United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), also known simply as the Emirates, is a country in West Asia, situated at the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is a federal semi-constitutional monarchy made up of seven emirates, with Abu Dhabi serving as its national capital. The UAE borders Oman to the east and northeast, and Saudi Arabia to the southwest. It shares maritime borders with Qatar and Iran in the Persian Gulf, and with Oman in the Gulf of Oman. In 2024, the UAE had an estimated population of over 11 million, with Dubai being the country's largest city.

Islam is the state religion, and Arabic is the official language, though English is widely used in business and daily life. The UAE has a rich history rooted in Eastern Arabia, known for its maritime trade and seafaring traditions. Over time, the region saw influences from various powers, including the Portuguese, Dutch, and later the British, before gaining independence in 1971.

Today, the UAE is considered a middle power in global affairs. Dubai serves as an international hub for finance, tourism, and commerce. The country holds the world's seventh-largest oil reserves and seventh-largest natural gas reserves. While oil and gas were once the mainstays of the economy, the UAE has diversified, focusing more on tourism and business. It is a member of several important international organizations, including the United Nations, Arab League, and World Trade Organization.

Etymology

The United Arab Emirates gets its name from the seven emirates that came together to form the country. These emirates are Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, and Fujairah. Each of these places has its own unique history and culture, but together they make up the beautiful country known today as the UAE.

History

Main article: History of the United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates has a long history that stretches back thousands of years. Ancient stone tools show that people lived in the area as far back as 127,000 years ago. Over time, the region developed strong trading links with places like Mesopotamia, Iran, and the Harappan culture of the Indus Valley.

The area became part of the Islamic world in the 7th century when the Islamic prophet Muhammad sent a letter to the rulers of Oman. Later, the region saw influences from various empires, including the Achaemenids. During the time of the Portuguese, the area was known for its tribal groups and seasonal settlements.

In the 19th century, the British established treaties with local leaders, leading to the formation of the Trucial States. The discovery of oil in the mid-20th century brought great wealth and led to the formation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971. Since then, the UAE has grown into a modern nation, participating in international affairs and achieving milestones such as sending a probe to Mars in 2021.

Geography

Main article: Geography of the United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates is located in the Middle East, between Saudi Arabia and Oman, with coastlines along the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. It is close to a very important waterway called the Strait of Hormuz, which many ships use to carry crude oil around the world.

The UAE is made up of seven areas called emirates. Abu Dhabi, the largest emirate, makes up most of the country’s land. The smallest is Ajman. The country has deserts, with big sand dunes in some places, and also has oases where plants like date palms grow. Some mountains are home to special plants and animals, including the Arabian Oryx and Arabian camel. The weather is very hot in summer and mild in winter, with most rain falling in short, heavy bursts during winter.

Government and politics

Main article: Politics of the United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates is a federal semi-presidential state under a semi-constitutional monarchy made up of seven hereditary tribal monarchy-styled political units called Sheikhdoms. It is governed by a Federal Supreme Council made up of the ruling Sheikhs of Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah, Sharjah, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, and Umm Al Quwain. The UAE uses the title Sheikh for rulers of individual emirates, following the culture of the tribes of Arabia.

The UAE has a federal government with three branches: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. The UAE e-Government extends the federal government’s functions electronically. The UAE established ministries for tolerance, happiness, and artificial intelligence, showing its focus on modern governance and quality of life improvements.

Administrative divisions

See also: Politics of the United Arab Emirates, List of cities in the United Arab Emirates, and Emirates of the United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates comprises seven emirates. Emirate of Dubai is the most populous emirate, and Emirate of Abu Dhabi has the largest area, making up over two-thirds of the UAE’s population between them.

Foreign relations

Main article: Foreign relations of the United Arab Emirates

The UAE maintains broad diplomatic and commercial relations with many countries and is a member of several international organizations, including the United Nations, OPEC (before exiting in 2026), and the Gulf Cooperation Council. The UAE has strong ties with countries such as Bahrain, China, Egypt, India, Jordan, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the United States.

The UAE has been involved in disputes over islands in the Persian Gulf with Iran and has had diplomatic tensions, such as the Qatar diplomatic crisis in 2017, which was resolved in 2021. The UAE recognized Israel in 2020, normalizing relations between the two countries.

Military

The UAE’s armed forces include the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Presidential Guard, with around 44,000 active personnel. The UAE spends significantly on defense, with modern weapon systems from countries like France, the US, and the UK. The UAE has participated in various international military operations and has developed its own military capabilities, including producing ships, vehicles, and unmanned aerial vehicles.

The UAE introduced mandatory military service for adult males in 2014.

