One of the world’s fastest developing countries and a powerhouse of the region’s economy. It was founded on the second of December 1971, when seven emirates, previously known as the Trucial States, came together in a federation. In the years since, the people of the UAE have advanced at dramatic speeds.

Oil, the foundation of the country’s wealth, was first found in the offshore waters of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, at Umm Shaif, in 1958, followed by the huge Bab field, onshore, later the same year. The first cargo of crude was exported in 1962.

Oil revenue gave Abu Dhabi, and later other emirates, a historic opportunity to use the new-found wealth for the development of the land and its people, the process began in earnest on August 6, 1966 with the accession of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan as Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Since then, as Ruler, and since 1971, as UAE President, he has guided the fortunes of the state. The Union of the seven emirates Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Umm Al Qaiwain and Ajman – has stood the test of time and tribulations of two major regional wars. One reason it has been able to do so has been the charismatic leadership of Sheikh Zayed. Under his direction, the UAE has emerged as a model welfare state where the citizen is assured of support from the cradle to the grave, Oil reserves are sufficient to last more than a hundred years at current rates of extraction and, with rapid economic diversification, development of agricultural potential, and massive investment in training and education, the future of the economy is assured.

The country, including nearly 200 islands, covers an area roughly the size of Portugal – 83,600 sq km – and has an estimated population of 2.23 million. Most of the land , Mountains and desert, the latter stretching away in the south west to the edge of the Empty Quarter. With the exception of lnland oases like Al Ain, Liwa and Dhaid, the majority of the population lives along the two narrow coastal strips. The climate is hot and humid with summer temperatures rising to 50C.

The people of the Emirates are Arabs, formerly nomadic Bedu and agriculturists, while the country’s history and heritage stretches back thousands of years, to the late Stone Age, around 6,000 – 4,500 BC.

The capital, Abu Dhabi, also capital of the Emirate of the same name, wad founded in 1761, when legend states a hunting party from the Baniyas tribal confederation found a gazelle near a sprint on an offshore island, which they named Abu Dhabi (Father of, or Possession of, the Gazelle).

In 1820, Britain established itself in the region, signing a series of treaties with the rulers, one of which, on a permanent maritime truce, led to the area becoming known as the Trucial States.

When, in 1968, Britain announced its intention to withdraw from the Gulf, the Rulers of the two biggest emirates, Sheikh Zayed of Abu Dhabi and the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai, took the initiative to from the UAE federation

The top political authority is the Supreme Council of Rulers, from amongst whom the President and the Vice President are selected at five yearly intervals, followed by the Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister, a post currently held by the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Maktoum Bin RaAEDid Al Maktoum. There is also a Federal National Council (parliament) with legislative functions.

The export of oil and gas (AED 44.48b or US$12.26 billion in 1994) is the mainstay of the economy, accounting for a third of Gross Domestic, product, which reached AED 135 billion (US$36.8 billion) in 1994, compared to AED 6.5 billion in 1972 at a growth rate of 15.4 per cent. Likewise, the non-oil sectors witnessed remarkable growth there the GDP (excluding oil ) has jumped from AED 2.4 billion to AED 89.8 billion in 1994. Over the past few years a program of diversifying the economy away from hydrocarbons ha achieved considerable success.

The industrial base has been broadened while private sector activity is at a record peak. There are plans to privatize large areas of state enterprise. While GDP fluctuates with oil prices, per capita income compares favorably with the world’s most advanced countries.

The UAE’s open economy encourages imports, but oil income and a vibrant manufacturing sector, including vigorous free zone activity, help to maintain a healthy balance of trade.

Export of non-oil products has grown three-fold since 1980, while free trade encourages foreign investment and participation in enterprises ranging from heavy industry to re-exports and the transit trade.

GDP AED 134.88 (US $ 36.88) AED. 6.5B (US $ 1.77B)

Exports/Re-exports AED.92.8B (US $25.28B) AED 53B (US$1.44B)

Imports AED 80B (US$21.79) AED2.2B (US$0.59B)

Trade Surplus AED 12.8B (US$ 3.48) AED3.1B (US$0.84B)

Though not a traditional tourist destination, the Emirates have always welcomed visitors. Old traditions of hospitality are now complemented by a world class infrastructure of fine metalled roads, five-stare hotels (including the major chains) and modern civic facilities.

