Sharjah
A Gulf emirate and old port, long a centre of trade and today of publishing and heritage work.
- Type
- Emirate and port
- Name means
- 'The eastern one' (root sh-r-q)
- Country
- United Arab Emirates
- Known for
- Museums, publishing and heritage work
Overview
Sharjah sits on the Gulf coast beside Dubai, on a creek that made it one of the leading ports of the lower Gulf before the oil era — a harbour for pearling fleets and for the trade running to India and East Africa.
The name
From sh-r-q (ش-ر-ق), 'east' — *al-Shāriqah*, 'the eastern one', named from the direction of the rising sun.
Today
The emirate is known for its museums, its restored old quarter and a sustained programme of publishing and Arabic-language work, which has made it a reference point for heritage and archive projects in the region.
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Sharjah mean?
'The eastern one', from the root sh-r-q, 'east' — named from the direction of the rising sun.
Sources
- ياقوت الحموي، معجم البلدان، 626هـ — مادة: الشارقة
- ابن منظور، لسان العرب، 711هـ — مادة: شرق
Last reviewed: 2026-07-27