Law

Main articles: Legal system of the United Arab Emirates and Crime in the United Arab Emirates

See also: LGBT rights in the United Arab Emirates

The UAE has a federal court system, with civil and Sharia courts. Since 2020, corporal punishment is no longer a legal form of punishment. The UAE has been moving towards a more tolerant legal code, with changes to alcohol and cohabitation laws.

Sharia courts handle Muslim family law matters, while civil courts deal with other legal issues. The UAE has made efforts to modernize its legal system, including allowing non-Muslims to opt for civil marriages.

Environmental policy

Further information: Environmental issues in the United Arab Emirates

Environmental issues in the UAE include water scarcity, drought, and rising sea levels due to climate change. The country is a leading oil and gas producer with high energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions per capita. The UAE has set targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 31% by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050. Efforts include improving energy efficiency, promoting green buildings, and enhancing public transport. The UAE has invested in sustainable agriculture and other sustainability initiatives.

Economy

Main article: Economy of the United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates has grown very quickly from a group of Bedouin tribes to one of the world’s richest countries in about 50 years. It has one of the highest amounts of money per person in the world. The country’s economy grew steadily until challenges like the global financial crisis in 2008–09 and mixed years from 2015 to 2019. From 2000 to 2018, the economy grew by close to 4% each year on average. It is the second largest economy in the GCC, after Saudi Arabia, with a total amount of money (GDP) of US$414.2 billion in 2018.

The UAE’s economy faced changes between 2014 and 2018. Some areas, like hotels, education, and real estate, grew well. But other areas, like construction and oil, did not grow as much. In June 2024, the UAE moved up to 7th place among the top countries for competitiveness.

Business and finance

The UAE is ranked 26th in the world for how easy it is to do business. It also ranks well in happiness and innovation reports. However, challenges remain, such as improving education and making it easier to trade and do business. The UAE does not allow trade unions, and workers’ rights are limited.

The UAE keeps its money stable by linking its currency to the US Dollar. This helps protect the economy. In recent years, the economy has faced slower growth and higher prices, but the government is working to support it.

VAT

In 2018, the UAE started charging a value-added tax (VAT) of 5% on most goods and services. This helps the government get more money without needing to raise other taxes, which would make it harder for businesses to operate there.

Energy

Main article: Energy in the United Arab Emirates

Oil and gas are important to the UAE’s economy, making up 26% of its total amount of money in 2018. The UAE has been working to use other energy sources, like solar power, to make its economy stronger. The country has built nuclear power plants and aims to use more clean energy in the future.

Tourism

Main article: Tourism in the United Arab Emirates

Tourism is growing fast in the UAE. Dubai is one of the most popular places to visit in the world, known for tall buildings like the Burj Khalifa and beautiful places like Palm Jumeirah. The UAE is also building new attractions, such as a Disney theme park in Abu Dhabi and the first casino in the country.

Transport

Main article: Transport in the United Arab Emirates

The UAE has many ways to travel, including busy airports like Dubai International Airport and Abu Dhabi International Airport. There are also trains, buses, and taxis. The country is building new roads and railways to connect its cities. Big ports help the UAE trade with other countries around the world.

Telecommunications

The UAE has two main companies that provide phone and internet service: Etisalat and Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (“du”). The government watches over these companies to make sure they follow rules. In 2019, fast 5G internet service became available across the country.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of the United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has a large and diverse population. In 2020, the population was about 9.9 million, with most people being immigrants from other countries. Only about 11% of the people are Emirati citizens. The UAE has many people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Philippines living and working there.

The UAE is very urban, with most people living in cities. Arabic is the official language, but English is widely spoken. Islam is the main religion, and the country is known for being tolerant of other religions. There are also Christians, Hindus, and Jews living in the UAE, and the country has many places of worship for different faiths. The UAE has been working to improve education and healthcare for everyone living there.

Culture

Main article: Culture of the United Arab Emirates

Emirati culture is based on Arabian culture and has been influenced by the cultures of Persia, India, and East Africa. Traditional Emirati architecture, such as wind towers called barjeel, shows this Arabian influence. Major holidays include Eid al Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan, and National Day on December 2, celebrating the formation of the United Arab Emirates.

Traditional folk dances like Al-Ayyala_ and music such as Liwa are popular during festivals and weddings. The UAE has many museums, with Sharjah being particularly known for its Heritage District. Popular sports include Formula One, camel racing, and football. The UAE has a rich sporting history, with its football teams competing in many international tournaments. Cricket is also very popular, especially due to the large expatriate community, and the UAE has hosted several major cricket events.