Sharjah (; ',
Gulf Arabic
Gulf Arabic or Khaleeji ( ' local pronunciation: or ', local pronunciation: ) is a variety of the Arabic language spoken in Eastern Arabia around the coasts of the Persian Gulf in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, southern Iraq, ...
: ''aš-Šārja'') is the
third-most populous city in the
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates (UAE), or simply the Emirates, is a country in West Asia, in the Middle East, at the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is a Federal monarchy, federal elective monarchy made up of Emirates of the United Arab E ...
, after
Dubai
Dubai (Help:IPA/English, /duːˈbaɪ/ Help:Pronunciation respelling key, ''doo-BYE''; Modern Standard Arabic, Modern Standard Arabic: ; Emirati Arabic, Emirati Arabic: , Romanization of Arabic, romanized: Help:IPA/English, /diˈbej/) is the Lis ...
and
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. The city is the seat of the Abu Dhabi Central Capital District, the capital city of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and the UAE's List of cities in the United Arab Emirates, second-most popu ...
. It is the capital of the
Emirate of Sharjah and forms part of the
Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman metropolitan area.
Sharjah is the capital of the
eponymous emirate. The emirate shares
legal
Law is a set of rules that are created and are law enforcement, enforceable by social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior, with its precise definition a matter of longstanding debate. It has been variously described as a Socia ...
, political, military and economic functions with the other emirates of the UAE within a
federal framework, although each emirate has jurisdiction over some functions such as civil law enforcement and provision and upkeep of local facilities. Sharjah has been ruled by the
Al Qasimi
The Al Qasimi (, spelled sometimes as Al Qassimi or Al Qassemi; plural: Al Qawasem and, archaically, Joasmee) is an Arab dynasty in the Persian Gulf that rules Emirate of Sharjah, Sharjah and Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, Ras Al Khaimah, today for ...
dynasty since the 18th century.
The city is a center for culture and industry, and alone contributes 7.4% of the GDP of the
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates (UAE), or simply the Emirates, is a country in West Asia, in the Middle East, at the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is a Federal monarchy, federal elective monarchy made up of Emirates of the United Arab E ...
. The city covers an approximate area of 235 km
2 and has a population of over 1,800,000 (2022–2023).
The sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in the emirate of Sharjah without possession of an alcohol license and alcohol is not served in hotels, restaurants or other outlets in Sharjah, due to the Muslim majority in the area. This has helped Sharjah increase the number of Islamic tourists who visit the country. Sharjah has been officially named as a WHO
healthy city
Healthy city is a term used in public health and urban design to stress the impact of policy on human health. It is a municipality that continually improves on a physical and a social level until environmental and pathological conditions are reac ...
. The 2016 edition of QS Best Student Cities ranked Sharjah as the 68th best city in the world to be a university student. Sharjah is regarded as the cultural capital of the UAE, and was the Islamic culture capital of 2014 and Sharjah World Book Capital for 2019 by UNESCO.
On 1 January 2022, Sharjah made history when its public sector adopted a four-day working week and a three-day weekend, becoming the first government sector in the Gulf region and the entire Middle East to fully adopt a four-day working week.
Etymology
The origin of the name of Sharjah is unknown, with most common interpretations linking the origin of the word Sharjah to the word ''sharq'' () due to the fact that the city is located to the east of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and that Sharjah was the easternmost settlement at the time.
However, other interpretations have disputed the origin of the name based on location, and suggested instead that it refers to the word ''shurūq'' (). Further theories have linked the name to a pre-Islamic idol called ''Abed Al Shareq'' that transformed into ''Sharjah''. The origin of the word has also been linked to the
Andalusi Arabic
Andalusi Arabic or Andalusian Arabic () was a variety or varieties of Arabic spoken mainly from the 8th to the 15th century in Al-Andalus, the regions of the Iberian Peninsula under the Muslim rule.
Arabic spread gradually over the centuries ...
usage of the word, which was used to refer to a fort.
History

Sharjah was historically one of the wealthiest towns in this region with a settlement in existence for over 5000 years. In the early 18th century, the Huwayla tribe of the
Qawasim clan established itself in Sharjah 1727, declaring Sharjah independent. On 8 January 1820, Sheikh
Sultan I signed the
General Maritime Treaty with Britain, accepting a protectorate to keep the
Ottoman Turks
The Ottoman Turks () were a Turkic peoples, Turkic ethnic group in Anatolia. Originally from Central Asia, they migrated to Anatolia in the 13th century and founded the Ottoman Empire, in which they remained socio-politically dominant for the e ...
out. Like its neighbors
Ajman
Ajman ( '; Gulf Arabic: عيمان ''ʿYmān'') is the capital of the emirate of Ajman in the United Arab Emirates. It is the List of cities in the United Arab Emirates, fifth-largest city in UAE after Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Al Ain. Loca ...
,
Dubai
Dubai (Help:IPA/English, /duːˈbaɪ/ Help:Pronunciation respelling key, ''doo-BYE''; Modern Standard Arabic, Modern Standard Arabic: ; Emirati Arabic, Emirati Arabic: , Romanization of Arabic, romanized: Help:IPA/English, /diˈbej/) is the Lis ...
,
Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah (; ), often referred to its initials RAK, is the largest city and capital of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah in the U.A.E. The city had a population of 191,753 in 2025, and is the sixth-most populous city in UAE after Dubai, Abu ...
, and
Umm Al Quwain, Sharjah's position on the route to India made it important enough to be recognized as a
salute state
A salute is usually a formal hand gesture or other action used to display respect in military situations. Salutes are primarily associated with the military and law enforcement, but many civilian organizations, such as Girl Guides, Scouting ...
(be it of the lowest class: 3 guns).
