Life on the edge of the Rub al Khali, or Empty Quarter—the world’s largest continuous sand desert—has never been easy, yet the inland city of The reason can be found in its name, which means “the spring.” For generations, camel trekkers headed for its leafy oases to drink its freshwater and sample produce grown in the shade of its palms.The Al Ain Oasis is spread over nearly 3,000 acres and contains more than 147,000 date palms of up to 100 different varieties.That draw is still felt today. Buses take a couple hours and leave several times a day from Abu Dhabi’s central bus terminal.This content was written by and is brought to you by our sponsor. All rights reserved Once a vital green oasis on the caravan route from UAE to Oman, Al Ain (meaning ‘The Spring’) is the emirate’s heritage heartland, one of the world’s oldest continually inhabited settlements, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Al Ain: The Al Ain Oasis was opened to the public as the UAE’s first Unesco World Heritage site by Shaikh Tahnoun Bin Mohammad Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Ruler’s Representative in the Eastern Region. Eventually his experiences spawned a brilliant travelogue, A great place to start a survey of the past is Al Ain’s Local wildlife like the Arabian oryx were nearly extinct at the time the UAE formed in 1971. The Al Ain Oasis has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011, but only now, with the construction of an educational Eco-Centre and an extensive system of shaded pathways that wind through some 147,000 date palms, is it open to the public.

Daily: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM except Fridays: 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM The site houses up to 100 different varieties of vegetation that surround the impressive oasis, with widespread plantations that are also working farms. One of the largest components in this inscription is the Al Ain Oasis, easily accessible in the center of town. Significant fossil discoveries have been made in the area, which are vital pieces in the jigsaw of the city's ancient history.Al Ain is a hundred miles east of Abu Dhabi, via the E22 (Al Ain Road). Clearly less modernized than There are two big names you should know before visiting Al Ain.It’s said—with varying levels of confidence—that UAE founder Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan was born here, under a tree, in 1918 (the museum at Another key regional figure is British explorer Sir Wilfred Thesiger. I visited this oasis in September 2012, as the date harvest was under way. Al Ain’s cultural sites were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in June 2011. After World War II, Thesiger leapt at an opportunity to study locust movements across the present-day UAE.
Sheikh Zayed set up many projects to save them (such as Sir Bani Yas Island; see STORY). It was erected in 1891 to defend the city and protect precious palm groves.

A glimpse into the UAE’s past opens to the public today at the country’s first Unesco World Heritage Site, Al Ain Oasis. © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, © 2015- In 1968, he started the A few miles from the center of Al Ain toward Jebel Hafeet mountain, the fascinating Rising 1,240 metres, Jebel Hafeet is the UAE's second highest peak.Jebel Hafeet is forged out of craggy limestone that has been weathered over millions of years. This green oasis in the middle of the Rub al Khali desert is a 4,000 year old city and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Al Ain Oasis, the U.A.E's First UNESCO World Heritage Site, Is Now Open The oasis is one of the world's oldest permanently inhabited settlements, dating back more than 4,000 years. Al Ain: The Great Oasis of the United Arab EmiratesIn Al Ain city, the Al Ain Oasis has been opened as the UAE's first curated UNESCO World Heritage Site visitor experience.The Al Jahili Fort is one of the UAE’s most historic buildings.


It does not necessarily reflect the views of National Geographic or its editorial staff. To find out more information about the Al Ain Cultural Programmes at Al Ain Oasis, please click below... The Al Ain Oasis has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011, but only now, with the construction of an educational Eco-Centre and an extensive system of shaded pathways that wind through some 147,000 date palms, is it open to the public. 2020 National Geographic Partners, LLC. He didn’t find many locusts, but he did take lots of photos in this “desert within a desert” over a five-year period. Copyright © 2020 Visit Abu Dhabi, all rights reserved Al Ain World Heritage Site. The historic oasis sprawls across 3,000-acre and provides a unique insight into the region's inhabitants who began taming the desert 4,000 years ago. Al Ain World Heritage Site comprises six oases and a number of archaeological and cultural sites all in three distinct landscapes: The oasis; The desert; The mountain The Cultural Sites of Al Ain are currently the only World Heritage Site in the United Arab Emirates, though hopefully more will be inscribed in future years. By Sebastian Moda k