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| United Arab Emirates | Introduction | Top of Page |
| Background: | 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 UAE. They were joined in 1972 by Ra's al Khaymah. The UAE's per capita GDP is not far below those of the leading West European nations. Its generosity with oil revenues and its moderate foreign policy stance have allowed it to play a vital role in the affairs of the region. |
| United Arab Emirates | People | Top of Page |
| Population: | 2,407,460 note: includes 1,576,472 non-nationals (July 2001 est.) |
| Nationality: | noun: Emirati(s) adjective: Emirati |
| Ethnic groups: | 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) |
| Religions: | Muslim 96% (Shi'a 16%), Christian, Hindu, and other 4% |
| Languages: | Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu |
| United Arab Emirates | Government | Top of Page |
| Country name: | conventional
long form: United
Arab Emirates conventional short form: none local long form: Al Imarat al Arabiyah al Muttahidah local short form: none former: Trucial Oman, Trucial States abbreviation: UAE |
| Government type: | federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE federal government and other powers reserved to member emirates |
| Capital: | Abu Dhabi |
| Administrative divisions: | 7 emirates (imarat, singular - imarah); Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi), 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah (Sharjah), Dubayy (Dubai), Ra's al Khaymah, Umm al Qaywayn |
| Independence: | 2 December 1971 (from UK) |
| Constitution: | 2 December 1971 (made permanent in 1996) |
| Political parties and leaders: | none |
| Flag description: | three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and black with a thicker vertical red band on the hoist side |
| United Arab Emirates | Economy | Top of Page |
| Economy - overview: | The UAE has an open economy with a high per capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus. Its wealth is based on oil and gas output (about 33% of GDP), and the fortunes of the economy fluctuate with the prices of those commodities. Since 1973, 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. At present levels of production, oil and gas reserves should last for more than 100 years. Despite higher oil revenues in 1999-2000, the government has not drawn back from the economic reforms implemented during the 1998 oil price depression. The government has increased spending on job creation and infrastructure expansion and is opening up its utilities to greater private-sector involvement. |
| Industries: | petroleum, fishing, petrochemicals, construction materials, some boat building, handicrafts, pearling |
| Agriculture - products: | dates, vegetables, watermelons; poultry, eggs, dairy products; fish |
| Currency: | Emirati dirham (AED) |
| Fiscal year: | calendar year |