In 1829, English author and traveler
James Silk Buckingham
James Silk Buckingham (25 August 1786 – 30 June 1855) was a British author, journalist and traveller, known for his contributions to Indian journalism. He was a pioneer among the Europeans who fought for a liberal press in India.
Early life
B ...
described Sharjah as such:
With the approach of the 20th century, Sharjah extended inland to the area now known as Wasit Suburb, the area between the city and Al Dhaid being under the control of the tribes of the interior. With a population of 15,000 inhabitants, Sharjah had some four or five shops in
Layyah and a bazaar of around 200 shops in main Sharjah.
In the midst of
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
,
Nazi propaganda
Propaganda was a tool of the Nazi Party in Germany from its earliest days to the end of the regime in May 1945 at the end of World War II. As the party gained power, the scope and efficacy of its propaganda grew and permeated an increasing amou ...
infiltrated the town. Loud propagating of pro-
Hitler
Adolf Hitler (20 April 1889 – 30 April 1945) was an Austrian-born German politician who was the dictator of Nazi Germany from 1933 until Death of Adolf Hitler, his suicide in 1945. Adolf Hitler's rise to power, He rose to power as the lea ...
speeches could be heard emanating from the Sheikh of Sharjah's palace during a period in 1940, and messages sharing a similar sentiment graffitied on walls in the town center according to
British
British may refer to:
Peoples, culture, and language
* British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies.
* British national identity, the characteristics of British people and culture ...
intelligence reports at the time, for the messages being propagated by the
Germans
Germans (, ) are the natives or inhabitants of Germany, or sometimes more broadly any people who are of German descent or native speakers of the German language. The Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany, constitution of Germany, imple ...
was one of
anti-imperialism
Anti-imperialism in political science and international relations is opposition to imperialism or neocolonialism. Anti-imperialist sentiment typically manifests as a political principle in independence struggles against intervention or influen ...
, it found a sympathetic audience among some of the emirate's populace, particularly Abdullah bin Faris, a secretary of the Sheikh who was responsible for the broadcasts. After the Sheikh was confronted by the British, he wrote a letter reaffirming his support for the British war efforts and disputed the charges laid out against bin Faris. Attached to the letter was a petition signed by 48 prominent individuals testifying to bin Faris' character, which, according to the British, had been misrepresented to the signees. The incident resolved after the Sheikh and bin Faris ceased transmitting propaganda and doubled down on their support to the British.
On 2 December 1971, Sharjah, together with
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. The city is the seat of the Abu Dhabi Central Capital District, the capital city of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and the UAE's List of cities in the United Arab Emirates, second-most popu ...
,
Dubai
Dubai (Help:IPA/English, /duːˈbaɪ/ Help:Pronunciation respelling key, ''doo-BYE''; Modern Standard Arabic, Modern Standard Arabic: ; Emirati Arabic, Emirati Arabic: , Romanization of Arabic, romanized: Help:IPA/English, /diˈbej/) is the Lis ...
,
Ajman
Ajman ( '; Gulf Arabic: عيمان ''ʿYmān'') is the capital of the emirate of Ajman in the United Arab Emirates. It is the List of cities in the United Arab Emirates, fifth-largest city in UAE after Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Al Ain. Loca ...
,
Umm Al Qawain, and
Fujairah
Fujairah City () is the capital of the emirate of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates. It is the List of cities in the United Arab Emirates, seventh-largest city in UAE, located on the Gulf of Oman (part of the Indian Ocean). It is the only Em ...
joined in the Act of Union to form the
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates (UAE), or simply the Emirates, is a country in West Asia, in the Middle East, at the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is a Federal monarchy, federal elective monarchy made up of Emirates of the United Arab E ...
. The seventh emirate,
Ras al-Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah (; ), often referred to its initials RAK, is the largest city and capital of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah in the U.A.E. The city had a population of 191,753 in 2025, and is the sixth-most populous city in UAE after Dubai, Abu ...
, joined the UAE on 10 February 1972 following
Iran
Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) and also known as Persia, is a country in West Asia. It borders Iraq to the west, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Armenia to the northwest, the Caspian Sea to the north, Turkmenistan to the nort ...
's annexation of Ras al-Khaimah's
Tunbs islands.
Like the other former
Trucial States
The Trucial States, also known as the Trucial Coast, the Trucial Sheikhdoms, or Trucial Oman, was a group of tribal confederations to the south of the Persian Gulf (southeastern Arabia) whose leaders had signed protective treaties, or truce ...
, Sharjah's name is known by many
stamp collectors
Stamp collecting is the collecting of postage stamps and related objects. It is an area of philately, which is the study (or combined study and collection) of stamps. It has been one of the world's most popular hobbies since the late nineteenth ...
because of the large numbers of stamps that were issued by the
Sharjah Post Office shortly before the formation of the United Arab Emirates. These stamps that were printed in profusion became worthless to collectors and came to be known as
Dunes
A dune is a landform composed of wind- or water-driven sand. It typically takes the form of a mound, ridge, or hill. An area with dunes is called a dune system or a dune complex. A large dune complex is called a dune field, while broad, flat ...
. Many of the items featured on these stamps were unrelated to the emirate and therefore many catalogues do not list them.
Districts and landmarks

Sharjah is the third largest city in the United Arab Emirates after
Dubai
Dubai (Help:IPA/English, /duːˈbaɪ/ Help:Pronunciation respelling key, ''doo-BYE''; Modern Standard Arabic, Modern Standard Arabic: ; Emirati Arabic, Emirati Arabic: , Romanization of Arabic, romanized: Help:IPA/English, /diˈbej/) is the Lis ...
and
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. The city is the seat of the Abu Dhabi Central Capital District, the capital city of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and the UAE's List of cities in the United Arab Emirates, second-most popu ...
