United Arab Emirates: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Country in Western Asia}}
{{Redirect|UAE}}
{{pp-move-indef}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Coord|24|N|54|E|display=title}}
{{Coord|24|N|54|E|display=title}}
{{Infobox country
{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name = United Arab Emirates
| conventional_long_name = United Arab Emirates
| common_name           = UAE
| common_name = UAE
| native_name           = {{native name|ar|الإمارات العربية المتحدة}}<br />{{transliteration|ar|al-ʾImārāt al-ʿArabīyah al-Muttaḥidah}}
| native_name = {{native name|ar|الإمارات العربية المتحدة}}<br/>{{transl|ar|al-ʾImārāt al-ʿArabīyah al-Muttaḥidah}}
| image_flag             = Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg
| image_flag = Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg
| flag_type             = [[Flag of the United Arab Emirates|Flag]]
| flag_type = [[Flag of the United Arab Emirates|Flag]]
| image_coat             = Emblem of the United Arab Emirates.svg
| image_coat = Emblem of the United Arab Emirates.svg
| symbol_type           = [[Emblem of the United Arab Emirates|Emblem]]
| symbol_type = [[Emblem of the United Arab Emirates|Emblem]]
| national_motto        = {{lang|ar|الله الوطن الرئيس}}
| national_anthem = {{lang|ar|عيشي بلادي}}<br />"''[[Ishy Bilady|{{transl|ar|Īšiy Bilādī}}]]''"<br />"Long Live My Country"<br />{{parabr}}{{center|[[File:Ishy Bilady.ogg|Ishy Bilady (instrumental)]]}}
| englishmotto          = God, Nation, President
| image_map = United Arab Emirates (orthographic projection).svg
| national_anthem       = {{lang|ar|عيشي بلادي}}<br />"''[[Ishy Bilady|{{transliteration|ar|Īšiy Bilādī}}]]''"<br />"Long Live My Country"<br />{{parabr}}{{center|[[File:Ishy Bilady.ogg|Ishy Bilady (instrumental)]]}}
| map_caption = {{map caption |location_color= green |region= |region_color= none}}
| image_map             = United Arab Emirates (orthographic projection).svg
| image_map2 =  
| map_caption           = {{map caption |location_color= green |region=the [[Arabian Peninsula]] |region_color= none}}
| capital = [[Abu Dhabi]]
| image_map2             =  
| coordinates = {{Coord|24|28|N|54|22|E|type:city}}
| capital               = [[Abu Dhabi]]
| largest_city = [[Dubai]]
| coordinates           = {{Coord|24|28|N|54|22|E|type:city}}
| official_languages = [[Arabic language|Arabic]]
| largest_city           = <!-- Don't change to Abu Dhabi without a citation -->[[Dubai]]<br />{{coord|25|15|N|55|18|E|display=inline}}
| languages_type = Spoken languages
| official_languages     = [[Arabic]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Fact sheet |url=https://u.ae/en/about-the-uae/fact-sheet |website=United Arab Emirates |publisher=U.ae |access-date=31 August 2020}}</ref>
| languages = {{hlist|Arabic|English|Hindi|Filipino|Persian|Urdu|French|Malayalam|Pashto|Spanish|Tamil}}
| common_languages      = [[English language|English]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stalawfirm.com/en/news/view/english-translation-abu-dhabi-courts.html |title=A mandatory requirement for an English translation under Abu Dhabi Courts |publisher=STA Law Firm |date= |access-date=2022-02-26}}</ref>
| ethnic_groups =  
| ethnic_groups          = {{unbulleted list
| ethnic_groups_ref =  
| 35.0% [[Indians in the United Arab Emirates|Indian]]
| ethnic_groups_year =  
| 15.0% [[Emiratis|Emirati]]
| religion =  
| 10.7% [[Bangladeshis in the Middle East|Bangladeshi]]
| religion_year =  
| 9.7% [[Pakistanis in the United Arab Emirates|Pakistani]]
| demonym =  
| 8.8% [[Expatriates in the United Arab Emirates#Egyptians|Egyptian]]
| government_type = [[Federal monarchy|Federal]] elective [[constitutional monarchy]]<ref>{{cite book|last=Stewart|first=Dona J.|title=The Middle East Today: Political, Geographical and Cultural Perspectives|publisher=Routledge|date=2013|location=London and New York|isbn=978-0415782432|page=155}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Day|first=Alan John|title=Political Parties of The World|url=https://archive.org/details/politicalparties0004daya|publisher=Stockton|date=1996|isbn=1561591440|page=[https://archive.org/details/politicalparties0004daya/page/599 599]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://elaws.moj.gov.ae/MainArabicTranslation.aspx?val=UAE-MOJ_LC-En/00_CONSTITUTION/UAE-LC-En_1971-07-18_00000_Dos.html&np=&lmp=undefined|title=United Arab Emirates Constitution|work= UAE Ministry of Justice|access-date=10 October 2018}}</ref>
| 5.5% [[Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates|Filipino]]
| leader_title1 = [[President of the United Arab Emirates|President]]  
| 3.1% [[Indonesians in the United Arab Emirates|Indonesian]]
| leader_name1 = [[Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan]]  
| 2.0% [[Expatriates in the United Arab Emirates#Yemenis|Yemeni]]
| leader_title2 = [[Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates|Prime Minister]]  
| 1.6% [[Jordanians in the United Arab Emirates|Jordanian]]
| leader_name2 = [[Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum]]  
| 1.3% [[Expatriates in the United Arab Emirates#Sudanese|Sudanese]]
| leader_title3 =  
| 9.7% [[Expatriates in the United Arab Emirates|Others]]
| leader_name3  =  
}}{{Update inline|date=May 2022|reason=Newer data available}}
| legislature  =  
| ethnic_groups_ref     = <ref>{{Cite web|title=UAE Population and Demographics|year=2020|work=Dubai Online|url=https://www.dubai-online.com/essential/uae-population-and-demographics/}}</ref>
| sovereignty_type =  
<ref>{{Cite web|title=United Arab Emirates Population Statistics 2022|author=GMI Blogger|work=Global Media Insight - Dubai Digital Interactive Agency|date=|access-date=|url=https://www.globalmediainsight.com/blog/uae-population-statistics/|archive-url=|archive-date=}}{{Better source needed|reason=Source is a blog|date=May 2022}}</ref>
| established_event1 =
| ethnic_groups_year     = 2020
| established_date1  =  
| religion               = {{unbulleted list
| area_km2 = 83,600
|76.0% [[Islam in the United Arab Emirates|Islam]] ([[State religion|official]])
| area_rank = 114th
|9.0% [[Christianity in the United Arab Emirates|Christianity]]
| area_sq_mi = 32,278 <!--Do not remove per [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers]]-->
|8.0% [[Hinduism in the United Arab Emirates|Hinduism]]
| percent_water = negligible
|1.8% [[Buddhism in the Middle East|Buddhism]]
|5.0% [[Freedom of religion in the United Arab Emirates|Others]]}}
| religion_year         = 2022
| demonym               = [[Emiratis|Emirati]]<ref name=WorldFactbook/>
| government_type       = [[Federal monarchy|Federal]] [[Islamic monarchy|Islamic]] [[parliamentary]] [[Elective monarchy|elective]] [[semi-constitutional monarchy]]<ref>{{cite book|last=Stewart|first=Dona J.|title=The Middle East Today: Political, Geographical and Cultural Perspectives|publisher=Routledge|date=2013|location=London and New York|isbn=978-0415782432|page=155}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Day|first=Alan John|title=Political Parties of The World|publisher=Stockton|date=1996|isbn=1561591440|page=599}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://elaws.moj.gov.ae/MainArabicTranslation.aspx?val=UAE-MOJ_LC-En/00_CONSTITUTION/UAE-LC-En_1971-07-18_00000_Dos.html&np=&lmp=undefined|title=United Arab Emirates Constitution|work= UAE Ministry of Justice|access-date=10 October 2018}}</ref>
| leader_title1         = [[President of the United Arab Emirates|President]]
| leader_name1           = [[Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan elected as new UAE president |url=https://gulfnews.com/amp/uae/government/sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-elected-as-new-uae-president-1.1652518419842 |access-date=14 May 2022 |work=[[Gulf News]] |date=14 May 2022}}</ref>
| leader_title2         = [[List of prime ministers of the United Arab Emirates|Vice President and<br>Prime Minister]]
| leader_name2           = [[Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum]]
| legislature            = {{plainlist|
* [[Federal Supreme Council]]
* [[Federal National Council]]
}}
| sovereignty_type      = [[History of the United Arab Emirates|Establishment]]
| established_event1    = [[Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah]]
| established_date1      = 1708
| established_event2    = [[Emirate of Sharjah|Sharjah]]
| established_date2      = 1727
| established_event3    = [[Emirate of Abu Dhabi|Abu Dhabi]]
| established_date3      = 1761
| established_event4    = [[Umm Al Quwain]]
| established_date4      = 1768
| established_event5    = [[Emirate of Ajman|Ajman]]
| established_date5      = 1816
| established_event6    = [[Emirate of Dubai|Dubai]]
| established_date6      = 1833
| established_event7    = [[Emirate of Fujairah|Fujairah]]
| established_date7      = 1879
| established_event8    = [[National Day (United Arab Emirates)|Independence]] from the United Kingdom and the [[Trucial States]]
| established_date8      = 2 December 1971
| established_event9    = [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 304|Admitted to the]] [[United Nations]]
| established_date9      = 9 December 1971
| established_event10    = Admission of [[Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah]] to the UAE
| established_date10    = 10 February 1972
| area_km2               = 83,600
| area_rank             = 114th
| area_sq_mi             = 32,278 <!--Do not remove per [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers]]-->
| percent_water         = negligible
| population_estimate_year = 2020
| population_estimate_year = 2020
| population_estimate   = 9,282,410<ref name="u.ae">{{cite web|url=https://u.ae/en/about-the-uae/fact-sheet/|title=United Arab Emirates Population (2020) |website=u.ae}}</ref>
| population_estimate = 9,890,400<ref name="worldometers.info">{{cite web|url=http://www.worldometers.info/world-population/united-arab-emirates-population/|title=United Arab Emirates Population (2020) |website=www.worldometers.info}}</ref>
| population_census     = 4,106,427
| population_census =  
| population_estimate_rank = 92nd
| population_estimate_rank =  
| population_census_year = 2005
| population_census_year =  
| population_density_km2 = 121
| population_density_km2 = 99
| population_density_sq_mi = 256 <!--Do not remove per [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers]]-->
| population_density_sq_mi = 256 <!--Do not remove per [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers]]-->
| population_density_rank = 110th
| population_density_rank = 110th
| GDP_PPP               = {{increase}}$779.234 billion<ref name=imf2>{{cite web |url= https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2021/April/weo-report |title=United Arab Emirates |publisher=[[International Monetary Fund]]}}</ref>
| GDP_PPP = US$647.650 billion<ref name=imf2>{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2018/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2018&ey=2023&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&pr1.x=57&pr1.y=20&c=466&s=NGDPD%2CPPPGDP%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPPC&grp=0&a= |title=United Arab Emirates |publisher=[[International Monetary Fund]]}}</ref>
| GDP_PPP_year           = 2022
| GDP_PPP_year = 2020
| GDP_PPP_rank           = 34th
| GDP_PPP_rank = 34th
| GDP_PPP_per_capita     = {{increase}} $78,255 <ref name=imf2/>
| GDP_PPP_per_capita = US$70,441<ref name=imf2/>
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 7th
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 7th
| GDP_nominal           = {{increase}}$501.354
| GDP_nominal = US$410.214 billion<ref name=imf2/>
billion<ref name=imf2/>
| GDP_nominal_year = 2020
| GDP_nominal_year       = 2022
| GDP_nominal_rank = 33th
| GDP_nominal_rank       = 32nd
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = US$41,476<ref name=imf2/>
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = {{increase}} $50,349 <ref name=imf2/>
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 19th
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 21st
| Gini = 32.5 <!--number only-->
| Gini                   = 26.0 <!--number only-->
| Gini_year = 2014
| Gini_year             = 2018
| Gini_change = <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| Gini_change           = <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| Gini_ref = <ref>{{cite web|title=GINI index (World Bank estimate) – United Arab Emirates|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI?locations=AE|website=data.worldbank.org |publisher=World Bank|access-date=30 March 2020}}</ref>
| Gini_ref               = <ref>{{cite web|title=GINI index (World Bank estimate) – United Arab Emirates|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI?locations=AE|website=data.worldbank.org |publisher=World Bank|access-date=30 March 2020}}</ref>
| Gini_rank =  
| Gini_rank             =  
| HDI = 0.890 <!--number only-->
| HDI                   = 0.890 <!--number only-->
| HDI_year = 2019 <!-- Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year-->
| HDI_year               = 2019 <!-- Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year-->
| HDI_change = increase <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| HDI_change             = increase <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| HDI_ref = <ref name="UNHDR">{{cite web|url=http://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/hdr2020.pdf|title=Human Development Report 2020|language=en|publisher=[[United Nations Development Programme]]|date=15 December 2020|access-date=15 December 2020}}</ref>
| HDI_ref               = <ref name="UNHDR">{{cite web|url=http://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/hdr2020.pdf|title=Human Development Report 2020|language=en|publisher=[[United Nations Development Programme]]|date=15 December 2020|access-date=15 December 2020}}</ref>
| HDI_rank = 31st
| HDI_rank               = 31st
| currency =  
| currency               = [[United Arab Emirates dirham|UAE dirham]]
| currency_code =  
| currency_code         = AED
| time_zone =  
| time_zone             = [[Time in the United Arab Emirates|United Arab Emirates Standard Time]]
| utc_offset =
| utc_offset             = +04:00
| date_format =  
| date_format           = dd/mm/yyyy
| drives_on =  
| drives_on             = right<!-- The steering wheel is on the left hand side of the car, but they drive on the right hand side of the road – that is driving on the right-->
| calling_code =  
| calling_code           = [[Telephone numbers in the United Arab Emirates|+971]]
<!---
<!---
| Communication Companies = Etisalat<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.etisalat.ae/|title=Welcome to Etisalat|publisher=Etisalat.ae}}</ref>
| Communication Companies = Etisalat<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.etisalat.ae/|title=Welcome to Etisalat|publisher=Etisalat.ae}}</ref>
| Communication Companies = du<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.du.ae/|title=Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company|publisher=Du.ae}}</ref>
| Communication Companies = du<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.du.ae/|title=Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company|publisher=Du.ae}}</ref>
| Local calling_code = {{unbulleted list|[[Abu Dhabi]]: 02|[[Dubai]]: 04|[[Sharjah (emirate)|Sharjah]] nd [[Ajman]] : 06|[[Al-Ain]]: 03|[[Fujairah]]: 09|[[Umm al-Quwain]] and [[Ras al-Khaimah]]: 07}}
| Local calling_code = {{unbulleted list|[[Abu Dhabi]]: 02|[[Dubai]]: 04|[[Sharjah (emirate)|Sharjah]] nd [[Ajman]] : 06|[[Al-Ain]]: 03|[[Fujairah]]: 09|[[Umm al-Quwain]] and [[Ras al-Khaimah]]: 07}}
  ---->| cctld                 = {{unbulleted list |[[.ae]] |[[emarat|امارات.]]}}
  ---->
| footnotes             = <div style="background:#ddf;padding:0.2em;font-size:135%;text-align:center;">'''[[Portal:United Arab Emirates|United Arab Emirates portal]]'''</div>
| cctld = [[.ae]]
| linking_name           =  
| footnotes =  
| today                 =  
| linking_name =  
| today =  
}}
}}
The '''United Arab Emirates''' ('''UAE; in [[Arabic language|Arabic]]: الإمارات العربية المتحدة''') is a [[country]] in [[Western Asia]]. It borders [[Oman]], [[Qatar]], and [[Saudi Arabia]]. The capital is [[Abu Dhabi]], and the largest city is [[Dubai]]. The [[Burj Khalifa]], [[Earth]]'s tallest artificial structure,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Did you know? Facts & Figures about the Burj Khalifa {{!}} Burj Khalifa|url=http://www.burjkhalifa.ae/en/the-tower/facts-figures/index.aspx|access-date=2020-12-25|website=www.burjkhalifa.ae}}</ref> is in Dubai. Approximately 600.83 square kilometers is the area of the United Arab Emirates, till December 31, 2017, the UAE counted a population of 9,304,277,  according to the reports of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |date=2018 |title=The yearly book of the state of Emirates |url=https://u.ae/-/media/About-UAE/UAE-Book-2018-ar.ashx |journal=National Media Council |pages=8–9}}</ref> The most common natural sources in The United Arab Emirates are oil and gas. The oil reserves of the UAE are approximately 8.2% of the global oil reserves according to [[OPEC]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=OPEC : OPEC Share of World Crude Oil Reserves|url=https://www.opec.org/opec_web/en/data_graphs/330.htm|access-date=2022-05-19|website=www.opec.org}}</ref> The political system of UAE is [[Federalism|federal]] [[constitution]]al<ref name=":2" /> and it's one of the most growing countries in the [[Middle East]].


