Ras al-Khaimah is one of the emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), in the southwest of the Persian Gulf. It is in the northern part of the U.A.E. bordering the Sultanate of Oman. It covers an area of 1700 km², mostly desert. The emirate is ruled by Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammad Al-Qassimi. The city has two main sections, Old Ras Al Khaimah and Nakheel, on either side of a creek.