The United Arab Emirates is located on the southeastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, along the Persian Gulf. It is a federation comprising seven emirates. Dubai is the preferred city for visiting the UAE, a city famous for breaking records with the sky-piercing Burj Khalifa and massive luxury malls. A short drive away is the capital, Abu Dhabi, which feels a bit more relaxed and is home to the stunning white marble Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Louvre Abu Dhabi. The country is mostly made up of rolling dunes, making desert safaris a popular way to spend an afternoon dune bashing or camel riding. If you want a break from the heat, the northern emirate of Ras Al Khaimah offers rugged mountain hiking at Jebel Jais, while Fujairah on the east coast is the place to go for snorkeling and clear water.