The '''United Arab Emirates''' ('''UAE'''; {{lang-ar|الإمارات العربية المتحدة}} {{transliteration|ar|al-ʾImārāt al-ʿArabīyah al-Muttaḥidah}}), or simply the '''Emirates''' ({{lang-ar|الإمارات}} {{transliteration|ar|al-ʾImārāt}}), is a country in [[Western Asia]] ([[Middle East|The Middle East]]). It is located at the eastern end of the [[Arabian Peninsula]] and shares borders with [[Oman]] and [[Saudi Arabia]], while having maritime borders in the [[Persian Gulf|Arabian/Persian Gulf]] with [[Qatar]] and [[Iran]]. [[Abu Dhabi]] is the nation's capital, while [[Dubai]], the [[List of cities in the United Arab Emirates|most populous]] city, is an international hub.
== History ==
 
The oldest human traces in the Emirates date back to 7000 years [[Before christ|BCE]].The Emirates has more than 330 historical buildings, some have a history from the Stone Age. After the start of Islam a new chapter began in the area, during the Umayyad period, the area of the Arabic Gulf was stable and it became important for navigation and shipping. The Portuguese were the first who arrived in this area after the fall of [[Al-Andalus]]. The explorer [[Vasco da Gama]] was the first to reach India from Europe after turning around the [[Cape of Good Hope]] and passing the Arabic Gulf. The Portuguese controlled all the harbors in the area for more than 2 centuries. During the 18th and 19th centuries [[Great Britain]] controlled the area after the Portuguese left.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Abd Al-Hamid |first=Salah |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/945796547 |title=Al-im'r't bayna al-t'r'kh wa-al-jughr'fiyah |date=2014 |publisher=Atlas Publishing House |isbn=9796500157788 |location=[Place of publication not identified] |language=Arabic |oclc=945796547}}</ref> They organized the Trucial States.
The United Arab Emirates is an [[Elective monarchy#United Arab Emirates|elective monarchy]] formed from a [[Federal monarchy|federation]] of [[Emirates of the United Arab Emirates|seven emirate]]s, consisting of [[Emirate of Abu Dhabi|Abu Dhabi]] (the capital), [[Emirate of Ajman|Ajman]], [[Emirate of Dubai|Dubai]], [[Emirate of Fujairah|Fujairah]], [[Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah|Ras Al Khaimah]], [[Emirate of Sharjah|Sharjah]] and [[Emirate of Umm Al Quwain|Umm Al Quwain]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://people.exeter.ac.uk/nsaa201/UAE%20Federal%20Boundaries.pdf|title=The Federal Boundaries of the United Arab Emirates}}</ref> Each emirate is governed by an [[Emir]] and together the emirs form the [[Federal Supreme Council]]. The members of the Federal Supreme Council elect a [[President of the United Arab Emirates|president]] and [[Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates|Vice President]] from among their members. In practice, the emir of Abu Dhabi serves as president while the ruler of Dubai is Vice President and also prime minister.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |title=United Arab Emirates's Constitution of 1971 with Amendments through 2004 |url=https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/United_Arab_Emirates_2004.pdf |website=ConstituteProject.org |access-date=29 October 2017}}</ref> In 2013, the country had a population of 9.2 million, of which 1.4 million were [[Emirati nationality law|Emirati citizens]] and 7.8 million were [[expatriates in the United Arab Emirates|expatriates]].<ref name="natur">Habboush, Mahmoud. (10 October 2013) [http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-emirates-citizenship-feature-idUKBRE99904J20131010 Call to naturalise some expats stirs anxiety in the UAE]. Uk.reuters.com. Retrieved 10 October 2015</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/labor-migration-united-arab-emirates-challenges-and-responses|title=Labor Migration in the United Arab Emirates: Challenges and Responses|publisher=migrationpolicy.org|access-date=12 February 2016|date=18 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-14703998|title=United Arab Emirates country profile|date=28 September 2016|work=BBC News|access-date=23 October 2016}}</ref> {{As of|2020}}, the United Arab Emirates has an estimated population of roughly 9.9 million.<ref name="worldometers.info">{{cite web|url=http://www.worldometers.info/world-population/united-arab-emirates-population/|title=United Arab Emirates Population (2022) |website=www.worldometers.info}}</ref>
[[File:Gulf emirate leaders meet to discuss union plans 1968.jpg|left|thumb|264x264px|Gulf emirate leaders meet to discuss union plans in 1968]]
 
In 1968 the British announced that they are leaving their colonies in the [[Middle East]] and on 2nd December 1971, the United Arab Emirates was created. [[Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan]] became the president of the state and Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the former ruler of Dubai, became the vice president.<ref name=":1" /> After the first president [[Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan]], his son [[Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan]] became the second president of the UAE. But after his death on the on13th of May 2022, his brother [[Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan]] became the 3rd president.
The United Arab Emirates has been inhabited for over 125,000 years. It has been the crossroads of trading for many civilizations, including [[Mesopotamia]], [[Persia]], and [[India]].<ref name="auto">{{cite web|last=thedigitalphilatelist|date=2021-01-08|title=United Arab Emirates|url=https://thedigitalphilatelist.com/united-arab-emirates/|access-date=2021-07-08|website=The Digital Philatelist|language=en-AU}}</ref>
 
[[Islam]] is the [[State religion|official religion]] and [[Arabic]]  the official language. The United Arab Emirates' [[Oil reserves in the United Arab Emirates|oil]] and natural gas reserves are the world's [[List of countries by proven oil reserves|sixth]] and [[List of countries by natural gas proven reserves|seventh-largest]], respectively.<ref name="EIA">{{cite web |url=https://www.eia.gov/beta/international/data/browser/#/?pa=00000000000000000000000000000000002&c=vvvvuvo&ct=0&tl_id=5-A&vs=INTL.57-1-AFG-TBPD.A&vo=0&v=H&start=2014&end=2016 |title=Production of Crude Oil including Lease Condensate 2016|publisher=U.S. [[Energy Information Administration]]|format=CVS download
|access-date=27 May 2017}}</ref><ref>U.S. Energy Information Administration, [http://www.eia.gov/cfapps/ipdbproject/IEDIndex3.cfm?tid=5&pid=57&aid=6 International Energy Statistics], accessed 17 January 2019.</ref> [[Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan]], ruler of Abu Dhabi and the country's first president, oversaw the development of the Emirates by investing oil revenues into healthcare, education, and infrastructure.<ref name="bbc.co.uk">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14703998|title=United Arab Emirates profile|work=BBC News|date=14 November 2012}}</ref> The United Arab Emirates has the most diversified economy among the members of the [[Gulf Cooperation Council]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/index.php|title=IMF Data Mapper|publisher=Imf.org|access-date=12 February 2016}}</ref> In the 21st century, the country has become less reliant on oil and gas and is economically focusing on tourism and business. The government does not levy income tax, although there is a corporate tax in place and a 5% [[value-added tax]] was established in 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://gulfnews.com/business/economy/vat/new-era-in-uae-as-vat-takes-effect-1.2149627|title=New era in UAE as VAT takes effect|first=Babu Das |last=Augustine|date=1 January 2018|work=GulfNews|access-date=12 July 2018}}</ref>
 
[[Human rights in the UAE|Human rights]] in the country has been regarded by human rights groups, such as [[Amnesty International]], [[Freedom House]] and [[Human Rights Watch]], as generally substandard, with citizens criticising the regime imprisoned and tortured, families harassed by the state security apparatus, and cases of [[forced disappearance]]s.<ref>{{cite web |title=United Arab Emirates Archives |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/middle-east-and-north-africa/united-arab-emirates/report-united-arab-emirates/ |website=[[Amnesty International]] |access-date=3 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="usdep" /> Individual rights such as the freedoms of [[Freedom of assembly|assembly]], [[Freedom of association|association]], the [[Press Freedom Index|press]], [[freedom of expression|expression]], and [[freedom of religion|religion]] are also severely repressed.<ref>{{cite web |title=Report on the situation of journalists in the UAE Input for the Secretary General Report on the safety of journalists and the issue of impunity |url=https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/Documents/Issues/Journalists/GA72/InternationalCentreJusticeHumanRights.pdf |website=ohchr.org |publisher=[[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights]] |access-date=12 May 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
 
The UAE is considered a [[middle power]]. It is a member of the [[United Nations]], [[Arab League]], [[Organisation of Islamic Cooperation]], [[OPEC]], [[Non-Aligned Movement]], and [[Gulf Cooperation Council]] (GCC).
 
==History==
{{Main|History of the United Arab Emirates}}
 
Human occupation has been traced back to the emergence of anatomically modern humans from Africa some 124,000 BCE through finds at the Faya-2 site in [[Mleiha Archaeological Centre|Mleiha]], [[Emirate of Sharjah|Sharjah]]. Burial sites dating back to the [[Neolithic]] Age and the [[Bronze Age]] include the oldest known such inland site at [[Jebel Buhais]]. Known as [[Magan (civilization)|Magan]] to the [[Sumer]]ians, the area was home to a prosperous Bronze Age trading culture during the [[Umm Al Nar culture|Umm Al Nar period]] which traded between the [[Indus Valley civilisation|Indus Valley]], [[Dilmun|Bahrain]] and [[Mesopotamia]] as well as [[Iran]], [[Bactria]] and the [[Levant]]. The ensuing [[Wadi Suq culture|Wadi Suq period]] and three [[Iron Age in the United Arab Emirates|Iron Ages]] saw the emergence of nomadism as well as the development of water management and irrigation systems supporting human settlement in both the coast and interior. The Islamic age of the UAE dates back to the expulsion of the [[Sasanian Empire|Sasanians]] and the subsequent [[Battle of Dibba]]. The UAE' history of trade led to the emergence of [[Ras Al Khaimah (city)|Julfar]], in the present-day emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, as a regional trading and maritime hub in the area. The maritime dominance of the Persian Gulf by Emirati traders led to conflicts with European powers, including the [[Portuguese Empire]] and the [[British Empire]].<ref name="auto"/>
 
Following decades of maritime conflict, the coastal emirates became known as the [[Trucial States]] with the signing of the [[General Maritime Treaty of 1820|General Maritime Treaty]] with the British in 1820 (ratified in 1853 and again in 1892), which established the Trucial States as a [[British protectorate]]. This arrangement ended with independence and the establishment of the United Arab Emirates on 2 December 1971 following the British withdrawal from its treaty obligations. Six emirates joined the UAE in 1971; the seventh, Ras Al Khaimah, joined the federation on 10 February 1972.<ref>{{Cite book |title=From Trucial States to United Arab Emirates|last=Heard-Bey|first=Frauke|publisher=Motivate|year=2004|isbn=978-1860631672|page=370}}</ref>
 
===Antiquity===
{{main|Umm Al Nar culture|Wadi Suq culture}}
[[File:Cántaro (26738115330).jpg|thumb|left|upright|2nd century [[Common Era|BCE]] era jar found in [[Mleiha Archaeological Centre|Mleiha Archaeological site]] in Sharjah.]]
 
Stone tools recovered reveal a settlement of people from Africa some 127,000 years ago and a stone tool used for butchering animals discovered on the Arabian coast suggests an even older habitation from 130,000 years ago.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.thenational.ae/uae/uae-archaeologist-discovers-the-swiss-army-knife-from-130-000-years-ago|title = UAE archaeologist discovers the Swiss Army knife from 130,000 years ago|last = Pennington|first = Roberta|date = 5 February 2014|work = The National |access-date=19 February 2017}}</ref> There is no proof of contact with the outside world at that stage, although in time lively trading links developed with civilisations in [[Mesopotamia]], Iran and the [[Indus Valley civilisation|Harappan culture]] of the Indus Valley. This contact persisted and became wider, probably motivated by the trade in copper from the [[Al Hajar Mountains|Hajar Mountains]], which commenced around 3,000 BCE.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adias-uae.com/ |title=Abu Dhabi Islands Archaeological Survey (ADIAS) |publisher=Adias-uae.com |access-date=12 February 2016 }}</ref> Sumerian sources talk of UAE as home to the 'Makkan' or [[Magan (civilization)|Magan]] people.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Early History of Civilisation|last=Woolley|first=Leonard|publisher=UNESCO|year=1963|page=611}}</ref>
 
There are six periods of human settlement with distinctive behaviours in UAE before Islam, which include the [[Hafit period]] from 3,200 to 2,600 BCE, the [[Umm Al Nar culture]] spanned from 2,600 to 2,000 BCE, the [[Wadi Suq culture|Wadi Suq people]] dominated from 2,000 to 1,300 BCE. From 1,200 BCE to the advent of Islam in Eastern Arabia, through three distinctive [[Iron Age in the United Arab Emirates|Iron Ages]] and the Mleiha period, the area was variously occupied by the [[Achaemenid Empire|Achaemenids]] and other forces, and saw the construction of fortified settlements and extensive husbandry thanks to the development of the [[Qanat|falaj]] irrigation system.
 
In ancient times, Al Hasa (today's Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia) was part of Al Bahreyn and adjoined Greater Oman (today's UAE and Oman). From the second century CE, there was a movement of tribes from Al Bahreyn towards the lower Gulf, together with a migration among the Azdite Qahtani (or Yamani) and Quda'ah tribal groups from south-west Arabia towards central Oman.
 
===Islam===
The spread of [[Islam]] to the North Eastern tip of the [[Arabian Peninsula]] is thought to have followed directly from a letter sent by the [[Islamic prophet]], [[Muhammad]], to the rulers of [[Oman]] in 630 CE, nine years after the [[Hegira|hijrah]]. This led to a group of rulers travelling to [[Medina]], converting to Islam and subsequently driving a successful uprising against the unpopular Sasanids, who dominated the Northern coasts at the time.<ref>{{Cite book|title=From Trucial States to United Arab Emirates|last=Bey|first=Frauke|work=Longman|year=1996|isbn=978-0582277281|location=UK|page=127}}</ref> Following the death of Muhammad, the new Islamic communities south of the [[Persian Gulf]] threatened to disintegrate, with insurrections against the [[Muslim leaders]]. The Caliph [[Abu Bakr]] sent an army from the capital [[Medina]] which completed its reconquest of the territory ([[Ridda wars|the Ridda Wars]]) with the [[Battle of Dibba]] in which 10,000 lives are thought to have been lost.<ref>{{Cite book|title=From Trucial States to United Arab Emirates|last=Bey|first=Frauke|work=Longman|year=1996|isbn=978-0582277281|location=UK|pages=127–128}}</ref> This assured the integrity of the [[Caliphate]] and the unification of the Arabian Peninsula under the newly emerging [[Rashidun Caliphate]].
 
In 637, Julfar (in the area of today's [[Ras Al Khaimah]]) was an important port that was used as a staging post for the Islamic invasion of the [[Sasanian Empire]].<ref name="AbedHellyer2001">{{cite book|author1=Ibrahim Abed|author2=Peter Hellyer|title=United Arab Emirates, a New Perspective|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QcMz3zV0qAMC&pg=PA83|year= 2001|work=Trident Ltd|isbn=978-1-900724-47-0|pages=83–84}}</ref> The area of the [[Al Ain]]/[[Buraimi Oasis]] was known as Tu'am and was an important trading post for camel routes between the coast and the Arabian interior.<ref>{{Cite book|title = From Trucial States to United Arab Emirates|last = Bey|first = Frauke|work= Longman|year = 1996|isbn = 978-0582277281|location = UK|pages = 22–23}}</ref>
 
The earliest [[Christianity|Christian]] site in the UAE was first discovered in the 1990s, an extensive monastic complex on what is now known as [[Sir Bani Yas]] Island and which dates back to the seventh century. Thought to be [[Nestorianism|Nestorian]] and built in 600 CE, the church appears to have been abandoned peacefully in 750 CE.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/ancient-secrets-of-sir-bani-yas-island-unveiled|title = Ancient secrets of Sir Bani Yas unveiled|last = Thomas|first = Jen|date = 12 December 2012|work = The National|access-date = 19 February 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151222103357/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/ancient-secrets-of-sir-bani-yas-island-unveiled|archive-date = 22 December 2015|df = dmy-all}}</ref> It forms a rare physical link to a legacy of Christianity which is thought to have spread across the peninsula from 50 to 350 CE following trade routes. Certainly, by the fifth century, Oman had a bishop named John – the last bishop of Oman being Etienne, in 676 CE.<ref>{{Cite book|title = The Trucial States|last = Hawley|first = Donald|work= Allen & Unwin|year = 1971|isbn = 978-0049530058|location = UK|pages = 48–51}}</ref>
 
===Portuguese era===
{{See also|Portuguese Empire|Piracy in the Persian Gulf}}
[[File:Forte de doba.jpg|thumb|left|A painting of the [[Portuguese Empire]] [[:pt:Forte de Doba|Doba Fortress]] in [[Dibba Al-Hisn]] in 1620.]]
 
The harsh desert environment led to the emergence of the "versatile tribesman", nomadic groups who subsisted due to a variety of economic activities, including animal husbandry, agriculture and hunting. The seasonal movements of these groups led to not only frequent clashes between groups but also the establishment of seasonal and semi-seasonal settlements and centres. These formed tribal groupings whose names are still carried by modern Emiratis, including the [[Bani Yas]] and [[Al Nahyan family|Al Bu Falah]] of [[Abu Dhabi]], Al Ain, [[Liwa Oasis|Liwa]] and the west coast, the [[Dhawahir]], Awamir, [[Al Ali (tribe)|Al Ali]] and [[Manasir (tribe)|Manasir]] of the interior, the [[Sharqiyin]] of the east coast and the [[Al-Qasimi|Qawasim]] to the North.<ref>{{Cite book|title = The Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf, Oman and Central Arabia|last = Lorimer|first = John|work= Government of India|year = 1908|location = Bombay|pages = 1432–1436}}</ref>
 
With the expansion of European [[colonial empire]]s, Portuguese, English and [[Dutch Empire|Dutch]] forces appeared in the Persian Gulf region. By the 18th century, the Bani Yas confederation was the dominant force in most of the area now known as Abu Dhabi,<ref>{{Cite book|title = From Trucial States to United Arab Emirates|last = Bey|first = Frauke|work=Longman|year = 1996|isbn = 978-0582277281|location = UK|page = 43}}</ref><ref>'Kashf Al Gumma' "Annals of Oman from Early times to the year 1728 AD" – Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, 1874</ref><ref>Ibn Ruzaiq, translated by GP Badger, "History of the Imams and Sayids of Oman", London 1871</ref> while the Northern [[Al-Qasimi|Al Qawasim]] (Al Qasimi) dominated maritime commerce. The Portuguese maintained an influence over the coastal settlements, building [[Fortification|forts]] in the wake of the bloody 16th-century conquests of coastal communities by [[Afonso de Albuquerque|Albuquerque]] and the Portuguese commanders who followed him – particularly on the east coast at [[Muscat]], [[Sohar]] and [[Khor Fakkan]].<ref>{{Cite book|title = From Trucial States to United Arab Emirates|last = Bey|first = Frauke|work=Longman|year = 1996|isbn = 978-0582277281|location = UK|page = 282}}</ref>
 
The southern coast of the Persian Gulf was known to the British as the "[[History of the United Arab Emirates|Pirate Coast]]",<ref>Baker, Randall (1979), ''King Husain and the Kingdom of Hejaz'', The Oleander Press, Great Britain</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The British Threat to the Ottoman Presence in the Persian Gulf during the Era of Abdülhamid II and the Responses toward it|author= Biral, Bilal Emre|publisher= Middle East Technical University|place=Ankara|date=2009|citeseerx = 10.1.1.633.1663}}</ref> as boats of the Al Qawasim federation harassed British-flagged shipping from the 17th century into the 19th.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.waynemadsenreport.com/articles/20081102_3 |archive-url=http://web.archive.bibalex.org/web/20111208145256/http://www.waynemadsenreport.com/articles/20081102_3 |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 December 2011 |title=November 3, 2008&nbsp;– The UAE is the old Pirate Coast. Not much has changed. |work=Wayne Madsen Report |access-date=12 February 2016 }}</ref> The charge of piracy is disputed by modern Emirati historians, including the current Ruler of Sharjah, [[Sultan bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi|Sheikh Sultan Al Qasimi]], in his 1986 book ''The Myth of Arab Piracy in the Gulf''.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Myth of Arab Piracy in the Gulf|last=Al Qasimi|first=Sultan|work=Croom Helm|year=1986|isbn=978-0709921066|location=UK}}</ref>
[[File:Persian Gulf Pt8.png|alt=|thumb|Purple – [[Portuguese Empire|Portuguese]] in the Persian Gulf in the 16th and 17th century. Main cities, ports and routes.]]
 
[[File:Ras Al Khaimah under attack, 1809 01.jpg|thumb|A painting depicting the burning of the coastal town and port of [[Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah]] during the [[Persian Gulf campaign of 1809]].]]
 
British expeditions to protect their Indian trade routes led to campaigns against Ras Al Khaimah and other harbours along the coast, including the [[Persian Gulf campaign of 1809]] and the more successful [[Persian Gulf campaign of 1819|campaign of 1819]]. The following year, Britain and a number of local rulers signed a [[General Maritime Treaty of 1820|maritime truce]], giving rise to the term [[Trucial States]], which came to define the status of the coastal emirates. A further treaty was signed in 1843 and, in 1853 the [[Perpetual Maritime Truce]] was agreed. To this was added the 'Exclusive Agreements', signed in 1892, which made the [[Trucial States]] a British protectorate.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.na.ae/en/education/historicalperiods/britishprince.aspx|title=British Era|website=www.na.ae|access-date=18 July 2018}}</ref>
 
Under the 1892 treaty, the trucial sheikhs agreed not to dispose of any territory except to the British and not to enter into relationships with any foreign government other than the British without their consent. In return, the British promised to protect the Trucial Coast from all aggression by sea and to help in case of land attack. The Exclusive Agreement was signed by the Rulers of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah and [[Umm Al Quwain]] between 6 and 8 March 1892. It was subsequently ratified by the [[Governor-General of India]] and the British Government in London.{{citation needed|date=June 2019}} British maritime policing meant that pearling fleets could operate in relative security. However, the British prohibition of the [[History of slavery|slave trade]] meant an important source of income was lost to some sheikhs and merchants.<ref>[http://countrystudies.us/persian-gulf-states/84.htm United Arab Emirates – The Economy]. [[Library of Congress Country Studies]]. Retrieved 14 July 2013.</ref>
 
In 1869, the Qubaisat tribe settled at [[Khawr al Udayd]] and tried to enlist the support of the Ottomans, whose flag was occasionally seen flying there. Khawr al Udayd was claimed by Abu Dhabi at that time, a claim supported by the British. In 1906, the British Political Resident, [[Percy Cox]], confirmed in writing to the ruler of Abu Dhabi, [[Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan]] ('Zayed the Great') that Khawr al Udayd belonged to his sheikhdom.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Morton|first1=Michael Quentin|title=Keepers of the Golden Shore: A History of the United Arab Emirates |year=2016|publisher=Reaktion Books|location=London|isbn= 978-1780235806|pages=49–50 |url=http://www.reaktionbooks.co.uk/display.asp?ISB=9781780235806 |access-date=19 February 2017}}</ref>
 
===British era and discovery of oil===
{{See also|Persian Gulf campaign of 1809|Persian Gulf campaign of 1819|General Maritime Treaty of 1820|Trucial States}}
[[File:Dhayah Fort showing hilltop location.jpg|thumb|[[Dhayah Fort]] at the hill top. In 1819 it was the last [[Al-Qasimi]] stronghold to fall in the [[Persian Gulf campaign of 1819]]. The fall of Dhayah was to pave the way for the signing of the [[General Maritime Treaty of 1820]].]]
 
