In contrast to five of the seven United Arab Emirates, the territory of Umm Al-Quwain consists of one contiguous area. With just over 53.000 inhabitants, it is the emirate with the smallest population and covers only 777 km², which is about one percent of the United Arab Emirates.

Traditionally, the population of the emirate lives from fishing, boat building (dhows) and from the earnings of the oasis Faladsch Al Mulla, where a date plantation is operated.

Over the past few years, tourism has developed into another industry with attractions such as Dreamland, a huge aqua park, and a protected island about 1 km from Umm Al Quwain town.