Ajman is a place by the sea.
It is part of the United Arab Emirates. Most people live in the big city. There are also green farms far away. It is a sunny place.
Would you like to visit?
Ajman is a small place by the sea.
It is part of the United Arab Emirates. Most people live in the big city of Ajman.
Ajman is the smallest of its lands. It sits next to a place called Sharjah.
The land reaches the blue water.
There are also two far away spots. These are called Manama and Masfout. They are green and good for farms.
In these green spots, you can find fruit trees. You might also see tall trees. These trees help the land stay green.
You can also see an old fort.
It is now a museum for people to visit.
Ajman is one of seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates.
It is the smallest emirate by land area. It sits on the coast of the Persian Gulf. Most of its land is near the city of Sharjah. About 95% of people live in Ajman city.
Ajman has two other small areas called exclaves. These are Manama and Masfout. They are not connected to the main part of Ajman.
Manama is near the Hajjar Mountains. It has many acacia and ghaf trees. Masfout is in the mountains. It has many fruit tree plantations. These areas are good for farming.
Many people work in factories or build things. Ajman has a large port by the water.
You can also visit the Ajman Museum. It is located in the old Ajman Fort. The fort used to be a home for the ruler. Now, it shows how people lived in the past.
The Emirate of Ajman is one of seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates.
It is the smallest emirate by land area, covering 259 square kilometers. Most of its land sits near the coast of the Persian Gulf. The main part of Ajman is almost entirely surrounded by the Emirate of Sharjah. However, Ajman also has two small pieces of land called exclaves. These are Manama and Masfout, which are not connected to the main area. These two places are very important for farming in the region.
These two exclaves offer a very different look from the coast.
Manama is located about 73 kilometers east of the capital city. It sits on plains near the foothills of the Hajjar Mountains. This area is a green oasis with many acacia and ghaf trees. It also has mines for minerals like magnesium and chromium. Masfout is located about 110 kilometers southeast of Ajman City. It is found in the mountains and has many fruit tree plantations.
Ajman has a long history of being ruled by the Al Nuaimi family.
This ruling group has led the emirate since the year 1810. Since 1981, Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi III has been the ruler. He took over the position from his father. The emirate officially joined the United Arab Emirates federation on December 2, 1971. You can still see history at the Ajman Museum. This museum is located inside the old Ajman Fort, which was once the home of the ruler.
Today, the economy in Ajman is very busy and growing.
About 95% of the people live in Ajman city. Many people work in manufacturing, construction, and trade. The Ajman Free Zone was started in 1988 to help businesses grow. This zone is home to more than 12,000 companies. The emirate also has a large port area at its creek. Manufacturing is a huge part of the economy, making up 37% of the total GDP in 2012. Many goods are sent to other countries in Asia and Africa.
Ajman is a place where old traditions meet new buildings. The desert areas outside the city have wild grasses and date palms. At the same time, there are many new suburbs and industrial zones. The city is part of a large area that includes Dubai and Sharjah. In 2004, Ajman became the first emirate to allow global investors to own property. This led to a very fast period of building and growth. Even with these changes, the emirate keeps its unique identity through its history and its land.
The Emirate of Ajman is one of seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates.
It is the smallest emirate in terms of land area, covering 259 square kilometers. Despite its small size, it is quite densely populated. In 2024, the population was approximately 582,852 people. This makes it the fourth most populous emirate in the federation. Ajman joined the United Arab Emirates on December 2, 1971. It is a monarchy ruled by the Al Nuaimi family. This tribe has governed the area since 1810. Currently, Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi III has been the ruler since 1981.
The geography of Ajman is unique because of its shape. The main landmass is a semi-enclave. This means it is mostly surrounded by the Emirate of Sharjah on the north, east, and south. However, Ajman also controls two separate pieces of land called exclaves. These are Manama and Masfout.
Manama is located 73 kilometers east of the capital. It sits on the plains near the foothills of the Hajjar Mountains. This area acts as an agricultural oasis. It also contains mines for magnesium and chromium. Masfout is located 110 kilometers southeast of Ajman City. It is located in the mountains and supports subsistence farming and marble quarrying.
Ajman's landscape varies from coastal urban areas to fertile mountains. Most of the population, about 95%, lives in Ajman city. This city is part of a large metropolitan area including Dubai and Sharjah.
The coastal areas feature sandy deserts with seasonal grasses and ghaf trees. In the inland exclaves, the environment is much greener. Manama is known for its abundance of acacia and ghaf trees. Masfout is characterized by date palm groves and fruit tree plantations. These fertile regions are vital for the emirate's agricultural development.
The economy of Ajman is driven by several key industrial sectors. Manufacturing, construction, wholesale, retail, real estate, and transport are the main contributors. In 2012, these five sectors accounted for about 82% of the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Manufacturing was the largest single sector, contributing 37% of the GDP in 2012. The manufacturing sector grew significantly between 2009 and 2011. During this time, the re-exporting of chemicals and plastic products grew by over 100%. Major export partners include the GCC countries, Asia, and Africa.
To support industrial growth, the emirate uses specialized zones and ports. The Ajman Free Zone was established in 1988. This zone attracts international companies by offering various privileges. It is home to more than 12,000 companies and 256 industrial firms. The zone exports goods to over 65 different countries. Additionally, the Ajman Port is located at the emirate's dredged and walled creek.
These facilities are major contributors to the overall economic strength of the emirate.
Ajman has also experienced significant changes in its real estate market. In 2004, Ajman became the first emirate to offer 100% freehold property to global investors. This decision triggered a massive property boom. However, this rapid growth was not sustainable. The 2008 financial crisis caused many construction projects to stop suddenly. This period caused financial difficulty for many investors. To manage this, the Ajman Real Estate Regulatory Authority (ARERA) was established in December 2008. Since then, the market has seen a more cautious and measured return to development.
History and culture remain visible through the emirate's landmarks.
The Ajman Museum is a key site for understanding the past. It is housed in the old Ajman Fort. This fort was once the residence of the Ruler. Another historical site is the Red Fort. It was built during the rule of Sheikh Humaid bin Abdul Aziz Al Nuaimi. The fort uses red plaster and gravel for its walls. It also uses sandalwood for its roof supports. These sites connect the modern, industrial emirate to its traditional roots.
Where will your curiosity go next?
🖼️ Images & Media (4)
More to explore
✨ What else?
Related topics you might enjoy
🔬 Go deeper
More advanced topics to explore
🪜 Step back
Simpler topics to build understanding
What is Nepedia?
A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.