During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the [[Pearl hunting|pearling industry]] thrived, providing both income and employment to the people of the Persian Gulf. The [[World War I|First World War]] had a severe impact on the industry, but it was the [[economic depression]] of the late 1920s and early 1930s, coupled with the invention of the [[cultured pearl]], that wiped out the trade. The remnants of the trade eventually faded away shortly after the [[World War II|Second World War]], when the newly independent [[Government of India]] imposed heavy taxation on pearls imported from the [[Arab states of the Persian Gulf]]. The decline of pearling resulted in extreme economic hardship in the Trucial States.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uaeinteract.com/history/trad/trd08.asp |title=UAE History & Traditions: Pearls & pearling |work=UAEinteract |access-date=12 February 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206103534/http://www.uaeinteract.com/history/trad/trd08.asp |archive-date=6 February 2016 }}</ref>
 
In 1922, the British government secured undertakings from the rulers of the Trucial States not to sign concessions with foreign companies without their consent. Aware of the potential for the development of natural resources such as oil, following finds in Persia (from 1908) and Mesopotamia (from 1927), a British-led oil company, the [[Iraq Petroleum Company]] (IPC), showed an interest in the region. The [[Anglo-Persian Oil Company]] (APOC, later to become British Petroleum, or BP) had a 23.75% share in IPC. From 1935, onshore concessions to explore for oil were granted by local rulers, with APOC signing the first one on behalf of Petroleum Concessions Ltd (PCL), an associate company of IPC.<ref>{{Cite book|title = From Pearls to Oil|last = Heard|first = David|work= Motivate|year = 2013|isbn = 978-1860633119|location = UAE|pages = 41–42}}</ref> APOC was prevented from developing the region alone because of the restrictions of the [[Red Line Agreement]], which required it to operate through IPC. A number of options between PCL and the trucial rulers were signed, providing useful revenue for communities experiencing poverty following the collapse of the pearl trade. However, the wealth of oil which the rulers could see from the revenues accruing to surrounding countries such as Iran, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia remained elusive. The first bore holes in Abu Dhabi were drilled by IPC's operating company, Petroleum Development (Trucial Coast) Ltd (PDTC) at Ras Sadr in 1950, with a {{convert|13000|ft|m|abbr=off|adj=mid|-deep}} bore hole taking a year to drill and turning out dry, at the tremendous cost at the time of £1 million.
 
[[File:Mid-20th century Dubai.JPG|thumb|left|Dubai in 1950; the area in this photo shows [[Bur Dubai]] in the foreground (centered on Al-Fahidi Fort); [[Deira, Dubai|Deira]] in middle-right on the other side of the creek; and [[Al Shindagha]] (left) and [[Al Ras, Dubai|Al Ras]] (right) in the background across the creek again from Deira]]
The British set up a development office that helped in some small developments in the emirates. The seven [[sheikh]]s of the emirates then decided to form a council to coordinate matters between them and took over the development office. In 1952, they formed the Trucial States Council,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nasibbitar.net/adi_sr/DocumentsArticle4.jpg|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080803020019/http://nasibbitar.net/adi_sr/DocumentsArticle4.jpg|archive-date=3 August 2008|title=Al Khaleej News Paper}}</ref> and appointed [[Adi Bitar]], Dubai's [[Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum|Sheikh Rashid]]'s legal advisor, as Secretary General and Legal Advisor to the council. The council was terminated once the United Arab Emirates was formed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fotw.info/flags/ae_tsc.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429011257/https://www.fotw.info/flags/ae_tsc.html |archive-date=29 April 2011 |title=Trucial States Council until 1971 (United Arab Emirates) |publisher=Flags of the World |url-status=live }}</ref> The tribal nature of society and the lack of definition of borders between emirates frequently led to disputes, settled either through mediation or, more rarely, force. The [[Trucial Oman Scouts]] was a small military force used by the British to keep the peace.
 
In 1953, a subsidiary of BP, D'Arcy Exploration Ltd, obtained an offshore concession from the ruler of Abu Dhabi. BP joined with [[Total SE|Compagnie Française des Pétroles]] (later [[Total SE|Total]]) to form operating companies, Abu Dhabi Marine Areas Ltd (ADMA) and Dubai Marine Areas Ltd (DUMA). A number of undersea oil surveys were carried out, including one led by the famous marine explorer [[Jacques Cousteau]].<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Cousteau|first1=Jacques|title=Calypso explores for underwater oil |url=https://www.librarything.com/work/18080895 |journal=National Geographic Magazine|date=August 1955|volume=CVIII|issue=2 |access-date=19 February 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1=Morton|first1=Michael Quentin|title=Calypso in the Arabian Gulf: Jacques Cousteau's Undersea Survey of 1954|journal=Liwa|date=June 2015|volume=7|issue=13|pages=3–28|url=https://www.academia.edu/13056568|access-date=27 November 2016}}</ref> In 1958, a floating platform rig was towed from Hamburg, Germany, and positioned over the Umm Shaif pearl bed, in Abu Dhabi waters, where drilling began. In March, it struck oil in the Upper Thamama, a rock formation that would provide many valuable oil finds. This was the first commercial discovery of the Trucial Coast, leading to the first exports of oil in 1962. ADMA made further offshore discoveries at Zakum and elsewhere, and other companies made commercial finds such as the Fateh oilfield off Dubai and the Mubarak field off Sharjah (shared with Iran).<ref>{{cite web|last1=Butt|first1=Gerald|title=Oil and Gas in the UAE|url=https://www.uaeinteract.com/uaeint_misc/pdf/perspectives/11.pdf|website=UAE Interact|access-date=19 November 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123003948/http://www.uaeinteract.com/uaeint_misc/pdf/perspectives/11.pdf|archive-date=23 November 2015}}</ref>
 
Meanwhile, onshore exploration was hindered by territorial disputes. In 1955, the United Kingdom represented Abu Dhabi and Oman in their dispute with Saudi Arabia over the [[Al Buraimi Governorate|Buraimi Oasis]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5444.htm|title=United Arab Emirates (06/07)|publisher=State.gov|access-date=12 February 2016}}</ref> A 1974 agreement between Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia seemed to have settled the Abu Dhabi-Saudi [[Territorial dispute|border dispute]], but this has not been ratified.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Gray|first1=Matthew|title=Global Security Watch – Saudi Arabia|year= 2014|publisher=ABC-CLIO|location=Santa Barbara|isbn=978-0-313-38699-2|page=99|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dxvFBAAAQBAJ|access-date=20 June 2015}}</ref> The UAE's border with Oman was ratified in 2008.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/government/historic-uae-oman-accord-involves-272km-of-border-1.119592|title=Historic UAE-Oman accord involves 272km of border|date = 22 July 2008|work = Gulf News |access-date=19 February 2017}}</ref>
 
PDTC continued its onshore exploration away from the disputed area, drilling five more bore holes that were also dry. However, on 27 October 1960, the company discovered oil in commercial quantities at the Murban No. 3 well on the coast near Tarif.<ref>{{Cite book|title = From Pearls to Oil|last = Heard|first = David|work= Motivate|year = 2013|isbn = 978-1860633119|location = UAE|pages = 413–416}}</ref> In 1962, PDTC became the Abu Dhabi Petroleum Company. As oil revenues increased, the ruler of Abu Dhabi, [[Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan]], undertook a massive construction program, building schools, housing, hospitals and roads. When Dubai's oil exports commenced in 1969, Sheikh [[Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum]], the ruler of Dubai, was able to invest the revenues from the limited reserves found to spark the diversification drive that would create the modern [[global city]] of Dubai.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14703998|title=Middle East &#124; Country profile: United Arab Emirates|work=BBC News|date=11 March 2009}}</ref>
 
===Independence===
[[File:Flag-hoisting at the Union Declaration.jpg|thumb|left|Historic photo depicting the first hoisting of the United Arab Emirates flag by the rulers of the emirates at The Union House, Dubai on 2 December 1971]]
[[File:UAE Father of the Nation.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan]] was the first President of the United Arab Emirates and is recognised as the father of the nation.]]
By 1966, it had become clear the British government could no longer afford to administer and protect what is now the United Arab Emirates. British [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Members of Parliament]] (MPs) debated the preparedness of the [[Royal Navy]] to defend the sheikhdoms. [[Secretary of State for Defence]] [[Denis Healey]] reported that the [[British Armed Forces]] were seriously overstretched and in some respects dangerously under-equipped to defend the sheikhdoms. On 24 January 1968, British Prime Minister [[Harold Wilson]] announced the government's decision, reaffirmed in March 1971 by Prime Minister [[Edward Heath]], to end the treaty relationships with the seven Trucial Sheikhdoms, that had been, together with Bahrain and Qatar, under British protection. Days after the announcement, the ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh [[Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan]], fearing vulnerability, tried to persuade the British to honour the protection treaties by offering to pay the full costs of keeping the [[British Armed Forces]] in the Emirates. The British [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] government rejected the offer.<ref>{{cite web|author=Gornall, Jonathan |date=2 December 2011 |url=http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/sun-sets-on-british-empire-as-uae-raises-its-flag#page5 |title=Sun sets on British Empire as UAE raises its flag |work=The National|location=Abu Dhabi}}</ref> After Labour MP [[Goronwy Roberts, Baron Goronwy-Roberts|Goronwy Roberts]] informed Sheikh Zayed of the news of British withdrawal, the nine Persian Gulf sheikhdoms attempted to form a union of Arab emirates, but by mid-1971 they were still unable to agree on terms of union even though the British treaty relationship was to expire in December of that year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://guide.theemiratesnetwork.com/basics/history_of_the_emirates.php |title=History the United Arab Emirates (UAE)&nbsp;– TEN Guide |work=Guide.theemiratesnetwork.com |date=11 February 1972 |access-date=23 June 2009 |archive-date=8 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090608021436/http://guide.theemiratesnetwork.com/basics/history_of_the_emirates.php |url-status=dead }}</ref>
 
Fears of vulnerability were realised the day before independence. An Iranian destroyer group broke formation from an exercise in the lower Gulf, sailing to the [[Greater and Lesser Tunbs|Tunb islands]]. The islands were taken by force, civilians and Arab defenders alike allowed to flee. A British warship stood idle during the course of the invasion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/tonb |title=Tonb Islands (Greater and Lesser), two tiny islands of arguable strategic importance in the eastern Persian Gulf, south of the western tip of Qešm island |last1=Mirfendereski |first1=Guive |date=25 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704222708/http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/tonb |archive-date=4 July 2015 }}</ref> A destroyer group approached the island [[Abu Musa]] as well. But there, Sheikh [[Khalid bin Mohammed Al Qasimi]] had already negotiated with the Iranian Shah, and the island was quickly leased to Iran for $3 million a year. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia laid claim to swathes of Abu Dhabi.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Krane |first1=Jim |year=2009 |title=City of Gold: Dubai and the Dream of Capitalism |pages=81–84}}</ref>
 
Originally intended to be part of the proposed Federation of Arab Emirates, Bahrain became independent in August, and Qatar in September 1971. When the British-Trucial Sheikhdoms treaty expired on 1 December 1971, both emirates became fully independent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-1021.html |title=Bahrain&nbsp;– Independence |publisher=Country-data.com }}</ref> On 2 December 1971, at the Dubai Guesthouse (now known as Union House) six of the emirates (Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain)  agreed to enter into a union called the United Arab Emirates. Ras al-Khaimah joined it later, on 10 January 1972.<ref>{{cite book|author=Smith, Simon C. |title=Britain's Revival and Fall in the Gulf: Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the Trucial States, 1950–71|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w_qCeBV9IW0C&pg=PA64|year=2004|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-0-415-33192-0|page=64}}</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O209-TrucialOmanorTrucialStats.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111119060814/http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O209-TrucialOmanorTrucialStats.html|archive-date=19 November 2011 |title=Trucial Oman or Trucial States&nbsp;– Origin of Trucial Oman or Trucial States &#124; Encyclopedia.com: Oxford Dictionary of World Place Names |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia.com }}</ref> In February 1972, the Federal National Council (FNC) was created; it was a 40-member consultative body appointed by the seven rulers. The UAE joined the Arab League on 6 December 1971 and the United Nations on 9 December.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Now the Dust Has Settled|last=De Butts|first=Freddie|publisher=Tabb House|year=1995|isbn=978-1873951132|page=228}}</ref> It was a founding member of the [[Gulf Cooperation Council]] in May 1981, with Abu Dhabi hosting the first GCC summit.
 
A 19-year-old Emirati from Abu Dhabi, Abdullah Mohammed Al Maainah, designed the UAE flag in 1971. The four colours of the flag are the [[Pan-Arab colors|Pan-Arab colours]] of red, green, white, and black, and represent the unity of the Arab nations. It was adopted on 2 December 1971. Al Maainah went on to serve as the UAE ambassador to Chile and currently serves as the UAE ambassador to the Czech Republic.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cgbc.cz/news/international-relations-abdullah-mohamed-al-maainah|title=International Relations Abdullah Mohamed Al Maainah|publisher=Czech Gulf Business Council|date=12 March 2018|access-date=25 March 2019|archive-date=25 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325192134/http://www.cgbc.cz/news/international-relations-abdullah-mohamed-al-maainah|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
===Post-Independence period===
[[File:Dubai Skyline mit Burj Khalifa (18241030269).jpg|thumb|View of [[Dubai]]]]
The UAE supported military operations by the US and other [[International Security Assistance Force|coalition nations]] engaged in the war against the [[Taliban]] in Afghanistan (2001) and [[Saddam Hussein]] in [[Ba'athist Iraq]] (2003) as well as operations supporting the Global [[War on Terror]] for the [[Horn of Africa]] at [[Al Dhafra Air Base]] located outside of Abu Dhabi. The air base also supported Allied operations during the 1991 Persian [[Gulf War]] and [[Operation Northern Watch]]. The country had already signed a [[Military|military defence]] agreement with the U.S. in 1994 and one with France in 1995.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/crs/rl31641.pdf |author=Prados, Alfred B. | date=2002 |title= Iraqi Challenges and U.S. Responses: March 1991 through October 2002 |url-status=unfit |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060818063026/http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/crs/rl31641.pdf |archive-date= 18 August 2006| publisher= Library of Congress}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author= Foley, Sean |url= http://www.gloria-center.org/meria/1999/03/foley.pdf |title= The UAE: Political Issues and Security Dilemmas |journal= Middle East Review of International Affairs |volume= 3 |issue= 1 |date= March 1999 |access-date= 8 April 2013 |archive-date= 13 June 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130613164952/http://www.gloria-center.org/meria/1999/03/foley.pdf |url-status= dead }}</ref> In January 2008, France and the UAE signed a deal allowing France to set up a permanent military base in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14704414 |title=United Arab Emirates profile – Timeline |work=BBC News |date=14 November 2012 }}</ref> The UAE joined international military operations in Libya in March 2011.
 
On 2 November 2004, the UAE's first president, Sheikh [[Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan]], died. Sheikh [[Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan]] was elected as the President of the UAE. In accordance with the constitution, the UAE's Supreme Council of Rulers elected Khalifa as president. Sheikh [[Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan]] succeeded Khalifa as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3975737.stm |title=Veteran Gulf ruler Zayed dies |work=BBC News |date=2 November 2004 }}</ref> In January 2006, Sheikh [[Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum]], the prime minister of the UAE and the ruler of Dubai, died, and Sheikh [[Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum]] assumed both roles.
 
The first ever national elections were held in the UAE on 16 December 2006. A number of voters chose half of the members of the Federal National Council. The UAE has largely escaped the [[Arab Spring]], which other countries have experienced; however, 60 Emirati activists from [[Al Islah (United Arab Emirates)|Al Islah]] were apprehended for an alleged coup attempt and the attempt of the establishment of an [[Islamism|Islamist]] state in the UAE.<ref name="reuters" /><ref>{{cite news|title=Brotherhood 'sought Islamist state in UAE'|url=http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/brotherhood-sought-islamist-state-in-uae|access-date=20 November 2012|date=21 September 2012}}</ref><ref name="amnesty.org">{{cite web|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde25/0018/2014/en/|title=United Arab Emirates: Silencing dissent in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) |publisher=Amnesty International |access-date=12 February 2016}}</ref> Mindful of the protests in nearby Bahrain, in November 2012 the UAE outlawed online mockery of its own government or attempts to organise public protests through social media.<ref name="bbc.co.uk"/>
 
On 29 January 2020, the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] was confirmed to have [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Arab Emirates|reached the UAE]], as a 73-year-old Chinese woman had tested positive for the disease.<ref name="first case UAE">{{Cite news|last1=Hammond|first1=Ashley|url=https://gulfnews.com/uae/health/watch-how-the-first-coronavirus-case-in-uae-was-cured-1.1581323524356|title=Watch: How the first coronavirus case in UAE was cured|date=10 February 2020|work=Gulf News|access-date=11 February 2020|last2=Chaudhary|first2=Suchitra Bajpai|last3=Hilotin|first3=Jay}}</ref> Two months later, in March, the government announced the closure of shopping malls, schools, and places of worship, in addition to imposing a 24-hour curfew, and suspending all [[Emirates (airline)|Emirates]] passenger flights.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/uae/government/coronavirus-uae-shuts-malls-for-two-weeks-1.1584914600541|title=Coronavirus: UAE shuts malls for two weeks|website=gulfnews.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenational.ae/opinion/editorial/why-uae-school-closures-are-an-important-opportunity-to-fight-coronavirus-1.989345|title=Why UAE school closures are an important opportunity to fight coronavirus|website=The National|date=11 March 2020|language=en|access-date=13 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/uae/coronavirus-prayers-at-mosques-and-all-other-places-of-worship-in-uae-suspended-1.1584375441713|title=Coronavirus: Prayers at mosques and all other places of worship in UAE suspended|website=gulfnews.com|language=en|access-date=13 April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/coronavirus-uae-imposes-overnight-curfew-disinfection-campaign|title=Coronavirus: UAE imposes night curfew as it carries out disinfection campaign|website=Middle East Eye|access-date=26 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/10aa229f979a05241ede3c349f5e4d2d|title=Dubai's Emirates cuts passenger flights to 13 destinations|website=[[Associated Press]]|date=22 March 2020}}</ref> This resulted in a major economic downturn, which eventually led to the merger of more than 50% of the UAE's federal agencies.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/b2d8b670-8fd3-41e7-850b-e0c74302805e|title=UAE merges ministries in ambitious government restructuring|access-date=5 July 2020|website=Financial Times|date=5 July 2020|last1=Kerr|first1=Simeon}}</ref>
 
On 29 August 2020, the UAE established normal diplomatic relations with Israel and with the help of the United States, they signed the [[Abraham Accords]] with [[Bahrain]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-53770859|title=Israel and UAE strike historic deal to normalise relations|work=BBC News|date=13 August 2020}}</ref>
 
On 9 February 2021, the UAE achieved a historic milestone when its probe, named [[Emirates Mars Mission|Hope]], successfully reached [[Mars]]' orbit. The UAE became the first country in the [[Arab world]] to reach Mars, the fifth country to successfully reach Mars, and the second country, after an [[Mars Orbiter Mission|Indian probe]], to orbit Mars on its maiden attempt.
 