. The palace of the ruler of the Emirate of Sharjah, Sheikh
Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi
Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi (; born 2 July 1939) is an Emirati royal, politician, author, historian, and the current and 11th ruler of the Emirate of Sharjah and a member of the Federal Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates s ...
, is located about southeast of the city.
The city of Sharjah overlooks the
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, sometimes called the Arabian Gulf, is a Mediterranean seas, mediterranean sea in West Asia. The body of water is an extension of the Arabian Sea and the larger Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.Un ...
and has a population of over 1,600,000 (2022). It includes the main administrative centres of the Government of Sharjah along with commercial, cultural and traditional projects. The city hosts several museums of archaeology, natural history, science, arts, heritage, Islamic art and culture. Distinctive landmarks include two major covered ''
souk
A bazaar or souk is a marketplace consisting of multiple small stalls or shops, especially in the Middle East, the Balkans, Central Asia, North Africa and South Asia. They are traditionally located in vaulted or covered streets that have doors ...
s'', reflecting Islamic design, and a number of recreational areas and public parks such as Al Montazah Fun Park and Al Buheirah Corniche. The city is also acclaimed for its numerous elegant mosques.
Downtown Sharjah
Downtown Sharjah or Sharjah City, Al Majaz is a large-scale, mixed-use complex in Sharjah. It serves as the cultural and commercial heart of the emirate. It is characterized by a blend of traditional architecture, modern amenities, and numerous cultural landmarks.
Rolla Sharjah
It is one of the older parts of the city. It is a key of commercial and residential hub within the emirate. Situated east of Khalid lake Rolla Sharjah stands out as a prominent community within the city as a historical and significant landmark within the city of Sharjah. The neighborhood derives its name from a historic
banyan
A banyan, also spelled banian ( ), is a fig that develops accessory trunks from adjacent prop roots, allowing the tree to spread outwards indefinitely. This distinguishes banyans from other trees with a strangler habit that begin life as ...
tree that once flourished in the area. Rolla is an integral part of the
Al Ghuwair development.
Muwaileh Commercial
Muwaileh Commercial is a Suburb, Community city and residential area in Sharjah, with direct access to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311) and Maliah Road. Its a prominent and rapidly developing area in Sharjah. It borders Industrial Area 15 and 17 to the south, and is close to the University City of Sharjah. It also features a diverse range of residential options, consisting of apartment buildings.
Rolla Square
It is named after the large rolla (banyan tree) that once stood in the square, which inspired the sculpture at the center of the park, Rolla Square is a common location for people to stroll, unwind and enjoy the tranquil environment during the weekends. Rolla Square Market in Rolla Square is a vital part of the Sharjah shopping experience. Its mix of traditional market vibes where visitors can get their products at affordable prices and a wide range of products makes it a favorite for shoppers looking for deals and unique finds.
Bank Street
Bank street is located near the main area of Rolla, many bank branches and offices are located on the street. The street has an urban park which is unique as local residents were invited to nominate significant urban features — like benches, trees, playgrounds, and signage — from various cities worldwide that hold personal meaning to them, representing anything from remarkable stories to fleeting memories. These objects were selected from the residents' home countries or places they came across during their travels. They were either replicated in exact 1:1 scale or purchased and transported to the designated site.
Al Hisn Sharjah
Al Hisn, also known as
Sharjah Fort was a fortified complex built in 1823 as the headquarters of the then-independent Emirate of Sharjah and the residence of the
Al Qasimi
The Al Qasimi (, spelled sometimes as Al Qassimi or Al Qassemi; plural: Al Qawasem and, archaically, Joasmee) is an Arab dynasty in the Persian Gulf that rules Emirate of Sharjah, Sharjah and Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, Ras Al Khaimah, today for ...
family. Its situated in the center of the city, and was closed for renovations from 1996 to 2015, and it reopened its doors as an
open-air museum
An open-air museum is a museum that exhibits collections of buildings and artifacts outdoors. It is also frequently known as a museum of buildings or a folk museum.
Definition
Open air is "the unconfined atmosphere ... outside buildings" ...
under the administration of the
Sharjah Museums Authority. The materials that were used for the building of the fort — ceilings are made out of ''Chandal'' (mangrove poles), ''Kumbar'' (rope), ''Du’un'' (bound palm branches) and ''haseer'' (palm matts). The walls, which is 70-80cms thick, are plastered with corals, harvested from the Gulf seabed and held in place using Jus – a mortar formed by crushing and burning corals, limestone and shells.
"Smile, You're in Sharjah" roundabout
Located between the Blue Souq and Fish Market, near the Union Bank Tower, the floral call to cheer up engraved on the roundabout has given its name to the roundabout itself. "Smile, You're in Sharjah" is a welcome sign, spelled out in flowers in the middle of a roundabout notorious for its rush-hour traffic jams.
Gold Souq
Sharjah Central Souq, or Gold Souq (), stands as Sharjah premier shopping destination and comprises a gold souq, clothing souq, and antiques and jewellery shops. It stands out due to its design by British architects Michael Lyle & Partners under the guidance of Sharjah's ruler, H.H Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the building was completed in 1978. Its architecture evokes a grand-scale traditional bazaar. It is situated along the Khalid Lagoon and offers a stunning view of sunset, reflecting its beauty across the water. The Central Souq which is also called the Blue Souq includes around 600 shops and each shop has the unique masterpiece design.
Mahatta Fort
Mahatta Fort, now known as the Al Mahatta Museum, is a museum on the site of the first airport built in the region in 1932 by
Imperial Airways
Imperial Airways was an early British commercial long-range airline, operating from 1924 to 1939 and principally serving the British Empire routes to South Africa, India, Australia and the Far East, including Malaya and Hong Kong. Passengers ...
