Map/Chart > The Persian Collection

Khor Fakkan

A simple, charming and previously unpublished manuscript survey of Khor Fakkan on the east coast of the United Arab Emirates

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This delightfully simple survey of the harbour of Khor Fakkan, 'Khor Fakan', was completed between 1858 & 1860 by Commander (later, Captain) Charles Golding Constable - second son of the respected British landscape artist, John Constable.  It was produced as part of a larger and on-going survey at the behest of the Honourable East India Company (HEIC) which controlled British trade interests in the Gulf region.

Khor Fakkan is on the east coast of the Emirates, between the Sultanate of Oman and Musandam. The name Khor Fakkan, ‘Creek of Two Jaws’ is a clear reference to the geography of the coast. Constable's chart shows the village of Khor Fakan and, to the north, the headland of Ras Luliyeh and the village of Zubara or 'Zabareh'. To the south west of the village Constable has noted two ‘Towers’. Whether they were both towers is questionable. In 1620, and on this site, the Portuguese built the fort of Corfacão. The fort consisted of a triangular bastion and a round tower in the centre. A Portuguese map from this time suggests that the second tower may well have been the remnants of the highest defence level of a three-tier gatehouse. Faint, but just distinguishable, are trees, cliffs, sandy beaches and highlands. Soundings (water depths) leading into the natural harbour and also towards an island (now known as Shark Island) are evident; as are two points of anchorage. Beneath the title there is a note stating that the village has 'good water' and 'sheep & ca procurable’ (‘ca’ meaning ‘etc.’ or ‘and so on’): just the sort of information British naval captains and surveyors were required to supply.  Today the town of Khor Fakkan is a tourist location noted for its beach and water sports, with a major hotel resort located to the north of the town.  To the south of the town the deep-water port supports a major container ship terminal.