On 14 May 2022, Sheikh [[Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan]] was elected as  the UAE's new president after the death of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.<ref>{{cite news |title=Who is MBZ, the UAE's new president? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/5/14/who-is-sheikh-mohammed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-mbz-uaes-new-president |work=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}</ref>
 
==Geography==
{{Main|Geography of the United Arab Emirates}}
[[File:Satellite image of United Arab Emirates in October.jpg|thumb|left|Satellite image of United Arab Emirates]]
The United Arab Emirates is situated in Middle East, bordering the [[Gulf of Oman]] and the [[Persian Gulf]], between Oman and Saudi Arabia; it is in a strategic location slightly south of the [[Strait of Hormuz]], a vital transit point for world [[Petroleum|crude oil]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uae.gov.ae/Government/oil_gas.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705161411/http://www.uae.gov.ae/Government/oil_gas.htm|archive-date=5 July 2008 |title=UAE Oil and Gas |publisher=Uae.gov.ae |date=19 June 1999 }}</ref>
 
The UAE lies between 22°30' and 26°10' north latitude and between 51° and 56°25′ east longitude. It shares a {{convert|530|km|mi|adj=on}} border with Saudi Arabia on the west, south, and southeast, and a {{convert|450|km|mi|adj=on}} border with Oman on the southeast and northeast. The land border with Qatar in the [[Khawr al Udayd]] area is about {{convert|19|km|mi|spell=in|abbr=off}} in the northwest; however, it is a source of [[Saudi Arabia – United Arab Emirates border dispute|ongoing dispute]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arabmediawatch.com/amw/CountryBackgrounds/SaudiArabia/SaudiUAEdisputes/tabid/174/Default.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100408121304/http://www.arabmediawatch.com/amw/CountryBackgrounds/SaudiArabia/SaudiUAEdisputes/tabid/174/Default.aspx |archive-date=8 April 2010 |title=Saudi-UAE Disputes |publisher=Arabmediawatch.com |date=21 August 1974 }}</ref> Following Britain's military departure from the UAE in 1971, and its establishment as a new state, the UAE laid claim to islands resulting in disputes with Iran that remain unresolved.<ref>{{cite web|title=UAE official calls for international action to end "Iranian occupation" of disputed islands|url=https://www.mei.edu/publications/uae-official-calls-international-action-end-iranian-occupation-disputed-islands|access-date=2021-07-27|website=Middle East Institute|language=en}}</ref> The UAE also disputes claim on other islands against the neighboring state of Qatar.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uaeprison.com/uae_disputes.htm|title=UAE Disputes, International UAE Disputes, UAE Boundary Dispute, UAE National Disputes, UAE Emirate Disputes, Claims Three Islands, Abu Musa Island, Greater & Lesser Tumb, The History of Islands, Human Resources UAE, Arab Emirates.|website=www.uaeprison.com|access-date=25 June 2018}}</ref> The largest emirate, [[Abu Dhabi (emirate)|Abu Dhabi]], accounts for 87% of the UAE's total area<ref>{{Cite book|last=Oxford Business Group|title=The Report: Abu Dhabi 2015|publisher=Oxford Business Group|year=2016|isbn=978-1910068250|page=17}}</ref> ({{convert|67340|km2|0|abbr=out}}).<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Brinkmann|first1=Robert|title=The Palgrave Handbook of Sustainability: Case Studies and Practical Solutions|last2=Garren|first2=Sandra J.|publisher=Springer|year=2018|isbn=978-3319713892|page=806}}</ref> The smallest emirate, [[Emirate of Ajman|Ajman]], encompasses only {{convert|259|km2|0|abbr=on}} (see figure).<ref>{{Cite book|last=D'Avanzo|first=Carolyn|title=Mosby's Pocket Guide to Cultural Health Assessment|publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences|year=2008|isbn=978-0323086042|page=751}}</ref>
 
The UAE coast stretches for nearly {{convert|650|km|0|abbr=on}} along the southern shore of the [[Persian Gulf]], briefly interrupted by an isolated outcrop of the Sultanate of Oman. Six of the emirates are situated along the Persian Gulf, and the seventh, Fujairah is on the eastern coast of the peninsula with direct access to the Gulf of Oman.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Taylor & Francis Group|title=The Middle East and North Africa 2004|publisher=Psychology Press|year=2003|isbn=1857431847|page=1175}}</ref>  Most of the coast consists of [[Salt pan (geology)|salt pans]] that extend 8–10&nbsp;km inland.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Schulz|first1=Stephan|last2=Horovitz|first2=Marcel|last3=Rausch|first3=Randolf|last4=Michelsen|first4=Nils|last5=Mallast|first5=Ulf|last6=Köhne|first6=Maximilian|last7=Siebert|first7=Christian|last8=Schüth|first8=Christoph|last9=Al-Saud|first9=Mohammed|last10=Merz|first10=Ralf|date=1 December 2015|title=Groundwater evaporation from salt pans: Examples from the eastern Arabian Peninsula|journal=Journal of Hydrology|language=en|volume=531|pages=792–801|doi=10.1016/j.jhydrol.2015.10.048|bibcode=2015JHyd..531..792S|issn=0022-1694|doi-access=free}}</ref> The largest [[harbor|natural harbor]] is at Dubai, although other ports have been dredged at Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and elsewhere.<ref>{{cite web|last=iContainers|date=2020-04-04|title=Top 5 Ports in United Arab Emirates|url=https://www.icontainers.com/us/2020/03/30/top-five-ports-united-arab-emirates/|access-date=2021-08-17|website=iContainers|language=en}}</ref> Numerous islands are found in the Persian Gulf, and the ownership of some of them has been the subject of international disputes with both Iran and Qatar. The smaller islands, as well as many [[coral reef]]s and shifting sandbars, are a menace to navigation. Strong tides and occasional windstorms further complicate ship movements near the shore. The UAE also has a stretch of the [[Al Batinah Region|Al Bāţinah]] coast of the Gulf of Oman. The [[Musandam Governorate|Musandam Peninsula]], the very tip of Arabia by the Strait of Hormuz, and [[Madha]] are [[enclave and exclave|exclave]]s of Oman separated by the UAE.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Lancaster|first1=William|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Le0Ryxzh7cQC&q=musandam|title=Honour is in Contentment: Life Before Oil in Ras Al-Khaimah (UAE) and Some Neighbouring Regions|last2=Lancaster|first2=Fidelity|date=2011|publisher=Walter de Gruyter|isbn=978-3-11-022339-2|language=en}}</ref>
 
[[File:View from Jebel Jais - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Roads leading to [[Jebel Jais]], the highest mountain in the UAE (1,892 m), in [[Ras Al Khaimah]].]]
South and west of Abu Dhabi, vast, rolling [[dune|sand dunes]] merge into the [[Rub al-Khali]] (Empty Quarter) of Saudi Arabia.<ref>{{cite web|date=2008-08-31|title=Empty Quarter|url=https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/9054/empty-quarter|access-date=2021-09-06|website=earthobservatory.nasa.gov|language=en}}</ref> The desert area of Abu Dhabi includes two important oases with adequate underground water for permanent settlements and cultivation. The extensive [[Liwa Oasis]] is in the south near the undefined border with Saudi Arabia. About {{convert|100|km|0|abbr=on}} to the northeast of Liwa is the [[Al Buraimi Governorate|Al-Buraimi]] oasis, which extends on both sides of the Abu Dhabi-Oman border. [[Lake Zakher]] in Al Ain is a [[Man-made lake|human-made lake]] near the border with Oman that was created from treated waste water.<ref name="Man-made desert lake: Ecological paradise or disaster?">{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/14/world/meast/desert-lake-zakher-emirates/index.html?hpt=hp_t2 |title=The accidental lake: Birdwatcher's oasis or ecological disaster? |publisher=CNN |date=14 March 2013 |access-date=6 August 2013}}</ref>
 
Prior to withdrawing from the area in 1971, Britain delineated the internal borders among the seven emirates in order to preempt territorial disputes that might hamper formation of the federation. In general, the rulers of the emirates accepted the British interventions, but in the case of boundary disputes between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and also between Dubai and Sharjah, conflicting claims were not resolved until after the UAE became independent. The most complicated borders were in the [[Al Hajar Mountains|Al-Hajar al-Gharbi]] Mountains, where five of the emirates contested jurisdiction over more than a dozen enclaves.
 
===Biodiversity{{anchor|Flora_and_fauna}}===
{{main|Wildlife of the United Arab Emirates}}
[[File:1501200713074 Acacia tortilis.jpg|thumb|[[Acacia]] trees growing in desert suburbs near [[Fujairah]]]]
The UAE contains four terrestri ecoregions: [[Al Hajar montane woodlands]], [[Gulf of Oman desert and semi-desert]], [[Deserts and xeric shrublands|Al-Hajar foothill xeric woodlands and shrublands]], and [[Al-Hajar montane woodlands and shrublands]].<ref name="DinersteinOlson2017">{{cite journal|last1=Dinerstein|first1=Eric|last2=Olson|first2=David|last3=Joshi|first3=Anup|last4=Vynne|first4=Carly|last5=Burgess|first5=Neil D.|last6=Wikramanayake|first6=Eric|last7=Hahn|first7=Nathan|last8=Palminteri|first8=Suzanne|last9=Hedao|first9=Prashant|last10=Noss|first10=Reed|last11=Hansen|first11=Matt|last12=Locke|first12=Harvey|last13=Ellis|first13=Erle C|last14=Jones|first14=Benjamin|last15=Barber|first15=Charles Victor|last16=Hayes|first16=Randy|last17=Kormos|first17=Cyril|last18=Martin|first18=Vance|last19=Crist|first19=Eileen|last20=Sechrest|first20=Wes|last21=Price|first21=Lori|last22=Baillie|first22=Jonathan E. M.|last23=Weeden|first23=Don|last24=Suckling|first24=Kierán|last25=Davis|first25=Crystal|last26=Sizer|first26=Nigel|last27=Moore|first27=Rebecca|last28=Thau|first28=David|last29=Birch|first29=Tanya|last30=Potapov|first30=Peter|last31=Turubanova|first31=Svetlana|last32=Tyukavina|first32=Alexandra|last33=de Souza|first33=Nadia|last34=Pintea|first34=Lilian|last35=Brito|first35=José C.|last36=Llewellyn|first36=Othman A.|last37=Miller|first37=Anthony G.|last38=Patzelt|first38=Annette|last39=Ghazanfar|first39=Shahina A.|last40=Timberlake|first40=Jonathan|last41=Klöser|first41=Heinz|last42=Shennan-Farpón|first42=Yara|last43=Kindt|first43=Roeland|last44=Lillesø|first44=Jens-Peter Barnekow|last45=van Breugel|first45=Paulo|last46=Graudal|first46=Lars|last47=Voge|first47=Maianna|last48=Al-Shammari|first48=Khalaf F.|last49=Saleem|first49=Muhammad|display-authors=1|title=An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm|journal=BioScience|volume=67|issue=6|year=2017|pages=534–545|issn=0006-3568|doi=10.1093/biosci/bix014|pmid=28608869|pmc=5451287|doi-access=free}}</ref>


The oases grow [[Phoenix dactylifera|date palms]], [[acacia]] and [[eucalyptus]] trees. In the desert, the flora is very sparse and consists of [[grasses]] and thorn bushes. The indigenous fauna had come close to extinction because of intensive hunting, which has led to a conservation program on [[Sir Bani Yas]] Island initiated by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in the 1970s, resulting in the survival of, for example, [[Arabian Oryx]], [[Arabian camel]] and [[leopard]]s. [[Coastal fish]] and [[mammals]] consist mainly of [[mackerel]], [[Estuary perch|perch]], and [[tuna]], as well as [[shark]]s and whales.
== Cities and landscape ==
[[File:Al Ain Oasis View.jpg|left|thumb|Al-Ain Oasis|265x265px]]
This country has seven emirates: Dubai, [[Ajman]], [[Sharjah (emirate)|Sharjah]], [[Abu Dhabi]] ,[[Umm al-Quwain]], [[Fujairah]] and [[Ras al-Khaimah|Ras Al-Khaimah]].It has also more than 200 islands, that differ in size, origin, composition and importance. The UAE is characterized by a diversity of natural looks from steep mountains to flat coastal plains and from the high red sand dunes in Liwa to the city Al-Ein, which is considered a natural oasis full of palm trees.<ref name=":0" />


===Climate===
== Demographics ==
The climate of the UAE is subtropical-arid with hot summers and warm winters. The climate is categorized as desert climate. The hottest months are July and August, when average maximum temperatures reach above {{convert|45|°C|°F|0}} on the [[coastal plain]]. In the [[Al Hajar Mountains]], temperatures are considerably lower, a result of increased elevation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.manmm.net/eng/?page_id=35 |title= UAE Climate |publisher=Manmm.net |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112072308/http://www.manmm.net/eng/?page_id=35 |archive-date=12 January 2016 }}</ref> Average minimum temperatures in January and February are between {{convert|10|and|14|°C|°F|0|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abudhabi.ms/weather.html |title=Weather in Abu Dhabi |publisher=Abudhabi.ms |date=8 March 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090429193142/http://www.abudhabi.ms/weather.html |archive-date=29 April 2009 }}</ref> During the late summer months, a humid southeastern wind known as Sharqi (i.e. "Easterner") makes the coastal region especially unpleasant. The average annual rainfall in the coastal area is less than {{convert|120|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}, but in some mountainous areas annual rainfall often reaches {{convert|350|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}. Rain in the coastal region falls in short, torrential bursts during the winter months, sometimes resulting in floods in ordinarily dry [[wadi]] beds.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/7189929.stm |title=In Pictures &#124; Flooding in the UAE |work=BBC News |date=15 January 2008 }}</ref> The region is prone to occasional, violent [[dust storm]]s, which can severely reduce visibility.
In 2014, the population in the United Arab Emirates became about 9 million citizens. Due to significant growth in various economic sectors, the United Arab Emirates got a significant increase in population over the past few years, the UAE witnessed a significant influx of labor from different religious and cultural backgrounds. The state of UAE adopts a culture of tolerance and moderation, especially when people from 200 nationalities are living in its territory. The country's inhabitants increased from 4.1 million to 8.3 million between 2005 and 2010 while the Emirati citizens form less than 1 million of them.<ref>{{Cite web |title=التركيبة السكانية - البوابة الرسمية لحكومة الإمارات العربية المتحدة |url=https://u.ae/ar-ae/information-and-services/social-affairs/preserving-the-emirati-national-identity/population-and-demographic-mix |access-date=2022-05-19 |website=u.ae |language=Arabic}}</ref>


On 28 December 2004, there was snow recorded in the UAE for the first time, in the [[Jebel Jais]] mountain cluster in Ras al-Khaimah.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4135857.stm Middle East | Cold snap brings Gulf rare snow]. BBC News (30 December 2004). Retrieved 10 October 2015.</ref> A few years later, there were more sightings of snow and hail.<ref>[http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/abu-dhabi-snow-hail-dubai/1/414185.html Global warming or wonder! Hail the snow in Abu Dhabi : World, News – India Today]. Indiatoday.intoday.in. Retrieved 10 October 2015.</ref><ref>[http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/middle-east-snow-extreme-heatwaves-and-uae-fog-whats-going-on-with-the-weather Middle East snow, extreme heatwaves and UAE fog: what's going on with the weather? | The National]. Thenational.ae (29 January 2013). Retrieved 10 October 2015.</ref> The Jebel Jais mountain cluster has experienced snow only twice since records began.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/general/heavy-snowfall-on-ras-al-khaimah-s-jebel-jais-mountain-cluster-1.46663|title=Heavy snowfall on Ras Al Khaimah's Jebel Jais mountain cluster|author=Nazzal,gando
== Culture ==
|work=[[Gulf News]]|date=24 January 2009}}</ref>
[[File:Palm dates bunch.JPG|thumb|191x191px|Palm dates bunch]]
The UAE is a modern state which sticks to its heritage because the citizens are the minority. The officials in UAE support establishing the necessary balance between modernization and tradition and give an illustration of the cultural identity. The United Arab Emirates is colorful and rich in [[Folklore]]. The camel and the date palm have [[Nomadic people|nomadic]] and agricultural bases in its society that are traceable to thousands of years before the spread of Arabs and Muslims. The UAE is also Influenced by other ancient civilizations like Mesopotamia and Greece however the colonial powers which controlled almost everything left very little affect on the folklore of this country. The aggressive behavior of the Portuguese left no space for social interaction and culture exchange<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781315028682|title=Folklore and Folklife in the United Arab Emirates|last=Hurriez|first=Sayyid Hamid|date=2013-12-16|publisher=Routledge|doi=10.4324/9781315028682 |isbn=978-1-136-84907-7}}</ref>


== Government and politics ==
== Government and politics ==
{{Main|Politics of the United Arab Emirates}}
The United Arab Emirates is based on a federal-state system that is subject to the provisions of the UAE [[constitution]] with full [[sovereignty]]. The Federation has its capital, logo, flag, and national anthem. Several federal institutions shape the political system of the United Arab Emirates. The Federal Supreme Council (in Arabic: المجلس الأعلى للاتحاد) represents the highest authority in the country and the rulers of the seven emirates are members of it. Its mission is to take care of the common interests of the Emirates, the ratification of federal laws, the election of the president and his deputy and other tasks.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |date=2018 |title=The yearly book of the state of Emirates |url=https://u.ae/-/media/About-UAE/UAE-Book-2018-ar.ashx |journal=National Media Council}}</ref>[[File:Omran Sharaf at Hope Scientific Mission Announcement Event.jpg|thumb|224x224px|The first Arabic satellite to discover Mars]]
 
== Emirates Mars Mission ==
{{multiple image
In the summer of 2020, the United Arab Emirates launched the EMM ([[Emirates Mars Mission]]) to Mars after less than 6 years of designing, conceiving and implementing this mission.The goal of this mission is to use multiple programmatic and scientific objectives to gain useful data about Mars. The Emirates Mars Mission is being operated from the United States (U.S.) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Amiri |first1=H. E. S. |last2=Brain |first2=D. |last3=Sharaf |first3=O. |last4=Withnell |first4=P. |last5=McGrath |first5=M. |last6=Alloghani |first6=M. |last7=Al Awadhi |first7=M. |last8=Al Dhafri |first8=S. |last9=Al Hamadi |first9=O. |last10=Al Matroushi |first10=H. |last11=Al Shamsi |first11=Z. |date=2022-02-10 |title=The Emirates Mars Mission |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-021-00868-x |journal=Space Science Reviews |language=en |volume=218 |issue=1 |pages=4 |doi=10.1007/s11214-021-00868-x |issn=1572-9672 |pmc=8830993 |pmid=35194256}}</ref>
| caption_align = center
| width1  = 172
| image1 = His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi on February 11, 2016.jpg
| caption1 = [[Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan]]<br><small>[[President of the United Arab Emirates|President]] since 2022</small>
| width2  = 145
| image2 = Mohamedu bin Rašidu Almaktūmu.jpg
| caption2 = [[Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum]]<br><small>[[List of Prime Ministers of the United Arab Emirates|Prime Minister and<br>Vice President]] since 2006</small>
}}
 
The UAE is an authoritarian state.<ref name=":22">{{Cite journal|last=Herb|first=Michael|date=2009|title=A Nation of Bureaucrats: Political Participation and Economic Diversification in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates|url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/international-journal-of-middle-east-studies/article/abs/nation-of-bureaucrats-political-participation-and-economic-diversification-in-kuwait-and-the-united-arab-emirates/E3527822940D0E8A2BCD98A320002C3E|journal=International Journal of Middle East Studies|language=en|volume=41|issue=3|pages=375–395|doi=10.1017/S0020743809091119|issn=1471-6380|s2cid=154366494}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite journal|last=Ledstrup|first=Martin|date=2019|title=Nationalism and Nationhood in the United Arab Emirates|url=https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-319-91653-8|journal=Palgrave|language=en-gb|page=10|doi=10.1007/978-3-319-91653-8|isbn=978-3-319-91652-1|s2cid=158959849}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{cite web|date=2018-11-14|title=Hypocrisy of Dubai's World Tolerance Summit|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/11/14/hypocrisy-dubais-world-tolerance-summit|access-date=2021-04-06|website=Human Rights Watch|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{cite news|date=2021-01-30|title=United Arab Emirates says it will offer citizenship to some|url=https://apnews.com/article/dubai-united-arab-emirates-abu-dhabi-coronavirus-pandemic-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-maktoum-708c588985bad97230b458b435cbfbc2|access-date=2021-04-06|work=Associated Press}}</ref> According to ''[[The New York Times]]'', the UAE is "an autocracy with the sheen of a progressive, modern state".<ref>{{cite news|author=Mazzetti, Mark and Hager, Emily B.|date=14 May 2011|title=Secret Desert Force Set Up by Blackwater's Founder|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/15/world/middleeast/15prince.html?pagewanted=all&_r=1&|quote=The United Arab Emirates – an autocracy with the sheen of a progressive, modern state – are closely allied with the United States, and American officials indicated that the battalion program had some support in Washington.}}</ref>  The UAE has been described as a "tribal autocracy" where the seven constituent monarchies are led by tribal rulers in an autocratic fashion.<ref name=":12">{{Cite book|last=Krane|first=Jim|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mJWrVWZuUJEC|title=City of Gold: Dubai and the Dream of Capitalism|date=2009-09-15|publisher=St. Martin's Publishing Group|isbn=978-1-4299-1899-2|page=10|language=en}}</ref> There are no democratically elected institutions, and there is no formal commitment to free speech.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|last=Stack|first=Liam|date=2017-04-30|title=Dubai Introduces Its Own Font, Lauding Free Expression It Does Not Permit|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/30/world/middleeast/dubai-introduces-its-own-font-lauding-free-expression-it-does-not-permit.html|access-date=2021-05-25|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> According to human rights organizations, there are systematic human rights violations, including the torture and forced disappearance of government critics.<ref name=":3" /> The UAE ranks poorly in [[freedom indices]] measuring [[civil liberties]] and [[political rights]]. The UAE is annually ranked as "Not Free" in [[Freedom House]]'s annual ''[[Freedom in the World]]'' report, which measures civil liberties and political rights.<ref name="United Arab Emirates Reports"/> The UAE also ranks poorly in the annual [[Reporters without Borders]]' [[Press Freedom Index]].
 