. The adjacent fort was constructed by then-Ruler of Sharjah
Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi as a rest stop for travelling crew and for protection against any potential attacks. The fort and airport were used extensively by the
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the Air force, air and space force of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. It was formed towards the end of the World War I, First World War on 1 April 1918, on the merger of t ...
during
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
, and after the war the fort became the headquarters of the
Trucial Oman Scouts
The Trucial Oman Scouts (), known as Trucial Oman Levies prior to 1956, was a predecessor paramilitary force that operated in the Trucial States under British control from 1951 to 1971, after which they were renamed to the Union Defence Force with ...
.
The airport remained in use up to 1977, when
Sharjah International Airport
Sharjah International Airport () is an international airport located east-southeast of Sharjah (city), Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. It is spread over an area of . It is the 3rd busiest airport in UAE, the country as well as List of the busie ...
opened. The runway strip was converted into a highway and the buildings were renovated into Al Mahatta Museum, which opened in 2000.
The Heart of Sharjah
The
Heart of Sharjah is an ongoing renovation and preservation project of the former old city center of Sharjah. The project aims to develop the former old city center into an
open-air museum
An open-air museum is a museum that exhibits collections of buildings and artifacts outdoors. It is also frequently known as a museum of buildings or a folk museum.
Definition
Open air is "the unconfined atmosphere ... outside buildings" ...
with various smaller museums, galleries and commercial centers. The project is home to a 5-star hotel and the traditional Souk Al Arsa, a covered souk with an array of items for sale, including antiques.
Al Qasba Canal
Al-Qasba Canal is a 1-kilometer-long canal that runs through the center of Sharjah. Located along its waterfront are several apartments, shops, and tourist attractions of the Al Qasba community. The theatre in Qasba celebrates different types of cultural events every year. It became more crowded during the festival season.
Sharjah Heritage Museum
The Sharjah Heritage Museum is situated near the
Bait Al Naboodah, directly across from Souq Al Arsah. It is built around a shaded courtyard as a reconstruction of traditional family life. There are many rooms which have display of traditional furniture along with household items including children's costumes, toys, and jewellery.
Sharjah National Park
Sharjah National Park spanning nearly is the city's largest green space, offering a wide range of attractions ideal for families which is popular among both locals and tourists, it features amenities such as barbecue areas with picnic tables and grilling stations, a playground with swings and slides under sheltering canopies, and a duck pond. Moreover, visitors can explore cycling tracks and a miniature clay model of Sharjah's landmarks. There is a small mosque for prayers nearby
Sharjah Aquarium
Since its opening in 2008 Sharjah's Aquarium which is located in Al Layyeh, has become an attraction to adults and children. Managed by the Sharjah Museums Authority, renowned for its educational initiatives, the aquarium features 20 tanks across two floors, housing diverse sea creatures in a sprawling 6,500 square meter space. The Sharjah Underwater Walk is a unique experience at the Sharjah Aquarium which allow visitors to explore marine life closely. Visitors can walk along the aquarium floor while submerged in water, surrounded by a variety of fish and other sea creatures. Ready to explore? Here is everything one should know about this captivating attraction.
Al Noor Island
Al Noor Island is located in the Khalid
Lagoon
A lagoon is a shallow body of water separated from a larger body of water by a narrow landform, such as reefs, barrier islands, barrier peninsulas, or isthmuses. Lagoons are commonly divided into ''coastal lagoons'' (or ''barrier lagoons'') an ...
covering an area of . It has been developed by Shurooq to be a state of art culture and a leisure destination that engages people with nature and inspires Sharjah's fast growing tourism sector. The island is accessible via a short boat ride from the mainland and also can reach through the pedestrian bridge that connects it to the mainland. It is designed to offer a serene escape from city life, boasting stunning lighting displays, art sculptures, and a tranquil Literature Pavilion such as the 'OVO' and 'Torus' displays. The island's is intended to convey a peaceful ambience consistent with being a family-friendly destination.
Maryam Island
Maryam Island is a beachfront destination that oversees the Arabian sea. It is one of the largest projects in the emirate with an investment of 2.4 billion Dirhams (US$650M). Waterside development is planned to spread across , with a built-up area of . The Maryam Island development will feature 38 residential buildings with over 35,000 units. This community will offer residents many facilities which includes a 900-metre waterfront promenade, fitness clubs, swimming pools for kids and adults, an indoor garden, 4,000 square metre Maryam Park, jogging tracks, basketball courts, and a playground for children.
Wildlife Centers
The Arabian Wildlife Center opened in 1999 and was home to more than 100 species of animals. Situated at a convenient location, this center was quite close to the Sharjah International Airport. The Sharjah Wildlife Centre has introduced a pair of rare long-eared hedgehogs which is one of the fascinating species at the centre. These hedgehogs are known for their distinctive long ears, which help them detect predators and navigate their environment. Despite the hot and dry conditions in most of
Arabia
The Arabian Peninsula (, , or , , ) or Arabia, is a peninsula in West Asia, situated north-east of Africa on the Arabian plate. At , comparable in size to India, the Arabian Peninsula is the largest peninsula in the world.
Geographically, the ...
, there were a number of
mammal
A mammal () is a vertebrate animal of the Class (biology), class Mammalia (). Mammals are characterised by the presence of milk-producing mammary glands for feeding their young, a broad neocortex region of the brain, fur or hair, and three ...
species who adapted to these conditions. The Breeding Centre for Endangered Wildlife, a sister facility,
was a member of the
EAZA, like
Al Ain Zoo in the
Emirate of Abu Dhabi
The Emirate of Abu Dhabi is one of seven Emirates of the United Arab Emirates, emirates that constitute the United Arab Emirates. It is the largest emirate, accounting for 87% of the nation's total land area or .
Abu Dhabi also has the second ...
,
but is now closed to the public.
