Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) is the northernmost emirate of the United Arab Emirates. It’s known for its Arabian Gulf beaches. In the capital city of the same name, the National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah occupies a centuries-old fort. The museum features regional history and archaeological exhibits. Nearby is the large, traditional Mohammed bin Salem Mosque. Northeast, the mountaintop Dhayah Fort dates from the 19th century. Ras Al Khaimah has a rich history. It was renowned for its prosperous port and exquisite pearls, which were the whitest and roundest in the world. It is the fourth largest emirate and covers an area of 1684sq. km. which is equal to 3.16 per cent of the total area of the UAE. Today, Ras Al Khaimah is reinventing itself as a tourism hub. It is often described as the most scenic of all the emirates because of its diverse landscape consisting of sandy deserts, coastal strips with salt flats areas, mangroves and mountains. There are also sulphur springs near the mountain areas. The emirate is also home to a number of mammals such as foxes and jerboas as well as hundreds of bird species.