Seagulls at the Jumeirah open beach near the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
Seagulls at the Jumeirah open beach near the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
Families visit Abu Dhabi's salt lake flats at sunset, a popular place for photos and where cooler temperatures can be enjoyed. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Families visit Abu Dhabi's salt lake flats at sunset, a popular place for photos and where cooler temperatures can be enjoyed. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
A child enjoying the water feature at the Expo 2020 site in Dubai. Pawan Singh/The National.
A child enjoying the water feature at the Expo 2020 site in Dubai. Pawan Singh/The National.
Dhows unloading and loading items by Deira's Spice Market. For many people, the creek (Khor) with its dhow moorings, abra water taxis, and souks is the very essence of the old city - the place where many things have started. For decades, Dubai Creek has been a hub of activity as traders bring in goods and sell their wares at the bustling markets nearby. Reem Mohammed / The National
Dhows unloading and loading items by Deira's Spice Market. For many people, the creek (Khor) with its dhow moorings, abra water taxis, and souks is the very essence of the old city - the place where many things have started. For decades, Dubai Creek has been a hub of activity as traders bring in goods and sell their wares at the bustling markets nearby. Reem Mohammed / The National
Mariam Mohammed Al Kabi, Sameha Ahmed Al Kabi, Nadia Khalifa Al Shamsi and Ateeja Al Mherbi; artisans at the Women's Handicraft Centre in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Mariam Mohammed Al Kabi, Sameha Ahmed Al Kabi, Nadia Khalifa Al Shamsi and Ateeja Al Mherbi; artisans at the Women's Handicraft Centre in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Emiratis practising falconry in the desert. Reem Mohammed / The National
Emiratis practising falconry in the desert. Reem Mohammed / The National
Kids playing cricket in the parking area in Bur Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
Kids playing cricket in the parking area in Bur Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
The mobility pavilion on the 11th day of Expo 2020 Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The mobility pavilion on the 11th day of Expo 2020 Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The first Eid prayer is performed at the Eid prayer ground in Al Barsha, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The first Eid prayer is performed at the Eid prayer ground in Al Barsha, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
A person walking in Dubai's Design District. Chris Whiteoak / The National
A person walking in Dubai's Design District. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Sunset at the Tal Mureeb dunes in Liwa, Empty Quarter, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
Sunset at the Tal Mureeb dunes in Liwa, Empty Quarter, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
The town of Qo'a, a Bidoon community on the Abu Dhabi-Oman border. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The town of Qo'a, a Bidoon community on the Abu Dhabi-Oman border. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Near the Qutuf watchtower which guarded the southern approaches to settlements in the central part of the Liwa Crescent, inhabited by the Mahadhar, in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
Near the Qutuf watchtower which guarded the southern approaches to settlements in the central part of the Liwa Crescent, inhabited by the Mahadhar, in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
Sunrise at a camp set up in Dubai’s desert. Reem Mohammed / The National
Sunrise at a camp set up in Dubai’s desert. Reem Mohammed / The National
The crescent moon lake in the Al Qudra Desert, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
The crescent moon lake in the Al Qudra Desert, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
Near the Qutuf watchtower in the Liwa Crescent, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
Near the Qutuf watchtower in the Liwa Crescent, Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
Al Madam buried ghost village, Sharjah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Al Madam buried ghost village, Sharjah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Desert landscape at sunset in Ajman. Pawan Singh / The National
Desert landscape at sunset in Ajman. Pawan Singh / The National
Beauty of the desert landscape in Ajman. Pawan Singh / The National
Beauty of the desert landscape in Ajman. Pawan Singh / The National
Early morning fog in the desert in Al Badayer, Sharjah. Pawan Singh / The National
Early morning fog in the desert in Al Badayer, Sharjah. Pawan Singh / The National
The landscape as seen from Jebel Hafeet in Al Ain. Pawan Singh / The National
The landscape as seen from Jebel Hafeet in Al Ain. Pawan Singh / The National
Obaid Saeed Obaid's farm in Wadi Kub, Ras Al Khaimah. Reem Mohammed / The National
Obaid Saeed Obaid's farm in Wadi Kub, Ras Al Khaimah. Reem Mohammed / The National
Off-road enthusiasts go dune bashing on a mountainside in Sharjah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Off-road enthusiasts go dune bashing on a mountainside in Sharjah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The world's longest zip line at Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The world's longest zip line at Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Maliha, Sharjah. Pawan Singh / The National
Maliha, Sharjah. Pawan Singh / The National
At the top of the world's longest zip line at Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
At the top of the world's longest zip line at Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Rashed Naib, an employee on Abdullah Al Mazrooie's farm in Al Ghail. Reem Mohammed / The National
Rashed Naib, an employee on Abdullah Al Mazrooie's farm in Al Ghail. Reem Mohammed / The National
The sun sets over the mountains in Ras Al Khaimah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The sun sets over the mountains in Ras Al Khaimah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Beautiful scenery and fresh water at Wadi Shis, a seasonal watercourse, in the Hajar Mountains of Sharjah. Pawan Singh / The National
Beautiful scenery and fresh water at Wadi Shis, a seasonal watercourse, in the Hajar Mountains of Sharjah. Pawan Singh / The National
The mountains in Ras Al Khaimah against a typically clear blue UAE sky. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The mountains in Ras Al Khaimah against a typically clear blue UAE sky. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Heavy morning fog at Dubai Marina. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Heavy morning fog at Dubai Marina. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Fireworks light up the Yas Bay waterfront to mark Eid Al Fitr, in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
Fireworks light up the Yas Bay waterfront to mark Eid Al Fitr, in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
The Dubai skyline at sunset. Reem Mohammed / The National
The Dubai skyline at sunset. Reem Mohammed / The National
The interior of Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi, one of the UAE's cultural landmarks. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The interior of Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi, one of the UAE's cultural landmarks. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The sun sets over a mosque in Ras Al Khaimah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The sun sets over a mosque in Ras Al Khaimah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
A bird flies between two mosques in Bur Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
A bird flies between two mosques in Bur Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
A view of the Al Taqwa Mosque at the Buhaira Corniche in Sharjah, during the evening. Pawan Singh / The National
A view of the Al Taqwa Mosque at the Buhaira Corniche in Sharjah, during the evening. Pawan Singh / The National
A cabin on Ain Dubai, the observation wheel on Bluewaters Island. Ain Dubai opened to the public on October 21 this year. Visitors can see Palm Jumeirah and the JBR area from its cabins. Pawan Singh / The National
A cabin on Ain Dubai, the observation wheel on Bluewaters Island. Ain Dubai opened to the public on October 21 this year. Visitors can see Palm Jumeirah and the JBR area from its cabins. Pawan Singh / The National
Pigeons fly on the creek in Bur Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Pigeons fly on the creek in Bur Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The sun rises on a hazy morning along the corniche in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
The sun rises on a hazy morning along the corniche in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
Dozens of kite surfers make the most of favourable conditions at Jumeirah Beach, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Dozens of kite surfers make the most of favourable conditions at Jumeirah Beach, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The mountains can be seen from the Gulf of Oman in Dibba, Fujairah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The mountains can be seen from the Gulf of Oman in Dibba, Fujairah. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Jubail Mangrove Park, Abu Dhabi, at dusk. Victor Besa / The National
Jubail Mangrove Park, Abu Dhabi, at dusk. Victor Besa / The National
People enjoying boat rides, kayaking and other adventure activities at Hatta Dam, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
People enjoying boat rides, kayaking and other adventure activities at Hatta Dam, Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
People spending time enjoying a spectacular sunset near the beach in Ras Al Khaimah. Pawan Singh / The National
People spending time enjoying a spectacular sunset near the beach in Ras Al Khaimah. Pawan Singh / The National
Dhows unloading and loading items by Deira's Spice Market. For many people, the creek [Khor] with its dhow moorings, Abra water taxis and souks is the very essence of the old city. For decades, Dubai Creek has been a hive of activity as traders bring in goods and sell their wares at the bustling markets nearby. Reem Mohammed / The National
Dhows unloading and loading items by Deira's Spice Market. For many people, the creek [Khor] with its dhow moorings, Abra water taxis and souks is the very essence of the old city. For decades, Dubai Creek has been a hive of activity as traders bring in goods and sell their wares at the bustling markets nearby. Reem Mohammed / The National
View of the beach near the Pink Lake, which was discovered in Ras Al Khaimah. Pawan Singh / The National
View of the beach near the Pink Lake, which was discovered in Ras Al Khaimah. Pawan Singh / The National
Fishing on a hazy New Year's Day morning overlooking the Burj al Arab, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak/The National
Fishing on a hazy New Year's Day morning overlooking the Burj al Arab, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak/The National
The sun sets on a mangrove forest area on Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari/ The National
The sun sets on a mangrove forest area on Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari/ The National
The coastline of Al Sila'a, a city 350 kilometres west of Abu Dhabi and 450km west of Dubai, consisting mainly of Emirati town houses. A sand plover is searching for worms during low tide along the Sila'a coastline. Victor Besa / The National
The coastline of Al Sila'a, a city 350 kilometres west of Abu Dhabi and 450km west of Dubai, consisting mainly of Emirati town houses. A sand plover is searching for worms during low tide along the Sila'a coastline. Victor Besa / The National

