'east') due to the fact that the city is located to the east of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and that Sharjah was the easternmost settlement at the time.

[13] However, other interpretations have disputed the origin of the name based on location, and suggested instead that it refers to the word shurūq (Arabic: شُروق, lit. 'sunrise').

Further theories have linked the name to a pre-Islamic idol called Abed Al Shareq that transformed into Sharjah.

On 8 January 1820, Sheikh Sultan I signed the General Maritime Treaty with Britain, accepting a protectorate to keep the Ottoman Turks out.

In 1829, English author and traveler James Silk Buckingham described Sharjah as such: "In the course of the night, we had passed the port of Sharjee, on the Arabian coast, which is not an island, Niebuhr's chart, the only one in which it is inserted; but a small town, on a sandy beach, containing from five to six hundred inhabitants.

Attached to the letter was a petition signed by 48 prominent individuals testifying to bin Faris' character, which, according to the British, had been misrepresented to the signees.

The incident resolved after the Sheikh and bin Faris ceased transmitting propaganda and doubled down on their support to the British.

[18] On 2 December 1971, Sharjah, together with Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Umm Al Qawain, and Fujairah joined in the Act of Union to form the United Arab Emirates.

[20] Download coordinates as: Sharjah is the third largest city in the United Arab Emirates after Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

[24] The palace of the ruler of the Emirate of Sharjah, Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, is located about 20 kilometres (12 mi) southeast of the city.

It stands out due to its design by British architects Michael Lyle & Partners under the guidance of Sharjah's ruler, H.H Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the building was completed in 1978.

It is situated along the Khalid Lagoon and offers a stunning view of sunset, reflecting its beauty across the water.

The adjacent fort was constructed by then-Ruler of Sharjah Sultan bin Saqr Al Qasimi as a rest stop for travelling crew and for protection against any potential attacks.

The runway strip was converted into a highway and the buildings were renovated into Al Mahatta Museum, which opened in 2000.

There are many rooms which have display of traditional furniture along with household items including children's costumes, toys, and jewellery.

There is a small mosque for prayers nearby[47] Since its opening in 2008 Sharjah's Aquarium which is located in Al Layyeh, has become an attraction to adults and children.

Managed by the Sharjah Museums Authority, renowned for its educational initiatives, the aquarium features 20 tanks across two floors, housing diverse sea creatures in a sprawling 6,500 square meter space.

Visitors can walk along the aquarium floor while submerged in water, surrounded by a variety of fish and other sea creatures.

This community will offer residents many facilities which includes a 900-metre waterfront promenade, fitness clubs, swimming pools for kids and adults, an indoor garden, 4,000 square metre Maryam Park, jogging tracks, basketball courts, and a playground for children.

[64] Rain Room, an experiential artwork created by Hannes Koch and Florian Ortkrass of Random International in 2012, was permanently installed for the first time in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, in 2018.

This artwork allows people to visit the installation and walk through a rain downpour without getting wet, as their movement in dark spaces is detected by motion sensors.

The Sharjah Art Foundation constructed a purpose-built visitor center located in the city's residential area of Al Majarrah to house the permanent installation of Rain Room.

[79] In March 2021, the Sharjah Investment and Development authorities opened two parks in Al Rahmaniyah, Kshisha and Shaghrafa, built in a total area of 147,700 m2 (1,590,000 sq ft).

[81] In December 2020, Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi inaugurated a library inspired by the original House of Wisdom in Baghdad.

[citation needed] Sharjah International Airport is the home base of Air Arabia, a low-cost carrier.

The first international flight in Sharjah landed on 5 October 1932 in the Mahatta Fort airstrip as part of a refueling stop on Imperial Airways's India–Britain route.

[citation needed] Thanks to its 100% foreign ownership and exemption from income and corporate taxes, SAIF Zone has attracted investors from more than 90 countries.

[102] Tagalog and South Asian languages such as Hindi, Odia, Urdu, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali etc.

In addition to the UAE federal laws which criminalize homosexuality, the penal code in Sharjah actively discriminates against LGBTQ individuals.

Sharjah hosts the final round of the Union Internationale Motonautique Formula 1 Powerboat World Championship every year in December.