The fauna, including the
Arabian leopard
The Arabian leopard (''Panthera pardus nimr'') is the smallest leopard subspecies. It was described in 1830 and is native to the Arabian Peninsula, where it was widely distributed in rugged hilly and montane terrain until the late 1970s. Today, t ...
, which are found in the
mountains
A mountain is an elevated portion of the Earth's crust, generally with steep sides that show significant exposed bedrock. Although definitions vary, a mountain may differ from a plateau in having a limited summit area, and is usually higher ...
in the eastern part of the country,
were transferred to
Al Hefaiyah Conservation Centre in the eastern area of
Kalba.
In 2001, The center assisted
Yemen
Yemen, officially the Republic of Yemen, is a country in West Asia. Located in South Arabia, southern Arabia, it borders Saudi Arabia to Saudi Arabia–Yemen border, the north, Oman to Oman–Yemen border, the northeast, the south-eastern part ...
i zoos in
Sana'a
Sanaa, officially the Sanaa Municipality, is the ''de jure'' capital and largest city of Yemen. The city is the capital of the Sanaa Governorate, but is not part of the governorate, as it forms a separate administrative unit. At an elevation ...
and
Ta'izz
Taiz () is a city in southwestern Yemen. It is located in the Yemeni highlands, near the port city of Mocha on the Red Sea, at an elevation of about above sea level. It is the capital of Taiz Governorate. As of 2023, the city has an estimated p ...
with the management of their animals.
Al Majaz Waterfront
Al Majaz Waterfront is a leisure area, a waterfront landmark of Sharjah Featuring an audio-video dancing fountain, miniature golf and a number of restaurants. At a distance of 1 km from Blue Souk, 18 km from Sharjah International Airport and 14 km from Dubai International Airport.
In 2023 a redevelopment project was done involving a complete overhaul of the park, including the installation of a new irrigation system, construction of new walking paths, children's play areas, and a parking plot valued around 5.5 million AED which took 6 months to complete. This is the main attractions for family and friends in Sharjah where many activities like waterside destination which includes mini golf, a splash park, a mini-train and many more attractions are available for kids.
Rain Room
Rain Room, an experiential artwork created by Hannes Koch and Florian Ortkrass of Random International in 2012, was permanently installed for the first time in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, in 2018. This artwork allows people to visit the installation and walk through a rain downpour without getting wet, as their movement in dark spaces is detected by motion sensors. The
Sharjah Art Foundation constructed a purpose-built visitor center located in the city's residential area of Al Majarrah to house the permanent installation of ''Rain Room''. The Sharjah Rain Room recycles about 1,200 liters of rainwater during each visit.
The Flying Saucer
Reconstructed in 2015 and launched as a redeveloped arts and community center in 2020,
The Flying Saucer, Sharjah is a
brutalist
Brutalist architecture is an architectural style that emerged during the 1950s in the United Kingdom, among the reconstruction projects of the post-war era. Brutalist buildings are characterised by minimalist constructions that showcase the b ...
building dating back to the 1970s. It was re-opened after a two-year renovation project by the Sharjah Art Foundation (SAF). The Flying Saucer building looks like a circular with a dome-like structure on top and its roof is wide, disc-shaped with a smooth and clean finish which is supported by several V shaped columns.
The Sharjah Light Festival is held every year since 2010 in various landmarks around Sharjah. It is a display of lights using projectors and lasers on buildings. Usually, the shows have a small storyline or a theme.
Places of worship
Sharjah's largest mosque, the "
Sharjah Mosque"
was inaugurated in May 2019. Located in the area of Tay, at the junction of the
Emirates Road and the road to
Mleiha. It can accommodate up to 25,000 worshipers, with an interior capacity of over 5,000 people.
Two coins, one gold and one silver, each inscribed with a
verse from the
Quran
The Quran, also Romanization, romanized Qur'an or Koran, is the central religious text of Islam, believed by Muslims to be a Waḥy, revelation directly from God in Islam, God (''Allah, Allāh''). It is organized in 114 chapters (, ) which ...
, were issued by the
Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, and designed by the
Sharjah Islamic Bank, to commemorate the occasion.
Earlier, the
King Faisal Mosque, named after King
Faisal of Saudi Arabia
Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (; Najdi Arabic pronunciation: ; 14 April 1906 – 25 March 1975) was King of Saudi Arabia from 2 November 1964 until #Assassination and aftermath, his assassination in 1975. Before his ascension, he served as Cr ...
, had been the largest in the Emirate
and country, with an area of .
In 1997, a
Syriac Orthodox
The Syriac Orthodox Church (), also informally known as the Jacobite Church, is an Oriental Orthodox denomination that originates from the Church of Antioch. The church currently has around 4-5 million followers. The church upholds the Mia ...
church, St. Mary's Jacobite Syrian Soonoro Patriarchal Cathedral, was consecrated to accommodate a growing population of Syriac Christians, many of whom are migrant workers from
Kerala
Kerala ( , ) is a States and union territories of India, state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile ...
and southern India.
Sharjah Masjid in UAE.jpg, Mosque
Shrrjsh Mosque - panoramio.jpg, Al-Noor Mosque
Saint Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic church in Sharjah.JPG, Saint Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church
Церковь ап. Филиппа в Шардже..JPG, St. Philip the Apostle Russian Orthodox Church
Al Rahmaniyah Parks
In March 2021, the Sharjah Investment and Development authorities opened two parks in Al Rahmaniyah,
Kshisha and Shaghrafa, built in a total area of . It included a female-only park, along with entertainment, social, sports and educational facilities. It also includes an artificial pond where visitors can feed the duck. Barbecues are prohibited on the site of the park, so visitors can bring their own food into the park.
