The United Arab Emirates, often referred to simply as the Emirates or UAE, is a country located in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula, on the Persian Gulf. It borders Oman to the east, Saudi Arabia to the south, and shares sea borders with Qatar and Iran. In 2013, the total population of the UAE was 9.2 million, of which 1.4 million were Emirati citizens and 7.8 million were expatriates.
The UAE was established in December 1971 as a federation of seven emirates, each governed by absolute monarchs who form the Federal Supreme Council. The seven emirates are Abu Dhabi (the capital), Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain. One of the monarchs is chosen as the President of the UAE.
Islam is the official religion of the country and Arabic is the official language, although English is widely used. The UAE has the fourth-largest oil reserves in the world and the seventeenth-largest natural gas reserves. The late Sheikh Zayed, the first President of the UAE, used oil revenues to develop the country and invest in healthcare, education, and infrastructure. The UAE's economy is the most diverse in the Gulf Cooperation Council, with its busiest city, Dubai, emerging as a hub for international trade and transportation. However, the country remains heavily dependent on petroleum and natural gas.
The oases in the UAE grow date palms, acacia trees, and eucalyptus trees, while the sparse desert flora consists of grasses and thorn bushes. The country's indigenous fauna were close to extinction due to hunting, but a conservation program initiated by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in the 1970s on Bani Yas Island has helped to save species such as Arabian Oryx and leopards. The coastal fish and mammals include mackerel, perch, and tuna, as well as sharks and whales.
The UAE has a subtropical-arid climate with hot summers and warm winters. July and August are the hottest months, with average maximum temperatures reaching above 45°C (113°F) on the coastal plain. Temperatures are cooler in the Al Hajar Mountains due to their higher elevation. The average minimum temperatures in January and February are between 10°C and 14°C (50°F and 57°F). During the summer, a humid southeast wind known as Sharqi makes the coastal region particularly unpleasant. The average annual rainfall in the coastal area is less than 120 mm (4.7 in), but it often reaches 350 mm (13.8 in) in some mountainous areas.
The UAE is 4 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and does not observe daylight saving time. Therefore, when it is 12:00 PM in Abu Dhabi, it is 3:00 AM in New York, 8:00 AM in London, 10:00 AM in Johannesburg, 1:30 PM in New Delhi, and 6:00 PM in Sydney.
Islam is the official state religion of the UAE.
Arabic is the national language of the UAE, with the Gulf dialect spoken by Emiratis. English is widely used as a common language. Knowledge of English is often required for most local job applications.
The UAE has a modest dress code, which is part of Dubai's criminal law. Most malls in the country display dress codes at their entrances, and at Dubai's malls, women are expected to cover their shoulders and knees.
The cuisine of the United Arab Emirates has its roots in rice, fish, and meat. The country has adopted a vast majority of its food from neighboring West and South Asian nations, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, India, and Oman. For centuries, seafood has been a fundamental part of the Emirati diet. Rice and meat are also staple foods, with lamb and mutton being the most popular meats, followed by goat and beef. Coffee and tea are the most common beverages, often flavored with cardamom, saffron, or mint for a unique taste. Alcohol is only available in hotel restaurants and bars, and in nightclubs. A limited number of supermarkets may sell alcohol, but these products are kept in a separate section. It's important to note that while alcohol consumption is allowed, it's illegal to be publicly drunk or drive a vehicle with any alcohol in your blood.
The official currency of the United Arab Emirates is the dirham, abbreviated as AED, with unofficial abbreviations including DH or Dhs. The dirham is divided into 100 fils. Since 1997, the dirham has been pegged to the US dollar at a rate of 3.65 dirhams to 1 US dollar.
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