Some, like Dubai’s two 18-hole golf courses, attract visitors from as far away as Japan. The travel industry has attracted Government support, particularly in the easing of entry regulations for bonafide tourists.

The billions of dirhams spent on extensive afforestation programs have paid dividends beyond the beautification of the cities and countryside. Many once-rare species of bird now find food sufficient to encourage them to stay and breed

It is not just wildlife that feels safe in the UAE, the country offers security of life, prosperity and one of the lowest serious crime rates in the world .

Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah are regular venues for International sporting events, including championship powerboat racing, PGA golf and international cricket, while there are numerous other attractions, among them the country’s paradise that has people flocking to the tax –free Souqs (markets) of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah all year round.

The variety of goods on offer, ranging from local handicrafts to state-of-the-art electronics and jewelry, presents an irresistible attraction for most visitors, who are made to feel at home by the remarkable feeling of religious and ethnic tolerance that prevails in what is, after all a very multi-cultural society. Combine that with a virtual absence of crime, add in the delightful discoveries to be made of the country’s rich national heritage, and that provides the ingredients of the recipe for the UAE’s rapidly developing tourist industry.

 Transport and communications have grown rapidly. The country now has six international airports and 15 major ports, handling nearly three million container units a year. One at Jebel Ali, is the largest man-made harbor in the world.

The free phone is the symbol of the communications revolution. Local calls are free, and invaluable boost to trade and commerce, while the UAE has satellite and cable links with 203 countries, With nearly 600,000 fixed and almost 100,000 mobile telephones, and ISDN, Internet and teleconferencing in place, the UAE attracts multinational and transnational giants seeking a gateway to the rest of the Middle East.

 Ports 15

Airports 6

Highway (kms) 3171

Cars 345,000

 A quarter of a century ago, only the big cities had schools. Now education is universal and free for citizens, and current school enrollment is around half a million, compared to 44,000 in 1972, a quarterof the total population. Schools have a 14:1 student- teacher ratio, the result of investment in education.

 At A Glance: 

A semi-arid country, the UAE has little rainfall, but oil revenues have permitted production of sweet water from the sea (300 million gallons per day) as a byproduct of electricity generation. The result has been an agricultural revolution. Around 22 million date palms now flourish, making the country one of the largest producers of dates in the world while liberal subsidies have enabled farmers to expand output of vegetable and dairy products. Cultivated land – only 18,000 hectares in 1978is now over 250,000 hectares. The number of farms has grown from 5,000 in the early seventies to 20,000 now. The average crops season yields 600,000 tonnes, valued above AED billion

With the agricultural and afforestation programs has come a grater interest in the conservation of the country’s environment The Federal Environmental Agency is preparing laws to protect wildlife and flora, while better management of waste disposal is encouraged, Government – sponsored bodies have been formed to study the breeding of endangered species such as the houbara bustard and the Arabian leopard.

The UAE’s first woman pilot won her wings the same year as the first doctors graduated from the Emirates University and the first women soldiers passed out of the military academy. Building on their past involvement in the country’s economic life, women are now emerging as students, teachers, doctors, workers and leaders. The catalyst of this quiet revolution was education, and current enrollment of girls at all school levels stands at 194,545 or 98 per cent of the female population of school-going age. They now dominate the UAE’s higher educational establishments, 70 per cent of the students at the Higher College of Technology, and over 60 per cent at the University.

The freedom UAE women enjoy to acquire a skill or an education, to join a profession or to do business has not been won overnight, As in other traditional societies, they have had to work for their emancipation, In that they have had the active support of not only the president, Sheikh Zayed, but his wife, Sheikha fatima, as well as the wives of the Rulers of the other Emirates.

In 1973, Sheikha Fatima set up the first Women’s Association, pioneering similar bodies countrywide Local women have learnt to organize themselves, set up literacy campaigns, establish craft and vocational centers Above all, the women’s societies have prepared local women to play an increasingly active role in social development

The source of their freedom is tribal traditions, which give women the right to earn or inherit wealth, Islamic law which additionally confers social choice and the UAE Constitution which bestows on them cradle to grave benefits.

77% females literate by 1990, up from 61% in 1980

40% of all Government jobs held by women in 1993

27% of all decision-makers in Government are women

40% of women in jobs have degrees.