Emirate of Ajman

The town of Ajman is the capital of the Ajman Emirate and the smallest of the seven emirates. The town features the Ruler's Palace, the Ajman Culture Center, the Ajman Museum and several mosques.

Located along the Persian Gulf, Ajman has two major regions: Masfout, an agricultural area and Manama. The emirate, Ajman, has a natural harbor (Khor) in which the port of Ajman is situated. The port is home to one of the largest ship repairing companies, Arab Heavy Industries.

Ajman has a 16-kilometer stretch of white sand beach, it is considered one of the nicest beaches in the UAE.

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Ajman, United Arab Emirates

The town of Ajman is located on the coast of the Arabian Gulf. The port of Ajman is set along a natural creek that divides the town. Ajman has the distinction of being the location of the Emirates' largest boat-building yards. The local craftsmen craft the dhows and boums with the same techniques their forefathers used, all without blueprints.

At the center of the town is an historic fort that has been renovated and now houses a museum. Traces of the old town are visible in sights such as the fort and the old watchtower at the town's entrance. Archeological discoveries around Ajman provide evidence that the town was once an important Bronze Age settlement.

The mountain villages within the emirate of Ajman are Manama, which means "sleeping place" and has a small fort worth visiting and Masfut, known for its colorful marble.

Mowaihat

Mowaihat is an archeological site located on the outskirts of Ajman. It was discovered in 1986 when workers were laying a new sewage pipe. A circular Umm al-Nar type tomb was uncovered and a rescue excavation commenced. Numerous examples of soft-stone and painted Umm al-Nar ceramic vessels were uncovered, as well as over 3000 beads, two stamp seals, a number of copper implements, and the remains of several dozen individuals.

At the time of its discovery, the Mowaihat tomb was the first evidence of Umm al-Nar occupation in the Northern Emirates. Subsequent discoveries on the Gulf coast at Al Sufouh, Tell Abraq and Shima have identified other major sites from this period.

The bulk of the material from Mowaihat is on display in the Ajman Museum.

Dhow Yard

The Dhow Yard in Ajman is noted as the world's largest boat building yard and the biggest dhow building center. The boat building yard, located on the north side of the creek, is one of the most active in the United Arab Emirates and well worth a visit.

These ocean-going vessels are built using traditional tools and manual skills that have been handed down through the generations, all without blueprints. The Dhow Yard in Ajman also crafts the speedsters that participate in the Dubai Powerboat meets.

About 20 to 30 boats are built at one time, many are made with fiberglass rather than wood and are typically 60 feet long. Wood is used for the hull and masts.

Ajman Museum

The Ajman Museum is housed in an 18th C fortress that was used as a stronghold for the Emirates leadership and as a first line of defense. The fort was the ruler's palace and then the Ajman police station. Two wind towers and two watch towers were maintained when the fort was renovated. A large gate and two cannons are located on the front of the fort.

Local history and heritage are the highlights of the Ajman Museum with displays of lifestyle and traditional professions of the past. A collection of archeological artifacts, manuscripts and old weapons as well as displays of medical and religious practices are on display.

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