===Government===
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a [[Federation|federal]] [[constitutional monarchy]] made up from a federation of seven [[Hereditary monarchy|hereditary]] tribal [[monarchy]]-styled political system called [[Sheikhdoms]]. It is governed by a [[Federal Supreme Council]] made up of the ruling Sheikhs of [[Abu Dhabi (emirate)|Abu Dhabi]], [[Emirate of Ajman|Ajman]], [[Emirate of Fujairah|Fujairah]], [[Sharjah (emirate)|Sharjah]], [[Emirate of Dubai|Dubai]], [[Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah|Ras al-Khaimah]] and [[Emirate of Umm Al Quwain|Umm al-Quwain]]. All responsibilities not granted to the national government are reserved to the individual emirate.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uaeinteract.com/government/political_system.asp#B|title=UAE Government: Political system|work=UAEinteract|access-date=12 February 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160213062650/http://www.uaeinteract.com/government/political_system.asp#B|archive-date=13 February 2016}}</ref> A percentage of revenues from each emirate is allocated to the UAE's central budget.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uaeinteract.com/government/political_system.asp |title=UAE Government: Political system |work=UAEinteract |access-date=12 February 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160213062650/http://www.uaeinteract.com/government/political_system.asp |archive-date=13 February 2016 }}</ref> The United Arab Emirates uses the title [[Sheikh]] instead of [[Emir]] to refer to the rulers of individual emirates. The title is used due to the sheikhdom styled governing system in adherence to the culture of [[tribes of Arabia]], where Sheikh means leader, elder, or the tribal chief of the clan who partakes in shared decision making with his followers.
 
The [[President of the United Arab Emirates|President]] and [[List of Prime Ministers of the United Arab Emirates|Vice President]] are elected by the Federal Supreme Council. Usually, a sheikh from Abu Dhabi holds the presidency and a sheikh from Dubai the prime ministership. All prime ministers but one have served concurrently as vice president. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan is the UAE founding father and widely credited for unifying the seven emirates into one country. He was the UAE's first president from the nation's founding until his death on 2 November 2004. On the following day the Federal Supreme Council elected his son, [[Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan|Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan]], to the post.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arabruleoflaw.org/countryprofiles/uae.html|title=UAE|publisher=Arabruleoflaw.org|access-date=12 February 2016|archive-date=3 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503194032/http://www.arabruleoflaw.org/countryprofiles/uae.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
The federal government is composed of three branches:
* [[Legislature|Legislative]]: A [[unicameralism|unicameral]] [[Federal Supreme Council]] and the [[advisory board|advisory]] [[Federal National Council]] (FNC).
* [[Executive (government)|Executive]]: The [[President of UAE|President]], who is also [[commander-in-chief]] of the military, the [[List of Prime Ministers of the United Arab Emirates|Prime Minister]] and the [[Cabinet of the United Arab Emirates|Council of Ministers]].
* [[Judiciary|Judicial]]: The [[Federal Supreme Court of the United Arab Emirates|Supreme Court]] and lower federal courts.
 
[[File:Palacio Presidencial de los Emiratos, sede del Poder Ejecutivo Nacional..jpg|thumb|left|Entrance to [[Qasr Al Watan]], the presidential palace in Abu Dhabi.]]
The [[E-Government in the United Arab Emirates|UAE e-Government]] is the extension of the UAE Federal Government in its electronic form.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://government.ae/en/web/guest/service-channels|title=Service Channels – The UAE Government Official Portal|author=UAE federal eGovernment|access-date=8 September 2014}}</ref> The UAE's [[Cabinet of the United Arab Emirates|Council of Ministers]] ({{lang-ar|مجلس الوزراء}}) is the chief executive branch of the government presided over by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister, who is appointed by the Federal Supreme Council, appoints the ministers. The Council of Ministers is made up of 22 members and manages all internal and foreign affairs of the federation under its constitutional and federal law.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uaecabinet.ae/source/PMO%20Moca%20Manual%202010.pdf|title=دليل أعمال نظام مجلس الوزراء|publisher=United Arab Emirates Cabinet|date=January 2010}}</ref> In December 2019,<ref>{{cite web |title=Monthly ranking of women in national parliaments |url=https://data.ipu.org/women-ranking?month=12&year=2019 |website=ipu.org |publisher=Inter-Parliamentary Union |access-date=19 February 2022 |location=Switzerland}}</ref> the EAU became the only Arab country, and one of only five countries in the world, to attain [[gender parity]] in a national legislative body, with its lower house 50 per cent women.<ref>{{cite web |title=Monthly ranking of women in national parliaments |url=https://data.ipu.org/women-ranking?month=1&year=2022 |website=ipu.org |publisher=Inter-Parliamentary Union |access-date=19 February 2022 |location=Switzerland}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Proportion of women parliamentarians worldwide reaches 'all-time high' |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/03/1086582 |website=UN.org |publisher=United Nations |access-date=19 February 2022 |date=5 March 2021}}</ref>


The UAE is the only country in the world that has a Ministry of Tolerance,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://wam.ae/en/details/1395302752575|title=UAE's tolerance model has 'potential to become a global movement for good': Sheikh Nahyan|publisher=Emirates News Agency|date=4 February 2019}}</ref> a Ministry of Happiness,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://fortune.com/2016/02/10/uae-minister-happiness/|title=This Country Just Appointed a Minister Of Happiness|magazine=Fortune.com|date=10 February 2016}}</ref> and a Ministry of Artificial Intelligence.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://futurism.com/uae-minister-artificial-intelligence|title=An Inside Look at the First Nation With a State Minister for Artificial Intelligence|publisher=Futurism.com|date=11 December 2017}}</ref> The UAE also has a virtual ministry called the Ministry of Possibilities, designed to find solutions to challenges and improve quality of life.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://u.ae/en/about-the-uae/the-uae-government/ministry-of-possibilities|title=Ministry of Possibilities|publisher=U.AE|date=24 September 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://uaecabinet.ae/en/details/news/mohammed-bin-rashid-launches-ministry-of-possibilities-to-develop-radical-solutions-for-governments-key-challenges|title=Mohammed bin Rashid Launches 'Ministry of Possibilities' to Develop Radical Solutions for Government's Key Challenges|publisher=UAE Cabinet|date=2020}}</ref> The UAE also has a [[National Youth Council]], which is represented in the UAE cabinet by the Minister of Youth.<ref>{{cite web|title = Women shining in new UAE Cabinet – Khaleej Times|url = http://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation/government/shaikh-mohammed-to-announce-new-cabinet-today|website = www.khaleejtimes.com|access-date = 11 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://uaecabinet.ae/en/details/news/why-ministers-for-happiness-tolerance-youth-and-the-future|title=Why Ministries for Happiness, Tolerance, Youth and the Future?|publisher=United Arab Emirates Cabinet}}</ref>
[[File:Burj Khalifa (worlds tallest building) and the Dubai skyline (25781049892).jpg|thumb|331x331px|Burj Khalifah, the world's tallest building]]


The UAE legislative is the [[Federal National Council]] which convenes nationwide elections every 4 years. The FNC consists of 40 members drawn from all the emirates. Each emirate is allocated specific seats to ensure full representation. Half are appointed by the rulers of the constituent emirates, and the other half are elected. By law, the council members have to be equally divided between males and females. The FNC is restricted to a largely [[:wikt:consultation|consultative]] role.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://u.ae/en/about-the-uae/the-uae-government/the-federal-national-council-|title=The Federal National Council|publisher=U.AE|date=3 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.government.ae/gov/en/gov/federal/politics.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051027123241/http://www.government.ae/gov/en/gov/federal/politics.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 October 2005 |title=UAE Federal e-Government Portal |publisher=Government.ae }}</ref><ref>[https://www.thenational.ae/uae/government/sheikh-khalifa-uae-s-federal-national-council-to-be-50-per-cent-women-1.800357 Sheikh Khalifa: UAE's Federal National Council to be 50 per cent women] The National, 8 December 2018</ref>
== Development of the UAE ==
The most important elements behind the growth and development since the founding of the UAE are oil and gas. The first export of oil took place in the year 1962, the former president [[Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan]] wanted to use these resources in building infrastructure for starting economic and civilization development.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Sayf |first1=ʻAbd al-Raḥmān Aḥmad |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/919460222 |title=Taṭawwur dawlat al-Imārāt al-ʻArabīyah al-Muttaḥidah |last2=سيف، عبد الرحمن احمد، |date=2015 |isbn=978-9957-600-11-2 |edition=al-Ṭabʻah al-ūlá |location=ʻAmmān |language=Arabic |oclc=919460222}}</ref> The development of the UAE is going so fast, especially in the last 20 years, so Dubai did realize huge projects like [[Palm Jumeirah]], [[The World (archipelago)]] , and [[Burj Khalifa]], the world's tallest building.


===Foreign relations===
The state of UAE is focusing recently on building the basics for future development, by supporting projects and initiatives that promote qualitative [[innovation]] investments, research, technological- and industrial development. The government is preparing an integrated strategy that will enable them to completely dispense with oil as one important compartment of the economy because currently more than 30% of the UAE's GDP is based on oil.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=2018|title=Yearly book of the state of Emirates|url=https://u.ae/-/media/About-UAE/UAE-Book-2018-ar.ashx|journal=National Media Council|pages=49–53}}</ref>
{{Main|Foreign relations of the United Arab Emirates}}
[[File:President Trump and The First Lady Participate in an Abraham Accords Signing Ceremony (50346677397).jpg|thumb|Emirati Minister of Foreign Affairs [[Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan]] (furthest right) at the signing of the [[Abraham Accords]].]]


The UAE has broad diplomatic and commercial relations with most countries and members of the United Nations. It plays a significant role in [[OPEC]], and is one of the founding members of the [[Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf|Gulf Cooperation Council]] (GCC). The UAE is a member of the [[United Nations]] and several of its specialized agencies ([[ICAO]], [[International Labour Organization|ILO]], [[UPU]], [[World Health Organization|WHO]], [[WIPO]]),  as well as the [[World Bank]], [[International Monetary Fund|IMF]], [[Arab League]], [[Organisation of Islamic Cooperation]] (OIC), and the [[Non-Aligned Movement]]. Also, it is an observer in the [[Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie]]. Most countries have diplomatic missions in the capital [[Abu Dhabi]] with most consulates being in UAE's largest city, [[Dubai]].
== References ==
{{Reflist}}


Emirati foreign relations are motivated to a large extent by identity and relationship to the [[Arab world]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sciencespo.fr/kuwait-program/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Shahrour-Karam-The-evolution-of-Emirati-foreign-policy-1971-2020.pdf|title=The evolution of Emirati foreign policy (1971-2020): The unexpected rise of a small state with boundless ambitions|publisher=SciencesPo|date=2020}}</ref> The United Arab Emirates has strong ties with Bahrain,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/609429/World/Mena/King-Hamad-hails-strong-Bahrain-UAE-ties-in-meeting-with-Abu-Dhabi-crown-prince|title=King Hamad hails strong Bahrain-UAE ties in meeting with Abu Dhabi crown prince |publisher=Saudi Gazette|date=3 August 2021}}</ref> China,<ref>{{cite news |title=Strong bilateral relations serve the strategic interests of both China and the UAE |url=https://www.thenational.ae/opinion/comment/strong-bilateral-relations-serve-the-strategic-interests-of-both-china-and-the-uae-1.749584 |work=The National }}</ref> Egypt,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sis.gov.eg/En/Politics/Foreign/EArab/U.A.E/040306030000000002.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090109153827/http://www.sis.gov.eg/En/Politics/Foreign/EArab/U.A.E/040306030000000002.htm |archive-date=9 January 2009 |title=Egypt and U.A.E. Relations |work=Egypt State Information Service Sis.gov.eg }}</ref> France,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/france-strengthens-its-bond-with-uae-1.543500|title=France strengthens its bond with UAE|publisher=The National|date=19 December 2008}}</ref> India,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mei.edu/publications/india-uae-relations-poised-climb-new-heights|title=India-UAE Relations: Poised to Climb to New Heights
{{asia}}
|publisher=Middle East Institute|date=23 March 2021}}</ref> Jordan,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/jordan-uae-ties-%E2%80%98strong-guarantor%E2%80%99-security-peace-%E2%80%94-ambassador|title=Jordan-UAE ties a 'strong guarantor' for security, peace — ambassador|publisher=The Jordan Times|date=12 April 2021}}</ref> Pakistan<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2276704/uae-fm-terms-ties-with-pakistan-unique-case-in-arab-asian-relations|title=UAE FM terms ties with Pakistan "unique case in Arab-Asian relations"|publisher=Tribune|date=20 December 2020}}</ref> Russia,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2020/01/24/why-the-relationship-between-russia-and-the-united-arab-emirates-is-strengthening/|title=Why the Relationship Between Russia and the United Arab Emirates is Strengthening |publisher=Responsible Statecraft|date=24 January 2020}}</ref> Saudi Arabia<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/04/09/a-saudi-princes-quest-to-remake-the-middle-east|title=A Saudi Prince's Quest to Remake the Middle East|author=The New Yorker|date=2 April 2018}}</ref> and the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.arabianbusiness.com/politics-economics/463351-us-states-playing-critical-role-in-widening-uae-bilateral-ties|title=US states play 'critical' role in widening bilateral ties with the UAE|publisher=Arabian Business|date=16 May 2021}}</ref>


Following the British withdrawal from the UAE in 1971 and the establishment of the UAE as a state, the UAE disputed rights to three islands in the Persian Gulf against Iran, namely [[Abu Musa]], [[Greater Tunb]], and [[Lesser Tunb]]. The UAE tried to bring the matter to the [[International Court of Justice]], but Iran dismissed the notion.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hiik.de/konfliktbarometer/pdf/Konfliktbarometer_2001.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229133058/http://www.hiik.de/konfliktbarometer/pdf/Konfliktbarometer_2001.pdf |archive-date=29 February 2008 |title=Konfliktbarometer 2001 |url-status=dead |access-date=1 June 2016}}. Heidelberger Institut für Internationale Konfliktforschung</ref> Pakistan was the first country to formally recognize the UAE upon its formation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pakobserver.net/200811/26/Editorial01.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090626001001/http://pakobserver.net/200811/26/Editorial01.asp |archive-date=26 June 2009 |title=Relations with UAE get wider, deeper|work=Pakistan Observer |date=26 November 2008 }}</ref> The UAE alongside multiple Middle Eastern and African countries cut diplomatic ties with [[Qatar]] in June 2017 due to allegations of [[Qatar and state-sponsored terrorism|Qatar being a state sponsor of terrorism]], resulting in the [[Qatar diplomatic crisis]]. Ties were restored in January 2021.<ref>{{cite web|title=UAE to restore Qatar trade and travel links 'within a week' after row ends|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-55579014|publisher=BBC|date=7 January 2021}}</ref> The UAE recognized Israel in August 2020, reaching a historic [[Israel–United Arab Emirates peace agreement]] and leading towards full normalization of relations between the two countries.<ref>{{Cite news|date=13 August 2020|title=Israel and UAE strike historic deal|language=en-GB|work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-53770859|access-date=13 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=13 August 2020|title=With President Trump's help, Israel and the United Arab Emirates reach historic deal to normalize relations |language=en| work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-emirates-trump-idUSKCN25926W |access-date=13 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Staff |first1=Toi |title=Full text of the Abraham Accords signed by Israel, the UAE and Bahrain |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/full-text-of-the-abraham-accords-signed-by-israel-the-uae-and-bahrain/ |access-date=10 October 2020 |publisher=The Times of Israel |date=16 September 2020}}</ref>
[[Category:United Arab Emirates| ]]


