Arabian Gulf

Ras al-Khaimah or Ras al-Chaima is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates. Ras al-Khaimah is also the name of the capital of the emirate, which borders on Oman. It is the only emirate that has both a piece of desert, pieces of greenery, mangroves and mountains on its territory.

While the first six emirates already came to a federation in 1971, Ras al-Khaimah (RAK) did not join the federation until 1972. Head of state of Ras al-Khaimah from 1971 to 2010 sheikh Saqr Al Qasimi, but the actual power was in the hands of his son Sheikh Saud Al Qasimi, who after a virtually non-violent change of power in 2003 took over the position of 'crown prince' of his half brother. After the death of his father in October 2010, Saud succeeded him as emir.

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picture source: http://www.elegantresorts.co.uk