Umm Al Quwain (UAQ; Arabic: أم القيوين, pronounced: /ʔumː alqejˈwejn/, Gulf arabic: [ʔʊm͜ː 'æl ge̞ˈwe̞n],) is the capital and largest city of the Emirate of Umm Al Quwain in the United Arab Emirates. Its ruling royal family are the Al Mualla.
Umm Al Quwain أم القيوين | |
|---|---|
City | |
| Umm Al Quwain | |
Clockwise from top: Mangroves with the skyline in background, Falaj Al Mualla Tower, Umm Al Quwain Fort | |
 Flag  Seal  Coat of arms | |
  Umm Al Quwain Location of Umm Al Quwain within UAE  Umm Al Quwain Umm Al Quwain (Persian Gulf) | |
| Coordinates: 25°33′12″N 55°32′51″E / 25.55333°N 55.54750°E | |
| Country | United Arab Emirates |
| Emirate | Umm Al Quwain |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipality |
| • Ruler | Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla |
| Population (2022)[1] | |
| • Total | 59,098 |
| GDP | |
| • Metro | US$ 0.7 billion (2023) |
| • Per capita | US$ 7,700 (2023) |
| Time zone | UTC+4 (UAE Standard Time) |
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The city is located on the peninsula of Khor Al Bidiyah, with the nearest major cities being Sharjah to the southwest and Ras Al Khaimah to the northeast. There are mangroves outside the city along the coast, with the local economy being largely fishing and tourism.[3]
The ruling family descends from the Al Mualla lineage of the Al Ali tribe, which moved from Siniyah Island due to scarce water and established an independent Sheikhdom in Umm Al Quwain. Umm Al Quwain is now ruled by Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla. He became the Ruler and a member of the Supreme Council on the 2nd of January, 2009. [4]
In March of 2023, the Umm Al Quwain Department of Tourism and Archaeology announced the discovery of the oldest known pearling town in the Persian Gulf, on Siniyah Island.[5]
Etymology
Many theories have been established on the etymology of the name Umm Al Quwain. The most well known and accepted theory is that the name means "mother of the two powers", from the phrase "Umm Al Quwatain" (Arabic: ام القوتين, romanized: Umm Al Quwatain, lit. 'Mother of the two powers'). The two powers here are usually known as the two forms of geographical powers. Locals of the city believe Umm Al Quwain's meaning indicates the richness of activities both on land and water.[6]
Economy
The city of Umm Al Quwain's economy depends on revenue from hotels, parks, tourism, fisheries, trading activities, manufacturing, as well as the Umm Al Quwain Free Zone. The Umm Al Quwain government has launched several programs to attract investment, and to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and the fisheries sector in to the city. Umm Al Quwain is said to offer a stable economy, open investment climate, low costs of living and labor, and a great destination for imports and exports.[7]
Statistics recently issued by the Umm Al Quwain Chamber of Commerce and Industry indicate a significant increase in the number of commercial and service establishments based in Umm Al Quwain. The establishment of many factories in the free zone and outside, the development of transportation and internal highways that connect the city to other cities, has effectively contributed to the economy and has contributed to stimulating imports and exports of Umm Al Quwain.