In March 2022, the Syrian President [[Bashar al-Assad]] came to visit the UAE, which was his first visit to an Arab country since the [[Syrian civil war|2011 Syrian civil war]]. During the historic visit, Assad met [[Mohammed bin Zayed]], [[Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum]] and [[Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan|Mansour bin Zayed]]. The leaders of two sides discussed how the Emirates could provide [[Syria]] with humanitarian and political support. However, the US said it was “profoundly disappointed and troubled by this apparent attempt to legitimize Bashar al-Assad, who remains responsible and accountable for the death and suffering of countless Syrians”.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/syrias-assad-makes-surprise-visit-to-the-u-a-e-as-arab-ties-warm-11647641366|title=Syria's Assad Makes Surprise Visit to the U.A.E. as Arab Ties Warm|access-date=19 March 2022|newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/18/bashar-al-assad-visits-uae-in-attempt-to-build-arab-relations|title=Syrian president Bashar al-Assad visits UAE in attempt to come in from the cold|access-date=18 March 2022|website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-60804050|title=Assad: Syria's leader makes historic visit to UAE|access-date=19 March 2022|website=BBC}}</ref>
===Military===
{{main|United Arab Emirates Armed Forces}}
[[File:F-16e block60.jpg|thumb|left|[[United Arab Emirates Air Force]] F-16 Block 60 "[[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon variants#F-16E/F Block 60|Desert Falcon]]", taking off from the [[Lockheed Martin]] plant in [[Fort Worth, Texas]].]]
The United Arab Emirates military force was formed in 1971 from the historical [[Trucial Oman Scouts]], long a symbol of public order in [[Eastern Arabia]] and commanded by British officers. The Trucial Oman Scouts were turned over to the United Arab Emirates, as the nucleus of its defence forces in 1971, with the formation of the UAE, and was absorbed into the [[Union Defence Force (UAE)|Union Defence Force]].
Although initially small in number, the UAE armed forces have grown significantly over the years and are presently equipped with some of the most modern weapon systems, purchased from a variety of western military advanced countries, mainly France, the US and the UK. Most officers are graduates of the United Kingdom's [[Royal Military Academy Sandhurst|Royal Military Academy]] at [[Sandhurst, Berkshire|Sandhurst]], with others having attended the [[United States Military Academy]] at [[West Point, New York|West Point]], the [[Royal Military College, Duntroon]] in Australia, and [[École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr|St Cyr]], the military academy of France. France and the United States have played the most strategically significant roles with defence cooperation agreements and military material provision.<ref>{{cite news|title=UAE confirms discussions with France on purchase of Rafale aircraft|url=http://www.wam.org.ae/servlet/Satellite?c=WamLocEnews&cid=1200074664706&p=1135099400124&pagename=WAM%2FWamLocEnews%2FW-T-LEN-FullNews|agency=Emirates News Agency|date=5 June 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509014605/http://www.wam.org.ae/servlet/Satellite?c=WamLocEnews&cid=1200074664706&p=1135099400124&pagename=WAM%2FWamLocEnews%2FW-T-LEN-FullNews|archive-date=9 May 2013}}</ref>
Some of the UAE military deployments include an infantry battalion to the United Nations [[UNOSOM II]] force in [[Somalia]] in 1993, the 35th Mechanised Infantry Battalion to [[Kosovo]], a regiment to Kuwait during the [[Iraq War]], [[demining]] operations in [[Lebanon]], [[Operation Enduring Freedom]] in [[Afghanistan]], [[2011 military intervention in Libya|American-led intervention in Libya]], [[American-led intervention in the Syrian Civil War|American-led intervention in Syria]], and the [[Saudi-led intervention in Yemen]]. The active and effective military role, despite its small active personnel, has led the UAE military to be nicknamed as "Little Sparta" by [[United States Armed Forces]] Generals and former US defense secretary [[James Mattis]].<ref>{{cite news|title=In the UAE, the United States has a quiet, potent ally nicknamed 'Little Sparta'
|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/in-the-uae-the-united-states-has-a-quiet-potent-ally-nicknamed-little-sparta/2014/11/08/3fc6a50c-643a-11e4-836c-83bc4f26eb67_story.html|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=15 September 2018}}</ref>
The UAE intervened in the [[Libyan Civil War (2014–present)|Libyan Civil War]] in support of General [[Khalifa Haftar]]'s [[Libyan National Army]] in its conflict with the internationally recognised [[Government of National Accord]] (GNA).<ref>{{cite news |title=UAE and Egypt behind bombing raids against Libyan militias, say US officials |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/26/united-arab-emirates-bombing-raids-libyan-militias |work=The Guardian |date=26 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Libya migrant attack: UN investigators suspect foreign jet bombed centre |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-50302602 |work=BBC News |date=6 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=UAE implicated in lethal drone strike in Libya |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-53917791 |work=BBC News |date=27 August 2020}}</ref>
Examples of the military assets deployed include the enforcement of the [[Operation Odyssey Dawn|no-fly-zone over Libya]] by sending six [[UAEAF]] [[F-16]] and six [[Dassault Mirage 2000|Mirage 2000]] [[Multirole combat aircraft|multi-role fighter aircraft]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12806112|title=Libya no-fly zone: Coalition firepower|newspaper=BBC News|access-date=25 December 2014|date=21 October 2011}}</ref> ground troop deployment in Afghanistan,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thenational.ae/world/europe/nato-officially-initiates-uae-into-afghan-mission-1.749833|title=Nato officially initiates UAE into Afghan mission|author=The National|date=12 July 2018}}</ref> 30 UAEAF F-16s and ground troops deployment in Southern Yemen,<ref name="repel">{{cite news|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/03/26/GCC-states-to-repel-Houthi-aggression-in-Yemen-statement-.html|publisher=Al Arabiya|title=Saudi warplanes bomb Houthi positions in Yemen|date=25 March 2015|access-date=25 March 2015|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402125058/http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/03/26/GCC-states-to-repel-Houthi-aggression-in-Yemen-statement-.html |archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref> and helping the US launch its first airstrikes against [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|ISIL]] targets in Syria.<ref>{{cite news|title=US launches air strikes against Isil in Syria|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/11114991/US-launches-air-strikes-against-Isil-in-Syria-live.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/11114991/US-launches-air-strikes-against-Isil-in-Syria-live.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work=The Telegraph|date=24 September 2014|last1=Winch|first1=Jessica}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
The UAE has begun production of a greater amount of military equipment, in a bid to reduce foreign dependence and help with national industrialisation. Example of national military development include the Abu Dhabi Shipbuilding company (ADSB), which produces a range of ships and is a prime contractor in the [[Baynunah-class corvette|Baynunah Programme]], a programme to design, develop and produce corvettes customised for operation in the shallow waters of the Persian Gulf. The UAE is also producing weapons and ammunition through [[Caracal International]], military transport vehicles through [[Nimr|Nimr LLC]] and unmanned aerial vehicles collectively through [[Emirates Defence Industries Company]]. The UAE operates the [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon]] F-16E Block 60 unique variant unofficially called "[[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon variants#F-16E/F Block 60|Desert Falcon]]", developed by General Dynamics with collaboration of the UAE and specifically for the [[United Arab Emirates Air Force]].<ref name=fg1>{{cite web |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2007/11/11/219363/dubai-2007-uae-shows-off-its-most-advanced-falcons.html |title=Dubai 2007: UAE shows off its most advanced Falcons |website=[[Flightglobal]] |date=11 November 2007}}</ref> The [[United Arab Emirates Army]] operates a customized [[Leclerc tank]] and is the only other operator of the tank aside from the French Army.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/one-tough-tank-why-frances-leclerc-one-best-planet-44577|title=One Tough Tank: Why France's Leclerc Is One of the Best on the Planet|publisher=nationalinterest.org|date=19 February 2019}}</ref> The largest defence exhibition and conference in the Middle East, [[International Defence Exhibition]], takes place biennially in Abu Dhabi.
The UAE introduced a  [[Mandatory National Service in United Arab Emirates|mandatory military service]] for adult males, since 2014, for 16 months to expand its reserve force.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-emirates-military/uae-extends-compulsory-military-service-to-16-months-idUSKBN1JY093|title=UAE extends compulsory military service to 16 months|work=Reuters|date=8 July 2018}}</ref> The highest loss of life in the history of UAE military occurred on Friday 4 September 2015, in which 52 soldiers were killed in [[Ma'rib|Marib]] area of central Yemen by a [[OTR-21 Tochka|Tochka]] missile which targeted a weapons cache and caused a large explosion.<ref name=":0">{{cite news|title = UAE, Bahrain say 50 soldiers killed in Yemen attack|url = http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-yemen-security-idUKKCN0R40V120150904|access-date = 17 September 2015|newspaper = Reuters|date = 4 September 2015}}</ref>
==={{anchor|Political divisions}}Administrative divisions===
{{See also|Politics of the United Arab Emirates|List of cities in the United Arab Emirates|Emirates of the United Arab Emirates}}
{{UAE midsize imagemap with emirate names}}
The United Arab Emirates comprises seven emirates. [[Dubai]] is the most populous emirate with 35.6% of the UAE population. The [[Abu Dhabi (emirate)|Emirate of Abu Dhabi]] has 31.2%, meaning that over two-thirds of the UAE population lives in either Abu Dhabi or Dubai.
Abu Dhabi has an area of {{convert|67340|km2|0|abbr=off}}, which is 86.7% of the country's total area, excluding the islands. It has a coastline extending for more than {{convert|400|km|-1|abbr=on}} and is divided for administrative purposes into three major regions.
The Emirate of Dubai extends along the Persian Gulf coast of the UAE for approximately {{convert|72|km|0|abbr=on}}. Dubai has an area of {{convert|3885|km2|0|abbr=off}}, which is equivalent to 5% of the country's total area, excluding the islands. The Emirate of Sharjah extends along approximately {{convert|16|km|0|abbr=on}} of the UAE's Persian Gulf coastline and for more than {{convert|80|km|0|abbr=on}} into the interior. The northern emirates which include Fujairah, Ajman, Ras al-Khaimah, and [[Umm al-Quwain|Umm al-Qaiwain]] all have a total area of {{convert|3881|km2|0|abbr=off}}. There are two areas under joint control. One is jointly controlled by Oman and Ajman, the other by Fujairah and Sharjah.
There is an Omani [[enclave and exclave|exclave]] surrounded by UAE territory, known as [[Madha|Wadi Madha]]. It is located halfway between the [[Musandam Governorate|Musandam]] peninsula and the rest of Oman in the Emirate of [[Sharjah]]. It covers approximately {{convert|75|km2|0|abbr=off}} and the boundary was settled in 1969. The north-east corner of Madha is closest to the Khor Fakkan-Fujairah road, barely {{convert|10|m|ft|abbr=off}} away. Within the Omani exclave of Madha, is a UAE exclave called [[Nahwa]], also belonging to the Emirate of Sharjah. It is about {{convert|8|km|mi|spell=in|abbr=off}} on a dirt track west of the town of New Madha. It consists of about forty houses with its own clinic and telephone exchange.
{|class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:auto;"
|- style="background:#efefef; "
! rowspan=2 class="unsortable"|Flag
! rowspan=2 | Emirate
! rowspan=2 | Capital
! colspan=2 | Population
! colspan=3 | Area
|-
! 2018
! %
! (km<sup>2</sup>)
! (mi<sup>2</sup>)
! %
|-
| [[File:Flag of Abu Dhabi.svg|border|40px]]
| [[Emirate of Abu Dhabi|Abu Dhabi]]
| [[Abu Dhabi]] ||align="right"| 2,784,490 ||align="right"| 29.0% ||align="right"| 67,340 ||align="right"| 26,000 ||align="right"| 86.7%
|-
| [[File:Flag of Ajman.svg|border|40px]]
| [[Emirate of Ajman|Ajman]]
| [[Ajman (city)|Ajman]] ||align="right"| 372,922 ||align="right"| 3.9% ||align="right"| 259 ||align="right"| 100 ||align="right"| 0.3%
|-
| [[File:Flag of Dubai.svg|border|40px]]
| [[Emirate of Dubai|Dubai]]
| [[Dubai]] ||align="right"| 4,177,059 ||align="right"| 42.8% ||align="right"| 3,885 ||align="right"| 1,500 ||align="right"| 5.0%
|-
| [[File:Flag of Fujairah (1952–1972).svg|border|40px]]
| [[Emirate of Fujairah|Fujairah]]
|[[Fujairah (city)|Fujairah]] ||align="right"| 152,000 ||align="right"| 1.6% ||align="right"| 1,165 ||align="right"| 450 ||align="right"| 1.5%
|-
| [[File:Flag of Ras al-Khaimah.svg|border|40px]]
| [[Emirate of Ras al-Khaimah|Ras al-Khaimah]]
|[[Ras al-Khaimah]] ||align="right"| 416,600 ||align="right"| 4.3% ||align="right"| 2,486 ||align="right"| 950 ||align="right"| 3.2%
|-
| [[File:Flag of Sharjah.svg|border|40px]]
| [[Emirate of Sharjah|Sharjah]]
| [[Sharjah (city)|Sharjah]] ||align="right"| 2,374,132 ||align="right"| 24.7% ||align="right"| 2,590 ||align="right"| 1,000 ||align="right"| 3.3%
|-
| [[File:Flag of Umm al-Qaiwain.svg|border|40px]]
| [[Emirate of Umm Al Quwain|Umm al-Quwain]]
|[[Umm al-Quwain]]||align="right"| 72,000 ||align="right"| 0.8% ||align="right"| 777 ||align="right"| 300 ||align="right"| 1%
|- class="sortbottom" style="background:#ccc;"
| [[File:Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg|border|40px]]
|'''UAE'''
|Abu Dhabi ||align="right"| 9,599,353 ||align="right"| 100% ||align="right"| 77,700 ||align="right"| 30,000 ||align="right"| 100%
|}
===Law===
{{Main|Legal system of the United Arab Emirates|Crime in the United Arab Emirates}}
The UAE has a federal court system. There are three main branches within the court structure: civil, criminal and [[Sharia law]]. The UAE's judicial system is derived from the [[civil law system]] and Sharia law. The court system consists of civil courts and Sharia courts. UAE's criminal and civil courts apply elements of Sharia law, codified into its criminal code and family law.
===Corporal and capital punishment===
[[File:Police helicopter at sunset (Unsplash).jpg|thumb|[[Dubai Police]] helicopter flying at sunset.]]{{Undue weight|date=February 2022}}
[[Flogging]] is a punishment for criminal offences such as [[adultery]], [[premarital sex]] and drug or alcohol use.<ref name="usdep">{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2013/nea/220380.htm|title=2013 Human Rights Reports: United Arab Emirates|work=[[US Department of State]]|quote=Sharia (Islamic law) courts, which adjudicate criminal and family law, have the option of imposing flogging as punishment for adultery, [[prostitution]], consensual premarital sex, pregnancy outside marriage, defamation of character, and drug or alcohol abuse.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.humanrightsvoices.org/EYEontheUN/un_101/figures/?p=2484|title=U.N. Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice: United Arab Emirates|work=Human Rights Voices|access-date=12 February 2016|archive-date=11 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111230016/http://www.humanrightsvoices.org/EYEontheUN/un_101/figures/?p=2484|url-status=dead}}</ref> According to Sharia court rulings, flogging ranges from 80 to 200 lashes.<ref name="usdep" /><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O5rs8UkMj64C&pg=PA2092|publisher=Government Printing Office|isbn=978-0-16-081399-3|title=Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2007|page=2092|year=2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.corpun.com/counaej.htm|title=UAE: Judicial corporal punishment by flogging|work=World Corporal Punishment Research|access-date=12 February 2016}}</ref> Verbal abuse pertaining to a person's honour is illegal and punishable by 80 lashes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/courts/dh500-000-expat-verbal-abuse-case-to-be-retried|title=Dh500,000 expat verbal abuse case to be retried|date=8 December 2010|work=The National|quote=In the UAE, only verbal abuse pertaining to the sexual honour of a person would be tried under Sharia. For guilt to be proven, the attack must have been made in public and one reliable witness must testify. If convicted, a person would be sentenced to 80 lashes and would never be accepted as a valid witness in a Sharia-based case.}}</ref> Between 2007 and 2014, many people in the UAE were sentenced to 100 lashes.<ref>[http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/crime/illicit-lovers-sentenced-to-100-lashes-each-1.712261 Illicit lovers sentenced to 100 lashes each]. GulfNews.com (15 November 2010). Retrieved 26 November 2015.</ref><ref>[http://www.refworld.org/publisher,AMNESTY,,ARE,46558ee911,0.html Amnesty International Report 2007 – United Arab Emirates]. Refworld (23 May 2007). Retrieved 26 November 2015.</ref> More recently in 2015, two men were sentenced to 80 lashes for hitting and insulting a woman.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emirates247.com/crime/local/2-men-to-be-lashed-for-hitting-woman-in-fujairah-2015-03-26-1.585455|title=2 men to be lashed for hitting woman in Fujairah|date=March 2015|work=Emirates 247}}</ref> In 2014, an [[expatriate]] in Abu Dhabi was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 80 lashes after alcohol consumption and raping a toddler.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/drunk-worker-rapes-2-year-old-girl-in-abu-dhabi-2014-01-22-1.535691|title=Drunk worker rapes 2-year-old girl in Abu Dhabi|date=January 2014|work=Emirates247.com}}</ref> As of November 2020, alcohol consumption for Muslims and non Muslims is legal. In the past, many Muslims have been sentenced to 80 or 40 lashes for alcohol consumption.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/crime/emirati-man-to-be-lashed-executed-for-murder-and-drinking-alcohol-1.1028979|title=Emirati man to be lashed, executed, for murder and drinking alcohol|date=May 2012|work=Gulf News}}</ref><ref>[http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/courts/man-appeals-80-lashes-for-drinking-alcohol-in-abu-dhabi Man appeals 80 lashes for drinking alcohol in Abu Dhabi]. Thenational.ae (9 August 2012). Retrieved 26 November 2015.</ref> Illicit sex is sometimes penalized by 60 lashes.<ref>[http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/crime/girl-to-receive-60-lashes-for-illicit-sex-1.185126 Girl to receive 60 lashes for illicit sex]. GulfNews.com (20 June 2007). Retrieved 26 November 2015.</ref> Eighty lashes is the standard number for anyone sentenced to flogging in several emirates.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://7days.ae/news-13088/17027 |title=Motorist sentenced to 80 lashes for drink driving |date=26 November 2012 |work=7days.ae |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923091346/http://7days.ae/news-13088/17027 |archive-date=23 September 2015 }}</ref> Sharia courts have penalized domestic workers with floggings.<ref name="drm">{{cite journal|date=October 22, 2014|title="I Already Bought You": Abuse and Exploitation of Female Migrant Domestic Workers in the United Arab Emirates|url=https://www.hrw.org/report/2014/10/22/i-already-bought-you/abuse-and-exploitation-female-migrant-domestic-workers#1487|url-status=live|website=[[Human Rights Watch]]|publisher=}}</ref> In October 2013, a Filipino housemaid was sentenced to 100 lashes for illegitimate pregnancy.<ref name="emirates1">[http://www.emirates247.com/crime/local/court-jails-pregnant-filipina-in-fujairah-2013-10-09-1.524021 Court jails pregnant Filipina in Fujairah]. Emirates247.com (9 October 2013). Retrieved 26 November 2015.</ref> Drunk-driving is strictly illegal and punishable by 80 lashes; many expatriates have been sentenced to 80 lashes for drunk-driving.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/article/20130327/ARTICLE/303279988/1011|title=Drink-drive student to get 80 lashes|date=27 March 2013|work=Khaleej Times|access-date=21 September 2015|archive-date=21 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321083951/http://www.khaleejtimes.com/article/20130327/ARTICLE/303279988/1011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>[http://www.emirates247.com/crime/local/4-years-and-80-lashes-for-drug-addict-2011-11-01-1.426430 4 years and 80 lashes for drug addict ]. Emirates247.com (1 November 2011). Retrieved 26 November 2015.</ref> Under UAE law, premarital sex is punishable by 100 lashes.<ref>[http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/woman-denies-affair-after-hearing-she-faces-stoning Woman denies affair after hearing she faces stoning]. Thenational.ae (29 July 2009). Retrieved 26 November 2015.</ref>
