United Arab Emirates

الإمارات العربية المتحدة Al-Imārāt al-ʿArabiyyah al-Muttaḥidah United Arab Emirates
Coat of arms of United Arab Emirates Flag Coat of arms
Motto: "God, Nation, Royal Family"
Anthem: Ishy Bilady
Capital	Abu Dhabi 22°47′N 54°37′E
Largest city	capital
Official languages	Arabic
Government	Federal constitutional monarchy
- President	Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahayan
- Prime Minister	Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Establishment	December 2 1971
Area
- Total	83,600 km² (116th) 32,278 sq mi
- Water (%)	negligible
Population
- 2005 estimate	4,496,000
- 2005 census	4,104,695
- Density	64/km² 139/sq mi
GDP (PPP)	2006 estimate
- Total	$129.3 billion
- Per capita	$16,744
GDP (nominal)	2006 estimate
- Total	$164 billion
- Per capita	$37,300
HDI  (2004)	0.839 (high)
Currency	UAE dirham (AED)
Time zone	GMT+4 (UTC+4)
- Summer (DST)	not observed (UTC+4)
Internet TLD	.ae
Calling code	+971

The United Arab Emirates (also the UAE or the Emirates) is a Middle Eastern country situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Southwest Asia on the Persian Gulf, comprising seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Ajmān, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain. Before 1971, they were known as the Trucial States or Trucial Oman, in reference to a nineteenth-century truce between Britain and several Arab Sheikhs. The name Pirate Coast has also been used in reference to the area's emirates in the 18th to early 20th century. It borders Oman and Saudi Arabia. The country is rich in oil and, although it lacks other natural resources, it expects recent additional economic diversification to draw more financial and banking firms. The United Arab Emirates, a desert-and-coastal nation, has become a highly prosperous country after gaining foreign direct investment funding in the 1970s. The country has a relatively high Human Development Index, or HDI, for the Asian continent.

Geography

Pronunciation of name, etymology Where it is, neighbours, borders Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia. strategic location along southern approaches to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil. Size – land area 32,278 square miles (83,600 square kilometres) , size comparison slightly smaller than Maine Geology Elevation: highest point: Jabal Yibir 1,527 m – terrain: flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert wasteland; mountains in east Climate: desert; cooler in eastern mountains Flora and fauna Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas Natural hazards: frequent sand and dust storms Environmental issues: lack of natural freshwater resources compensated by desalination plants; desertification; beach pollution from oil spills Rivers Cities/capital —Where core of economic, political and cultural life is located — name: Abu Dhabi

ADIA Tower at night.

History

The United Arab Emirates was formed from the group of tribally organized Arabian Peninsula sheikhdoms along the southern coast of the Persian Gulf and the northwestern coast of the Gulf of Oman.

This area was converted to Islam in the 7th century; for centuries it was embroiled in dynastic disputes. It became known as the Pirate Coast as raiders based there harassed foreign shipping, although both European and Arab navies patrolled the area from the 17th century into the 19th century. Early British expeditions to protect the India trade from raiders at Ras al-Khaimah led to campaigns against that headquarters and other harbors along the coast in 1819. The next year, a general peace treaty was signed to which all the principal sheikhs of the coast adhered. Raids continued intermittently until 1835, when the sheikhs agreed not to engage in hostilities at sea. In 1853, they signed a treaty with the United Kingdom, under which the sheikhs (the "Trucial Sheikhdoms") agreed to a "perpetual maritime truce." It was enforced by the United Kingdom, and disputes among sheikhs were referred to the British for settlement.

Primarily in reaction to the ambitions of other European countries, the United Kingdom and the Trucial Sheikhdoms established closer bonds in an 1892 treaty, similar to treaties entered into by the UK with other Persian Gulf principalities. The shaikhs agreed not to dispose of any territory except to the United Kingdom and not to enter into relationships with any foreign government other than the United Kingdom without its consent. In return, the British promised to protect the Trucial Coast from all aggression by sea and to help out in case of land attack.

