Sharjah is the only emirate with coastlines on both the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.

Countries & Cities · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Sharjah is a complex, fragmented territory defined by its unique geography and a history of maritime power. Ruled by the Qasimi family since the 18th century, this emirate balances its deep-rooted traditions with modern industrial growth, stretching across the Musandam Peninsula to claim both strategic coastal fronts of the UAE.

The Emirate of Sharjah is a constituent member of the United Arab Emirates, characterized by an unusually fragmented landscape. Its main territory stretches about 60 miles from the Persian Gulf toward the Musandam Peninsula, but it also maintains three distinct coastal enclaves on the Gulf of Oman: Dibba, Khor Fakkan, and Kalba. This layout creates a unique geopolitical situation where Sharjah shares borders with every other emirate in the union, as well as the Sultanate of Oman.

The Qasimi family, who have ruled Sharjah since the early 18th century, established the region as a formidable naval power. This influence led to significant friction with British interests in the 19th century, resulting in a series of treaties beginning in 1820 that placed Sharjah’s foreign relations under British protection. This arrangement lasted until December 1971, when the British departed the region and the United Arab Emirates was formed.

Modernization has primarily transformed the capital, Sharjah city, which now features a deepwater port, international airport, and cultural institutions like the Museum of Islamic Civilization, opened in 2008. While the emirate possesses modest oil and natural gas reserves, its economic development has increasingly relied on industry, transport, and trade. The exclave of Khor Fakkan remains particularly vital, serving as a hub for fisheries research and active maritime commerce.

The emirate's history is marked by complex territorial disputes, including long-standing claims over islands like Abū Mūsā in the Persian Gulf. Today, Sharjah functions as a critical component of the UAE, with its geography and history reflecting the broader, often intricate, political evolution of the Trucial States into a modern, independent nation.

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