[[Stoning]] is a legal punishment in the UAE. In May 2014, an Asian housemaid was sentenced to death by stoning in Abu Dhabi.<ref>[http://7daysindubai.com/expat-faces-death-stoning-admitting-court-cheating-husband/ Expat faces death by stoning after admitting in court to cheating on husband] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006154624/http://7daysindubai.com/expat-faces-death-stoning-admitting-court-cheating-husband/ |date=6 October 2014 }}. 7daysindubai.com. Retrieved 26 November 2015.</ref><ref>[http://www.qatarliving.com/news/posts/asian-housemaid-gets-death-adultery-abu-dhabi Asian housemaid gets death for adultery in Abu Dhabi]. Qatar Living (4 May 2014). Retrieved 26 November 2015.</ref> Other expatriates have been sentenced to death by stoning for committing adultery.<ref>[https://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE25/005/2006/en Document | Amnesty International]. Amnesty.org. Retrieved 26 November 2015.</ref> Between 2009 and 2013, several people were sentenced to death by stoning.<ref name="khaleejtimes.com">[http://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation/inside.asp?xfile=/data/courtroundup/2013/September/courtroundup_September33.xml&section=courtroundup Two women sentenced to death for adultery] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006082800/http://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation/inside.asp?xfile=%2Fdata%2Fcourtroundup%2F2013%2FSeptember%2Fcourtroundup_September33.xml&section=courtroundup|date=6 October 2014}}. Khaleej Times (25 September 2013). Retrieved 26 November 2015.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/woman-denies-affair-after-hearing-she-faces-stoning|title=Woman denies affair after hearing she faces stoning|date=29 July 2009|work=[[The National (Abu Dhabi)|The National]]}}</ref> Abortion is illegal and punishable by a maximum penalty of 100 lashes and up to five years in prison.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/courts/hotel-executive-who-had-abortion-gets-jail-term|title=Hotel executive who had abortion gets jail term|date=30 December 2010|work=The National}}</ref> In recent years, several people have retracted their guilty plea in illicit sex cases after being sentenced to stoning or 100 lashes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://7days.ae/change-plea-youll-stoned-husband-admits-cheating-given-legal-advice-judge|title="Change plea or you'll be stoned": Husband who admits cheating given legal advice by judge|date=6 April 2014|work=7days.ae|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20160405175140/http://7days.ae/change-plea-youll-stoned-husband-admits-cheating-given-legal-advice-judge|archive-date=5 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/courts/to-avoid-100-lashes-and-prison-woman-retracts-plea-in-sex-case|title=To avoid 100 lashes and prison, woman retracts plea in sex case|date=9 October 2009|work=The National}}</ref> The punishment for committing adultery is 100 lashes for unmarried people and stoning to death for married people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/courts/hotel-executive-who-had-abortion-gets-jail-term|title=Lawyer urges acquittal of woman on zina charges|date=26 November 2010|work=[[The National (Abu Dhabi)|The National]]}}</ref>
[[Amputation]] is a legal punishment in the UAE due to the Sharia courts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6aa123b.html|title=Refworld &#124; Amnesty International Report 1999 - United Arab Emirates|first=United Nations High Commissioner for|last=Refugees|website=Refworld}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=United Arab Emirates – Global Progress|url=http://www.endcorporalpunishment.org/assets/pdfs/states-reports/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf|page=3|quote=Punishments include flogging, amputation, and – as retaliation – injury similar to that for which the offender has been convicted of inflicting on the victim.|access-date=4 February 2016|archive-date=11 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311055307/http://www.endcorporalpunishment.org/assets/pdfs/states-reports/UnitedArabEmirates.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Defining Sharia's role in the UAE's legal foundation|url=http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/comment/defining-sharias-role-in-the-uaes-legal-foundation|work=[[The National (Abu Dhabi)|The National]]}}</ref> [[Crucifixion]] is a legal punishment in the UAE.<ref>{{cite news|title=Crucifixion for UAE murderers|work=[[The Independent]]|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/crucifixion-for-uae-murderers-1238085.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=September 1997|title=UAE: Further information on fear of imminent crucifixion and execution|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE25/011/1997/en|publisher=Amnesty International}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=September 1997|title=UAE: Fear of imminent crucifixion and execution|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE25/010/1997/en|publisher=Amnesty International}}</ref> Article 1 of the Federal Penal Code states that "provisions of the [[Islamic Law]] shall apply to the crimes of doctrinal punishment, punitive punishment and blood money."<ref>{{cite web|title=Federal Law No (3) of 1987 on Issuance of the Penal Code|url=https://www.unodc.org/tldb/showDocument.do?documentUid=6385&country=UAE|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525044622/https://www.unodc.org/tldb/showDocument.do?documentUid=6385&country=UAE|archive-date=25 May 2013|work=United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime}}</ref> The Federal Penal Code repealed only those provisions within the penal codes of individual emirates which are contradictory to the Federal Penal Code. Hence, both are enforceable simultaneously.<ref>{{cite web|title=Measures Against Corruptibility, Gifts and Gratification – Bribery in the Middle East|url=http://www.mafhoum.com/press2/brib76.pdf|work=Arab Law Quarterly}}</ref>
[[File:UAE Coronarita.jpg|thumb|A man pictured with alcoholic beverages in Dubai. Alcoholic beverages were not widely available in the UAE before 2020]]
In recent history, the UAE has declared its intention to move towards a more tolerant legal code, and to phase out corporal punishment altogether.<ref>{{Cite web |title=United Arab Emirates {{!}} Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children |url=https://endcorporalpunishment.org/reports-on-every-state-and-territory/united-arab-emirates/ |access-date=2022-04-24 |language=en-GB}}</ref> With alcohol and cohabitation laws being loosened in advance of the [[Expo 2020|2020 World Expo]], Emirati laws have become increasingly acceptable to visitors from non-Muslim countries.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The United Arab Emirates relaxes laws on alcohol - Drinks International - The global choice for drinks buyers |url=https://drinksint.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/9215/The_United_Arab_Emirates_relaxes_laws_on_alcohol.html |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=drinksint.com}}</ref>
=== Sharia courts and family law ===
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[[File:Dubai Police at work (12385410394) (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|[[Dubai Police]] super-car motorcade at [[Jumeirah Road]]]]
Sharia courts have exclusive jurisdiction over family law cases and also have jurisdiction over several criminal cases including adultery, premarital sex, robbery, alcohol consumption and related crimes. The Sharia-based [[Family law|personal status law]] regulates matters such as marriage, divorce and child custody. The Islamic personal status law is applied to Muslims and sometimes non-Muslims.<ref name="lia" /> Non-Muslim expatriates can be liable to Sharia rulings on marriage, divorce and child custody.<ref name="lia">[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28638553 Britons 'liable to Sharia divorces' in UAE]. Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 26 November 2015.</ref>
Emirati women must receive permission from a male guardian to marry and remarry.<ref name="maleguardian">{{cite web|title=Divorcees, widows concerned about receiving 'permission' before remarrying|url=http://www.thenational.ae/uae/courts/divorcees-widows-concerned-about-receiving-permission-before-remarrying#ixzz3F1sb6IYa|work=[[The National (Abu Dhabi)|The National]]|date=6 August 2014}}</ref> This requirement is derived from the UAE's interpretation of Sharia, and has been federal law since 2005.<ref name="maleguardian" /> In all emirates, it is illegal for Muslim women to marry non-Muslims.<ref name="religiousfreedom">{{cite web|title=United Arab Emirates International Religious Freedom Report, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (2009)|url=https://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2009/127360.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091031224349/http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2009/127360.htm|archive-date=31 October 2009|work=U.S. Department of State}}</ref> In the UAE, a marriage union between a Muslim woman and non-Muslim man is punishable by law, since it is considered a form of "[[fornication]]".<ref name="religiousfreedom" /> The UAE Marriage Fund reported in 2012 that a majority of women over 30 were unmarried; this had tripled from 1995, when only one-fifth of women over 30 were unmarried.<ref>{{cite web|last=Agence France Presse|date=5 July 2012|title=Single female, over 30 and 'too old' to marry in UAE|url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/single-female-over-30-and-too-old-to-marry-in-uae-491154|access-date=11 July 2020|website=NDTV.com}}</ref>
Kissing in certain public places is illegal and could result in [[deportation]].<ref name="ReferenceB">[http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/public-kissing-can-lead-to-deportation Public kissing can lead to deportation | The National]. Thenational.ae (7 July 2008). Retrieved 26 November 2015.</ref> Expats in Dubai have been deported for kissing in public.<ref name="news.bbc.co.uk">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8602449.stm Jailed Dubai kissing pair lose appeal over conviction]. BBC News (4 April 2010). Retrieved 26 November 2015.</ref><ref name="gulfnews">{{cite web|date=25 May 2008|title=Women get jail and deportation for kissing on Dubai public beach|url=http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/crime/women-get-jail-and-deportation-for-kissing-on-dubai-public-beach-1.106824|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150115034127/http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/crime/women-get-jail-and-deportation-for-kissing-on-dubai-public-beach-1.106824|archive-date=15 January 2015|access-date=1 January 2012|work=Gulf News}}</ref><ref name="bbc.com">[https://www.bbc.com/news/10507147 London man tells of 'shock' jailing in Dubai over kiss]. Bbc.com. Retrieved 26 November 2015.</ref> In Abu Dhabi, people have been sentenced to 80 lashes for kissing in public.<ref>{{cite web|title=Couple deny kissing on Abu Dhabi Corniche|url=http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/courts/couple-deny-kissing-on-abu-dhabi-corniche?fb_action_ids=|quote=A man jailed and sentenced to 80 lashes for drunkenly kissing his girlfriend on the Corniche}}</ref> A new federal law in the UAE prohibits swearing in [[WhatsApp]] and penalizes swearing by a 250,000 [[Emirati dirham|AED]] fine and imprisonment;<ref name="inde">{{cite news|date=16 June 2015|title=Swearing on WhatsApp 'will result in £40,000 fine and deportation, UAE rules'|work=[[The Independent]]|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/swearing-on-whatsapp-will-result-in-40000-fine-and-deportation-uae-rules-10324188.html}}</ref> expatriates are penalized by deportation.<ref name="inde" /><ref>{{cite web|date=16 June 2015|title=Man to face trial in UAE for swearing in WhatsApp message|url=http://7days.ae/man-to-face-trial-in-uae-for-swearing-in-whatsapp-message|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923094431/http://7days.ae/man-to-face-trial-in-uae-for-swearing-in-whatsapp-message|archive-date=23 September 2015|work=7days.ae}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=16 June 2015|title=British Expats Face Being Deported From UAE For Swearing on WhatsApp|url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/british-expats-face-being-deported-from-uae-for-swearing-on-whatsapp-161318056.html#GTeWLi4|work=Yahoo News}}</ref> In July 2015, an Australian expatriate was deported for swearing on Facebook.<ref>{{cite web|date=15 July 2015|title=Australian woman deported from Abu Dhabi over Facebook post|url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation/crime/australian-woman-deported-from-abu-dhabi-over-a-facebook-post|work=Khaleej Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=15 July 2015|title=Australian woman deported from the UAE after Facebook post|url=http://www.arabianbusiness.com/australian-woman-deported-from-uae-after-facebook-post-599688.html|work=Arabian Business}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=15 July 2015|title=Australian jailed over Facebook post deported from Abu Dhabi|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/australia/70241468/australian-jailed-over-facebook-post-deported-from-abu-dhabi|work=[[Stuff.co.nz]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=15 July 2015|title=Expat deported after posting abusive message about parking on Facebook|url=http://7days.ae/expat-deported-after-posting-abusive-message-about-parking-on-facebook|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923100012/http://7days.ae/expat-deported-after-posting-abusive-message-about-parking-on-facebook|archive-date=23 September 2015|work=7days.ae}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=15 July 2015|title=Australian expat deported following Facebook post|url=http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/crime/australian-expat-deported-following-facebook-post-1.1550807|work=Gulf News}}</ref>
[[LGBT rights in the United Arab Emirates|Homosexuality]] is illegal and is a [[capital offence]] in the UAE.<ref>{{cite web|title=United Arab Emirates|url=http://arc-international.net/global-advocacy/universal-periodic-review/u/united-arab-emirates|quote=Facts as drug trafficking, homosexual behaviour, and apostasy are liable to capital punishment.}}</ref><ref name="arc.com">{{cite web|title=Man Accused of 'Gay Handshake' Stands Trial in Dubai|url=http://www.care2.com/causes/man-accused-of-gay-handshake-stands-trial-in-dubai.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151030104723/http://www.care2.com/causes/man-accused-of-gay-handshake-stands-trial-in-dubai.html|archive-date=30 October 2015|access-date=11 January 2015}}</ref> In 2013, an Emirati man was on trial for being accused of a "gay handshake".<ref name="arc.com" /> Article 80 of the Abu Dhabi Penal Code makes sodomy punishable with imprisonment of up to 14 years, while article 177 of the Penal Code of Dubai imposes imprisonment of up to 10 years on consensual sodomy.<ref>{{cite web|title=Federal criminal statute in UAE|url=http://www.glapn.org/sodomylaws/world/uae/united_arab_emirates.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060614053249/http://sodomylaws.org/world/uae/united_arab_emirates.htm|archive-date=14 June 2006|work=Sodomylaws.Org}}</ref>
In November 2020, UAE announced that it decriminalised alcohol, lifted ban on unmarried couples living together and ended clement punishment on [[honor killing]]. Foreigners living in the Emirates were allowed to follow their native country's laws on divorce and inheritance.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/07/united-arab-emirates-to-relax-islamic-laws-on-personal-freedoms|title=UAE decriminalises alcohol and lifts ban on unmarried couples living together|access-date=9 November 2020|website=The Guardian|date=9 November 2020}}</ref>
=== Blasphemy law ===
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[[Apostasy]] is a crime [[punishable by death]] in the UAE.<ref>Evans, Robert. (9 December 2013) [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-religion-atheists-idUSBRE9B900G20131210 Atheists face death in 13 countries, global discrimination: study]. Reuters. Retrieved 26 November 2015.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://beaveronline.co.uk/the-international-briefing-persecution-of-atheists-and-apostates/|title=The International Briefing: Persecution of Atheists and Apostates|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150428131415/http://beaveronline.co.uk/the-international-briefing-persecution-of-atheists-and-apostates/|archive-date=28 April 2015}}</ref> [[Blasphemy]] is illegal; expatriates involved in insulting Islam are liable for deportation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/uae-to-deport-expats-abusing-religions-2015-07-22-1.597619|title=UAE to deport expats abusing religions|date=22 July 2015|work=Emirates 247}}</ref> UAE incorporates [[hudud]] crimes of Sharia (i.e., crimes against God) into its Penal Code – apostasy being one of them.<ref name="shar">{{cite journal|author=Butti Sultan Butti Ali Al-Muhairi |year=1996|jstor=3381546 |title=The Islamisation of Laws in the UAE: The Case of the Penal Code|journal=Arab Law Quarterly|volume=11|issue=4 |pages=350–371|doi=10.2307/3381546}}</ref> Article 1 and Article 66 of UAE's [[Penal Code]] requires hudud crimes to be punished with the death penalty;<ref name="shar" /><ref>Al-Muhairi (1997), Conclusion to the Series of Articles on the UAE Penal Law. Arab Law Quarterly, Vol. 12, No. 4</ref> therefore, apostasy is punishable by death in the UAE.
In several cases, the courts of the UAE have jailed women who have reported rape.<ref>{{Cite news|title = UAE imprisoning rape victims under extramarital sex laws – investigation |url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/oct/26/hundreds-of-women-prosecuted-for-extramarital-sex-in-uae-finds-bbc|newspaper = The Guardian|date = 26 October 2015|author = Topping, Alexandra}}</ref><ref name=cnn/><ref name=reuters/><ref name=tdb>{{cite web|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/witw/articles/2013/07/30/dubai-s-progressive-charade.html|title=Dubai's Progressive Charade|work=[[The Daily Beast]]|access-date=12 February 2016}}</ref><ref name=nydaily>{{cite web|url= http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/dubai-rape-vic-arrested-drinking-article-1.1214682 |title=Gang-rape victim in Dubai arrested for drinking alcohol: report|work=[[New York Daily News]]|access-date=12 February 2016}}</ref><ref name=latimes>{{cite web|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2010/06/the-court-in-abu-dhabi-ruled-today-that-the-18-year-old-emirati-woman-who-accused-six-men-of-gang-rape-will-serve-a-one-year.html|title=Dubai: Victim of gang rape sentenced to one year in prison|date= 17 June 2010}}</ref> For example, a British woman, after she reported being gang raped by three men, was charged with the crime of "alcohol consumption".<ref name= reuters/><ref name=nydaily/> Another British woman was charged with "public intoxication and extramarital sex" after she reported being raped,<ref name=cnn/> while an Australian woman was similarly sentenced to jail after she reported gang rape in the UAE.<ref name=cnn/><ref name=reuters>{{cite news|last=Bakr |first=Amena |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-emirates-courts-norway-idUSBRE96K0AK20130721 |title=Woman jailed in Dubai after reporting rape hopes to warn others |work=Reuters |date= 21 July 2013|access-date=5 November 2013}}</ref> In another recent case, an 18-year Emirati girl withdrew her complaint of gang rape by six men when the prosecution threatened her with a long jail term and flogging.<ref name=bloomberg>{{Cite news|first1=Zahraa |last1=Alkhalisi |first2=Henry |last2=Meyer|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2010-06-07/u-a-e-woman-withdraws-gang-rape-claim-to-avoid-lashes-prison-sentence|title=U.A.E. Woman Withdraws Gang-Rape Claim to Avoid Lashes, Prison|date=7 June 2010 |website=www.bloomberg.com}}</ref> The woman still had to serve one year in jail.<ref name=arabianbusiness>{{cite news|url=http://www.arabianbusiness.com/court-jails-emirati-woman-in-gang-rape-case-290257.html|title=Court jails Emirati woman in gang rape case|work = Arabian Business|date = 14 June 2010}}</ref> In July 2013, a [[Prosecution of Marte Dalelv|Norwegian woman, Marte Dalelv]], reported rape to the police and received a prison sentence for "illicit sex and alcohol consumption".<ref name=cnn>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/22/world/meast/uae-norway-rape-controversy/index.html|title=Dubai ruler pardons Norwegian woman convicted after she reported rape|work=CNN.com|access-date=10 September 2013}}</ref>
Dancing in public is illegal in the UAE.<ref>{{cite web|date=23 October 2012|title=Criminal Law of Dubai|url=http://www.lawyersuae.com/court-cases/criminal-law-of-dubai|publisher=lawyersuae.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=المشارق|url=http://al-shorfa.com/en_GB/articles/meii/features/2009/03/20/feature-03|work=al-shorfa.com|access-date=15 February 2015|archive-date=19 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219073733/http://al-shorfa.com/en_GB/articles/meii/features/2009/03/20/feature-03|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>[http://www.arabnews.com/node/322024 No dancing in public: Dubai]. Arab News (15 March 2009). Retrieved 26 November 2015.</ref>
===Human rights===
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{{Main|Human rights in the United Arab Emirates}}
[[Flogging]] and [[stoning]] are legal punishments in the UAE. The requirement is derived from [[Sharia law]], and has been federal law since 2005.<ref name=autogenerated2>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/divorcees-widows-concerned-about-receiving-permission-before-remarrying-1.341200|title=Divorcees, widows concerned about receiving 'permission' before remarrying|date=6 August 2014|website=The National}}</ref> Some domestic workers in the UAE are victims of the country's interpretations of Sharia judicial punishments such as flogging and stoning.<ref name="drm"/> The annual [[Freedom House]] report on [[Freedom in the World]] has listed the United Arab Emirates as "Not Free" every year since 1999, the first year for which records are available on their website.<ref name="United Arab Emirates Reports">{{cite web|url=https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2014/united-arab-emirates|title=United Arab Emirates Reports|work=Freedom House|access-date=7 May 2015|date=22 August 2014|archive-date=13 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150513050714/https://www.freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2014/united-arab-emirates|url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:Stop UK Arms Exports to Saudi UAE Dictatorships !.jpg|thumb|Protest against the [[Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen]], March 2018]]
