• A section of the E11, built by Khansaheb, is opened in Ras Al Khaimah in the late 1970s to early 1980s. Photo: Alittihad
    A section of the E11, built by Khansaheb, is opened in Ras Al Khaimah in the late 1970s to early 1980s. Photo: Alittihad
  • At the opening of the motorway, the flags of Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah are raised. Photo: Alittihad
    At the opening of the motorway, the flags of Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah are raised. Photo: Alittihad
  • A sign reading Sheikh Zayed Road on the newly opened section of the E1 in Ras Al Khaimah in the late 1970s. Photo: Alittihad
    A sign reading Sheikh Zayed Road on the newly opened section of the E1 in Ras Al Khaimah in the late 1970s. Photo: Alittihad
  • Sheikh Zayed Road. Dubai World Trade Centre (R) was built alongside the E11 in 1979. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Sheikh Zayed Road. Dubai World Trade Centre (R) was built alongside the E11 in 1979. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • The E11 in Ras Al Khaimah in 2008. The motorway passes through every emirate but Fujairah. Lauren Lancaster / The National
    The E11 in Ras Al Khaimah in 2008. The motorway passes through every emirate but Fujairah. Lauren Lancaster / The National
  • Sheikh Zayed Road, connecting Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Work began on the motorway in 1968, though construction would not begin for another two years and would be completed a decade later. Antonie Robertson / The National
    Sheikh Zayed Road, connecting Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Work began on the motorway in 1968, though construction would not begin for another two years and would be completed a decade later. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • Evening traffic on the E11 on a night in December 2013 in Abu Dhabi, near Al Raha Beach. Silvia Razgova / The National
    Evening traffic on the E11 on a night in December 2013 in Abu Dhabi, near Al Raha Beach. Silvia Razgova / The National
  • The E11 as it approaches the border between Ras Al Khaimah and Oman, pictured in October 2008. Lauren Lancaster / The National
    The E11 as it approaches the border between Ras Al Khaimah and Oman, pictured in October 2008. Lauren Lancaster / The National
  • The E11 in May 2008. The motorway travels from the tip of Ras Al Khaimah to the border with Saudi Arabia in the south-west. Lauren Lancaster / The National
    The E11 in May 2008. The motorway travels from the tip of Ras Al Khaimah to the border with Saudi Arabia in the south-west. Lauren Lancaster / The National
  • A supermarket on the E11 in Ras Al Khaimah, towards the border with Oman, in October 2008. Lauren Lancaster / The National
    A supermarket on the E11 in Ras Al Khaimah, towards the border with Oman, in October 2008. Lauren Lancaster / The National
  • Part of the E11 motorway in May 2008. Lauren Lancaster / The National
    Part of the E11 motorway in May 2008. Lauren Lancaster / The National
  • Motorists drive home along the E11 during rush-hour traffic in Abu Dhabi in April 2015. Lee Hoagland / The National
    Motorists drive home along the E11 during rush-hour traffic in Abu Dhabi in April 2015. Lee Hoagland / The National
  • Part of the E11 outside Abu Dhabi in May 2008. Lauren Lancaster / The National
    Part of the E11 outside Abu Dhabi in May 2008. Lauren Lancaster / The National
  • Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai in May 2008. Burj Khalifa is still under construction. Ryan Carter / The National
    Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai in May 2008. Burj Khalifa is still under construction. Ryan Carter / The National
  • A junction along the E11 in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi, in June 2008. Ryan Carter / The National
    A junction along the E11 in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi, in June 2008. Ryan Carter / The National
  • The E11 in Ras Al Khaimah in September 2018. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    The E11 in Ras Al Khaimah in September 2018. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Why the UAE's national motorway is called the E11


James Langton
  • English
  • Arabic

Stretching from Al Sila, on the border between Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia, and ending in Ras Al Khaimah, the UAE’s longest road is 558.4 kilometres.

In Dubai, it is known as the Sheikh Zayed Road. For Abu Dhabi, large sections are the Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Road, while south of the capital to the Saudi border it is the Sheikh Khalifa International Highway. In Ras Al Khaimah it becomes the Sheikh Muhammad bin Salem Road.

Along its entire length, though, it is designated the E11, marked by distinctive signs with white background and a solid blue falcon shield, the number 11 and the capital letter “E” on the top right, with the Arabic equivalent on the left.

So much for the description. But what does the “E” mean, and what does the number 11 stand for?

To navigate this complex and sometimes confusing system, there is help from document TR-538 issued by the Abu Dhabi Department of Transport in 2018.