House of Wisdom
In December 2020, Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi inaugurated a library inspired by the original
House of Wisdom
The House of Wisdom ( ), also known as the Grand Library of Baghdad, was believed to be a major Abbasid Caliphate, Abbasid-era public academy and intellectual center in Baghdad. In popular reference, it acted as one of the world's largest publ ...
in
Baghdad
Baghdad ( or ; , ) is the capital and List of largest cities of Iraq, largest city of Iraq, located along the Tigris in the central part of the country. With a population exceeding 7 million, it ranks among the List of largest cities in the A ...
. The building was designed by
Foster and Partners, extending over . On the grounds of the library is a large art piece entitled "The Scroll", a contemporary interpretation of the ancient Arabic scrolls, made by
Gerry Judah. It was made to celebrate the
Emirate of Sharjah being named the
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO ) is a List of specialized agencies of the United Nations, specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) with the aim of promoting world peace and International secur ...
World Book Capital for 2019.
UNESCO world heritage status
The Faya Palaeolandscape in Sharjah, UAE, has advanced in its nomination for
UNESCO World Heritage status
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO ) is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) with the aim of promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, science ...
under the “
Cultural Landscape
Cultural landscape is a term used in the fields of geography, ecology, and heritage studies, to describe a symbiosis of human activity and environment. As defined by the World Heritage Committee, it is the "cultural properties hatrepresent the c ...
” category. Located in Sharjah's Central Region, Faya offers one of the oldest and most continuous records of early human presence in Arabia, dating back over 210,000 years. Recent archaeological studies have shifted the perception of Faya from a mere transit point to a site of repeated human settlement, owing to its favorable conditions such as access to water, flint resources, and natural shelters. Led by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, the nomination emphasizes Faya's significance as a "living archive" that enhances our understanding of human evolution and resilience. A comprehensive conservation plan for 2024–2030 has been developed to ensure the site's preservation, aligning with UNESCO's standards and reinforcing the UAE's commitment to protecting its ancient cultural landscapes.
Climate
Sharjah has a hot
desert climate
The desert climate or arid climate (in the Köppen climate classification ''BWh'' and ''BWk'') is a dry climate sub-type in which there is a severe excess of evaporation over precipitation. The typically bald, rocky, or sandy surfaces in desert ...
(
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification divides Earth climates into five main climate groups, with each group being divided based on patterns of seasonal precipitation and temperature. The five main groups are ''A'' (tropical), ''B'' (arid), ''C'' (te ...
''BWh''), with warm winters and extremely hot summers. The average daytime temperature during the summer ranges between to , and on some days the temperature exceeds mainly during the hottest months of July and August. During winter, the average daytime temperature rarely exceeds . Rainfall is generally light and erratic, and occurs generally from November to July. February and March account for nearly two-third of the year's rainfall.
Transport
Development of transportation services in Sharjah is a critical long-term task. Planned by the SPTC since 2008, the
Sharjah Metro will be the third metro system in the UAE after the
Dubai Metro and the
Abu Dhabi Metro. The Sharjah Tram has been planned since 2015, and will be the second tram system in the country after the
Dubai Tram.
Air
The
Sharjah International Airport
Sharjah International Airport () is an international airport located east-southeast of Sharjah (city), Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. It is spread over an area of . It is the 3rd busiest airport in UAE, the country as well as List of the busie ...
is the third-largest Middle East
airfreight hub in cargo tonnage, according to official 2015 statistics from
Airports Council International
Airports Council International (ACI) is an organization of Airport authority, airport authorities, informing members of industry practices and airport standards. Established in 1991, its headquarters (ACI World) are based in Montreal, Quebec, Ca ...
. Sharjah International Airport is the
home base of
Air Arabia, a
low-cost carrier
A low-cost carrier (LCC) or low-cost airline, also called a budget, or discount carrier or airline, is an airline that is operated with an emphasis on minimizing operating costs. It sacrifices certain traditional airline luxuries for cheaper fa ...
.
The first international flight in Sharjah landed on 5 October 1932 in the
Mahatta Fort airstrip as part of a refueling stop on
Imperial Airways
Imperial Airways was an early British commercial long-range airline, operating from 1924 to 1939 and principally serving the British Empire routes to South Africa, India, Australia and the Far East, including Malaya and Hong Kong. Passengers ...
's India–Britain route. The former airport hosted a cinema, hotel, and a restaurant, and would eventually become a
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the Air force, air and space force of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. It was formed towards the end of the World War I, First World War on 1 April 1918, on the merger of t ...
military base until the UAE's independence in 1971. Mahatta Fort was the main international airport for the city until 1976, when traffic moved to
Sharjah International Airport
Sharjah International Airport () is an international airport located east-southeast of Sharjah (city), Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. It is spread over an area of . It is the 3rd busiest airport in UAE, the country as well as List of the busie ...
.
Road
There are two major series of highways in Sharjah, which are "E" and "S". E represents roads connecting other emirates, and S for roads within the emirate.
The major roads in Sharjah include:
* E 88: Al Dhaid Road, connecting to the
Emirate of Fujairah
The Emirate of Fujairah ( ' ) is one of the Emirates of the United Arab Emirates, seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates, the only one of the seven with a coastline solely on the Gulf of Oman and none on the Persian Gulf. Its cap ...
.
* E 102: Sharjah–Kalbah Road, connecting to Fujairah and
Kalba.
*
E 311: Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Road, connecting to Dubai,
Ajman
Ajman ( '; Gulf Arabic: عيمان ''ʿYmān'') is the capital of the emirate of Ajman in the United Arab Emirates. It is the List of cities in the United Arab Emirates, fifth-largest city in UAE after Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Al Ain. Loca ...
and
Ras al-Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah (; ), often referred to its initials RAK, is the largest city and capital of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah in the U.A.E. The city had a population of 191,753 in 2025, and is the sixth-most populous city in UAE after Dubai, Abu ...
