The United Arab Emirates is a federation of the formerly independent seven sheikhdoms of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain. It has a total population of 3.2 million and an area of about 84,000 square kilometers – three quarters of the population are “foreigners”. The country is known for its openness, tolerance and hospitality which attract visitors from all over the world.
The United Arab Emirates is a Middle-East country situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf. It is bordered by Oman and Saudi Arabia, and the Persian Gulf. The state shares maritime borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.
Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE. With a population of 896,751, it is the second-largest city of the country. The city is literally known as the Father of Gazelle. Abu Dhabi is the seat of the United Arab Emirates Government and houses many government offices. It is considered to be the major political, cultural, and commercial centre of the country. The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates is located in Abu Dhabi. The city was listed as the world’richest city by the Forbes Magazine.
Located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula, Dubai is the largest city in the United Arab Emirates with a population of 2,262,000. It covers a total area of 1,588.4 square miles. The city is famous for its architectural works. The Burj Khalifa, a masterpiece located in Dubai, is by far the tallest building in the world at 829.84 meters. The luxurious Burj al Arab is another iconic structure in Dubai that speaks of its magnificent architecture.
The United Arab Emirates is a middle-east country with an area of 32,278 square miles. It has an estimated population of 8,264,070. The country has an average life expectancy of seventy-five years.
The United Arab Emirates has the world’s highest migration rate, about 21.71. The majority of the population is composed of expatriates. The highest number of migrants are of Indian origin followed by Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and other South-east Asian nations. Emiratis and other Arabs form less than half of the total population. In recent years, UAE has drawn a number of immigrants from Europe, North America, Asia, and Oceania.
The United Arab Emirates is a federation divided into seven emirates. Each emirate is governed by a hereditary emir. The seven emirates are: Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain. Abu Dhabi is the most populated Emirate.
The United Arab Emirates has a federal presidential system and is a constitutional monarchy.
President – Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Vice President and Prime Minister – Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
The dirham denoted by the ISO 4217 code AED is the official currency of the United Arab Emirates. It is normally abbreviated as DH or Dhs. The dirham is subdivided into 100 fils. It was adopted as the national currency in December 1971, replacing the Qatar and Dubai riyal.
Arabic is the officially recognized language of the UAE spoken by the majority of the population. There are also speakers of Persian, English, Balochi, Urdu, Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Somali, Malayalam, and French.
Islam is the dominant and the official state religion of the United Arab Emirates. Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism are also practiced by a few people.
The United Arab Emirates has the fifteenth-largest economy in the world by purchasing power per capita. In 2010, the GDP (PPP) per capita stood at US$36,175.966. The country has a relatively high Human Development Index, ranking thirtieth in the world. Petroleum, natural gas, and oil are the major drivers of the economy. UAE has the sixth-largest oil reserves in the world. Foreign trade also adds to the revenues. The major imports are: machinery, manufactured goods, and transportation equipment; while the principal exports include dates, crude oil, and natural gas. The International Monetary Fund classifies the United Arab Emirates as a high-income developing economy. Japan, Thailand, Pakistan, Iran, United States, and India are the major trading partners.
The UAE has a number of beautiful places and attractions. It is world-renowned for its rich architectural works. Buildings like the Burj Khalifa, Burj al Arab in Dubai are some of the finest works of architecture. Diwan Amiri Fort in Abu Dhabi, spectacular mosques, ancient museums and burial mounds at Um al Nar are beautiful. The stone tombs at Hili, the Al Fahidi Fort, Dubai Museum and the grand Sheek Saeed’s Palace are the other major attractions in the country.
The national day of the United Arab emirates is celebrated in the 2nd of December. It is celebrated to commemorate the declaration of independence of the UAE from the United Kingdom. After gaining independence, the seven emirates were unified in 1971 and a new nation was created.