Fujairah holds a unique position in the UAE. It is the only emirate that lies on the eastern side of the UAE, along the Gulf of Oman, while other six emirates are along the Arabian Gulf. The Emirate derives its name from a spring of
water located beneath one of the mountains. The Hajar mountain range that divides the UAE in two, from Ras Al Khaimah to Al Ain has kept Fujairah separated from the rest of the country.
Fujairah is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates, and the only one of the seven that has a coastline solely on the Gulf of Oman and none on the Persian Gulf. The emirate of Fujairah covers approximately 1,166
km2, or about 1.5% of the area of the UAE, and is the fifth-largest emirate in the UAE. Fujairah is the only emirate of the UAE that is almost completely mountainous. All the other emirates, such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi are located on the west coast, and are largely covered by deserts. Consequently, Fujairah boasts a higher than average yearly
rainfall of the UAE, allowing farmers in the region to produce one crop every year.
Fujairah's population has grown steadily over the past few decades, driven by economic development, urbanization, and an increasing number of expatriates settling in the emirate.
Fujairah has a hot desert climate, with very warm winters and extremely hot summers. Humidity can be quite high, especially during the summer, making the heat feel even more intense.
In July 2022, Fujairah experienced significant flooding due to heavy rains, which caused widespread damage and affected businesses and residents alike. The floods were part of a larger weather event that brought the highest recorded rainfall in nearly three decades.
Fujairah City is the main business and commercial centre for the emirate, with tall office buildings lining Hamad Bin Abdulla Road, the main route into the city. The city's location provides direct access to the Indian Ocean for the United Arab Emirates, avoiding use of the Persian Gulf, which requires access via the Strait of Hormuz. The northern part of the waterfront has many cylindrical tanks for oil storage. Local industries also include cement, stone crushing and mining.
Key economic assets of the emirate include:
The Port of Fujairah is located on the city's eastern coast, just outside the Strait of Hormuz. It was built in 1978, began operations in 1983 and today has a quay that stretches over 6.7 km. It is located on a major global shipping route and is one of the world's largest bunkering hubs alongside Singapore and Rotterdam. The port is also an oil hub and has launched plans to expand its oil storage capacity.
The Fujairah Oil Industry Zone is located north of the Port of Fujairah. It was established to develop and regulate the hydrocarbon industry in the emirate and to support growth and investment in the sector.
Fujairah has a number of shopping malls and traditional markets:
The University of Fujairah is located in Fujairah City, and the city is also home to several other universities.
The restored Fujairah Fort and the nearby Fujairah Museum are located in Fujairah City. Most major hotels are on or close to Hamad Bin Abdulla Road and Al Corniche Road. Places of interest include:
Bullfighting is held in Fujairah City on Friday afternoons and is a significant public event. It does not include matadors like the Spanish form of bullfighting and the animals are not killed. It consists of two bulls locking horns.
The Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Expressway (also known as Sheikh Khalifa Highway), a dual carriageway road, links Fujairah City with Dubai and other parts of the UAE, passing through the mountains just inland from the city. It leads into Hamad Bin Abdulla Road, which continues through the city to the coast. Hamad Bin Abdulla Road also connects Fujairah City to Dubai through the Emirate of Sharjah.
Fujairah International Airport, the main airport in the emirate, is located to the south of Fujairah City and currently mostly handles cargo traffic. Passenger services include:
The UAE's national railway, Etihad Rail, began passenger services connecting Fujairah with other emirates on 30 June 2026. The inaugural service departed from Fujairah Station for Mohammed Bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi, a journey of approximately 1 hour 45 minutes. Passenger rail services are being expanded in phases, with the network planned to connect Fujairah with other emirates and major population centres across the UAE.