Hatta, United Arab Emirates Explained

Official Name:Hatta
Native Name:Arabic: حتا
Pushpin Map:United Arab Emirates
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:Emirate
Area Total Km2:140
Population As Of:2018
Population Total:13295
Coordinates:24.7967°N 56.1175°W
Elevation Ft:1082
Elevation M:330

Hatta (Arabic: حتا) is an inland exclave of the emirate of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.[1] Formerly an Omani territory, its ownership was transferred to Dubai in or around 1850.

Geography

It lies to the south-east of Dubai's main territory and is about east of Dubai. It is located relatively high in the Hajar Mountains.[2] It borders Oman to the east and the south,[3] the Ajman exclave of Masfout to the west, and Ras al-Khaimah to the north.

History

Previously known as Hajarain, Hatta became a dependency of Dubai during the reign of Hasher Bin Maktoum after the Omani Sultan Turki bin Said transferred the territory, finding himself unable to defend it against the Na'im of Buraimi, who had settled neighbouring Masfout (today a part of the emirate of Ajman).[4] [5] The village was still called Hajarain as recently as 1906.[6]

The old village of Hatta includes two prominent military towers from the 1880s,[7] [8] a fort from 1896 and the Juma mosque, which was built in 1780 and is the oldest building in Hatta. Some ancestral burial chambers from the Hafit period (3200-2500BC) can be found in the east part of the village. Some of them have been completely rebuilt.[9] The traditional water supply was through the falaj system, which also has been restored.[10] Since it is located in the mountains, traditionally it was the summer habitation of Dubai-based families escaping the heat and humidity of the coast and trying new outdoor activities.[11]

Since the early 1980s, Hatta has been a popular vacation destination for western expatriates and local families alike for 'wadi bashing' through the tracks between Hatta, Mahdah and Al Ain.[12]

Economy

Hatta's main economic factor is tourism and water. Historically the area was able to grow date palms; the fruits were used as a food source, while the tree was used for building material.[7] It has a popular heritage village, including a collection of reconstructed traditional mountain dwellings and is popular for weekend getaways with both people camping in the winter months or staying at the Hatta Fort Hotel,[7] [13] [14] which is located only away from Hatta Dam.

Hatta Dam was built in 1990s to supply the area with electricity and water.[7] [15] Hatta Kayak is a popular tourist destination and a favourite spot for kayaking in UAE.[16] [17] Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is constructing a 250 MW pumped-storage hydroelectricity (with an energy storage capacity of 1,500MWh or 6 hours) at Hatta using 880 million gallons of water above a lower dam.[18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23]

Development

In November 8, 2016, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announced a billion plan to turn the mountain city of Hatta into a world-class tourist destination, with over 40 projects in economic, social and cultural sectors. The plan included 400 homes for Emiratis in Hatta, green areas for winter sports and a mountain track circuit. The plan aims to encourage the youth to start their own businesses under the supervision of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation.[24]

Sports

It is home to football side Hatta Club. Since 2009, the Dubai Sports Council[25] has been focusing on reviving Hatta with sports and outdoor activities, such as hiking, yoga, rowing, paddling, and kayaking, to associate the area with such activities.[26]

It also has a network of mountain biking routes of various grades that cater for beginners, intermediate and advanced cyclists.

Climate

Due to Hatta's higher altitude, its climate is much cooler than central Dubai. Hatta has an arid landscape and temperature, reaching 55 degrees Celsius in the summer; however, it is less humid than Dubai and far colder in the winter.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2021-10-24. A complete guide to Hatta: what to do, where to stay and how to get there. 2022-01-03. The National.
  2. Web site: About Hatta in Dubai, UAE. usatoday.com. 12 April 2017. 2 December 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211202201228/https://traveltips.usatoday.com/hatta-dubai-uae-18686.html. dead.
  3. Web site: The wild wonders of Hatta, the hidden heart of Dubai. 2022-01-03. CNN. 16 January 2020 . en.
  4. Book: Lorimer, John. Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf. British Government, Bombay. 1915. 752.
  5. Book: Heard-Bey, Frauke. From Trucial States to United Arab Emirates : a society in transition. 2005. Motivate. 1-86063-167-3. London. 433. 64689681.
  6. Book: Lorimer, John. Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf Vol II. British Government, Bombay. 1915. 454.
  7. Web site: Visit Hatta Heritage Village. visitdubai.com. 9 June 2019.
  8. Web site: Hatta: The ultimate weekend adventure spot for hiking, zip-lining, mountain biking and more. 2022-01-03. gulfnews.com. 11 February 2021 . en.
  9. HattaTouristinformation
  10. Web site: Falaj Irrigation System in UAE: Method, Types, Components & more – MyBayut. 2022-01-03. A blog about homes, trends, tips & life in the UAE MyBayut. en-US.
  11. Web site: UAE nature: 50 best mountains, deserts and beaches to explore. 2022-01-03. gulfnews.com. 17 December 2020 . en.
  12. Web site: Things to do in Hatta – UAE. visitdubai.com. 12 April 2017.
  13. Web site: Hatta Heritage Village. dubaiculture.gov.ae. 12 April 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20160312123722/http://www.dubaiculture.gov.ae/en/Live-Our-Heritage/Pages/Hatta-Heritage-Village.aspx . 12 March 2016. dead.
  14. Web site: Dubai Mountain Resort - JA Hatta Fort Hotel. jaresortshotels.com. 12 April 2017.
  15. Web site: Hatta Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project - NS Energy. 2022-01-03. en-US.
  16. Web site: Hatta Dam. visitdubai.com. 12 April 2017.
  17. Web site: Hatta Kayaking Review: Location, Prices, Contact & More - MyBayut. 2022-01-03. A blog about homes, trends, tips & life in the UAE MyBayut. en-US.
  18. Web site: 2018-07-16. DEWA concludes engineering studies for power station in Hatta. 2022-01-03. Power Technology. en-US.
  19. Web site: 2016-12-23. Dubai to build Persian Gulf's first hydroelectric plant, 880 million gallon 'battery'. 2022-01-03. Electrek. en-US.
  20. Web site: DEWA awards $15.8 million Hatta consultancy contract to EDF. 2022-01-03. www.almahroos.com. en-bahrain.
  21. Web site: Nagraj. Aarti . 2017-06-12. DEWA awards Dhs58m deal for hydroelectric power station at Hatta Dam. 2022-01-03. Gulf Business. en-US.
  22. Web site: Dubai to build Persian Gulf's first hydroelectric plant, 880 million gallon 'battery'. 23 December 2016. Electrek . 24 December 2016.
  23. Web site: Hatta 250MW PHES in Dubai nears halfway completion . Energy Storage News . https://web.archive.org/web/20220609162104/https://www.energy-storage.news/hatta-250mw-phes-in-dubai-nears-halfway-completion/ . 9 June 2022 . 9 June 2022 . live.
  24. Web site: 2016-11-07 . Sheikh Mohammed announces Dh1.3bn Hatta development plan . 2022-05-25 . The National . en.
  25. Web site: 2020 . Hatta Mountain Biking . 2023-01-28 . www.visithatta.com . en.
  26. Web site: DSC announces community sports events in Hatta. 2022-01-03. www.gulftoday.ae.