Sharjah
Encyclopedia
Sharjah (ˈʃɑrdʒə, ) is one of the emirates of the
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
. The emirate covers 2,600 km² (1,003 mi²) and has a population of over 800,000 (2008). The emirate of Sharjah comprises the city of Sharjah
(the seat of the emirate), and other minor towns and enclaves such as Kalba
, Dibba Al-Hisn
and Khor Fakkan
.
In the early 18th century Al Qasimi
clan established itself in Sharjah, c. 1727 declaring Sharjah independent.
On 8 January 1820, Sheikh Sultan I signed the General Maritime Treaty with Britain
, accepting a protectorate to keep the Ottoman Turks out. Like four of its neighbours, Ajman
, Dubai
, Ras al-Khaimah
, and Umm al-Qaiwain, its position on the route to India made it important enough to be recognized as a salute state
.
On 2 December 1971, Sheikh Khalid III joined the United Arab Emirates.
Like the other former Trucial States
, Sharjah's name is known by many stamp collectors
because of the large numbers of stamps that were issued by the Sharjah Post Office
shortly before the formation of the United Arab Emirates. Many of these items feature subjects unrelated to the emirates whose names they bear, and therefore many popular catalogues do not list them.
The historically known rulers were:
In addition Sharjah owns three enclaves on the east coast, bordering the Gulf of Oman
. These are Kalba
, Dibba Al-Hisn
, and Khor Fakkan
, which provides Sharjah with a major east coast port. In the Persian Gulf, the island of Sir Abu Nu’ayr
belongs to Sharjah, and Abu Musa
is claimed by Sharjah, but controlled by Iran. The emirate has a total area of 2,590 square kilometers, which is equivalent to 3.3 per cent of the UAE's total area, excluding the islands.
The city
of Sharjah, which overlooks the Persian Gulf
, has a population of 519,000 (2003 census estimate). It contains the main administrative and commercial centers together with an especially impressive array of cultural and traditional projects, including several museums. Distinctive landmarks are the two major covered souk
s, reflecting Islamic design; a number of recreational areas and public parks such as Al Jazeirah Fun Park and Al Buheirah Corniche. The city is also notable for its numerous elegant mosque
s. The Emirate of Sharjah is also known to be the Cultural Capital of the UAE. The Expo Centre Sharjah
is well known for the annual book fair that is famous all over the region. It was founded, built and operated from 1976 to 1989 by Frederick Pittera, an international producer of Trade & Consumer Fairs and world's fair consultant.The Emir personally takes keen interest in this event which brings together hundreds of publishers from all over the world and thousands of titles.
Sharjah is popular for its rich and cultural place in the Arab region as it has won the prestigious UNESCO award of being the Cultural capital of the Arab world for 1998. The seventeen museums in Sharjah played a critical role for obtaining this award.
Links with the outside world are provided by Sharjah International Airport
and Port Khalid.
Sharjah also encompasses some important oasis areas, the most famous of which is Dhaid
where a wide range of vegetables and fruits is cultivated on its rich and fertile soil.
Sharjah has an exclave called Nahwa
inside the Omani
enclave of Madha
which borders Fujairah
, Ras al-Khaimah
and Sharjah.
Sharjah is a sister city to Dubai
and Ajmān
(two fellow emirates) on both its borders. The three urban areas have now expanded to each others' borders. Sharjah is about 170 kilometers away from the capital city Abu Dhabi
.
Sharjah is the only Emirate in which the sale, possession and consumption of alcohol is banned. It also maintains the strictest decency laws in the UAE, introduced in 2001, with a conservative dress code required for both men and women. Mixing between unmarried men and women is illegal: "A man and a woman who are not in a legally acceptable relationship should not, according to the booklet, be alone in public places, or in suspicious times or circumstances."
Sport establishments in Sharjah are managed by the Sharjah Sports Council.
has hosted almost 200 cricket
One Day Internationals, more than any other ground in UAE, and 4 Test matches
. Since 2003, the increasingly crowded cricket calendar has precluded the holding of any major international matches at Sharjah although the stadium has been the venue for certain other matches, such as the 2004 ICC Intercontinental Cup. The use of the venue has declined as the new 20,000 seat Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi has become the preferred venue for cricket in the UAE.
