Al Ain Oasis which covers 3,000 acres – around 12 square kilometres – is believed to be the oldest of the six oases that exist. Signified by the density of its plantations, it is also associated with historic residences, a mosque and forts including Al Jahili Fort built for the purpose of its defence.

Al Ain’s oases have played a pivotal role in the transition from hunter and nomadic cultures to the sedentary occupation of the land. Early civilisations managed water resources to produce a sustainable agricultural system in a desert environment that has since continued for the past 5,000 years.

It is for this reason that the six oases have merited their UNESCO World Heritage status, through the development of a fertile environment in otherwise arid conditions. Date palm plantations and working farms can be seen today, as can the traditional falaj irrigation channels employed to manage water usage in agriculture.

Furthermore, an Eco-centre detailing the history and importance of the oases, and actions in place to protect them, is to be found at Al Ain Oasis.