UAE Geography
United Arab Emirates - Abu Dhabi - Dubai - Sharjah - Al Ain
The country is located in the southern corner of the Arabian Peninsula between latitudes 22°-26.5°N and longitudes 51°-56.5°E. The UAE is bordered by the Persian Gulf to the north, Saudi Arabia to the south and west, Qatar to the northwest, and Oman and the Gulf of Oman to the east. The UAE has a total of 700 km coastline of which 100 km are on the Gulf of Oman, connecting the country to the Arabian Sea. Most of the coast consists of sabhka, or salt marshes that extend far inland. Dubai has the largest natural harbor in the region.
The unique and varied topography is one of the important geographical features of the UAE. The country has a primarily desert landscape with vast sand dunes, oases, and wadis (dry river bed). There are about 200 offshore islands all along the Persian Gulf Coast, in addition to beautiful coral reefs and extensive salt marshes. Some of the world's largest sand dunes are located east of Aradah in the oases of Al-Liwa, including Al Ain about 100 miles east of Abu Dhabi. In the northern part of the country, the Al Hazar Mountains rises up to 2,000 meters in some places.
The UAE has an arid subtropical climate with year-round sunny days, and infrequent
and low rainfall. The climate is hot and humid along the coast, and hot and
dry in the interiors. Summers (June to September) are hot and humid, with temperatures
touching 48°C (118°F) and humidity soaring to 80-90%. Dust laden sandstorms
locally known as 'shamal' regularly hit the coast in midwinter and early summer.
Winter months (November to April) are mild and pleasant, with temperatures averaging
at 25°C (77°F) and humidity is lower. Rainfall is infrequent and low
with most precipitation occurring in winter months of December and January.