Route Number System Policy and Procedures is a comprehensive guide to pretty much everything you need to know about roads in the UAE.

The E Route system — the E stands for Emirates — was adopted in 1995 “representing nationally and internationally significant high-speed roads within the UAE”.

They are defined as having “limited or controlled access”, a minimum width to accommodate at least a dual carriageway, and a “speed limit of 100 kilometres an hour or higher.”

There are two categories of E road: primary and secondary. Primary E roads “should be two digits” and, across the UAE, range in number from E10 to E99.

The guide adds that “even-numbered routes generally travel east-west or in parallel with the Arabian Gulf Coast, and should be generally numbered downward from the Gulf inland”.

Odd-numbered roads “generally travel north-south or perpendicular to the Arabian Gulf Coast, generally numbered upward from west to east”. The E11 is one of these.

Three-digit roads are “bypass routes which start and finish at different points along a Primary E-route”.

So, the first number is unique to the road, while the second two indicate the primary route being bypassed. The E611 in Dubai, also known as Emirates Road, is an example.

The lowest odd-numbered E road is the E11, and the lowest even-numbered one is the E10, a short spur road from Shahama to the city of Abu Dhabi.

All the roads beginning with the number 1 connect to the E11. So, it might help to think of E11 as E1.1.

The E10 is 0 — with the sequence running through the E12, connecting the city through Yas and Saadiyat islands, the E16, which begins at the E11 at Al Rahba, and the E18 in RAK.

Other roads are numbered in sequence, from the E20 that passes Sweihan, through to the E99 in Fujairah.

However, the document admits that “actual E-route numbering practices frequently differ for various reasons”.

For example, the odd and even numbers rule is not always followed — particularly in Abu Dhabi — in part because the coastline south of the city switches from north-south to east-west.

Aside from the E-system of motorways, each emirate has local roads.

In Abu Dhabi, these are designated AD roads, and in Dubai, they are D roads. The numbering system of these is equally complex. For example, in Abu Dhabi, roads more than 20km should end in the number 5 if they run east-west and 0 for north-south.

One last thing. In 2001, a UN agreement created the Arab Mashreq International Road Network.

These are routes which connect across international borders to create a network of “M” roads using existing motorways.

The M5, for example, connects northern Iraq through Baghdad and Mosul, to Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE through Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Kalba in Sharjah, before ending in Salalah in Oman.

This agreement calls on these roads to be signposted with the letter M and the road number in blue on a white background.

The E11 in Abu Dhabi is, therefore, also the Sheikh Rashid bin Maktoum Road, the Sheikh Khalifa International Highway and the M5.

Perhaps fortunately for the already confused motorists of the UAE, this has yet to be implemented.

A version of this article was first published on July 19, 2022

Company%C2%A0profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EOutsized%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2016%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAzeem%20Zainulbhai%2C%20Niclas%20Thelander%2C%20Anurag%20Bhalla%20and%20Johann%20van%20Niekerk%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EIndia%2C%20South%20Africa%2C%20South-East%20Asia%2C%20Mena%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Recruitment%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20raised%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%241%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20staff%20count%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2040%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeed%20and%20angel%20investors%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Vidaamuyarchi

Director: Magizh Thirumeni

Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra

Rating: 4/5

 

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

Three ways to boost your credit score

Marwan Lutfi says the core fundamentals that drive better payment behaviour and can improve your credit score are:

1. Make sure you make your payments on time;

2. Limit the number of products you borrow on: the more loans and credit cards you have, the more it will affect your credit score;

3. Don't max out all your debts: how much you maximise those credit facilities will have an impact. If you have five credit cards and utilise 90 per cent of that credit, it will negatively affect your score.

