THE GEOGRAPHY (Foreign Office UK)
Full Country Name: United Arab
Emirates
Area: 83 600 sq km
Population: 3.48 million (2002 est.)
Capital City: Abu Dhabi
People: Arab (55%), South Asian (28%),
Iranian (8%), other expats (9%)
Languages: Arabic
Religion(s): Muslim (96%) Hindu (4%)
Currency: 1 UAE Dirham = 100 fils
Major political parties: None
GEOGRAPHY
The UAE is a federation of seven
autonomous Shaikhdoms with a total
land area of 83,600 square kilometres.
The seven emirates are Abu Dhabi,
Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah,
Fujairah, Umm al Qaiwan and Ajman.
The total population is 3.48 million (85%
of which is expatriate). The climate is
dry sub tropical with hot summers
(May to October) and high humidity
near the coast.
THE HISTORY (Foreign Office UK)
Recent History
The UAE Federation was formed on 2
December 1971 as a fully independent
state when the so called "Trucial
States" ended their individual treaty
relationships with Britain. Shaikh Zayed
bin Sultan Al Nahyan became the first
President of the UAE and has remained
President ever since.
Longer Historical Perspective
The earliest significant settlements in
the area which now makes up the UAE
date from the Bronze Age. During the
Middle Ages they formed part of the
Kingdom of Hormuz. European
influence began with the Portuguese in
the 16th century followed by the British
in the 18th century. In 1892 the British
signed a number of agreements with
the ruling shaikhs in the region which
led to the formation of the "Trucial
States".
BBC News Country Timeline: United
Arab Emirates
POLITICS
The UAE's system of government is
enshrined in the 1971 constitution. It
consists of the Federal Supreme
Council (consisting of the rulers of the
seven Emirates), a President and Vice
President (elected by the Supreme
Council for a five year term), a Council
of Ministers and a 40 strong Federal
National Council (drawn from
representatives of all seven Emirates).
THE ECONOMY (Foreign Office UK)
Basic Economic Facts
GDP: 67.4 bn US$
GDP per head: 19,600 US$
Annual Growth: 5%
Inflation: 2.7%
Major Industries: Oil, gas,
Petrochemicals, manufacturing and
construction
Major Trading Partners: UK, US,
France, Italy, Japan, India, Singapore,
South Korea
Aid & Development: None
Exchange Rate: Dh3.67 = US$1
The UAE has one of the highest GNP's
per head in the world. While still heavily
dependent on revenues from
hydrocarbons the UAE is relatively well
insulated from periods of low oil prices
due to successful moves towards
economic diversification, large foreign
exchange reserves and overseas
investments.
Abu Dhabi has approximately 10% of the
World's proven oil reserves and 5% of
the gas. The Emirate also has an
impressive investment portfolio
financed from oil income. Dubai is
different. It has been forced to
diversify to compensate for far more
limited hydrocarbon reserves. The
economy is based on Dubai's reputation
as an entre pot for the region, its
vibrant tourist industry and apparently
thriving free trade zone. More recent
ventures such as the "Dubai Internet
City" and "Media City" will diversify the
Emirate's economy still further.
The Northern Emirates fair less well,
although Sharjah has established itself
as a base for manufacturing. The
Northern Emirates are, to a greater or
lesser extent, reliant on Abu Dhabi and
funds from the Federal Government.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Relations with Iran have been soured
by the dispute over the sovereignty of
the three Abu Musa and Tunbs islands.
Shaikh Zayed takes a philosophical view
about the need for reconciliation with
Iraq partly because of concerns that a
weakened Iraq encourages Iran's
regional ambitions. The UAE supports
the need for Iraq to abide by all
relevant UNSCRs. The UAE strongly
condemned the terrorist attacks in the
USA in September 2001.
UAE'S RELATIONS WITH THE UK
Bilateral relations are healthy. The UAE
is our largest export market in the
Middle East for non-military goods.
Over 35,000 British citizens live and
work in the UAE and our Defence
Cooperation Agreement represents our
largest defence commitment outside
NATO.
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