Culture and History

The Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah has an impressive archaeological heritage and rich cultural history. This area has enticed settlers with its unique combination of the four different landscapes found in the United Arab Emirates: fertile plains, striking mountains, coastal beaches and mangroves, and the desert. The interaction of these geographical factors coupled with Ras Al Khamiah's strategic location at the mouth of the Arabian Gulf has shaped the very special heritage of the Emirate. Archaeological excavations reveal that an advanced civilization that carried on trade has existed in this region since 5,000 BC.

This rich history dating back to the Bronze Age makes Ras Al Khaimah one of the few places in the world continuously settled for over 7,000 years. Known through the ages as Julfar, Majan or Al Seer, Ras Al Khaimah has stood throughout antiquity as one of the most important trade centers and markets in the region. Its position at the most trafficked maritime crossroads meant that the emirate was known to traders around the Gulf. Records show that inhabitants from RAK traveled as far afield as Bombay, China and Zanzibar as early as the 10th Century.

RAK's location made it a valuable target for domination by a series of invading powers. Eighteen historic fortifications, castles and towers bear testament to a turbulent history that saw Ras Al Khaimah occupied or challenged by the Sasanians, Islamic clans of the Arabian Gulf, the Portuguese, Dutch and British forces.

History enthusiasts will find that RAK is a treasure trove of archeological sites within easy reach, waiting to bring the past to life.