In 1955, the United Kingdom sided with Abu Dhabi in the latter's dispute with Saudi Arabia over the Buraimi Oasis and other territory to the south. A 1974 agreement between Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia would have settled the Abu Dhabi-Saudi border dispute; however, the agreement has yet to be ratified by the UAE Government and is not recognized by the Saudi Government. The border with Oman also remains officially unsettled, but the two governments agreed to delineate the border in May 1999.

In 1968, the UK announced its decision, reaffirmed in March 1971, to end the treaty relationships with the seven Trucial Sheikhdoms which had been, together with Bahrain and Qatar, under British protection. The nine attempted to form a union of Arab emirates, but by mid-1971 they were unable to agree on terms of union, even though the termination date of the British treaty relationship was the end of 1971. Bahrain became independent in August and Qatar in September 1971. When the British-Trucial Shaikhdoms treaty expired on December 1, 1971, they became fully independent. On December 2, 1971, six of them entered into a union called the United Arab Emirates. The seventh, Ras al-Khaimah, joined in early 1972.

The UAE sent forces to liberate Kuwait during the 1990–91 Persian Gulf War.

On November 2, 2004, the UAE’s first and only president, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, died. His eldest son Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan succeeded him as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. In accordance with the Constitution, the UAE’s Supreme Council of Rulers elected Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan as UAE Federal President. Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan succeeded Khalifa as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

Administrative divisions

Administrative map of the United Arab Emirates.

The United Arab Emirates is a federation which consists of seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain, largest of which is the emirate of Abu Dhabi which contains the nation's capital city Abu Dhabi.

Five emirates have one or more exclaves, in addition to the main territory:

• Ajman: 1 exclave
• Dubai: 1 exclave
• Fujairah: 2 exclaves
• Ras al-Khaimah: 1 exclave
• Sharjah: 3 exclaves

In addition there are two areas under joint control. One is jointly controlled by Oman and Ajman, the other by Fujairah and Sharjah.

Exclaves and enclaves

There is an Omani enclave surrounded by UAE territory, known as Wadi Madha. It is located halfway between the Musandam peninsula and the rest of Oman, on the Dubai-Hatta road in the Emirate of Sharjah. It covers approximately 75 square kilometres (29 sq mi) and the boundary was settled in 1969. The north-east corner of Madha is closest to the Khor Fakkan-Fujairah road, barely 10 metres (33 ft) away. Within the enclave is a UAE exclave called Nahwa, also belonging to the Emirate of Sharjah. It is about 8 kilometres (5 mi) on a dirt track west of the town of New Madha. It consists of about forty houses with its own clinic and telephone exchange [1].

Politics

The Presidency and Premiership of the United Arab Emirates is hereditary to the Al Nahyan clan of Abu Dhabi and the Al Maktoum clan of Dubai respectively. The Supreme Council, consisting of the rulers of the seven emirates, also elects the Council of Ministers, while an appointed forty-member Federal National Council, drawn from all the emirates, reviews proposed laws. There is a federal court system; all emirates except Dubai and Ras al-Khaimah have joined the federal system; all emirates have both secular and Islamic law for civil, criminal, and high courts.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was the union's president from the nation's founding until his death on 2 November 2004. The Federal Supreme Council elected his son, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahayan, president the next day.

Demographics

The UAE population has an unnatural sex distribution consisting of more than twice the number of males than females. The 15-65 age group has a male(s)/female sex ratio of 2.743. UAE's gender imbalance is the highest among any nation in the world followed by Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and Saudi Arabia - all of which together comprise the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The GCC states are also what most South and Southeast Asians refer to as the Gulf especially in context of emigration.