UAE

The beauty of the UAE - in pictures

To celebrate the country's 50th year, 'The National' selects 50 of the most beautiful shots of the UAE's deserts, cities, mountains, coastlines and people.

The National

December 15, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

National Day 2021: UAE celebrates 50th year

Italia 90, Gulf Cup success and hosting Messi, Ronaldo and Maradona in the UAE

Sheikh Hamdan poses with his twins in National Day post

Crowds flock to Expo 2020 Dubai for National Day extravaganza

The ingredients to make a world-leading nation in just 50 years

Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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%3Cp%3EFly%20with%20Etihad%20Airways%20from%20Abu%20Dhabi%20to%20New%20York%E2%80%99s%20JFK.%20There's%2011%20flights%20a%20week%20and%20economy%20fares%20start%20at%20around%20Dh5%2C000.%3Cbr%3EStay%20at%20The%20Mark%20Hotel%20on%20the%20city%E2%80%99s%20Upper%20East%20Side.%20Overnight%20stays%20start%20from%20%241395%20per%20night.%3Cbr%3EVisit%20NYC%20Go%2C%20the%20official%20destination%20resource%20for%20New%20York%20City%20for%20all%20the%20latest%20events%2C%20activites%20and%20openings.%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Updated: December 15, 2021, 10:05 AM`
PhotographyUAEUAE At 50