Television
Sharjah International Airport
(IATA: SHJ) The airport is well connected to all major international destinations. It is just 10 kilometres from Sharjah City Centre and about 15 kilometres away from Dubai. It is a major cargo airport and the main base of Air Arabia
. The airport served total 4,324,313 passengers and 51,314 flights in 2007. It also handled 570,363 Tonnes of cargo in the same year. Over 60,000 aircraft movements were
recorded in 2009.
Public transport
The Sharjah Public Transport Corporation (SPTC) has started the public transport system in Sharjah from May 23, 2008 with 11 buses running on the first route, Route 14 from Sharjah International Airport to Al-Sharq terminal. By November 2008, 142 buses are expected to operate on 18 routes. On February 2010, there were 115 Sharjah intercity buses, which make 250 trips daily. The tariff for these intercity buses ranges from AED 5 to AED 30.
Taxi
Metered Taxis are available in Sharjah for the intra-city as well as the inter-city travel. The base fare is AED 3 with AED 1 charged for every 650 meters of travel.
The base rate for taxi is increased to AED 10 from AED 3 from 2010 onwards
Emirates of the United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates is composed of 7 emirates :-References:...
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
. The emirate covers 2,600 km² (1,003 mi²) and has a population of over 800,000 (2008). The emirate of Sharjah comprises the city of Sharjah
Sharjah (city)
Sharjah is the third largest and most populous city in the United Arab Emirates. It is located along the southern coast of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula.Sharjah is the seat of government of the emirate of Sharjah...
(the seat of the emirate), and other minor towns and enclaves such as Kalba
Kalba
Kalba is a city in the United Arab Emirates. It is an enclave of the emirate of Sharjah, Kalba is north of Oman and south of the emirate of Fujairah. Khor Kalba , a mangrove swamp, is located further south of the town. The town was captured by the Portuguese Empire in the 16th century and was...
, Dibba Al-Hisn
Dibba Al-Hisn
Dibba Al-Hisn is an enclave of the emirate of Al-Sharjah, one of the seven of the United Arab Emirates. It is bordered by the Gulf of Oman from the East, Dibba Al-Baya from the North, and Dibba Al-Fujairah from the South. It is also geographically part of the Dibba region. It is the smallest in...
and Khor Fakkan
Khor Fakkan
Khor Fakkan is a town located along the Gulf of Oman on the east coast of the United Arab Emirates . The town is set on the picturesque bay of Khor Fakkan, which means "Creek of Two Jaws". Khor Fakkan belongs to the emirate of Sharjah but is geographically surrounded by the emirate of Fujairah...
.
History
Historically, Sharjah was one of the wealthiest towns in this region with a settlement in existence for over 5000 years.In the early 18th century Al Qasimi
Al Qasimi
Al Qasimi is a deeply-rooted Adnani Arabian tribe known for its rich history, bravery and conquests. The Al Qasimi dynasty are from the Ashraaf; they trace their ancesty from Imam Ali. Today, two branches of the Al Qasimi tribe rule the Emirates of Sharjah and Ras al-Khaimah in the United Arab...
clan established itself in Sharjah, c. 1727 declaring Sharjah independent.
On 8 January 1820, Sheikh Sultan I signed the General Maritime Treaty with Britain
The General Maritime Treaty with Britain
A treaty signed in 1820 by the Trucial States , Qatar, Bahrain, and the United Kingdom that accepted a British protectorate in order to detour the Ottoman Turks from expanding more throughout the region....
, accepting a protectorate to keep the Ottoman Turks out. Like four of its neighbours, Ajman
Ajman
Ajman , also spelt Ujman, is one of the seven emirates constituting the United Arab Emirates . With an area of just 260 square kilometres , Ajman is the smallest emirate by area...
, Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
, Ras al-Khaimah
Ras al-Khaimah
Ras al-Khaimah is one of the emirates of the United Arab Emirates , in the east of the Persian Gulf. It is in the northern part of the UAE bordering Oman's exclave. The capital city and home of most residents is also called Ras al-Khaimah. The city has a population of 263,217 as of 2008. The city...
, and Umm al-Qaiwain, its position on the route to India made it important enough to be recognized as a salute state
Salute state
A Salute state was a princely state in India during the time of British rule which had been granted a gun salute by the British Crown ; i.e., the protocollary privilege for its ruler to be greeted - originally by Royal Navy ships, later also on land - with a number of gun shots, as recognition of...
.
On 2 December 1971, Sheikh Khalid III joined the United Arab Emirates.
Like the other former Trucial States
Trucial States
The Trucial States were a group of sheikhdoms in the Persian Gulf.-General aspects:The sheikdoms included:*Abu Dhabi *Ajman...
, Sharjah's name is known by many stamp collectors
Stamp collecting
Stamp collecting is the collecting of postage stamps and related objects. It is one of the world's most popular hobbies, with the number of collectors in the United States alone estimated to be over 20 million.- Collecting :...
because of the large numbers of stamps that were issued by the Sharjah Post Office
Postage stamps and postal history of Sharjah
Civil mail from Sharjah went through the post office in Dubai until 1963. Military mail from the British Forces stationed in the area went through the RAF airport in Sharjah....
shortly before the formation of the United Arab Emirates. Many of these items feature subjects unrelated to the emirates whose names they bear, and therefore many popular catalogues do not list them.
The historically known rulers were:
- c. 1727 - 1777 Sheikh Rashid bin Matar bin Rahma Al Qasimi
- 1777 - 1803 Sheikh Saqr I bin Rashid Al Qasimi
- 1803 - 1840 Sheikh Sultan I bin Saqr Al QasimiSultan Bin Saqr Al QasimiSultan Bin Saqr Al Qasimi was the ruler of the Emirate of Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah in the Trucial coast . He was known as one of the most famous and powerful rulers of the Al Qasimi family in the UAE...
(first time) - 1840 Sheikh Saqr bin Sultan Al Qasimi
- 1840 - 1866 Sheikh Sultan I bin Saqr Al QasimiSultan Bin Saqr Al QasimiSultan Bin Saqr Al Qasimi was the ruler of the Emirate of Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah in the Trucial coast . He was known as one of the most famous and powerful rulers of the Al Qasimi family in the UAE...
(second time) (died 1866) - 1866 - 14 April 1868 Sheikh Khalid I bin Sultan Al Qasimi (died 1868)
- 14 April 1868 - March 1883 Sheikh Salim bin Sultan Al Qasimi (died 1919) - since 1869 jointly with the following:
- 1869 - 1871 Sheikh Ibrahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi
- March 1883 - 1914 Sheikh Saqr II bin Khalid Al Qasimi (died 1914)
- 13 April 1914 - 21 November 1924 Sheikh Khalid II bin Ahmad Al Qasimi
- 21 November 1924 - 1951 Sheikh Sultan II bin Saqr Al Qasimi (died 1951)
- 1951 - May 1951 Sheikh Muhammad bin Saqr Al Qasimi
- May 1951 - 24 June 1965 Sheikh Saqr III bin Sultan Al Qasimi (1925–1993)
- 24 June 1965 - 24 January 1972 Sheikh Khalid III bin Muhammad Al QasimiKhalid bin Mohammed Al QasimiDr. Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed Al Qasimi was ruler of the Emirate of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates from 1965 to 1972. He was installed by British Forces after the removal of the previous ruler Sheikh Saqr bin Sultan who was his cousin and brother-in-law. He was a participant of the first union...
(1931–1972) - 25 January 1972 - 1972 Sheikh Saqr bin Muhammad Al Qasimi (acting)
- 1972 - 17 June 1987 Sheikh Dr. Sultan III bin Muhammad Al QasimiSultan bin Mohamed Al-QasimiSheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al-Qasimi III is a member of the Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates and current ruler of the Sharjah emirate...
