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Overview:
The United Arab
Emirates (UAE) is a federation of seven sheikhdoms located
in the southeastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula.
Bordered by the Sultanate of Oman and the Gulf of Oman to
the east, Saudi Arabia to the south and west, and by the
Arabian Gulf to the north, the total land area, including 20
islands, is 83,000 sq km (32,278 sq mi). The seven emirates
are Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Qaiwain, Ras Al
Khaimah and Fujairah. The capital and the largest city of
the federation, Abu Dhabi, is located in the emirate of the
same name.
The estimated population of the UAE is 2.94 million. Arabic
is the official language and Islam is the state religion.
The currency is the Arab Emirates Dirham ($1 US is
equivalent to around 3.6 dirhams). The UAE has one of the
world's highest standards of living and the average life
expectancy is 72 years.
The UAE was formerly known as the Trucial States or Trucial
Coast. From 1820 onwards, Britain established its presence
in the region with the signing of several agreements
including a maritime truce, which gave the area its name. In
1968, having maintained its presence in the Gulf for well
over a century, Britain declared its intention to withdraw
by the end of 1971.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi and
present day President of the UAE, and the late Sheikh Rashid
bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai and later UAE Vice
President and Prime Minister, took the initiative to form a
federation among the Trucial sheikhdoms. Qatar and Bahrain
originally intended to join the seven emirates in the new
federation, but in the end they opted for separate
statehood. On December 2, 1971 the flag of the UAE was
raised for the first time, marking the beginning of a new
era.
Population:
2.94 (official estimate 2002).
Capital:
Abo Dhabi City.
Major Cities: Dubai, Al Ein, Jabal Ali, Sharja,
Fujaira.
Language:
Arabic, but English is widely
Spoken & understood, especially in commerce and industry.
Religion:
95 per cent Muslim (mostly of the
Sunni sect), with Christian and Other minorities.
Time:
GMT + 4.
Electricity:
220 volts AC, 50Hz; single phase.
UK-type flat three-pin plugs are used.
Communications:
Telephone:
Full IDD is available. Country
code: 971. Outgoing international code: 00.
Mobile telephone:
GSM 900 and 1800 networks.
Network operators include Etisalat (website:
www.etisalat.co.ae)
Fax:
Most hotels have facilities.
Internet:
Internet cafes throughout The UAE. provide public access to e-mail and Internet services. ISPs include
Emirates Internet & Multimedia (website:
www.emirates.net.ae)
Telegram:
Telegram services are available
24-hours at the Etisalat Offices, Throught out The
United Arab Emirates.
Post:
Airmail to Western Europe takes about
4 days.
Press:
The leading English-language newspaper
is Gulf Daily News.
Radio:
BBC World Service (website:
www.bbc.co.uk) and Voice of America (website:
www.voa.gov) can be
received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most
up-to-date can be found online. |
