| |
| A comprehensive
guide
to current and future events and exhibitions in
the UAE |
|
Valuable concise reference source on the UAE,
covering political system, economy, business, history and
heritage,
education, women, healthcare, tourism and environment. |
|
|
Natural history of the UAE,
covering all animals and plants recorded in the
Emirates. |
|
|
Report by National US Arab Chamber of Commerce on the
UAE. Vol XV, No 3, June 2007. Includes analysis of UAE economy. |
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GETTING AROUND
General information
Transport
Finding your way around
Guided tours
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FINDING YOUR WAY AROUND
Maps
Most hotel shops, bookshops and supermarkets sell city street and road maps for Abu Dhabi and Dubai as well as the UAE as a whole. As in all travel, a well-chosen map is an essential starting point for exploration.
UAE Interact has an interactive map that can be used to find your way around the country.
The Geographical Information System Centre of Dubai Municipality has developed an e-guide (www.gis.gov.ae) which should be of great assistance in guiding residents and tourists around Dubai.
Work is currently underway throughout the Middle East to survey the road systems to enable the receiver to translate the map co-ordinates to a user-friendly map. In a short space of time handheld GPS will be as common as a mobile phone.
Street Names
Almost all street and road signs are written in English and Arabic. However, as already remarked, the transliteration of Arabic can lead to some confusion over spelling. We have tried to use spellings that are in common usage as opposed to those that may or may not be technically correct. Nevertheless, you will come across common street names with a variety of spellings. In addition, although many streets are officially named on street signs, others also have unofficial or older names. Still others are named and numbered. Taxi drivers frequently do not know either the offical or unofficial street names! But all is not lost– most taxi drivers will know the names and locations of major hotels, attractions, souqs and shopping centres. In general, directions are given by reference to landmarks, particularly roundabouts, such as the clock tower roundabout, fountain roundabout etc, or indeed landmark buildings, of which there are many.
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Abu Dhabi
The city of Abu Dhabi takes up much of the island on which it is located but the city centre is compact and close to amenities. The main business district is in the area between Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed and Istiglal St to the north, Zayed the Second St to the south, Khalid bin Al Walid St to the west and As-Salam St to the east. Many of the major hotels and restaurants are located along the revamped Corniche.
To find your way around Abu Dhabi, you will need to be aware of the following name changes:
Official name |
Common name |
Al-Falah St |
Old Passport St |
East Rd |
Muroor Rd |
Haza bin Zayed St |
Defence St |
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed St |
Hamdan St |
Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum St |
Airport Rd or Old Airport Rd |
Sheikh Zayed the Second St |
Electra St |
East Rd & Lulu St. |
Fourth St. |
Al-Nasr St. |
Fifth St. |
Umm al-Nar & Bani Yas St |
Sixth St. |
Liwa St. |
Tenth St. |
Al Ain
Al Ain is a sprawling city, but if you find the clock
tower and coffeepot roundabouts in Al Ain and Buraimi roundabout in Buraimi
you are on the main road.
Official name |
Common name |
Khalifa bin Zayed St |
Khalifa St |
Zayed bin Sultan St |
Main St |
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Dubai
Deira to the east and Bur Dubai to the west are separated by the winding Creek which can be crossed by car through Shindagha Tunnel to the north, over a series of bridges to the south or, alternatively for foot passengers by abra (water taxi) in the city centre.
Bani Yas Rd running along the Creek, Bani Yas Square, Al Maktoum Rd, Al Maktoum Hospital Rd, and Naif Rd are the main areas of activity in Deira. In Bur Dubai, the main business area is on Sheikh Zayed Rd, the souq area runs along Al-Ghubaiba Rd, (the site of the bus station) to the Ruler’s Office and inland as far as Khalid bin Al Waleed Rd.
Alternative street names are as follows:
Official name |
Common name |
Al-Jumeira Rd |
Jumeria Rd., Jumeira Beach Rd or Beach Rd |
Al-Wasl Rd |
Iranian Hospital Rd |
Bani Yas Square |
Al-Nasr Square |
Khalid bin Al Waleed Rd |
Bank St. |
Sheikh Zayed Rd. |
Abu Dhabi Rd. |
Sharjah
Al-Arouba Rd. is the main street in Sharjah
Al-Soor Rd is also known as Al-Mina St., Port or Harbour Rd.
Ajman
Ajman has a Central Square which is within walking distance
of shops, hotels, restaurants and coast.
Ra’s al-Khaimah
There are two distinct districts in Ra’s al-Khaimah city, the old town on a sandy peninsula along the coast, which is linked by a bridge to Al-Nakheel, a newer business district. Most hotels, shops, restaurants etc are in Al-Nakheel, many on Oman St.
Fujairah
The main business centre is along Hamad bin Abdullah Rd where you will find post office, banks and souq.
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