'AYN, AL-

also spelled Al-ain, principal town in al-Buraymi oasis, southeastern Abu Dhabi emirate, United Arab Emirates. The oasis town consists of houses of dried earth in a large palm grove; it also has a modern mosque and many gardens. Al-'Ayn is situated in a large expanse of fertile land at the foot of Jabal (mount) Hafit. Grave mounds at al-'Ayn have tombs with figures of animals and people carved from stone and dating to about 2700 BC. Across the desert from the oasis town stands the fort of al-'Ayn erected by shaykh ibn-Zayd in 1910; a museum is nearby. In 1952, the Saudis occupied a neighbouring village in al-Buraymi oasis. Al-'Ayn was assigned to Abu Dhabi emirate under an agreement with Oman in 1953. The Saudis withdrew their small force from al-Buraymi oasis in 1955, after being defeated by the forces of the Sultan of Abu Dhabi and the dispute was settled by an agreement signed in 1974. Agriculture is the traditional economic activity; fodder and market garden crops are produced. An experimental farm (1967) at al-'Ayn concentrates on intensive stock raising, and more than 1,200 acres (480 hectares) of land have been reclaimed from the desert. Commercial poultry farming is also economically important. A network of roads radiates from al-'Ayn, connecting it with Abu Dhabi, the national capital. The town also has an airport. There are a number of industries, including a cement factory, a cable and electric-wire plant, a sheet-metal plant, a glass and ceramic factory, a flour mill, and a brickworks. A university was founded at al-'Ayn in 1976. Pop. (1980) 72,783.