(first time) (born 1939) - 17 June 1987 - 23 June 1987 Sheikh `Abd al-`Aziz bin Muhammad Al Qasimi (1937–2004)
- 23 June 1987 - Sheikh Dr. Sultan III bin Muhammad Al QasimiSultan bin Mohamed Al-QasimiSheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al-Qasimi III is a member of the Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates and current ruler of the Sharjah emirate...
(second time)
Geography
Sharjah is the third largest emirate in the United Arab Emirates, and is the only one to have land on both the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Sharjah is ruled by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi of the Supreme Council of the UAE and Sheikh of Sharjah.In addition Sharjah owns three enclaves on the east coast, bordering the Gulf of Oman
Gulf of Oman
The Gulf of Oman or Sea of Oman is a strait that connects the Arabian Sea with the Strait of Hormuz, which then runs to the Persian Gulf. It is generally included as a branch of the Persian Gulf, not as an arm of the Arabian Sea. On the north coast is Pakistan and Iran...
. These are Kalba
Kalba
Kalba is a city in the United Arab Emirates. It is an enclave of the emirate of Sharjah, Kalba is north of Oman and south of the emirate of Fujairah. Khor Kalba , a mangrove swamp, is located further south of the town. The town was captured by the Portuguese Empire in the 16th century and was...
, Dibba Al-Hisn
Dibba Al-Hisn
Dibba Al-Hisn is an enclave of the emirate of Al-Sharjah, one of the seven of the United Arab Emirates. It is bordered by the Gulf of Oman from the East, Dibba Al-Baya from the North, and Dibba Al-Fujairah from the South. It is also geographically part of the Dibba region. It is the smallest in...
, and Khor Fakkan
Khor Fakkan
Khor Fakkan is a town located along the Gulf of Oman on the east coast of the United Arab Emirates . The town is set on the picturesque bay of Khor Fakkan, which means "Creek of Two Jaws". Khor Fakkan belongs to the emirate of Sharjah but is geographically surrounded by the emirate of Fujairah...
, which provides Sharjah with a major east coast port. In the Persian Gulf, the island of Sir Abu Nu’ayr
Sir Abu Nu’ayr
Sir Abu Nu’ayr is an island in the Persian Gulf. It lies roughly 80 kilometers north of Abu Dhabi city, 104 kilometers SSE of Abu Musa.It is claimed by the Emirate of Sharjah, one of the seven United Arab Emirates....
belongs to Sharjah, and Abu Musa
Abu Musa
Abu Musa is a 12-km² island in the eastern Persian Gulf, part of a six-island archipelago near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz. The island is administered by Iran as part of the Iranian province of Hormozgan, but is also claimed by the United Arab Emirates .Abu Musa's inhabitants call it...
is claimed by Sharjah, but controlled by Iran. The emirate has a total area of 2,590 square kilometers, which is equivalent to 3.3 per cent of the UAE's total area, excluding the islands.
The city
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
of Sharjah, which overlooks the Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
, has a population of 519,000 (2003 census estimate). It contains the main administrative and commercial centers together with an especially impressive array of cultural and traditional projects, including several museums. Distinctive landmarks are the two major covered souk
Souk
A souq is a commercial quarter in an Arab, Berber, and increasingly European city. The term is often used to designate the market in any Arabized or Muslim city, but in modern times it appears in Western cities too...
s, reflecting Islamic design; a number of recreational areas and public parks such as Al Jazeirah Fun Park and Al Buheirah Corniche. The city is also notable for its numerous elegant mosque
Mosque
A mosque is a place of worship for followers of Islam. The word is likely to have entered the English language through French , from Portuguese , from Spanish , and from Berber , ultimately originating in — . The Arabic word masjid literally means a place of prostration...
s. The Emirate of Sharjah is also known to be the Cultural Capital of the UAE. The Expo Centre Sharjah
Expo Centre Sharjah
Expo Centre Sharjah is an Exhibition and Convention Centre, located in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.It was established in 1977, and was the first established trade fair centre in the country.It moved to its current location in 2002....
is well known for the annual book fair that is famous all over the region. It was founded, built and operated from 1976 to 1989 by Frederick Pittera, an international producer of Trade & Consumer Fairs and world's fair consultant.The Emir personally takes keen interest in this event which brings together hundreds of publishers from all over the world and thousands of titles.
