Travel & Tourism

A Century-Old Decision That Created One of the Gulf’s Strangest Borders

Madha and Nahwa, two small villages in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman, form one of the world’s rare double enclaves—an enclave within an enclave. Located near Khor Fakkan, this unusual geopolitical feature results from historical decisions made nearly a century ago.

A Unique Border Oddity

The villages are structured like a fried egg on a map, with Madha, an Omani enclave, completely surrounded by the UAE, and Nahwa, a UAE enclave, located within Madha. This makes it one of the few double enclaves worldwide, alongside historical examples from Belgium and the Netherlands and the India-Bangladesh border, which was resolved in 2015.

The Historical Background

In the early 20th century, before the formation of the UAE, this region was part of the Trucial States, a group of sheikhdoms under British administration. Competing clans sought control over Musandam, a strategically located headland overlooking the Strait of Hormuz. During the 1930s or 1940s, emissaries from different ruling families approached local villages, asking for allegiance.

The villagers of Madha, who had access to valuable water resources, chose to align with Oman, believing the sultanate would protect their wells. Meanwhile, the residents of Nahwa sided with the Qassemi clan, who later became part of the UAE, ruling the emirates of Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah.

Diverging Fortunes

Over time, the decision to join different nations shaped the villages’ development. The UAE, now one of the world’s wealthiest nations with vast oil reserves, provides modern infrastructure and amenities to its citizens. Nahwa benefited from this growth, with the development of a new town in the 1990s, featuring schools, clinics, and modern farms.

In contrast, Madha has remained largely unchanged, with few signs of modernization. Although Oman is rich in history, it has significantly less oil wealth than the UAE, leading to economic disparities between the two enclaves.

A Border Without Barriers

Despite its complex geography, the border between Madha and Nahwa remains open and unrestricted. There are no customs posts or police checks, only a sign welcoming travelers to Oman. This has led to some quirks, such as fuel price differences. Petrol is cheaper in Madha due to Oman's lower fuel prices, attracting Emiratis who cross the border to fill their tanks.

Tourism Potential

Although Madha and Nahwa are not yet major tourist attractions, they offer stunning landscapes and hiking trails. After heavy winter rains, the valley fills with streams and greenery, drawing visitors from across the UAE for picnics and nature walks.

Nearly a century after the enclaves’ formation, water remains a central attraction, but unlike in the past, no one is fighting over it anymore.

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