UAE has one of the most diverse populations in the Middle East. Since the mid-1980s, people from all across South Asia have settled in the UAE. In fact, an estimated 85 percent of the population is comprised of non-citizens, one of the world's highest percentages of foreign-born in any nation. ^{[citation needed]} The UAE's better living standards and economic opportunities than almost anywhere else in the Middle East and South Asia have made it an attractive destination for Indians and Pakistanis, along with tens of thousands from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. In 2006, there were approximately 1.2 million Indian nationals and 700,000 Pakistani nationals in the UAE, making them the largest expatriate community in the oil-rich nation. Persons from over twenty Arab nationalities, including thousands of Palestinians who came as either political refugees or migrant workers, live in the UAE. ^{[citation needed]}

Emiratis (local Arabs) Other Arabs South Asians Western and East Asian

11% 21% 57% 11%

The most populated city is Dubai, with approximately 1.5 million people. Other major cities include Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Sharjah, and Fujairah. About 88% of the population of the United Arab Emirates is urban. The remaining live in tiny towns scattered throughout the country or many of the desert oilfield camps.

There are also residents from other parts of the Middle East, Baluchistan, Africa, Europe, Post-Soviet states, and North America. The UAE has developed a small number, but very affluent group of expatriates (Americans, British, Canadians, Japanese and Australians) from developed countries, attracted to a very warm climate, scenic views (beaches, golf courses, man-made islands and lucrative housing tracts in Abu Dhabi and Dubai), the nation's comparably low-cost of living (but in 2006, thousands of real estate properties are valued over millions of dollars) and tax-free incentives for their business or residency in the UAE. They make up under 5 percent of the UAE population, mainly English-speaking as well as learning Arabic, mainly non-Muslim but adhere to the law and customs of their adopted country.

Culture and religion

Rooted in Islamic culture, the UAE has strong ties with the rest of the Arab and Islamic world. The government is committed to preserving traditional forms of art and culture, primarily through the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation.

Nearly all citizens are Muslims, approximately 85 percent of whom are Sunni and the remaining 15 percent are Shi'a. Although no official figures are available, local observers estimate that approximately 55 percent of the foreign population is Muslim, 25 percent is Hindu, 10 percent is Christian, 5 percent is Buddhist, and 5 percent (most of whom reside in Dubai and Abu Dhabi) belong to other religions, including Parsi, Baha'i, and Sikh.

Dubai is the only emirate of the UAE with a Hindu Temple and a Sikh Gurudwara. Churches are also present in the country. There are a variety of Asian-influenced schools, restaurants and cultural centers. There also exist a growing number of European centers, schools, and restaurants. The first known manuscript in UAE is Al jawaher wal la'li.

Economy

The United Arab Emirates has a highly industrialized economy that makes the country one the most developed in the world, based on various socioeconomic indicators such as GDP per capita, energy consumption per capita, and the HDI.

At $168 billion in 2006, the GDP of the UAE ranks second in the CCASG (after Saudi Arabia), third in the Middle East—North Africa (MENA) region (after Saudi Arabia and Iran), and 38th in the world (ahead of Malaysia). 1

There are various deviating estimates regarding the actual growth rate of the nation’s GDP, however all available statistics indicate that the UAE currently has one of the fastest growing economies in the world. According to a recent report by the Ministry of Finance and Industry, real GDP rose by 35 per cent in 2006 to $175 billion, compared with $130 billion in 2005. These figures would suggest that the UAE had the fastest growing real GDP in the world, between 2005 and 2006. 2

Although the United Arab Emirates is becoming less dependent on natural resources as a source of revenue, petroleum and natural gas exports still play an important role in the economy, especially in Abu Dhabi. A massive construction boom, an expanding manufacturing base, and a thriving services sector are helping the UAE diversify its economy. Nationwide, there is currently $350 billion worth of active construction projects. 3

Education

The education system up to the secondary level is monitored by the Ministry of Education. It consists of primary schools, middle schools and secondary schools. The public schools are government-funded and the curricula is created to match the United Arab Emirates development's goals and values. The medium of instruction in the public school is Arabic with emphasis on English as a second language. There are also many private schools internationally accredited. Public schools in the country are free for Emirati (UAE's National). The fees for private schools vary.

