Looking towards Al-Ain from the rest area about 20 km (14 miles) from Al-Ain and around 100km (70 miles) from Dubai. The upper shot was taken in 2001 and the lower shot from almost the same viewpoint in 2004. Drag the lower right corner of the pop up window down to reveal the whole image. Click here to see the view in the opposite direction from the top of the hill on the other side, taken in 2001.

The trees have grown a little and the bushes along the strip the right have changed but apart from the disappearance of the Amana advertising sign, not much has changed in this view. 40 years ago there were no roads in the Emirates and this scene would have been virgin desert.

About the photos

This image is from the portfolio of Aidan O'Rourke photographer writer website publisher. Most images are copyright Aidan O'Rourke and may be available as prints or high resolution files. Some images are by other artists, and are published with their approval, or are included in reviews of their work.

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Keywords: Dubai, United Arab Emirates, highways, then and now, deserts, UAE