The oasis has been maintained in a way that highlights the country's Bedouin culture and traditions. Many old style houses, mainly used as storage and accommodation for farm workers, plus mosques, restaurants, rest areas and narrow pathways are present-day features.The oasis is divided into numerous sections for date farming and they are owned by various departments, sheikhs and other nationals. All the plantations in the oasis are walled off and irrigated by falaj, an ancient irrigation system of narrow waterways that was first used as early as 1000BC. The water comes from the mountains about 30 kilometres away. The city, due to its fertility and date palms, was an important crossroads on ancient trading routes. The rulers of the area built two majestic forts at the eastern and western edges of Al Ain Oasis for defence purposes. Both forts now house museums. The fort on the western edge was used by the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan when he was the Ruler's representative in the Eastern Region. Many of his personal belongings such as a vintage Land Rover are on display here.