The higher education system is monitored by the Ministry of Higher Education. The Ministry also is responsible for admitting students to its undergraduate institutes; including the main four institutes : United Arab Emirates University, Zayed University, Gulf Medical College and Higher Colleges of Technology. There are also many private universities and colleges in the country. Some world-renowned universities have established campuses in the United Arab Emirates.

The country has shown interest to improve education and research. Recent interest includes establishing CERT Research Centers and Masdar Institute of Science and Technology.

Sports

New sports are becoming popular alongside traditional camel racing. Examples of these new sports include golf, with two European Tour events in the country (the Dubai Desert Classic and the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship) and the world's richest horse race, the Dubai World Cup, held annually in March [2].

Aside from the international circuit events, the UAE has a healthy indigenous sporting environment with the local community participating in a wide variety of clubs and establishments. The seven emirates regularly compete in national leagues and cups in a multiplicity of sports that are controlled by specialized governing bodies. Top sporting venues (both indoor and outdoor) and an all-year-round good climate ensure that the activities continue throughout the winter season.

Football (soccer)

Like most other sporting nations, the UAE has a huge interest in football. The UAE FA was first established in 1971 and since then has dedicated its time and effort to promoting the game, organising youth programmes and improving the abilities of not only its players, but of the officials and coaches involved with its regional teams. The U.A.E. football team qualified for the World Cup in 1990 - with Egypt it was the third consecutive World Cup with two Arab nations qualifying after Kuwait and Algeria in 1982 and Iraq and Algeria again in 1986. The UAE team narrowly won the Kirin Cup with a sixty-eighth minute goal against hosts Japan, but campaigns in the Asian Cup Finals, They have on the Gulf Cup with the lead of Ismail Matar who was the best striker in it Matar also was the best youth player in the Youth World Cup 2003. A new manager, Dick Advocat, joined the UAE team in July in time for a four-team friendly in Switzerland, in which they beat both Qatar and Kuwait but lost 5–4 on penalties in the final against Egypt. Despite the disappointment of the national team, football in the UAE has had a successful year. All tournaments for senior and junior teams were completed, and sponsorship deals with Dubai Holding and Emirates airline have been signed. In April, Dubai Holding agreed to provide the national team with Dh20 million (US$5.45 million) sponsorship money over the next four years. The fund will also go towards developing the sport.The UAE also recently won the Gulf Cup soccer championship held in Abu Dhabi January 2007.

Tennis

The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships (part of the ATP Tour World Series at the Aviation Club, Dubai) was bigger than ever in 2005 with no less than six of the top-seeded women’s players taking centre court, a first time appearance by tennis’ golden boy, Andre Agassi, and the return of the celebrated Roger Federer,who was seeking his third title crown, resulting in some dramatic court action. In an unprecedented move, Dubai Duty Free, organisers of the championship,decided to switch the men’s tournament to the first week of the competition so that it ran from 21 to 27 February and the women’s was played from 28 February to 5 March.

Camel Racing

The inhabitants of the Gulf states have enjoyed a long and productive relationship with the camel, which is held in great admiration and respect. Formalizing camel racing was one way of maintaining its central role in UAE life. In the past, UAE had a reputation for exploiting South Asian children as jockeys. Robot jockeys are now used. The UAE now has no less than 15 race tracks across the seven emirates. Nad Al Sheba, 10 kilometers outside of Dubai, Al Wathba, 30 kilometers south-east of Abu Dhabi, and Al Ain track, which is 20 kilometers west of Al Ain, are all large, well-equipped camel tracks with high-tech facilities. Two smaller tracks are located in Sharjah, one in Ra’s al-Khaimah and one in Umm al-Qaiwain. Others are spread throughout the desert areas

Cricket

Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium in Sharjah has hosted 4 international Test matches so far. Sheikh Zayed Stadium and Al Jazira Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi also hosts international cricket. Dubai also has two cricket stadiums (Dubai Cricket Ground No.1 and No.2) and is now home to the International Cricket Council. [3]

F1

In February 2007 it was announced that Bernie Ecclestone had signed a seven year deal with Abu Dhabi, to host a Formula 1 race there from the 2009 season. The 5.6 km circuit is to be set on Yas Island and it will include street and marina sections similar to Monaco's course.

