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" 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 eighteenth to early twentieth century.

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

The United Arab Emirates borders the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia. It is a strategic location along southern approaches to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil.

With a land area of 32,278 square miles (83,600 square kilometres), the territory is slightly smaller than Maine in the United States.

The terrain is a flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert wasteland with mountains in the east. The highest point is Jabal Yibir at 5000 feet (1527 meters).

Sunny, blue skies can be expected throughout the year. The climate is hot, with average January (winter) temperatures of 65° F (18°C) rising to July (summer) levels of 92° F (33°C). The coast is humid, while the interior is dry and hot. Average annual rainfall is three to four inches (75mm to 100mm). Sandy shamal winds blow from the north and north-west during winter and spring.

Desert conditions limit vegetation to a few wild shrubs. Date palms and mangoes are cultivated at oases, as well as wheat and millet. Indigenous wildlife includes the hyena, fox, wildcat, panther, gazelle, antelope, quail, and bustard.

The main natural resources are oil and natural gas; it has the fourth-largest reserves, which are concentrated in Abu Dhabi. The soil is almost entirely sandy, and less than one per cent of the land area is suitable for cultivation.

Natural hazards include frequent sand and dust storms, in some cases reducing visibility down to a few feet.

Environmental issues include lack of natural freshwater resources, desertification, beach pollution from oil spills, and air pollution from burning fossil fuels for electricity production. Since 1966 more than 70 million acacias, eucalyptus trees, and palm trees have been planted. Conservation efforts have saved the desert oryx and gazelle, as well as the endangered dugong, or sea cow, is found along the coast. he UAE has been identified as a hub of international illegal wildlife commerce. Most of the nation’s water comes from desalinization plants.

ADIA Tower at night.

Abu Dhabi is the capital of the emirate of the same name, largest of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates and is also the capital of the United Arab Emirates. It is said by some to be the richest city in the world. The city lies on a T-shaped island jutting into the Persian Gulf from the central western coast. An estimated 1.8 million people lived there in 2006, with about an 80 percent expatriate population.

History

Little is known about pre-Islamic culture in the south-east Arabian peninsula, except that many ancient towns in the area were trading centers between the Eastern and Western worlds. People of various cultures have lived in the Arabian peninsula for more than 5000 years. The Dilmun culture, along the Persian Gulf coast (c. 3000 – 1600 B.C.E.), was contemporaneous with the Sumerians and ancient Egyptians, and most of the empires of the ancient world traded with the states of the peninsula. Except for a few major cities and oases, the harsh climate prevented much settlement of the Arabian Peninsula. A significant event between 3000 and 2500 B.C.E. was the domestication of the one-humped camel, or dromedary, in the southern part of the Arabian peninsula. By 1000 B.C.E., such camels were important in the caravan trade. The people in this region were idol worshippers, who worshiped Bajar (or Bajir).

In 325 B.C.E., Alexander the Great sent a fleet from India to explore the gulf. Alexander's successors did not control the area long enough to make the gulf a part of the Greek world. By about 250 B.C.E., the Greeks lost all territory east of Syria to the Parthians, a Persian dynasty in the East. The Parthians brought the gulf under Persian control and extended their influence as far as Oman.

From the third century C.E., the Persian Sassanians held the area until the rise of Islam four centuries later. The Sassanians established agricultural colonies and to engaged nomadic tribes to protect their western flank from the Romans.

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The Margham desert sand dunes south of the city of Dubai

Judaism and Christianity arrived in the gulf from a number of directions: from Jewish and Christian tribes in the Arabian desert; from Ethiopian Christians to the south; and from Mesopotamia, where Jewish and Christian communities flourished under Sassanian rule. Christianity and Judaism were adopted by some Arabs. The popularity of these religions paled, however, when compared with the enthusiasm with which the Arabs greeted Islam in the seventh century.

For centuries, the region that became the United Arab Emirates 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 seventeenth century into the nineteenth century. In the early eighteenth century, the Al Abu Falasa clan of Bani Yas clan established Dubai, which remained a dependent of Abu Dhabi until 1833.

