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About United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is located on the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia, bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south and west, Oman to the east, and featuring coastlines along the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. Covering approximately 83,600 square kilometers, the UAE is home to over 11 million people, with expatriates comprising about 88% of the population. The federation consists of seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al-Quwain, Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah, united since 1971.

The UAE was established as a federation in 1971 when the seven emirates joined together after the end of British protectorate status. The country has transformed dramatically from a collection of small fishing and pearl-diving communities to a modern, wealthy nation. Arabic is the official language, though English is widely spoken in business and daily life. Islam is the official religion, with the UAE being home to stunning mosques including the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Emirati culture balances traditional Bedouin heritage with cosmopolitan modernity, evident in traditional dress, falconry, camel racing, and hospitality customs alongside ultramodern architecture and lifestyle.

The UAE's geography is predominantly desert, featuring vast sand dunes of the Rub' al Khali (Empty Quarter) in the south and the Hajar Mountains in the northeast near the Omani border. The climate is arid with extremely hot summers and mild winters, receiving minimal rainfall. Notable geographic features include the expansive sand dunes of Liwa Oasis, wadis (dry riverbeds) in the Hajar Mountains, and man-made islands like Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. The country has invested heavily in greening desert areas through advanced irrigation and desalination technologies.

The UAE has one of the world's most diversified economies in the Gulf region, built initially on oil wealth but now encompassing tourism, aviation, real estate, finance, and trade. Dubai has become a global business and tourism hub, while Abu Dhabi holds most of the country's oil reserves. Abu Dhabi, the capital and largest emirate, serves as the political and industrial center. Dubai is the most populous city and commercial hub, known for the Burj Khalifa (world's tallest building), while other emirates like Sharjah (cultural capital) and Ras Al Khaimah contribute to the UAE's status as one of the Middle East's most developed and dynamic economies.

Major Cities

• Dubai - The most populous city with 3.6 million people, a global business and tourism hub home to Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building at 828 meters
• Abu Dhabi - The capital with 1.8 million people, political center and wealthiest emirate holding 94% of UAE's oil reserves
• Sharjah - Third-largest city with 1.8 million people, known as the cultural capital of the UAE with numerous museums and art galleries
• Al Ain - Abu Dhabi's second city with 850,000 people, an inland oasis city and UNESCO World Heritage site
• Ajman - Smallest emirate capital with 540,000 people, known for shipbuilding and growing as a residential area

Interesting Facts

• The Burj Khalifa in Dubai is the world's tallest building at 828 meters with 163 floors, completed in 2010
• Expatriates make up approximately 88% of the UAE's population, making it one of the world's most diverse countries
• Dubai Mall is one of the world's largest shopping centers, featuring over 1,200 stores and an indoor aquarium
• The UAE transformed from a pearl-diving economy to one of the world's wealthiest nations in just 50 years after oil discovery
• Emirates airline, based in Dubai, operates the world's largest fleet of Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft
• The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi can accommodate over 40,000 worshippers and features 82 domes and 1,000 columns