United Arab Emirates

Once seven small fishing settlements and the cradle of Sinbad the Sailor, the United Arab Emirates have become the personification of the 21st century, shiny, shimmery and splendid. Welcome to a world of hospitality and top service.

The UAE is a federation of seven emirates or states, each with its own unique character and personality but yet united with a common goal and destiny. The seven emirates are: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Qaiwain, Ras Al-Khaima, Fujairah.

Cities with Skyscrapers…a sophisticated network of highways criss-crossing the country cars zooming about…tree-lined boulevards…magnificent shopping malls…fun parks…a communication network that can be the envy of any country….all lie side by side with the silent desert, wind towers and camels…much has changed within so short a time…if ever there was an ode to progress, the United Arab Emirates would be it.

Being literally crime-free is not the only thing that makes the United Arab Emirates one of the most attractive places to live in.

Its amazing amalgamation of the traditional values of the East and the modern technologies of the West, being a melting pot of various nationalities and cultures living together and working in harmony and a standard of living that is comparable to the world's most advanced nations makes it one of the world's most amazing success stories.

Geography

The United Arab Emirates is situated in the Eastern of the Arab World. It overlooks the Gulf of Oman to the East and the Arabian Gulf to the North. The Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman are linked by the Hormuz Strait. The UAE is thus positioned at an important in the world of trade.

The UAE has capitalized on its convenient location on the trade routes between Asia and Europe by building a fine tradition of being a good host and trade partner since time immemorial.

The area of the United Arab Emirates is 83,600 sq.km (including 200 islands - approximately). Its oil wealth and the hard work of its people headed by the wise H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan has turned it into a bustling advanced nation with one of the world's highest per capita income within 25 years of its formation.
And at the same time it takes you only a cab drive to be in the warm waters of the Arabian Gulf, enjoy the thrill of the dunes, the silence of the desert, natural oasis, camel farms, the world of 1001 night and spectacular scenery. Never forget your photo camera!

History

Originally a small fishing settlement, Dubai was taken over in about 1830 by a branch of the Bani Yas tribe from the Liwa oasis led by the Maktoum family who still rule the emirate today.

Traditional activities included herding sheep and goats, cultivating dates, fishing and pearling, but the inhabitants built up trade too. By the turn of the century, Dubai was reputed to have the largest souks on the Gulf coast, with 350 shops in the Deira district alone.

Commercial success allied to the liberal attitudes of Dubai's rulers, made the emirate attractive to traders from India and Iran, who began to settle in the growing town. But, while trade developed, Dubai remained politically a protectorate of Britain as part of the Trucial States extending along the northern coast of the Arabian peninsula.

On the British withdrawal in 1971, Dubai came together with Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah and (in 1972) Ras Al Khaimah to create the federation of the United Arab Emirates.

This was shortly after the discovery of oil in 1966, which was soon to transform the emirate and its way of life. Dubai's first oil exports in 1969 were followed by a period of rapid development that laid the foundations for today's modern society. Much of the credit for this development can be traced to the vision of the late Ruler, HH Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who ensured that Dubai's oil revenues, despite being relatively modest by the standards of the region, were deployed to maximum effect.

His work has been continued by the present Ruler, HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and his brothers, Their Highnesses Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance and Industry, and General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defence. The result is that Dubai is constantly building up its infrastructure of transport facilities, schools, hospitals, tourism developments and other amenities of an advanced society.

The National Day or the day of formation of the Federation of the United Arab Emirates is 2nd December 1971 and is celebrated generally every year. National holidays are declared on 2nd, 3rd & 4th December, the major cities of the emirates are all brightly lit-up and decorated with lights. Celebrations take place with great joy and pride.

Population

UAE population topped four million in 2003. The population growth in that year was the highest in the Arab world and one of the highest in the world.

The increase made the UAE the second most populated country among the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states (The GCC groups Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar).

Males in the UAE numbered 2.745 million, more than double the number of females at 1.296 million by the end of 2003. The official figures did not provide a breakdown of nationalities in the country but independent estimates saw UAE citizens as accounting for around 25 percent of the total population. Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Sri Lankans and Iranians were estimated at nearly 40 percent of the population while the remainder included other Asian, Arab, Western and African nationalities.

Children under 15 years numbered more than one million while those between 15 and 40 years exceeded two million, with the two groups combined accounting for nearly 80 percent of the total population.

Climate

The UAE has a sub-tropical, arid climate. Rainfall is infrequent and irregular. Falling mainly in winter, it amounts to some 13 centimetres a year. Temperatures range from a low of about 10 degrees Celsius to a high of 48 degrees Celsius. The mean daily maximum is 24 degrees.

Language

The official language of the UAE is Arabic. Other languages spoken are English, Hindi, Farsi. A large number of the expatriate population are from the sub-continent, Philippines, Iran etc. So you will find Tagalog, Malayalam, Russian etc.