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 sheikhs 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.

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Sheikh Zayed

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 1990–1991 Persian Gulf War.

On November 2, 2004, the UAE’s first and only president, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, died. He had been the ruler of Abu Dhabi and president of the UAE for over 30 years (1971-2004). 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.

Government and politics

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Abu Dhabi waterfront.

The politics of the United Arab Emirates take place in a framework of a federal presidential elected monarchy. It is a federation of seven absolute monarchies: the Emirates of Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah, Sharjah, Dubai, Ras al-Khaimah and Umm al-Qaiwain. The ruler of Abu Dhabi is the president of the United Arab Emirates, and the ruler of Dubai is the prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, the head of government.

Administratively, the UAE is a federation of seven emirates, each with its own ruler. Each ruler sets the pace at which local government in each emirate evolves from traditional to modern. Under the provisional constitution of 1971, each emirate reserves considerable powers, including control over mineral rights (notably oil) and revenues. In this milieu, federal powers have developed slowly.

The constitution established the positions of president (chief of state) and vice president, each serving five-year terms; a Council of Ministers (cabinet), led by a prime minister (head of government); a supreme council of rulers; and a 40-member National Assembly, a consultative body whose members are appointed by the emirate rulers.

The supreme council (comprising individual rulers of the seven emirates) elects the president and vice-president every five years. Shaikh Zayyed bin Sultan Al Nahayan was president from its foundation until his death on November 2, 2004. His eldest son, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahayan, was president in 2007. Although unofficial, the presidency is in fact hereditary to the Al-Nahyan clan of Abu Dhabi, and the premiership is hereditary to the Al-Maktoom clan of Dubai. The supreme council also elects the Council of Ministers.

The Federal National Council (Majlis Watani Ittihad) has 40 members, half appointed by the rulers of the constituent states and the other half elected to serve two-year terms, with only advisory tasks. The United Arab Emirates does not allow political parties. The first election occurred during mid-December 2006.

Rapid modernization, enormous strides in education, and the influx of a large foreign population have changed the face of the society but have not fundamentally altered the traditional political system, whereby the rulers hold power on the basis of their dynastic position and their legitimacy in a system of tribal consensus. The UAE, in 2007, seemed far from the emergence of any meaningful political life, which usually accompanies increased wealth. The huge government spending in every dimension of the economy have made the people absolutely satisfied and managed to divert their attention to other areas than politics, given their free access to education and health services, as well as the subsidised primary commodities, which all led to the overall economic well-being.

The Supreme Court consists of a president and up to five judges appointed by the president. The Supreme Court is vested with the power of judicial review and jurisdiction over federal-emirate and inter-emirate disputes. It also is empowered to try cases of official misconduct involving cabinet and other senior federal officials. Courts of first instance adjudicate civil, commercial, criminal, and administrative cases. Judgments of these courts can be appealed to the Supreme Court. Sharia (Islamic law) is the basis of all legislation. Most citizens follow the Maliki legal school, but a minority follow the Hanbali and Shafii schools. The Twelver Imam legal school of Shia Muslims also has adherents. Punishments include flogging and stoning to death.

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.

Exclaves and enclaves

Five emirates have one or more exclaves. In addition there are two areas under joint control. One is jointly controlled by Oman and Ajman, the other by Fujairah and Sharjah. There is an Omani enclave surrounded by UAE territory, known as Wadi Madha, located halfway between the Musandam peninsula and the rest of Oman, in the Emirate of Sharjah. It covers approximately 29 square miles (75 square kilometers). 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 40 houses with its own clinic and telephone exchange

Human rights

Although the 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 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.

The Barnabas Fund notes that the Dubai emirate removed the right of appeal against deportation by expatriates accused of so called religious crimes, such as trying to convert a Muslim to another religion. Amnesty International notes the mass detainment of 250 persons related to the United States-led War on Terror, the ill treatment of prisoners in prison, and the continued use of flogging and the death penalty.

Military

The Trucial Oman Scouts, long the symbol of public order on the coast and commanded by British officers, were turned over to the United Arab Emirates as its defense forces in 1971. The UAE armed forces, consisting of 65,000 troops, are headquartered in Abu Dhabi and are primarily responsible for the defense of the seven emirates.

