• 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

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Updated: December 15, 2021, 10:05 AM
PhotographyUAEUAE At 50