INTRODUCTION to the United Arab Emirates

Location
Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia.

Area
total: 82,880 sq km
land: 82,880 sq km
water: 0 sq km

Population
2,484,818
note: includes an estimated 1,606,079 non-nationals

Ethnic groups
Emirati 19%, other Arab and Iranian 23%, South Asian 50%, other expatriates (includes Westerners and East Asians) 8% (1982)
note: less than 20% are UAE citizens (1982)

Religions
Muslim 96% (Shi'a 16%), Christian, Hindu, and other 4%

Languages
Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu

Climate
Desert

Terrain
Flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert wasteland / irrigated greenery

Elevation extremes
lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: Jabal Yibir 1,527 m

Natural resources
petroleum, natural gas

Capital
Abu Dhabi

Government type
Federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE federal government and other powers reserved to member emirates

Administrative divisions
7 emirates (imarat, singular - imarah)

National holiday
Independence Day, 2 December (1971)

Constitution
2 December, 1971 (made permanent in 1996)

Legal system
Federal court system introduced in 1971

Background
The Trucial States of the Persian Gulf coast granted the UK control of their defense and foreign affairs in 19th century treaties. In 1971, six of these states - Abu Zaby, 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah, Dubayy, and Umm al Qaywayn - merged to form the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They were joined in 1972 by Ra's al Khaymah. The UAE's per capita GDP is not far below those of leading West European nations. Its generosity with oil revenues and its moderate foreign policy stance have allowed the UAE to play a vital role in the affairs of the region.

Economy - overview
The UAE has an open economy with a high per capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus. Its wealth is based on oil and gas output (about 33% of GDP), and the fortunes of the economy fluctuate with the prices of those commodities. Since 1973, 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. At present levels of production, oil and gas reserves should last for more than 100 years. The government has increased spending on job creation and infrastructure expansion and is opening up its utilities to greater private sector involvement.

Industries
petroleum, fishing, petrochemicals, construction materials, some boat building, handicrafts, pearling

Currency
Emirati dirham (AED)

Internet country code
.ae

Last updated August 1, 2003. Copyright 2003
Source: http://www.country-info.org/

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