The military relies heavily on troop forces from other Arab countries and Pakistan. The officer corps is composed almost exclusively of UAE nationals.

The air force has about 3500 personnel. Equipment includes U.S. F-16 multirole fighter aircraft, Mirage 2000s, British Hawk aircraft, and French helicopters. The air defense has a Hawk missile program for which the United States is providing training, and has taken delivery of two of five Triad I-Hawk batteries. The UAE navy has more than 2000 personnel and 12 well-equipped coastal patrol boats and eight missile crafts.

The UAE sent forces to assist Kuwait during the 1990-1991 Gulf War. It dispatched an Infantry Battalion to the UN force in Somalia in 1993, It sent the 35th Mechanized Infantry Battalion to Kosovo, and sent a regiment to Kuwait during the Iraq War. In addition, it continues to contribute to the continued security and stability of the Gulf and the Straits of Hormuz. It is a leading partner in the campaign against terrorism, providing assistance in the military, diplomatic, and financial arenas. The UAE military provides humanitarian assistance to Iraq.

Foreign relations

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Dubai skyline

The UAE joined the United Nations and the Arab League and has established diplomatic relations with more than 60 countries, including the United States, Japan, Russia, India the People's Republic of China, and most Western European countries. It has played a moderate role in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries, the United Nations, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Substantial development assistance has increased the UAE's stature among recipient states. Most of this foreign aid (in excess of $15 billion) has been to Arab and Muslim countries.

Following Iraq's 1990 invasion and attempted annexation of Kuwait, the UAE has sought to rely on the GCC, the United States, and other Western allies for its security. The UAE believes that the Arab League needs to be restructured to become a viable institution and would like to increase strength and interoperability of the GCC defense forces.

The UAE is a member of the UN and several of its specialized agencies (ICAO, International Labour Organization|, UPU, World Health Organization, WIPO); World Bank, IMF, Arab League, Organization of the Islamic Conference, Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, and the Non-Aligned Movement.

Economy

Dubai has approximately 250,000, mostly South Asian labourers working on real estate development projects such as the Dubai Marina.

Before the first exports of oil in 1962, pearl production, fishing, agriculture, and herding dominated the United Arab Emirates economy. Since the rise of oil prices in 1973, petroleum has accounted for most of its export earnings and providing significant opportunities for investment. The UAE has huge proven oil reserves, estimated at 98.2 billion barrels (16 km³) in 1998, with gas reserves estimated at 5.8 km³. At present production rates, these supplies would last well over 150 years.

The UAE has an open economy with a high per capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus. Despite largely successful efforts at economic diversification, about 30 percent of GDP is still directly based on oil and gas output, and the fortunes of the economy fluctuate with the prices of those commodities.

Over 30 years, the UAE has undergone a profound transformation from an impoverished region of small desert principalities to a modern state with a high standard of living. The government has increased spending on job creation and infrastructure expansion and is opening up its utilities to greater private sector involvement.

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.

In April 2004, the UAE signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement with Washington and in November 2004 agreed to undertake negotiations toward a Free Trade Agreement with the United States. Higher oil revenue, strong liquidity, and cheap credit in 2005-06 led to a surge in asset prices (shares and real estate) and consumer inflation. Rising prices are increasing the operating costs for businesses in the UAE and degrading the UAE's allure to foreign investors. Dependence on a large expatriate workforce and oil are significant long-term challenges to the UAE's economy.

Communications

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The Burj Al-Arab in Dubai.

The Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (Etisalat) is the sole telephone and telecommunications provider in the country, although free zones and modern housing developments are exempt. The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) requires Etisalat to censor Internet sites. Material deemed offensive, or "inconsistent with the religious, cultural, political and moral values of the United Arab Emirates", is usually blocked, as well as pornography and gambling sites. For commercial reasons, there is a total ban on internet telephony or VoIP, with Skype blocked. For political reasons, the entire Israeli internet domain, .il, is also blocked.

Transportation

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Abu Dhabi airport.

