For thousands of years, the area now known as the Middle East was not only the cradle of civilization but also the world’s largest trading center. People from around the globe traveled to this area to buy and sell goods, and the residents enjoyed the most cosmopolitan standard of living possible. Today, that history is being remade with the opening of roads and the explosion of travel and trade in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The new Emirates Road, recently renamed Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, was completed in 2005 and now enables travelers to drive from Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), the northernmost emirate in the United Arab Emirates, to the Dubai in less than one hour. Plans are also underway to extend this road to the northern border of the UAE with Oman, further opening the region to travel and trade. The people of Ras Al Khaimah and Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, their Emir, are pleased with the improvements and the opening of possibility with the construction of the new highway.
While Dubai, about 45 minutes away from RAK, has received the most prominent promotion from the media, the gentle, friendly emirate of Ras Al Khaimah deserves attention as well and could easily become the choice of discerning travelers and those who wish to invest in a growing economy. 
Here are just a few of the many reasons to travel along Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road to take advantage of all that RAK has to offer.
Breathtaking Beaches
Lying on the coast of the Persian Gulf, RAK is home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Visitors revel in the white, soft sands and gentle breezes that have made this resort a favorite spot for travelers for thousands of years. Ras Al Khaimah and Sheikh Saud welcome visitors who want to explore the beautiful beaches, including savvy investors who may be interested in reserving property in this up-and-coming location.
The beaches are popular spots for water skiing, parasailing, scuba diving, and fishing. Up and down the 64 kilometers of shoreline, visitors enjoy these and other popular water sports.
Daring Desert Travels
At the opposite end of the travel, spectrum is the desert, full of history and culture in this region. The roots of Ras Al Khaimah and Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi are buried deep in the sands of this beautiful, awe-inspiring natural feature. Every year many people travel to the region from as far away as Minnesota and Bangkok to see for themselves the sands that have made it famous. Many famous forts and palaces, as well as ruins of historical value, are available and easily accessible to the public and to scholars who wish to study these landmarks.
Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of desert sports and learn about the history of the indigenous people. Falcon Shows, for example, is a popular attraction in the desert, where trained falconers display the skills that have long made these people experts in hunting with these magnificent birds.
Culinary Classics
The people of Ras Al Khaimah and Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi all love good food and enjoy sharing their cuisine with the rest of the world. A vacation to RAK is not complete without a sampling of the many local cuisine offerings designed to tempt the palate.
While there are a variety of restaurants serving cuisine from all over the world, visitors who would like to try the regional ethnic cuisine are welcome to explore the restaurants and bars of RAK. Specialties including local yogurts and regionally-grown grains such as couscous are always popular choices.
Ras Al Khaimah is currently gaining interest from the rest of the world due to its tax-friendly investment opportunities, business growth, new resort developments and thriving tourism. RAK is poised to become an increasingly popular haven for visitors and investors alike.
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