.
*
E 11: Al Ittihad Road, connecting to Dubai.
*
E 611: Emirates Road, connecting to Dubai, Ajman and Ras Al-Khaimah
* S 112: Maliha Road/King Faisal Street.
Taxi

The Sharjah Public Transportation Corporation organizes and supervises the operations of taxis in Sharjah Emirate. Sharjah taxi service is provided through franchise companies. They are the major taxi operators in the emirates. If one goes from one emirate to another, taxi drivers will charge 20 dirhams as rent. They cover all parts of the Emirate and cities, including shopping centers, residential areas and airport.
* Sharjah Taxi: Sharjah City and Eastern Regions.
* Emirates Cab: Sharjah City.
* City Taxi: Sharjah City and Eastern Regions.
* Union Taxi: Sharjah City.
* Advantage Taxi: Sharjah City and Central Regions.
The Sharjah Transport Corporation also provides shared transportation with the purpose of serving certain routes in Sharjah on a fixed rate for each route without using the meter. Sharjah Sharing Taxi routes are carefully selected to support people with low income covering areas with frequent needs for quick transfer within the same location, to ease the traffic situation in Sharjah.
Intercity transport
The
SRTA operates passenger bus services nationwide, between Sharjah City (
Sharjah Al Jubail Bus station),
Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah (; ), often referred to its initials RAK, is the largest city and capital of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah in the U.A.E. The city had a population of 191,753 in 2025, and is the sixth-most populous city in UAE after Dubai, Abu ...
, Khor Fakkan, Kalba,
Fujairah
Fujairah City () is the capital of the emirate of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates. It is the List of cities in the United Arab Emirates, seventh-largest city in UAE, located on the Gulf of Oman (part of the Indian Ocean). It is the only Em ...
, Masafi,
Ajman
Ajman ( '; Gulf Arabic: عيمان ''ʿYmān'') is the capital of the emirate of Ajman in the United Arab Emirates. It is the List of cities in the United Arab Emirates, fifth-largest city in UAE after Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Al Ain. Loca ...
,
Umm Al Quwain, Hamriyah Free Zone, Dhaid,
Al Madam, Dibba Al Hisn,
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. The city is the seat of the Abu Dhabi Central Capital District, the capital city of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and the UAE's List of cities in the United Arab Emirates, second-most popu ...
,
Al Ain
Al Ain () is a city in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and the seat of the administrative division of the Al Ain Region. The city is Oman–United Arab Emirates border, bordered to the east by the Omani town of Al-Buraimi. Al A ...
and
Dubai
Dubai (Help:IPA/English, /duːˈbaɪ/ Help:Pronunciation respelling key, ''doo-BYE''; Modern Standard Arabic, Modern Standard Arabic: ; Emirati Arabic, Emirati Arabic: , Romanization of Arabic, romanized: Help:IPA/English, /diˈbej/) is the Lis ...
.
Utility services
Utility services in the emirate are provided by the
Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority, which provides electricity, water and LPG connections to about 2 million consumers. They have over 4,000 employees serving areas as far as Dhaid, Kalba and Khorfakkan. Telephone services in the emirate, both fixed lines and mobile services, are provided by the government-owned
Etisalat and
du communication.
Culture

UAE culture mainly revolves around the religion of
Islam
Islam is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the Quran, and the teachings of Muhammad. Adherents of Islam are called Muslims, who are estimated to number Islam by country, 2 billion worldwide and are the world ...
and traditional
Arab culture
Arab culture is the culture of the Arabs, from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Arabian Sea in the east, in a region of the Middle East and North Africa known as the Arab world. The various religions the Arabs have adopted throughout Histor ...
. The influence of Islamic and Arabic culture on its architecture, music, attire, cuisine and lifestyle are very prominent. Five times a day, Muslims are called to prayer from the
minaret
A minaret is a type of tower typically built into or adjacent to mosques. Minarets are generally used to project the Muslim call to prayer (''adhan'') from a muezzin, but they also served as landmarks and symbols of Islam's presence. They can h ...
s of mosques, which are spread across the country. Since 2006, the weekend has been Friday and Saturday, as a compromise between Friday's holiness to Muslims and the Western weekend of Saturday and Sunday.
The Ruler of Sharjah ordered the establishment of several cultural institutions.
Sharjah was designated the 2019
World Book Capital by
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO ) is a List of specialized agencies of the United Nations, specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) with the aim of promoting world peace and International secur ...
.
A cultural heritage project,
Heart of Sharjah, has been undertaken to preserve and restore the old town of Sharjah and return it to its 1950s glory. A five-phase project intended for completion in 2025, the project is being undertaken by the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority, Shurooq, together with the Sharjah Institute for Heritage, the Sharjah Museums Department, and the
Sharjah Art Foundation.
Sharjah International Book Fair is a cultural event held every year in Sharjah.
Economy
Sharjah is the headquarters of
Air Arabia, the first low-cost airline in the Middle East, which operates to the Middle East, Asia and Europe. Its headquarters are located in the Sharjah Freight Center, on the property of the
Sharjah International Airport
Sharjah International Airport () is an international airport located east-southeast of Sharjah (city), Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. It is spread over an area of . It is the 3rd busiest airport in UAE, the country as well as List of the busie ...
.
The Sharjah Airport International
Free Zone, popularly known as "SAIF Zone", is one of the prominent free-trade zones in the UAE. More than 6000 companies operate from SAIF Zone. The cost of setting up business in Sharjah is less than in any other emirates of the UAE, and the focus of industrialization (
Sharjah Industrial area) has in recent years turned Sharjah into a commercial center. Thanks to its 100% foreign ownership and exemption from income and corporate taxes, SAIF Zone has attracted investors from more than 90 countries. This led to a business friendly atmosphere leading to a 6.5 percent surge, reaching approximately AED 145.2 billion in 2023, compared to 136.4 billion in 2022, which marked a 4.9 percent growth from 2021.