Rugby Sevens

U.A.E. hosts Dubai Sevens round of the IRB Sevens World Series at Dubai Exiles Rugby Ground.

Human rights

Although the UAE government has made some advances in the protection of human rights, the U.S. Department of State notes in its annual report on human rights practices that numerous fundamental practices and policies exist to the contrary. Specifically, the UAE does not have democratically elected institutions (citizens do not have the right to change their government) or political parties; free assembly and association are restricted; and the rights of workers are limited.

Transportation

Dubai has a public transport system called the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). This authority is responsible for the bus network currently in operation. Recently, the RTA purchased 300 busses from Germany's MAN AG in an effort to reduce the city's growing traffic problem. RTA is also developing the Dubai Metro system. The first line (Red Line) is expected to complete by September 2009.

Airline history

The national airline of Abu Dhabi was formerly Gulf Air, operated jointly with Bahrain and Oman. On September 132005, Abu Dhabi announced that they were withdrawing from Gulf Air to concentrate on Etihad Airways, designated as the new national carrier of the UAE, established in November 2003.

In 1985, Dubai established its airline Emirates, which is now one of the fastest growing airlines in the world [4].

Technology, media and telecommunications

Media

Media is one of the first industries that the emirate of Dubai has sought to develop through a number of micro-cities,Dubai Media City has helped to make Dubai the media hub for the region, encompassing both the creation of media, from print through television and new media, and the advertising and marketing industry.

A number of international news organizations, including Reuters, Associated Press, Agence France Press, Bloomberg, Dow Jones Newswires, CNN and the BBC, all have a presence in Dubai Media City, and enjoy complete freedom to report on local and regional events.

The leading English-language newspapers based in the UAE are:

• Gulf News, the highest circulating broadsheet
• 7DAYS, the highest circulating tabloid
• Khaleej Times, the second-highest circulating broadsheet
• Emirates Today, a government-owned newspaper
• Xpress, Dubai's tabloid

From late 2007, the international editions of The Times of London and its sister paper The Sunday Times will be printed in Dubai for local distribution.

Internet

Internet access is strictly filtered over the local proxy server of the telecommunication company Etisalat [5]. However some facilities such as educational facilities and free zones have unlimited internet access.VOIP is blocked, [6] prompting discussion concerning the freedom of speech and making the country less attractive for international companies. Officials have never released a clear statement concerning the reason for the VOIP block. The only statement released was that the UAE has no regulation for VOIP and only the local telecommunication companies are allowed to use this technology [7]. It is argued by some that the government's ownership of the local telecommunication companies is the reason for this block. Etisalat's revenue by the end of 2006 was $2.48 billion [8]

Holidays

Date	English	Arabic
1 January	New Year's Day		رأس السنة الميلادية
variable	Day of the Sacrifice	Eid ul-Adha	عيد الأضحى
variable	Islamic New Year	Ra's Al Sana Al Hijria	رأس السنة الهجرية
variable	The Night Journey	Isra'a wa al-Miraj	الإسراء و المعراج
2 December	National Day	Al-Eid Al Watani	العيد الوطني
variable	End of Ramadan	Eid ul-Fitr	عيد الفطر

See also

• Schools in the United Arab Emirates
• Companies in the United Arab Emirates

External links

Government

• Government of United Arab Emirates official site
• UAE Interact: News & Information on the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
• Geographic Information System

General information

• Open Directory Project - United Arab Emirates directory category
• CIA World Factbook - United Arab Emirates directory category
• BBC News UAE Country Profile
• Dubai FAQs - Information about Dubai and the UAE
• The Emirates Network - United Arab Emirates Information Guide
• Online Maps of the United Arab Emirates
• StartpageDubai - online guide for Dubai
• UAE in Pictures

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