[6][5][11] Unlike some of its neighbours, Umm Al Quwain has not made any significant find of oil or gas in its territory and depends on revenue from hotels, parks and tourism,[12] fisheries and general trading activities[13] as well as the Umm Al Quwain Free Zone (UAQFTZ)[14] based at Port Ahmed Bin Rashid.

Finds also link Ed-Dur with the inland settlement of Mleiha,[20] especially distinctive burials of animals with their heads turned back on their bodies.

[21] Significant trading links with both the western Sumerian culture and the eastern Indus Valley culture are displayed at these sites,[20] with the semi-nomadic Magan people smelting bronze mined in the Hajar Mountains and then shipping the smelted ore.[22] Macedonian coinage unearthed at Ed-Dur dates back to Alexander the Great, while hundreds of coins have been found bearing the name of Abi'el.

[23] In March 2019, 15 tombs, bronze statues, settlement remains, jewellery and pottery, dating back to the 1st century CE, were unearthed here.

[24] It is thought Ed-Dur is the site of Omana, mentioned by both Pliny and Strabo as an important town in the Lower Persian Gulf.

The townsfolk, not liking the new leadership, rose and set fire to the fort, killing the usurpers, putting Ahmad bin Rashid Al Mualla in power.

[31][36][37] On 8 January 1820, Sheikh Abdullah bin Rashid signed the General Maritime Treaty with the United Kingdom, thus accepting a British protectorate in order to keep the Ottoman Turks out.

[41] Occidental proposed drilling an exploratory well nine miles from the island of Abu Musa in the Persian Gulf in what it considered to be Umm Al Quwain waters.

On 20 May, Iran informed the British that it laid claim to Abu Musa and the two Tunbs' islands, and would intercede if Occidental continued to drill.

[48][46] The issue was subsequently settled by an informal agreement, which granted Umm Al Quwain 15% share of the oil revenues from the area.

In 2011, tourism and trade were given the top priority in the Umm Al Quwain's Government Strategy 2011-2013 to support small- and mid-sized business space and the fisheries sector to help make the emirate attractive to foreign investment.

In 2018, the government launched Umm Al Quwain Vision 2021 to implement comprehensive structural development through programs and initiatives and provide high-quality living standards for a cohesive society.

[59][58][60] During November to March, the average temperature is 27 °C (81 °F) by day and 15 °C (59 °F) at night, but it can rise to over 40 °C (104 °F)[62] in the peak of the summer and when humidity levels are high.

Although not formally protected, the island of Sinaiyah, along with Khor Al Beidah, is one of the largest areas of undisturbed and varied coastal environment remaining anywhere in the UAE.

The harbor is surrounded by old coral stone houses that display features of the original architecture and intricate sculptured plaster work.

The Madaar creek that runs between the islands provides a navigable waterway for fisherman even at low tide when the average depth is less than a few feet.

[7][31][20][76] Dreamland Aqua Park: is located on the coastline of Umm Al Quwain; about 40 minutes drive from Dubai, with 250 ha (620 acres) expanse of landscaped gardens and over 30 rides, slides, and attractions.