Country Guide • United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a union of seven sovereign sheikhdoms, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubayy, Al Fujayrah, Ra's al Khaymah, Shariqah and Umm al Qaywayn. formed when the British withdrew from the Gulf in 1971. The United Arab Emirates is located on the south eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula and is bound by the Persian Gulf to the north, Oman to the east, Saudi Arabia to the west and south as well as Qatar to the north west.
| Official Name | United Arab Emirates |
|---|---|
| Area | 83,600km² (32,278mile²) |
| Population | 2,484,818 |
| Continent | Middle East |
| Population per mile² | 78 |
| Capital City | Abu Dhabi |
| Religions | Muslim 96% (Sunni 80%, Shi'ite 16%), Christian, Hindu, and other 4% |
| Language | Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu |
| Government | Federated Monarchy |
| Currency | U.A.E. Dirham |
| GDP | $53 billion |
| GDP per Head | $22,000 |
| Natural Resources | Petroleum, natural gas |
| Land Use | Arable Land 0.48% |
| Agriculture | Dates, vegetables, watermelons; poultry, eggs, dairy products; fish |
| Industry | Petroleum, fishing, petrochemicals, construction materials, some boat building, handicrafts, pearling |
| Tourism | The U.A.E although small has mountains, beaches, deserts, oases, camel racing, Bedouin markets and of course a visit would be amis if you didn't take advantage of the duty free shopping in Dubai |
| Natural Hazards | Frequent sand and dust storms, droughts |
| Health Risks | Hepatitis A and B |
| Climate | The United Arab Emirates has an arid subtropical climate with humidity exceeding 85% on the coast. Rainfall is limited and erratic with an annual rainfall between 1-5 inches. The wettest months are February and March while the prevailing winds include the cool Shamal from the northeast and the Khamsin from the south which produces sandstorms. Average temperature ranges in Sharjah are from 12 to 23°C (54 to 73°F) in January to 28 to 38°C (82 to 102°F) in August |
| Time | GMT/UTC+4 hours |
| National Days | December 2 - Independence Day |
| Visas | British citizens do not require a visa for the UAE. Most other nationals except Gulf states require a visa |
| British Embassy | Embassy Details |
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