Umm Al Quwain facts for kids

Quick facts for kids 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 Wordmark
Umm Al Quwain Location in United Arab Emirates Show map of United Arab Emirates Umm Al Quwain Location in Persian Gulf Show map of Persian Gulf
Country	United Arab Emirates
Emirate	Umm Al Quwain
Government
• Type	Municipality
Population  (2022)
• Total	59,098
GDP
• Metro	US$ 0.7 billion (2023)
• Per capita	US$ 7,700 (2023)
Time zone	UTC+4 (UAE Standard Time)

Umm Al Quwain (often called UAQ) is the main city and capital of the Emirate of Umm Al Quwain. This emirate is one of the seven parts that make up the United Arab Emirates. The city is ruled by the Al Mualla family.

Umm Al Quwain is located on a piece of land called Khor Al Bidiyah. It sits between the major cities of Sharjah to the southwest and Ras Al Khaimah to the northeast. Along its coast, you can find beautiful mangroves. The city's economy mainly relies on fishing and welcoming tourists.

The ruling family, the Al Mualla, came from Siniyah Island. They moved because there wasn't enough water there. They then created their own independent area in Umm Al Quwain. Today, Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla is the ruler. He became the leader on January 2, 2009.

In March 2023, an exciting discovery was made on Siniyah Island. Experts found what is believed to be the oldest known town for pearl hunting in the Persian Gulf.

What Does the Name Mean?

There are a few ideas about where the name Umm Al Quwain comes from. The most popular idea is that it means "mother of the two powers." This comes from the Arabic phrase "Umm Al Quwatain" (Arabic: ام القوتين).

These "two powers" are usually thought to be two types of geographical strength. People who live in the city believe the name shows how rich the area is with activities both on land and in the water.

How the City Makes Money

The city of Umm Al Quwain earns money from several important areas. These include hotels, parks, and tourism, which bring many visitors. Fishing is also a big part of the economy.

Other ways the city makes money are through:

• Trading goods
• Manufacturing (making things in factories)
• The Umm Al Quwain Free Zone, which is a special area for businesses.

The government of Umm Al Quwain has started programs to encourage new businesses to invest in the city. They also support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the fishing industry. Umm Al Quwain is known for having a stable economy, being open to investment, and having low costs for living and working. It's also a good place for imports (bringing goods in) and exports (sending goods out).

Recent information from the Umm Al Quwain Chamber of Commerce and Industry shows that many new businesses have opened in the city. New factories in the free zone and other areas, along with better roads connecting Umm Al Quwain to other cities, have greatly helped its economy and boosted trade.

See Also

• In Spanish: Umm al-Qaywayn (ciudad) para niños