Dubai has a public transport system called the Roads and Transport Authority, which is responsible for the bus network. The authority bought 300 buses from Germany's MAN AG to reduce the city's growing traffic problem, and was developing the Dubai Metro system. The first line (Red Line) was expected to complete by September 2009.

The national airline of Abu Dhabi was formerly Gulf Air, operated jointly with Bahrain and Oman. In 2005, Abu Dhabi withdrew 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 became one of the fastest growing airlines in the world

Trade

Exports totalled $137.1-billion 2006. Export commodities included crude oil 45 percent, natural gas, re-exports, dried fish, and dates. Export partners included Japan 24.5 percent, South Korea 9.8 percent, Thailand 5.6 percent, India 4.3 percent. Imports totalled $88.89-billion. Import commodities included machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, and food. Import partners included UK 10 percent, China 9.7 percent, US 9.4 percent, India 9.2 percent, Germany 5.9 percent, Japan 5.4 percent, France 4.7 percent, Singapore 4.1 percent.

Per capita GDP was $16,744 in 2006, with a rank of 53rd.

Demographics

Demographics of the United Arab Emirates, year 2005. The number of inhabitants in thousands.

The commercial production of oil triggered rapid population growth. This resulted from improvements in diet, health care, and living standards, as well as the importation on a large scale of male foreign laborers. The 2005 statistics show that the population has gone up many folds, causing a significant demographic shift. The US State Department calculates the total population as 4.32 million. 85 percent of population is made up of immigrants while natives count for remaining 15 percent. About 88 percent of the population is urban. The remainder live in tiny towns scattered throughout the country or many of the desert oilfield camps. The 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, 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. Life expectancy at birth for the total population was 75.24 years in 2005.

Ethnicity and language

The UAE's better living standards and economic opportunities have made it an attractive destination for Indians and Pakistanis, along with tens of thousands from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Indians form the single largest expatriate ethnic group. In 2006, there were approximately 1.2 million Indian nationals and 700,000 Pakistani nationals in the UAE. Persons from over 20 Arab nations, including thousands of Palestinians who came as either political refugees or migrant workers, live in the UAE. Ethnic groups were Emiri (Emirati) 19 percent, other Arab, Iranian and Baluch 23 percent, South Asian (Pakistani, Indian,Bangladeshi,Sri Lankan) 50 percent, other expatriates (includes Westerners and East Asians) 8 percent.

There is a small number of affluent Americans, British, Canadians, Japanese and Australians, attracted to a warm climate, beaches, golf courses, man-made islands and lucrative housing tracts in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Also attractive is the nation's comparably low-cost of living, and tax-free incentives for their business or residency.

The official language is Arabic. Among the immigrant population, English, Persian, Balochi, French, Vietnamese, Hindi, Urdu, Malayalamand Filipino are spoken. English is the language of commerce.

Religion

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Jumeirah Mosque in Dubai.

Emaritis are tolerant toward other religions, and immigrants of other faiths are allowed to have their own places of worship. Seventy six percent of the total population is Muslim, 9 percent is Christian, and 15 percent is “other." Approximately 85 percent of Muslims are Sunni and the remaining 15 percent are Shi'a. Large numbers of Asian and Arab immigrants also follow Islam.

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) belongs 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 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.

Men and women

Schools and universities are segregated. In higher education, woman students outnumber males two to one, and deliver impressive results. Women's participation in paid work remains one of the lowest in the world, with most opting for marriage and raising children, a role highly valued there. Those women in paid work are employed in education, health, and civil service. While the government affirms equal rights and opportunities for men and women, men continue to be preferred in government administration and private businesses. Moreover, politics and religious are considered male domains.

Marriage and the family

Abu Dhabi bus stop.

Although individuals have greater choice in marriage partners, many prefer traditional arranged marriages. Young men receive $19,000 from the Marriage Fund for marrying a national; marriage to non-nationals is discouraged. Under Islamic custom, a man is allowed up to four wives, although most men have only one. The traditional extended family has given way to nuclear families living in their own houses. The state encourages large families, and family size is six to eight children. Wives have gained importance as a mother and the manager of the domestic unit. The average household employs two live-in servants, usually Asian. Tribal kinship continues to play a significant role, and most families prefer to live near their kin.

