United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates (formerly the Trucial States) is an oil-rich desert
country situated in the south-east of the Arabian Pensinsula, comprised of
seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujirah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah
and Umm al-Qaiwain. It neighbours Oman, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

                        Official language:     Arabic
                        Capital city:          Abu Dhabi
                        Largest city:          Abu Dhabi
History                 Land area              82,880 km2
                        Population             Ranked 114th
                        Ê- Total (2000)        2,407,460
                        Ê- Density             29/km2
                        President              Zayid bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan
In 1971, six of the     Independence declared  2 December 1971
Trucial States came
together to form an     Currency               UAE dirham
independent state,      Time zone              UTC +4
ending their ties with
the United Kingdom      National anthem        Arabic Emirati Tahiat Alalam
government. They were   Internet TLD           .AE
joined in 1972 by Ras   Calling code           971
al-Khaimah.

Politics

The Supreme Council consists of the rulers of the seven emirates. The
President and Vice-President are elected by the Supreme Council every five
years. The Supreme Council also elects the Council of Ministers, while a
40-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 secular
and Islamic law for civil, criminal, and high courts.

Emirates

The UAE comprises the following seven emirates:

   * Abu Dhabi
   * Ajman
   * Dubai
   * Fujirah
   * Ras al-Khaimah
   * Sharjah
   * Umm al-Qaiwain

Geography

The UAE lies in the Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian
Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia. It is a flat, barren coastal plain
merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert wasteland; with mountains in
the east. Its strategic location along southern approaches to the Strait of
Hormuz makes it a vital transit point for world crude oil.

Economy

The UAE's wealth is largely based on oil and gas output, some 33% of GDP. It
is the third largest oil producer in the Gulf after Saudi Arabia and Iran.
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.

Demographics

The UAE's population of almost 2.4 million contains some 1.6 million
non-nationals - indeed 50% of the population is South Asian. The population
growth rate is low compared to its neighbours. Religious beliefs are almost
exclusively Muslim. Around 80% of the population can read and write.

Culture

Rooted in Islamic culture, the UAE has strong ties with the rest of the Arab
world. The government are committed to preserving traditional forms of art
and culture, including via the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation. Change is
apparent in social life however - attitudes towards women are shifting, and
new sports are becoming popular alongside traditional camel racing.

                                  Holidays
    Date            English Name                      Local Name
 1 January New Year's Day                 Ê
 Varies    Ê                              Eid-ul-Adha
 Varies    Islamic New Year               El am Hejir

 Varies    Ê                              Ashura - Muharrum/Dr.Babu
                                          Jagjivan Ram
 Varies    Prophet's Birthday             Eid-Milad Nnabi

 August 6  Accession of H.H. Sheikh Zayed Ê
           bin Sultan-al Nahyan
 Varies    Ascension of Mohammed          Lailat al Miraj
 December 2National Day                   Ê
 Varies    End of Ramadan                 Eid Al Fitr

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