Sharjah is popular for its rich and cultural place in the Arab region as it has won the prestigious UNESCO award of being the Cultural capital of the Arab world for 1998. The seventeen museums in Sharjah played a critical role for obtaining this award.
Links with the outside world are provided by Sharjah International Airport
Sharjah International Airport
Sharjah International Airport is located in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.Sharjah Airport is the second largest Middle East Airfreight Hub in terms of cargo tonnage, according to official 2009 statistics from Airports Council International...
and Port Khalid.
Sharjah also encompasses some important oasis areas, the most famous of which is Dhaid
Dhaid
Dhaid, or Al Dhaid, is the capital of the central district of the Emirate of Sharjah. It is a large agricultural town surrounded by fertile land...
where a wide range of vegetables and fruits is cultivated on its rich and fertile soil.
Sharjah has an exclave called Nahwa
Nahwa
Nahwa is a village that is part of the Emirate of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. It is an enclave within the Omani territory of Madha, itself an exclave of Oman....
inside the Omani
Omani
Omani may refer to:* Something of, from, or related to Oman, an Arab coujntry in southwestern Asia** A person from Oman or of Omani descent, collectively referred to as Omanis; see Demographics of Oman and Culture of Oman...
enclave of Madha
Madha
The Omani territory of Madha or Wadi Madha is an exclave of Oman, surrounded by the United Arab Emirates . It is located halfway between the Musandam Peninsula and the rest of Oman. It belongs to Muhafazat Musandam....
which borders Fujairah
Fujairah
Fujairah is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates, and the only one on the Gulf of Oman in the country's east instead of Persian Gulf .-History:...
, Ras al-Khaimah
Ras al-Khaimah
Ras al-Khaimah is one of the emirates of the United Arab Emirates , in the east of the Persian Gulf. It is in the northern part of the UAE bordering Oman's exclave. The capital city and home of most residents is also called Ras al-Khaimah. The city has a population of 263,217 as of 2008. The city...
and Sharjah.
Sharjah is a sister city to Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
and Ajmān
Ajman
Ajman , also spelt Ujman, is one of the seven emirates constituting the United Arab Emirates . With an area of just 260 square kilometres , Ajman is the smallest emirate by area...
(two fellow emirates) on both its borders. The three urban areas have now expanded to each others' borders. Sharjah is about 170 kilometers away from the capital city Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi , literally Father of Gazelle, is the capital and the second largest city of the United Arab Emirates in terms of population and the largest of the seven member emirates of the United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi lies on a T-shaped island jutting into the Persian Gulf from the central western...
.
Sharjah is the only Emirate in which the sale, possession and consumption of alcohol is banned. It also maintains the strictest decency laws in the UAE, introduced in 2001, with a conservative dress code required for both men and women. Mixing between unmarried men and women is illegal: "A man and a woman who are not in a legally acceptable relationship should not, according to the booklet, be alone in public places, or in suspicious times or circumstances."
Education
Universities in Sharjah:- University of SharjahUniversity of SharjahThe University of Sharjah is a semi-governmental higher educational institution. Its founder, Supreme President and Chairman is the Ruler of Sharjah Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohamed Al-Qasimi himself. Founded 1997, the University of Sharjah aims to meet the Emirate of Sharjah's educational and...
- The American University of Sharjah (AUS)American University of SharjahAmerican University of Sharjah is an independent, not-for-profit coeducational higher educational institution in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, founded in 1997 by Dr. Sultan bin Mohamed Al-Qasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah...
- Troy UniversityTroy UniversityTroy University is a public university that is located in Troy, Alabama, United States. It was originally founded in 1887 as Troy Normal School. Its main campus enrollment is 7,194 students. The total enrollment of all Troy University campuses is 29,689...