Children are showered with affection, and are raised to respect their parents and elders. Children's behavior is tolerated. Foreign servants introduce a foreign cultural element to raising children. Schools have undertaken a bigger role in socializing children, reducing the family's role.

Education

The education system consists of primary schools, middle schools and secondary schools. The public schools are government-funded and the curriculum is created to match the United Arab Emirates development's goals and values. The medium of instruction in public schools 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 . The fees for private schools vary.

The Ministry of Higher Education is responsible for admitting students to its undergraduate 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.

Abu Dhabi is home to several international and local private schools and universities.

The literacy rate, which is defined as those aged 15 and over who can read and write, 77.9 percent for the total population, 76.1 percent for males, and 81.7 percent for females.

Class

Emirati society is divided between the nationals and the foreign immigrants. Citizens belong to four main classes: The ruling sheikh families, who have political power, immense wealth and prestige; the merchant class, who sell international consumer goods; the new middle class, including state-educated professionals; and low-income groups, including newly settled Bedouin nomads and former pearl divers and oasis farmers. There is a hierarchy among immigrants: Top professionals and technocrats who earn high salaries, middle-range professionals including teachers, skilled technicians, and salesmen, and low-paid semi-skilled and unskilled workers, primarily Asian.

Culture

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.

Architecture

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Abu Dhabi sea front.

Oil wealth has transformed mud-walled small towns and villages into commercial capitals integrated in the global economy. Abu Dhabi city is a modern city with broad boulevards, tall office and apartment buildings, large shopping malls, an extensive network of highways, and sprawling new suburbs. The city is known for its greenery; the former desert strip today includes numerous parks and gardens. There are separate housing areas for nationals and immigrants, and further subdivisions for class, ethnicity, and nationality. An Arab-Islamic architectural style has been adopted, with arched windows, gates, and decorative stucco. Old forts, palaces, souks (marketplaces), and mosques have been restored. Date palm trees have been planted extensively along city roadsides.

The Emirates Palace, which is reputed to be the most expensive hotel ever built, with a construction cost of over US$3-billion, is a luxury hotel, built and owned by the Abu Dhabi government.

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 [1].

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. [2]

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.

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 [3]. However some facilities such as educational facilities and free zones have unlimited internet access.VOIP is blocked, [4] 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 [5]. 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 [6]

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

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

• al-Otaiba, Mana Saeed. 1977. Petroleum and the economy of the United Arab Emirates. London: Croom Helm. ISBN 085664563X
• Al-Alkim, Hassan. 1989. The Foreign Policy of the United Arab Emirates. London. Saqi. ISBN 086356707X
• Cordesman, Anthony H. 1997. Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE: challenges of security. CSIS Middle East dynamic net assessment. Boulder, Colo: Westview Press. ISBN 0813332397
• Crystal, Jill. 1990. Oil and politics in the Gulf: rulers and merchants in Kuwait and Qatar. Cambridge Middle East library, 24. Cambridge [England]: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521366399
• Heard-Bey, Frauke. 1996. From Trucial States to United Arab Emirates: a society in transition. London: Longman. ISBN 0582277280
• Nowell, John J. 1998. Now & then the Emirates. Our earth series, vol. 3. London: Zodiac Pub. ISBN 0953303306

External links

• United Arab Emirates World Factbook 2007, accessed June 12, 2007.
• United Arab Emirates U.S. Department of State, accessed June 11, 2007.
• United Arab Emirates Countries and their Cultures To-Z, accessed June 11, 2007.
• United Arab Emirates BBC Country Profiles, accessed May 30, 2007.
• Turkey economist.com, accessed May 30, 2007.

(The Cultural-Economic Syndrome:Impediments to Democracy in the Middle East; available at: http://www.dur.ac.uk/john.ashworth/EPCS/Papers/Weiffen.pdf)

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

Credits

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• United Arab Emirates  ^history

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• History of "United Arab Emirates"

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