The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a
federation of seven states (emirates) - Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman,
Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Qaiwain - formed in 1971
after independence from Britain. The terrain varies
from the bare rock mountains of the north and east to the spectacular
sand desert that runs south into Saudi Arabia and is the northern edge
of the Rub al Khali - the "Empty Quarter".
The Rub' al Khali, or the "Empty Quarter" in English, is one of the
largest sand deserts in the world, encompassing most of the southern
third of the Arabian Peninsula, including southern Saudi Arabia, and
areas of Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. The desert covers
some 250,000 square miles and is one of the most inhospitable places on
earth, and entirely uninhabitable.
The Empty Quarter is 1200 km long and 650 km wide, and is among the
largest continuous deserts in the world. About 80 percent of this area
is in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,
and covers about a quarter of the Kingdom’s land surface. Its eastern
edges extend into the
United Arab Emirates, and its southern
margin is in the Sultanate of Oman. Parts of its southern and
southwestern limits are in the Republic of Yemen.
Satellite Image of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, United Arab Emirates -
Google Maps
Liwa Oasis is located south-west of Abu Dhabi on the edge of
the biggest sand desert in the world, the Rub al Khali (Empty Quarter). The
Liwa Oasis is a gateway to the deep sands of the legendary Empty
Quarter and is known as the playground for 4x4 dune bashing. Dune
bashing is an increasingly popular activity, which involves tourists
being driven out into the surrounding desert in a 4X4 and driving up and
down the sand dunes.
Satellite Image of Liwa Oasis, UAE - Google Maps
Moreeb Hill (Al Moreb Hill) is
the place for organized drag races. With a reported 50 degree slipface, and a
300m long hill climb, it is a perfect place for sand drags. Moreeb Hill is one of the largest hill climbs in the world.
It is also known as Tel Moreeb or "Scary Mountain".
Satellite
Image of Moreeb Dune, UAE - Google Maps
Moreeb Hill, Abu Dhabi
