United-Arab-Emirates

UNITED-ARAB-EMIRATES

Information about travelling to United-Arab-Emirates

United-Arab-Emirates is located in Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia

Facts about United-Arab-Emirates
Population4,621,399 note: est
CapitalAbu Dhabi
Time zoneUTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Location Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia

General info about United-Arab-Emirates
The Trucial States of the Persian Gulf coast granted the UK control of their defense and foreign affairs in 19th century treaties. In 1971, six of these states - Abu Zaby, 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah, Dubayy, and Umm al Qaywayn - merged to form the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They were joined in 1972 by Ra's al Khaymah. The UAE's per capita GDP is on par with those of leading West European nations. Its generosity with oil revenues and its moderate foreign policy stance have allowed the UAE to play a vital role in the affairs of the region.
Languages spoken
Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu
What about drugs?
the UAE is a drug transshipment point for traffickers given its proximity to Southwest Asian drug-producing countries; the UAE's position as a major financial center makes it vulnerable to money laundering; anti-money-laundering controls improving, but informal banking remains unregulated
Ethnic division
Emirati 19%, other Arab and Iranian 23%, South Asian 50%, other expatriates (includes Westerners and East Asians) 8% (1982) note: less than 20% are UAE citizens (1982)
HIV/AIDS prevalence rate
0.18% (2001 est.)
Climate
desert; cooler in eastern mountains
Resources
petroleum, natural gas
Economy
The UAE has an open economy with a high per capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus. Successful efforts at economic diversification have reduced the portion of GDP based on oil and gas output to 25%. Since the discovery of oil in the UAE more than 30 years ago, 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. The government has increased spending on job creation and infrastructure expansion and is opening up utilities to greater private sector involvement. In April 2004, the UAE signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement with Washington and in November 2004 agreed to undertake negotiations toward a Free Trade Agreement with the US. The country's Free Trade Zones - offering 100% foreign ownership and zero taxes - are helping to attract foreign investors. Higher oil revenue, strong liquidity, housing shortages, and cheap credit in 2005-07 led to a surge in asset prices (shares and real estate) and consumer inflation. The global financial crisis and the resulting tight international credit market and falling oil prices have already begun to deflate asset prices and will result in slower economic growth for 2009. Dependence on oil and a large expatriate workforce are significant long-term challenges. The UAE's strategic plan for the next few years focuses on diversification and creating more opportunities for nationals through improved education and increased private sector employment.
Environment
lack of natural freshwater resources compensated by desalination plants; desertification; beach pollution from oil spills

Cities in United-Arab-Emirates


National airlines
Emiratesairline website


Airports in United-Arab-Emirates
Al Ain International AirportAAN
Abu Dhabi InternationalAUH
BateenAZI
Al Dhafra Military AptDHF
DubaiDXB
Ras Al KhaimahRKT
SharjahSHJ


Beer in United-Arab-Emirates (0.33l)
Abu Dhabi~ 2 EUR
Dubai~ 3 EUR
Dubai~ 3 EUR
Sharjah~ 2.1 EUR

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