starting point in the formation of coastal tribes.
Today, Sharjah remains an important maritime and commercial center, and in addition is a treasure trove of the rich historical heritage of the United Arab Emirates. It is in this city that the most impressive concentration of museums and antiquities is found.
It also has the strictest Islamic rules in the Emirates, the closest to traditional Islam, so take note: alcohol is prohibited, revealing outfits are not allowed, and during Ramadan visitors must refrain from eating and smoking in public places during daylight hours.
