Umm al-Quwain

Nothing is impossible

“We, in the UAE, have no such word as “impossible”; it does not exist in our lexicon. Such a word is used by the lazy and the weak, who fear challenges and progress. When one doubts his potential and capabilities as well as his confidence, he will lose the compass that leads him to success and excellence, thus failing to achieve his goal. I require you, youth, to insist on number one.”

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE

United Arab Emirates

Updated:

3rd Jul 2017

It is highly unlikely you will find yourself as an expat living in Umm al-Quwain. It is the least populous of the seven sovereign emirates in the United Arab Emirates, located in the north of the country with just 72,000 inhabitants (although likely to have grown since this last 2007 census) in an area of 750 km2 (290 sq mi).

Lonely Planet describes it as the "anti-Dubai". It isn't busy, it isn't flashy and really it's all about the desert and nature.

"Small, sleepy, quaint and without a single international resort or megamall, its retro feel stands in sharp contrast to the more glamorous emirate to the south. Steer here if you’re after a taste of the UAE as it was in its pre-oil days."

During November to March, the average temperature is 27 °C (81 °F) by day and 15 °C (59 °F) at night, but it can rise to over 40 °C (104 °F) in the peak of the summer and when humidity levels are high. The rainfall is minimal and averages just 42 mm (1.7 in) a year...

Umm al-Quwain does attract visitors however. Al Sinniyah Island is a semi-protected marine environment noted for its mangrove swamp and large colony of Socotra cormorants. It's also a stopover for migrating birds, including flamingos, gulls and terns. Bird watching is big in the emirate.