Demographics
According to the 2022 census, the total population of the emirate was 1.8 million, with 1.6 million of them residing in the city of Sharjah. Of the 1.8 million total population of the emirate, 208,000 were Emirati citizens, and the remainder were expatriates.
Like the rest of the UAE, Arabic is the official and national language of the emirate and is used in all official capacities. However, all traffic signs, information posts, and government press releases are also written in English. South Asian languages such as Tamil, Hindi, Odia, Urdu, Malayalam, Telugu, Bengali etc are spoken widely by the residents of emirate. Russian is also used by the Russian and Central Asian community. Islam is the predominant religion in the emirate.
Education
There are several public and private schools in addition to universities in Sharjah, including the
University of Sharjah,
American University of Sharjah
The American University of Sharjah (AUS; Arabic: الجامعة الأميركية في الشارقة) is a private university in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. It was founded in 1997 by Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, Supreme Council Member a ...
,
Skyline College Sharjah,
Al Qasimia University, Westford School of Management,
Exeed School of Business and Finance,
Sharjah Men's College and
Sharjah Women's College. Few of these universities are located in an area called the University City. Private schools in the city include the International School of Creative Science, Wesgreen International School, Westminster School, Victoria English School,
Sharjah Indian School,
Sharjah English School, Delta English School, Emirates National School, American Community School Sharjah, Indian School Sharjah, the
International School of Choueifat, Sharjah, Sharjah High School, DPS Delhi Private School, Gulf Asian English School, Our Own English High School and the American School of Creative Science.
Human Rights
LGBTQ rights
In addition to the UAE federal laws which criminalize homosexuality, the penal code in Sharjah actively discriminates against LGBTQ individuals. For example, Article 176 of the Sharjah Penal Code (1970) punishes "unnatural crimes (Sodomy)"—defined as "sexual intercourse with another person in contravention of the laws of nature" or "allowing a male to have intercourse with them in contravention of the laws of nature"—with imprisonment up to 10 years. Article 181 establishes that "sexual intercourse" is deemed to have occurred once the sexual organ has entered in the slightest degree, regardless of whether that entry is accompanied by secretion of semen.
See also
LGBT people and Islam
Healthcare
Healthcare in Sharjah can be divided into two different sectors, Public and Private. Public hospitals in the emirates are administered by the government of Sharjah through the Ministry of Health. The emirate also has 9 public medical centers to provide primary health care services.
Sports

The
Sharjah Cricket Stadium has hosted almost 238
One Day International
One Day International (ODI) is a format of cricket, played between two teams with international status, in which each team faces a fixed number of fifty overs, with the game lasting up to 7 hours. The World Cup, generally held every four yea ...
cricket matches, which is more than any other ground, and 4
test
Test(s), testing, or TEST may refer to:
* Test (assessment), an educational assessment intended to measure the respondents' knowledge or other abilities
Arts and entertainment
* ''Test'' (2013 film), an American film
* ''Test'' (2014 film) ...
matches.
Sharjah FC plays in the UAE Pro League. Sharjah also has a chess club.
The Sharjah Cricket Stadium was one of the three stadiums to hold 2020 IPL matches.
Sharjah hosts the final round of the
Union Internationale Motonautique Formula 1 Powerboat World Championship every year in December.
They also have a circuit powerboat team, Sharjah Team. Rusty Wyatt and Filip Roms drive for them in F1.
Andrè Faye Solvang won the 2024 UIM F4 World Championship for the team.
Notable people
*
Ebtisam AbdulAziz
*
Abdulaziz Abdulrahman Almusallam
*
Hussain Ayed
*
Emira D'Spain
*
Ahmed Khalil
*
Shaykha al-Nakhi
*
Lubna Khalid Al Qasimi
*
Sultan Al-Jasmi
*
Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi
Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi (; born 2 July 1939) is an Emirati royal, politician, author, historian, and the current and 11th ruler of the Emirate of Sharjah and a member of the Federal Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates s ...
*
Asmaa al-Zarouni
*
Abdullah bin Salem bin Theban
Twin towns – sister cities
Sharjah is
twinned with
Granada
Granada ( ; ) is the capital city of the province of Granada, in the autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain. Granada is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada (Spain), Sierra Nevada mountains, at the confluence ...
, Spain.
Gallery
Sharjah Buhairah Corniche.jpg, The Buhaira Corniche has numerous upscale hotels. The Sharjah Commerce Tourism Development Authority is also located along the corniche.
Вид на залив и музей Ислама в вечернее время.JPG, Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, located in Al-Nabba
File:Sahara Shopping Centre Sharjah.jpg, The interior of Sahara Center, one of the biggest malls in Sharjah
Al Khan Lagoon Boats Port.jpg, Night view of the boats docked to the east shoreline of Al-Khan Lagoon
Eye of the Emirates.jpg, Eye of the Emirates and the Al Qasba Canal by night
New Sharjah Chamber of Commerce.jpg, Night view of the New Sharjah Chamber of Commerce
Expo Centre Sharjah.jpg, Panoramic view of the Expo Centre Sharjah by night
Sharjah desert 1.jpg, Off-road vehicles in deserts of Sharjah
See also
*
Al Heera Beach Sharjah
*
Archaeology of the United Arab Emirates
*
Sharjah Police Force
*
Sharjah Art Foundation
*
Hamriyah Port
*
Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization
*
Sharjah Cup
References
External links
*
Official websiteOfficial Sharjah Tourism Website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sharjah (City)
Persian Gulf
Populated coastal places in the United Arab Emirates
Arab Capital of Culture