|
|
|
|
| Country
Fact Sheet |
|
Location
|
Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman
and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi
Arabia
|
|
Capital
|
Abu
Dhabi
|
|
Surface
|
82,880 sq km
|
|
Population
|
2,563,212 people
|
|
Currency
|
Emirati dirham (AED)
|
|
GDP
|
Purchasing
power parity - $63.67 billion (2004 est.)
|
|
GDP/capita
|
Purchasing
power parity - $25,200 (2004 est.)
|
|
Language
|
Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi,
Urdu
|
|
Religion
|
Muslim 96% (Shi'a 16%), Christian, Hindu,
and other 4%
|
|
Government
|
Federation
with specified powers delegated to the UAE
federal government and other powers reserved
to member emirates
|
|
Time
Zone
|
GMT +4 hours
|
|
Telecom
Code
|
+971
|
|
Airport
|
Abu Dhabi International Airport
|
|
Driving
|
On right hand side of the road, license
required
|
|
Electrical
|
220/240 volts
|
|
Political
climate
|
Stable country
|
|
| |
| Local
Business & Service Providers |
|
Financial
services
Legal and fiduciary
Financial
Technology
Business travel
Image identity Consultancy
Corporate incentives
Automotive services
Accommodations
Lifestyle |
| |
| History |
|
| The
states that comprise the UAE were formerly known
as the Trucial States, Trucial Coast, or Trucial
Oman. The term trucial refers to the fact that the
sheikhs ruling the seven constituent states were
bound by truces concluded with Great Britain in
1820 and by an agreement made in 1892 accepting
British protection. Before British intervention,
the area was notorious for its pirates and was called
the Pirate Coast. After World War II the British
granted internal autonomy to the sheikhdoms. Discussion
of federation began in 1968 when Britain announced
its intended withdrawal from the Persian Gulf area
by 1971.
Originally
Bahrain and Qatar were to be part of the federation,
but after three years of negotiations they chose
to be independent. Ras al-Khaimah at first opted
for independence but reversed its decision in
1972. After the 1973 rise in oil prices, the UAE
was transformed from an impoverished region with
many nomads to a sophisticated state with one
of the highest per capita incomes in the world
and a broad social welfare system. In 1981 the
UAE joined the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
The fall of the shah of Iran in 1979, the growth
of Islamic fundamentalism, and the Iran-Iraq War
threatened the stability of the UAE in the 1980s.
In 1990, Iraq accused the UAE and Kuwait of overproduction
of oil. The UAE participated with international
coalition forces against Iraq during the Persian
Gulf War (1991). Since the Gulf War the UAE has
expanded its international contacts and diplomatic
relations. A dispute erupted with Saudi Arabia
in 1999 over relations with Iran, a traditional
enemy; while Saudi Arabia appeared willing to
seek improved ties, the emirates still regarded
Iran as a foe. Sheikh Zaid ibn Sultan al-Nahayan,
the ruler of Abu Dhabi, was president of the UAE
from the founding of the federation until his
death in 2004, when his son and heir, Sheikh Khalifa
ibn Zaid Al Nahayan, was elected to succeeded
him.
|
| |
| Local
Radio |
|
|
FM
Radio |
AM
Radio |
|
|
98.9
- Al Arabiya 98.9 FM (ARN) - Dubai AE |
|
|
|
90.5
- Radio Sawa|rep. - Dubai AE |
|
|
|
90.5 - Emirates
FM2 - Abu Dhabi AE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