F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

Specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%20train%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4.0-litre%20twin-turbo%20V8%20and%20synchronous%20electric%20motor%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20power%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E800hp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20torque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E950Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEight-speed%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E25.7kWh%20lithium-ion%3Cbr%3E0-100km%2Fh%3A%203.4sec%3Cbr%3E0-200km%2Fh%3A%2011.4sec%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETop%20speed%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E312km%2Fh%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20electric-only%20range%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2060km%20(claimed)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Q3%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh1.2m%20(estimate)%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20SAMSUNG%20GALAXY%20Z%20FOLD5
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMain%20display%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%207.6%22%20QXGA%2B%20Dynamic%20Amoled%202X%2C%20Infinity%20Flex%2C%202176%20x%201812%2C%2021.6%3A18%2C%20374ppi%2C%20HDR10%2B%2C%20up%20to%20120Hz%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECover%20display%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.2%22%20HD%2B%20Dynamic%20Amoled%202X%2C%202316%20x%20904%2C%2023.1%3A9%2C%20402ppi%2C%20up%20to%20120Hz%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Qualcomm%20Snapdragon%208%20Gen%202%2C%204nm%2C%20octa-core%3B%20Adreno%20740%20GPU%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2012GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECapacity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20256%2F512GB%20%2F%201TB%20(online%20exclusive)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPlatform%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Android%2013%2C%20One%20UI%205.1.1%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMain%20camera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Triple%2012MP%20ultra-wide%20(f%2F2.2)%20%2B%2050MP%20wide%20(f%2F1.8)%20%2B%2010MP%20telephoto%20(f%2F2.4)%2C%20dual%20OIS%2C%203x%20optical%20zoom%2C%2030x%20Space%20Zoom%2C%20portrait%2C%20super%20slo-mo%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EVideo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208K%4024fps%2C%204K%4060fps%2C%20full-HD%4060%2F240fps%2C%20HD%40960fps%3B%20slo-mo%4060%2F240%2F960fps%3B%20HDR10%2B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECover%20camera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2010MP%20(f%2F2.2)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInner%20front%20camera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Under-display%204MP%20(f%2F1.8)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204400mAh%2C%2025W%20fast%20charging%2C%2015W%20wireless%2C%204.5W%20reverse%20wireless%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205G%3B%20Wi-Fi%2C%20Bluetooth%205.3%2C%20NFC%20(Samsung%20Pay)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20USB-C%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECards%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nano-SIM%20%2B%20eSIM%3B%20dual%20nano-SIMs%20%2B%20eSIM%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Cream%2C%20icy%20blue%2C%20phantom%20black%3B%20online%20exclusives%20%E2%80%93%20blue%2C%20grey%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Fold5%2C%20USB-C-to-USB-C%20cable%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dh6%2C799%20%2F%20Dh7%2C249%20%2F%20Dh8%2C149%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Veil (Object Lessons)
Rafia Zakaria
​​​​​​​Bloomsbury Academic

Results

4.30pm Jebel Jais – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (Turf) 1,000m; Winner: MM Al Balqaa, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Qaiss Aboud (trainer)

5pm: Jabel Faya – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (T) 1,000m; Winner: AF Rasam, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

5.30pm: Al Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Mukhrej, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

6pm: The President’s Cup Prep – Conditions (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Mujeeb, Richard Mullen, Salem Al Ketbi

6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club – Prestige (PA) Dh125,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Antonio Fresu, Abubakar Daud

7pm: Al Ruwais – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Pat Dobbs, Ibrahim Aseel

7.30pm: Jebel Hafeet – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Nibraas, Richard Mullen, Nicholas Bachalard

What went into the film

25 visual effects (VFX) studios

2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots

1,000 VFX artists

3,000 technicians

10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers

New sound technology, named 4D SRL

 

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

ANDROID%20VERSION%20NAMES%2C%20IN%20ORDER
%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Alpha%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Beta%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Cupcake%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Donut%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Eclair%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Froyo%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Gingerbread%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Honeycomb%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Ice%20Cream%20Sandwich%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Jelly%20Bean%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20KitKat%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Lollipop%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Marshmallow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Nougat%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Oreo%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%20Pie%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2010%20(Quince%20Tart*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2011%20(Red%20Velvet%20Cake*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2012%20(Snow%20Cone*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2013%20(Tiramisu*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2014%20(Upside%20Down%20Cake*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAndroid%2015%20(Vanilla%20Ice%20Cream*)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3E*%20internal%20codenames%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Top 10 most polluted cities
  1. Bhiwadi, India
  2. Ghaziabad, India
  3. Hotan, China
  4. Delhi, India
  5. Jaunpur, India
  6. Faisalabad, Pakistan
  7. Noida, India
  8. Bahawalpur, Pakistan
  9. Peshawar, Pakistan
  10. Bagpat, India
Cricket World Cup League 2

UAE squad

Rahul Chopra (captain), Aayan Afzal Khan, Ali Naseer, Aryansh Sharma, Basil Hameed, Dhruv Parashar, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Farooq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Muhammad Waseem, Omid Rahman, Rahul Bhatia, Tanish Suri, Vishnu Sukumaran, Vriitya Aravind

Fixtures

Friday, November 1 – Oman v UAE
Sunday, November 3 – UAE v Netherlands
Thursday, November 7 – UAE v Oman
Saturday, November 9 – Netherlands v UAE

Updated: August 12, 2023, 12:00 PM