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  • 21 Aug, 2019

  • By, Wikipedia

Al-Shwaib, Abu Dhabi
The Eastern Region (Arabic: ٱلْمِنْطَقَة ٱلشَّرْقِيَّة, romanized: Al-Minṭaqah Aš-Šarqiyyah), officially known as Al Ain Region (Arabic: مِنْطَقَة ٱلْعَيْن, romanized: Minṭaqat al-ʿAyn), is one of three Municipal Regions in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. It forms the southeastern part of the United Arab Emirates. Its main settlement is the eponymous city of Al Ain, located on the country's border with Oman, about 160 km (99 mi) from the city of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the Emirate and country. Compared to the Western Region, it is also a rather remote region of the Emirate, but smaller by area, and is not known to hold reserves of gas or petroleum, but is agriculturally important.

History and prehistory

See also: Archaeology of the United Arab Emirates, Bidaa Bint Saud, Buraimi Dispute, Hafit Period, List of Ancient Settlements in the UAE, List of cultural property of national significance in the United Arab Emirates, and Umm al-Nar Culture
Al-'Ankah Fort in the village of Remah, between the cities of Al-Ain and Abu Dhabi

The city of Al-Ain, part of a historical region which also includes the adjacent Omani town of Al-Buraimi, is noted for its forts, oases, aflāj (underground water channels), and archaeological sites such as those of Hili and Rumailah. Sites outside the city include Jebel Hafeet and Al-A'ankah Fort. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan had been the Ruler's Representative in this region, before becoming the Ruler of Abu Dhabi and President of the United Arab Emirates. In March 2017, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan renamed the region as Al Ain Region.

Demographics and settlements

A sign on the E66 highway between Al-Ain and Dubai near Al-Faqa', with the names of Al-Hayer, Al-Ain and Ash-Shwaib within the region, besides Al-Dhaid and Al-Fujairah outside the Emirate

As of 2009, the population of the region was estimated at 890,000.

Aside from the main city, there are about 20 settlements which are governed by the region's municipal body, that is Al Ain Municipality. Most of them are estimated to have populations of no more than 10,000. They include:

See also