The Middle East

This chapter includes information about Qatar’s history, geography, language, culture and population. It also provides an overview of the country’s natural resources and education system.

As one of the most modern and efficient shipping centres in the region, the transport and logistics facilities on Bahrain’s Muharraq Island continued to draw business to the Kingdom throughout 2011. The Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP), which opened in 2009, showcases the government’s dedication to further developing the country’s transport offerings, which it sees as integral to its...

Ras Al Khaimah has a rich history. This chapter examines a recurring theme of RAK’s past, the emirate’s defence against foreign incursions. The area that now makes up present-day RAK was historically a popular target for invaders due to the location at the entrance of the Gulf. This maritime potential made RAK an important shipping point throughout the ages. Indeed, RAK drew military challenges...

Though one of the smaller emirates in the UAE, RAK is developing as a tourism destination. The emirate received 835,200 tourists in 2011, a significant increase over the previous year, which saw 600,000 visitors. There are hopes that these figures will continue to rise to reach 1.2m by 2013. To facilitate this, RAK International Airport is currently being expanded at a cost of $27m. New runways...

As demand for medical treatment rises, the health care sector in RAK has to meet new demands and challenges. Population growth, which climbed to 8% between 2008 and 2010, has necessitated more health care investment and infrastructure upgrades. Indeed, health sector costs in the UAE have tripled in the past decade and, as RAK’s citizens have free access to medical care at public institutions, the...

As the government of RAK makes the necessary changes to drive growth forward and transition to a knowledge-based economy, one thing is clear: education and educational reform are of prime importance. One important measure will be the establishment of a council by RAK’s ruler, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, which will regulate and monitor institutions of higher education in the emirate....