Sharjah (Arabic: al-Sharjah الشارقة) is one of the seven emirates that make up since 1971 the United Arab Emirates.
Historically it was one of the richest populations in the region, established in settlements of more than 5,000 years old. It is ruled by Sheikh Sultan al-Qasimi.

It extends 16 km from the coast of the Gulf of UAE, and more than 80 km inland.
It is the third largest Emirate, and the only one with coasts in the Persian Gulf and in the Gulf of Oman.