— ITS Sharjah Campus - Skyline College SharjahSkyline College SharjahSkyline University College Sharjah is an educational organization, owned by Kamal Puri. It is located in University City of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates....
- Sharjah Men's College
- Sharjah Women's College
Sports
Cricket
The Sharjah Cricket Association StadiumSharjah Cricket Association Stadium
The Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium is in the emirate of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. It was originally constructed in the early 1980s and has been much improved over the years...
has hosted almost 200 cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
One Day Internationals, more than any other ground in UAE, and 4 Test matches
Test cricket
Test cricket is the longest form of the sport of cricket. Test matches are played between national representative teams with "Test status", as determined by the International Cricket Council , with four innings played between two teams of 11 players over a period of up to a maximum five days...
. Since 2003, the increasingly crowded cricket calendar has precluded the holding of any major international matches at Sharjah although the stadium has been the venue for certain other matches, such as the 2004 ICC Intercontinental Cup. The use of the venue has declined as the new 20,000 seat Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi has become the preferred venue for cricket in the UAE.
Football
Football teams in Sharjah emirate:- Al Sharjah sport club
- Al Shaab Sports Club
- Al Hemriah Sports Club
- Al Thaid Sports Club (Al Thaid)
- Al Ittihad Sports ClubAl-Ittihad KalbaIttihad Kalba Sports & Cultural Club is a football club based in the United Arab Emirates.-Squad:...
(KalbaKalbaKalba is a city in the United Arab Emirates. It is an enclave of the emirate of Sharjah, Kalba is north of Oman and south of the emirate of Fujairah. Khor Kalba , a mangrove swamp, is located further south of the town. The town was captured by the Portuguese Empire in the 16th century and was...
) - AL Khaleej Sports Club (Khor Fakkan)
- Dibba Al-Hisn Sports ClubDibba Al-Hisn Sports ClubDibba Al-Hisn Sports Club is a sports club located in the city of Dibba Al-Hisn in the United Arab Emirates. The club was established in 1980.Dibba Al-Hisn Sports Club is a sports club located in the city of Dibba Al-Hisn in the United Arab Emirates...
Media in Sharjah
Newspapers:- The Gulf TodayThe Gulf TodayrightThe Gulf Today is an English-language daily newspaper based in the United Arab Emirates. It is one of the four UAE broadsheet newspapers.The newspaper was launched on April 15, 1996, by brothers Taryam Omran Taryam and Dr...
(English) - Al Khaleej (Arabic)
Television
- Sharjah TV http://www.sharjahtv.ae/
Transportation
AirportSharjah International Airport
Sharjah International Airport
Sharjah International Airport is located in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.Sharjah Airport is the second largest Middle East Airfreight Hub in terms of cargo tonnage, according to official 2009 statistics from Airports Council International...
(IATA: SHJ) The airport is well connected to all major international destinations. It is just 10 kilometres from Sharjah City Centre and about 15 kilometres away from Dubai. It is a major cargo airport and the main base of Air Arabia
Air Arabia
Air Arabia is a low-cost airline with its head office in the Sharjah Freight Center, Sharjah International Airport, in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates....
. The airport served total 4,324,313 passengers and 51,314 flights in 2007. It also handled 570,363 Tonnes of cargo in the same year. Over 60,000 aircraft movements were
recorded in 2009.
Public transport
The Sharjah Public Transport Corporation (SPTC) has started the public transport system in Sharjah from May 23, 2008 with 11 buses running on the first route, Route 14 from Sharjah International Airport to Al-Sharq terminal. By November 2008, 142 buses are expected to operate on 18 routes. On February 2010, there were 115 Sharjah intercity buses, which make 250 trips daily. The tariff for these intercity buses ranges from AED 5 to AED 30.
Taxi
Metered Taxis are available in Sharjah for the intra-city as well as the inter-city travel. The base fare is AED 3 with AED 1 charged for every 650 meters of travel.
See also
- Hamriyah Port
The base rate for taxi is increased to AED 10 from AED 3 from 2010 onwards