United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates
Native name	الإمارات العربية المتحدة
Capital	Abu Dhabi
Largest city	Dubai
Official language	Arabic
Government type	Federal elective constitutional monarchy
President	—
Prime Minister	—
Area	83,600 km²
Population	9,890,000 (2024 estimate)
Population density	—
Currency	UAE dirham (AED)
Time zone	UTC+4
Drives on	right
Calling code	+971
ISO code	AE

The United Arab Emirates (al-ʾImārāt al-ʿArabīyah al-Muttaḥidah) is a country in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia, bordering Saudi Arabia to the south and west and Oman to the southeast. It has maritime borders with Qatar and Iran. The country is a federation of seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah.

History

The area now known as the UAE has been inhabited for thousands of years. It was part of various ancient trade routes and empires. In the 19th century, it became known as the Trucial States under a British protectorate. The UAE was officially formed on 2 December 1971, when six emirates united; the seventh, Ras Al Khaimah, joined in early 1972.

Government and politics

The UAE is a federal constitutional monarchy. Each emirate is governed by its own monarch, and together they form the Federal Supreme Council. The President is selected from among the rulers of the emirates, traditionally from Abu Dhabi, while the Prime Minister is traditionally from Dubai.

Geography

The UAE has a diverse geography, including vast deserts, coastal plains, and mountainous regions in the east. It has a hot desert climate with extremely high temperatures in the summer and mild winters.

Economy

The UAE has one of the most developed economies in the Middle East, with significant revenues from oil and natural gas. In recent decades, the country has diversified its economy, becoming a hub for tourism, finance, logistics, and real estate. Dubai is known globally for its skyscrapers, luxury shopping, and business environment, while Abu Dhabi holds most of the country's oil reserves.

Demographics

The UAE has a population of nearly 10 million people, with expatriates making up approximately 85–90% of the population. The largest expatriate communities are from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Philippines, and various Arab nations.

Culture

The UAE's culture is rooted in Islam and traditional Arab values, although it is known for its tolerance and multicultural society. The official religion is Islam, and Arabic is the official language. Traditional music, dance, and poetry remain important aspects of Emirati culture.

References