United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates 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 United Arab Emirates (UAE). They were joined in 1972 by Ra's al Khaymah. The UAE's per capita GDP is not far below 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.

United Arab Emirates Information

• Population: 2,523,915 note: includes an estimated 1,606,079 non-nationals; the 17 December 1995 census presents a total population figure of 2,377,453, and there are estimates of 3.44 million for 2002 (July 2004 est.)
• Nationality: noun: Emirati(s) adjective: Emirati
• Location:: Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia
• Religions:: Muslim 96% (Shi'a 16%), Christian, Hindu, and other 4%
• 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)
• Land Boundaries:: total: 867 km border countries: Oman 410 km, Saudi Arabia 457 km
• Area: total: 82,880 sq km land: 82,880 sq km water: 0 sq km
• Coast Line: 1,318 km
• Climate: desert; cooler in eastern mountains
• Terrain: flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert wasteland; mountains in east
• Maritime Claims: territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
• Land Use: arable land: 0.6% permanent crops: 2.25% other: 97.15% (2001)
• Environmental Issues: lack of natural freshwater resources compensated by desalination plants; desertification; beach pollution from oil spills
• Natural Resources: petroleum, natural gas
• Highways: total: 1,088 km paved: 1,088 km (including 253 km of expressways) unpaved: 0 km (1999 est.)
• Railways:
• Ports & Harbours: Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Das Island, Khawr Fakkan, Mina' Jabal 'Ali, Mina' Khalid, Mina' Rashid, Mina' Saqr, Mina' Zayid, Umm al Qaywayn
• Airports: 35 (2003 est.)