Tour overview

Khor Fakkan is a known city of the Emirate of Sharjah, located on the east coast of the United Arab Emirates. The territory of Khor Fakkan is surrounded by the Emirate of Fujairah. It is the second-largest city on the east coast. It derived its name because it lies on the bay of the Khor Fakkan (Creek of Two Jaws). Khor Fakkan Container Terminal is the largest natural deep-sea port in the UAE. Usually, domestic tourists love to visit this region often.

History:

According to historians, in 1580 a Venetian jeweler Gasparo Balbi listed “Chorf” (possibly Khor Fakkan) among the names of places on the east coast of the United Arab Emirates. Later, a fort was constructed by The Portuguese in Khor Fakkan. However, it was destroyed by some invaders in 1666.

This fort and another one was mentioned as “Gorfacan” a place on a small bay near the beach, with about 200 small houses built from date branches, in the logbook of the Dutch vessel ‘’the Meerkat’’. It is known as a triangular Portuguese fortress on the northern side, became derelict. A fortress on a hill on the southern side without platoon and ordnance also fell apart. The Meerkat’s log clearly indicates date palm as well as fig trees, melons, watermelons, and myrrh. It also mentions numerous wells with “good and freshwater” specialized for irrigation purposes.

In 1623, the invaders of the Persian navy, under the command of Omani Sheikh Muhammad Suhar tumble downed the state of forts. The Portuguese counter-moved the Suhar and expelled them from the Portuguese forts, including that of Khor Fakkan. The Portuguese commander Ruy Freire emphasized the inhabitants of Khor Fakkan to remain faithful to him. The Portuguese king also established custom offices in the region.

In 1737, the Persians overran Khor Fakkan during their intervention in the Omani civil war expelled the Portuguese with the assistant of the Dutch. According to the German traveler Carsten Niebuhr, Khor Fakkan belonged to a sheikh of the Qawasim, Sharjah’s ruling family.

Later, Khor Fakkan belonged to the Zaab tribe after the Persians.

Archaeology:

Khor Fakkan is known for its vast history of human settlement. Recently, 34 graves and a settlement belonging to the early mid 2^nd millennium BC are identified by a team of researchers from the Sharjah Archaeological Museum. It seems like a harbor congregated on rock outcrops.

The Rifaisa Dam, in the mountains of Khor Fakkan is one of the major sites of attraction for tourists. It is believed that it was established over a village. Even you can observe the tops of the old houses when water is still.