Al Ain Region

The Eastern Region (ٱلْمِنْطَقَة ٱلشَّرْقِيَّة), officially known as Al Ain Region (مِنْطَقَة ٱلْعَيْن),  is one of three Municipal Regions in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. It forms the southeastern part of the United Arab Emirates. Its main settlement is the eponymous city of Al Ain, located on the country's border with Oman, about 160 km from the city of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the Emirate and country. Compared to the Western Region, it is also a rather remote region of the Emirate, but smaller by area, and is not known to hold reserves of gas or petroleum, but is agriculturally important.

History and prehistory


The city of Al-Ain, part of a historical region which also includes the adjacent Omani town of Al-Buraimi, is noted for its forts, oases, aflāj (underground water channels), and archaeological sites such as those of Hili and Rumailah. Sites outside the city include Jebel Hafeet  and Al-A'ankah Fort. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan had been the Ruler's Representative in this region, before becoming the Ruler of Abu Dhabi and President of the United Arab Emirates. In March 2017, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan renamed the region as Al Ain Region.

Demographics and settlements


As of 2009, the population of the region was estimated at 890,000.

Aside from the main city, there are about 20 settlements which are governed by the region's municipal body, that is Al Ain Municipality. Most of them are estimated to have populations of no more than 10,000. They include:
 * Al-Faqa' (partly in the Emirate of Dubai, on the road from Al-Ain to Dubai)
 * Al-Hayer
 * Al-Qu'a
 * Al-Shwaib (on the road to Al Madam in the Emirate of Sharjah)
 * Al-Wagan
 * Al-Yahar
 * Mezyad
 * Nahel
 * Remah
 * Sa'ah
 * Sweihan