Photo of Al-Ain Clock Tower Roundabout pan west view | From the portfolio of Aidan O'Rourke

Al-Ain is the UAE's showpiece desert oasis town, located approximately 160km (100 miles) inland from Abu Dhabi. Home to the UAE University, laid out with long tree-lined roads with roundabout intersections, it reminds me of a 'Milton Keynes of the Gulf'. Unlike Abu Dhabi or Sharjah, it's a low-rise urban area, and will stay that way thanks to strict planning regulations. It has an open border with Oman including the town of Buraimi, just five minutes drive from the centre of Al-Ain. To the south is the majestic outline of Jebel Hafeet or 'Whale Mountain', where there are several springs. Al-Ain means 'the spring'.

Al-Ain Uhrturm-Kreisverkehr Panorama Westansicht
Al-Ain ist eine prachtvoll angelegte Oasenstadt, die sich ungefähr 160km von Abu Dhabi im Landesinnern befindet. Sitz der VAE-Universität, ist Al -Ain eine Stadt von langen baumbepflanzten Alleen mit Verkehrskreisen an den Straßenkreuzungen. Al-Ain ist keine Großstadt mit hohen Gebäuden, wie Abu Dhabi oder Sharjah - Strenge Bauvorschriften sorgen dafür, daß die Stadt niedrig gebaut bleibt. Eine offene Grenze besteht mit Oman, einschließlich der Stadt Buraimi, die nur fünf Minuten von der Stadtmitte Al-Ain entfernt ist. Im Süden sieht man die majestätische Form von Jebel Hafeet oder 'Wal-Berg' (Jebel 'dschebbel' bedeutet auf arabisch 'Berg'), wo es mehrere Brunnen gibt. Al-Ain heißt 'der Brunnen'.

Around 2003l/2004, the clock tower was removed and the roundabout replaced by an intersection with traffic lights.

Im Jahre 2003/2004 wurde der Uhrturm niedergerissen. Der Verkehrskreis wurde durch eine Straßenkreuzung mit Ampeln ersetzt.

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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Image portfolio category: Dubai Emirates photos

Picture: Al-Ain Clock Tower Roundabout pan west view » Filename: Uae2k062AlAinRabPan.jpg