The UAE has escaped the [[Arab Spring]]; however, more than 100 Emirati activists were jailed and [[tortured]] because they sought reforms.<ref name="amnesty.org"/><ref>{{cite web|date=November 18, 2014|title=UAE: Ruthless crackdown on dissent exposes 'ugly reality' beneath façade of glitz and glamour|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2014/11/uae-ruthless-crackdown-dissent-exposes-ugly-reality-beneath-fa-ade-glitz-and-glamour/|url-status=live|website=[[Amnesty International]]|publisher=}}</ref><ref name="amnesty">{{cite web|url=http://www.amnestyusa.org/sites/default/files/mde_250182014.pdf|title=Silencing dissent in the UAE |publisher=[[Amnesty International]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170219213453/http://www.amnestyusa.org/sites/default/files/mde_250182014.pdf|archive-date=19 February 2017|access-date=19 February 2017}}</ref> Since 2011, the UAE government has increasingly carried out [[forced disappearances]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde25/018/2014/en/|title=Silencing dissent in the UAE|pages=16–29, 35–45|publisher=Amnesty International|access-date=20 November 2018|archive-date=4 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904111528/https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde25/018/2014/en/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="aohr"/><ref name="hrw">[https://www.hrw.org/news/2012/09/14/uae-enforced-disappearance-and-torture UAE: Enforced Disappearance and Torture|Human Rights Watch]. Hrw.org. Retrieved 26 November 2015.</ref><ref>[http://www.ic4jhr.net/en/activites/statements/19-uae-enforced-disappearances-continue.html Human Rights in the United – UAE: Enforced disappearances continue] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126101711/http://www.ic4jhr.net/en/activites/statements/19-uae-enforced-disappearances-continue.html|date=26 November 2015}}. Ic4jhr.net. Retrieved 26 November 2015.</ref><ref>[http://www.echr.org.uk/?p=1214 Emirati victim of enforced disappearance seen in state security prison » Emirates Centre for Human Rights]. Echr.org.uk (14 March 2014). Retrieved 26 November 2015.</ref><ref>[http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/uae-must-reveal-whereabouts-disappeared-libyans-and-emiratis-human-rights-watch-788745470 UAE must reveal whereabouts of 'disappeared' Libyans and Emiratis: HRW]. Middle East Eye (6 October 2014). Retrieved 26 November 2015.</ref> Many foreign nationals and Emirati citizens have been arrested and abducted by the state. The UAE government denies these people are being held (to conceal their whereabouts), placing these people outside the protection of the law.<ref name="amnesty"/><ref name="aohr">{{cite web|url=http://aohr.org.uk/images/releases/forced-disappearance-torture-in-UAE.pdf|title=Forced Disappearances and Torture in the United Arab Emirates|date=November 2014|work=Arab Organisation for Human Rights|access-date=4 February 2016|archive-date=15 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115030038/http://aohr.org.uk/images/releases/forced-disappearance-torture-in-UAE.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="forced">[https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/articles/middle-east/15084-uaes-crackdown-on-democracy-short-sighted UAE's crackdown on democracy short-sighted] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126114449/https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/articles/middle-east/15084-uaes-crackdown-on-democracy-short-sighted |date=26 November 2015 }}. Middleeastmonitor.com. Retrieved 26 November 2015.</ref> According to Human Rights Watch, the reports of forced disappearance and torture in the UAE are of grave concern.<ref name="hrw"/>
The [[Arab Organization for Human Rights]] has obtained testimonies from many defendants, for its report on "Forced Disappearance and Torture in the UAE", who reported that they had been kidnapped, tortured and abused in detention centres.<ref name="aohr"/><ref name="forced"/> The report included 16 different methods of torture including severe beatings, threats with [[electrocution]] and denying access to medical care.<ref name="aohr"/><ref name="forced"/>
In 2013, 94 Emirati activists were held in secret detention centres and put on trial for allegedly attempting to overthrow the government.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/mar/06/uae-trial-94-activists|title=The UAE's bizarre, political trial of 94 activists|work=[[The Guardian]]|author=Hearst, David|year=2013}}</ref> Human rights organizations have spoken out against the secrecy of the trial. An Emirati, whose father is among the defendants, was arrested for tweeting about the trial. In April 2013, he was sentenced to 10 months in jail.<ref>{{cite news|title=Man faces 10 months jail for tweets about trial in UAE|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/11/world/meast/uae-twitter-jail/|access-date=18 April 2013|publisher=CNN|date=11 April 2013 |author=Brumfield, Ben|author2=Faraj, Caroline|author3=Abedine, Saad}}</ref> The latest forced disappearance involves [[Disappearance of the Al-Suwaidi sisters|three sisters from Abu Dhabi]].<ref name="Amnesty">[https://www.amnesty.org/en/articles/news/2015/02/uae-three-women-held-in-secret-detention-over-tweets/ UAE Three women held in secret detention over tweets|Amnesty International]. Amnesty.org (27 February 2015). Retrieved 26 November 2015.</ref>
Repressive measures were also used against non-Emiratis in order to justify the UAE government's claim that there is an "international plot" in which UAE citizens and foreigners were working together to destabilize the country.<ref name="forced"/> Foreign nationals were also subjected to a campaign of deportations.<ref name="forced"/> There are many documented cases of Egyptians and other foreign nationals who had spent years working in the UAE and were then given only a few days to leave the country.<ref name="forced"/>
Foreign nationals subjected to forced disappearance include two [[Libyans]]<ref>[https://www.hrw.org/news/2014/10/05/uae-reveal-whereabouts-disappeared-libyans UAE: Reveal Whereabouts of ‘Disappeared’ Libyans | Human Rights Watch]. Hrw.org. Retrieved 26 November 2015.</ref> and two Qataris.<ref name="forced"/><ref name="qta">{{cite web|url=http://www.amnestyusa.org/sites/default/files/uaa25614.pdf|title=Urgent Action: Enforced Disappearance of Qatari Nationals|publisher=[[Amnesty International]]}}</ref> [[Amnesty International]] reported that the Qatari men have been abducted by the UAE government and the UAE government has withheld information about the men's fate from their families.<ref name="forced"/><ref name="qta"/> Amongst the foreign nationals detained, imprisoned and expelled is [[Iyad El-Baghdadi]], a popular blogger and Twitter personality.<ref name="forced"/> He was arrested by UAE authorities, detained, imprisoned and then expelled from the country.<ref name="forced"/> Despite his lifetime residence in the UAE, as a Palestinian citizen, El-Baghdadi had no recourse to contest this order.<ref name="forced"/> He could not be deported back to the [[Palestinian territories]], therefore he was deported to Malaysia.<ref name="forced"/>
In recent years, many [[Shia Muslim]] expatriates have been deported from the UAE.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Politics/2013/Jul-04/222502-shiites-deported-from-gulf-lament-injustice.ashx|title=Shiites deported from Gulf lament injustice|journal=Daily Star|date=4 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/0705/460684-syria-hezbollah/|title=Concern over deportations from Gulf Arab states|journal=RTÉ.ie|date=5 July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Wigglesworth |first1=Robin |title=UAE urged to allow appeal on deportations |url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/37f1883c-934d-11df-bb9a-00144feab49a.html |access-date=2021-06-16 |work=[[Financial Times]] |date=July 19, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525062330/https://www.ft.com/content/37f1883c-934d-11df-bb9a-00144feab49a |archive-date=2017-05-25 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Lebanese Shia families in particular have been deported for their alleged sympathy for [[Hezbollah]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/lebanon/091030/uae-iran-shiites-lebanon|title=UAE deportations raise questions in Lebanon|work=Global Post|date=July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/90286|title=Lebanese Shiites Ousted from Gulf over Hizbullah Ties|publisher=naharnet.com|date=July 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/01/lebanese-uae-fears-deportation.html|title=Lebanese Living in UAE Fear Deportation|work=Al Monitor|year=2013|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016142536/http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/01/lebanese-uae-fears-deportation.html|archive-date=16 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/02/uae-deports-lebanese-expatriates.html|title=UAE Deports 125 Lebanese Citizens|work=Al Monitor|year=2013|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225122306/http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/02/uae-deports-lebanese-expatriates.html|archive-date=25 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2010/07/19/uaelebanon-allow-lebanesegazan-deportees-appeal|title=UAE/Lebanon: Allow Lebanese/Palestinian Deportees to Appeal|publisher=Human Rights Watch|year=2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/politics/2012/06/no-lebanese-ambassador-in-abu-dh.html|title=Lebanese Families in UAE Face Deportations on Short Notice|work=Al Monitor|year=2012|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117022005/http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/politics/2012/06/no-lebanese-ambassador-in-abu-dh.html|archive-date=17 November 2015}}</ref> According to some organizations, more than 4,000 Shia expatriates have been deported from the UAE in recent years.<ref>Luca, Ana Maria (5 June 2013) [https://web.archive.org/web/20141225122615/https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/reportsfeatures/hezbollah-and-the-gulf Hezbollah and the Gulf]. mmedia.me</ref><ref>[http://majlis.org.uk/thousands-of-shias-coercively-deported-from-uae/ Thousands of Shias Coercively deported from UAE – Majlis-e-Ulama-e-Shia Europe] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225122717/http://majlis.org.uk/thousands-of-shias-coercively-deported-from-uae/ |date=25 December 2014 }}. Majlis.org.uk. Retrieved on 21 August 2018.</ref>
The issue of [[sexual abuse]] among female [[domestic workers]] is another area of concern, particularly given that domestic servants are not covered by the UAE labour law of 1980 or the draft labour law of 2007.<ref>{{cite web|author=Whitson, Sarah Leah|url=https://www.hrw.org/en/news/2007/03/24/uae-draft-labor-law-violates-international-standards|title=UAE: Draft Labor Law Violates International Standards |publisher=Human Rights Watch|date=24 March 2007}}</ref> Worker protests have been suppressed and protesters imprisoned without due process.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-32118620080224|title=Indian workers jailed in Dubai over violent protest|work=Reuters|date=24 February 2008}}</ref> In its 2013 Annual Report, [[Amnesty International]] drew attention to the United Arab Emirates' poor record on a number of human rights issues. They highlighted the government's restrictive approach to freedom of speech and assembly, their use of [[arbitrary arrest and detention|arbitrary arrest]] and torture, and UAE's use of the death penalty.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/region/uae/report-2013|title=Annual Report 2013|publisher=Amnesty International|access-date=2 April 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410131431/http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/uae/report-2013|archive-date=10 April 2014}}</ref>
The State Security Apparatus in the UAE has been accused of a series of atrocities and human rights abuses including enforced disappearance, arbitrary arrests and torture.<ref>{{cite web|title=Human Rights in The UAE|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/region/uae|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213013240/http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/uae|archive-date=13 February 2015}}</ref>
Freedom of association is also severely curtailed. All associations and NGOs have to register through the Ministry of Social Affairs and are therefore under de facto State control. About twenty non-political groups operate on the territory without registration. All associations have to be submitted to censorship guidelines and all publications have first to be approved by the government.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Fanack |title=Stifling Dissent in the UAE|url=https://chronicle.fanack.com/united-arab-emirates/administration-politics/human-rights-uae-modern-facade-bleak-reality/stifling-dissent/|website=Fanack.com|access-date=13 July 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713130807/https://chronicle.fanack.com/united-arab-emirates/administration-politics/human-rights-uae-modern-facade-bleak-reality/stifling-dissent/|archive-date=13 July 2015}}</ref>
===Migrant workers===
{{main|Migrant workers in the United Arab Emirates|Migrant workers in the Gulf Cooperation Council region}}
[[File:Burj Dubai Construction Workers on 25 January 2008 Pict 2.jpg|thumb|right|Two south Asian [[blue-collar workers]] posing for a picture with [[Burj Khalifa]] on the background.]]
Migrant workers in the UAE are not allowed to join trade unions or go on strike. Those who strike may risk prison and deportation,<ref name="mig">{{cite web|url=http://survey.ituc-csi.org/United-Arab-Emirates.html?lang=en#tabs-3
|title=United Arab Emirates|work=International Trade Union Confederation}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://survey.ituc-csi.org/United-Arab-Emirates.html?lang=en#tabs-2|title=United Arab Emirates|work=International Trade Union Confederation}}</ref> as seen in 2014 when dozens of workers were deported for striking.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/22/abu-dhabi-migrant-workers-conditions-shame-west Conditions for Abu Dhabi's migrant workers 'shame the west' | World news]. ''The Guardian'' (22 December 2013). Retrieved on 21 August 2018.</ref> The [[International Trade Union Confederation]] has called on the [[United Nations]] to investigate evidence that thousands of migrant workers in the UAE are treated as slave labour.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/sep/13/migrant-workers-uae-gulf-states-un-ituc|title=Call for UN to investigate plight of migrant workers in the UAE|newspaper=The Guardian|date=13 September 2014|last1=Batty|first1=David}}</ref>
In 2019, an investigation performed by ''The Guardian'' revealed that  thousands of migrant construction workers employed on infrastructure and building projects for the UAE's Expo 2020 exhibition were working in an unsafe environment. Some were even exposed to potentially fatal situations due to cardiovascular issues. Long hours in the sun made them vulnerable to heat strokes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/oct/03/workers-at-dubai-expo-2020-heat-stress|title=Workers at Dubai's Expo 2020 likely to have suffered dangerous heat stress|access-date=3 October 2019|work=The Guardian|date=3 October 2019}}</ref>
A report in January 2020 highlighted that the employers in the United Arab Emirates have been exploiting the Indian labor and hiring them on [[Travel visa|tourist visas]], which is easier and cheaper than [[work permit]]s. These [[migrant worker]]s are left open to [[Labor rights|labor abuse]], where they also fear reporting exploitation due to their illegal status. Besides, the issue remains unknown as the visit visa data is not maintained in both the UAE and Indian [[Human migration|migration]] and employment records.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://weeklyreviewer.com/tourist-visa-scam-traps-indian-workers-in-abusive-jobs-in-uae-news/|title=Tourist visa scam traps Indian workers in abusive jobs in UAE|access-date=15 January 2020|website=Weekly Reviewer|archive-date=16 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116091345/https://weeklyreviewer.com/tourist-visa-scam-traps-indian-workers-in-abusive-jobs-in-uae-news/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:Dubai workers angsana burj.jpg|thumb|left|Dubai construction workers having lunch break.]]
In a 22 July 2020 news piece, Reuters reported [[human rights]] groups as saying conditions had deteriorated because of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. Many migrant workers racked up debt and depended on the help of charities. The report cited salary delays and layoffs as a major risk, in addition to overcrowded living conditions, lack of support and problems linked with healthcare and sick pay. Reuters reported at least 200,000 workers, mostly from India but also from Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Philippines and Nepal, had been repatriated, according to their diplomatic missions.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-emirates-jobs/uaes-migrant-workers-fret-over-future-in-coronavirus-economy-idUSKCN24N0Q7|title=UAE's migrant workers fret over future in coronavirus economy|access-date=22 July 2020|website=Reuters|date=22 July 2020}}</ref>
On 2 May 2020, the Consul General of India in [[Dubai]], Vipul, confirmed that more than 150,000 Indians in the United Arab Emirates registered to be repatriated through the e-registration option provided by Indian consulates in the UAE. According to the figures, 25% applicants lost their jobs and nearly 15% were stranded in the country due to lockdown. Besides, 50% of the total applicants were from the state of [[Kerala]], India.<ref>{{cite web|title=150,000 Indians in UAE register to fly home during coronavirus pandemic|url=https://gulfnews.com/uae/150000-indians-in-uae-register-to-fly-home-during-coronavirus-pandemic-1.71297349|access-date=2 May 2020|website=Gulf News}}</ref>
On 9 October 2020, ''[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]'' reported that many migrant workers were left abandoned, as they lost their jobs amidst the tightening economy due to [[COVID-19]]. With no jobs and expired visas, many hived in parks under the city's glistening skyscrapers, appealing for repatriation flights home. White collar job workers were also threatened by the pandemic in the Emirates, as many [[United Kingdom|UK]] expats returned home since the beginning of coronavirus.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/10/09/homeless-migrants-sleep-rough-beneath-dubais-skyscrapers-covid/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/10/09/homeless-migrants-sleep-rough-beneath-dubais-skyscrapers-covid/ |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Homeless migrants sleep rough beneath Dubai's skyscrapers as Covid employment crisis bites|access-date=9 October 2020|website=The Telegraph|date=9 October 2020|last1=Stewart|first1=Ashleigh}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
Various human rights organisations have raised serious concerns about the alleged abuse of migrant workers by major contractors organising Expo 2020. UAE's business solution provider German Pavilion is also held accountable for abusing migrant workers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210507-german-company-using-uae-firm-with-record-of-migrant-worker-abuse-rights-group-says/|title=German company using UAE firm with record of migrant worker abuse, rights group says|date=7 May 2021|access-date=7 May 2021|publisher=Middle East Monitor}}</ref>
==Media==
{{Main|Mass media in the United Arab Emirates}}
[[File:Media City (12619096174).jpg|thumb|[[Dubai Media City]] is home to diverse news and tech companies.]]
The UAE's [[Media of the United Arab Emirates|media]] is annually classified as "not free" in the [[Freedom of the Press (report)|Freedom of the Press]] report by [[Freedom House]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://freedomhouse.org/reports/publication-archives|title=Publication Archives|website=Freedom House}}</ref> The UAE ranks poorly in the annual [[Press Freedom Index]] by [[Reporters without Borders]]. [[Dubai Media City]] and twofour54 are the UAE's main media zones. The UAE is home to some pan-Arab broadcasters, including the [[Middle East Broadcasting Centre]] and [[Orbit Showtime Network]]. In 2007, Sheikh [[Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum]] decreed that journalists can no longer be prosecuted or imprisoned for reasons relating to their work.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.carnegieendowment.org/files/UAE_APS.doc |title=United Arab Emirates |work=Carnegie Endowment |page=10 |quote=UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Muhammad bin Rashid al-Maktum decreed on September 25, 2007 that journalists can no longer be imprisoned for reasons relating to their work, setting a first for the decriminalization of media offences in the region.}}</ref> At the same time, the UAE has made it illegal to disseminate online material that can threaten "public order",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ejustice.gov.ae/downloads/latest_laws/cybercrimes_5_2012_en.pdf|title=Federal Decree-Law no.5|access-date=30 September 2018|archive-date=25 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725182632/http://ejustice.gov.ae/downloads/latest_laws/cybercrimes_5_2012_en.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> and hands down prison terms for those who "deride or damage" the reputation of the state and "display contempt" for religion.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14704229 |title=United Arab Emirates – Media |work=BBC News |date=15 June 2012 }}</ref>
=== Print media ===
{{Main|List of newspapers in the United Arab Emirates}}
According to UAE Year Book 2013, there are seven Arabic newspapers and eight English language newspapers, as well as a Tagalog newspaper produced and published in the UAE.
=== Social media ===
New media, such as [[Facebook]], [[Twitter]], [[YouTube]] and [[Instagram]] are used widely in the UAE by the government entities and by the public as well.<ref name="u.aeb">{{cite web|title=Types of media - The Official Portal of the UAE Government|url=https://u.ae/en/media/media-in-the-uae/types-of-media|access-date=2021-08-09|website=u.ae|language=en}}</ref> The UAE Government avails official social media accounts to communicate with public and hear their needs.<ref name="u.aeb"/>
==Economy== <!--Please add new information to relevant articles of the series-->
{{Main|Economy of the United Arab Emirates}}
[[File:Burj Khalifa.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Burj Khalifa]] is the [[List of tallest buildings and structures in the world|tallest human-made structure in the world]].]]
The UAE has developed from a juxtaposition of Bedouin tribes to one of the world's most wealthy states in only about 50 years. Economic growth has been impressive and steady throughout the history of this young confederation of emirates with brief periods of recessions only, e.g. in the global financial and economic crisis years 2008–09, and a couple of more mixed years starting in 2015 and persisting until 2019. Between 2000 and 2018, average real gross domestic product (GDP) growth was at close to 4%.<ref name=":2">{{cite web|url=https://www.empyrean-advisors.com/united-arab-emirates-country-analysis/|title=United Arab Emirates – Economic, Social, and Institutional Analysis – Empyrean Advisors|website=www.empyrean-advisors.com|access-date=27 September 2019}}</ref> It is the second largest economy in the GCC (after Saudi Arabia),<ref name="Economy2013">{{cite web|url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/kt-article-display-1.asp?section=editorschoice&xfile=/data/editorschoice/2013/December/editorschoice_December12.xml |title=UAE's economy growth momentum set to pick up |work=[[Khaleej Times]] |date=27 December 2013 |access-date=5 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104225058/http://khaleejtimes.com/kt-article-display-1.asp?xfile=%2Fdata%2Feditorschoice%2F2013%2FDecember%2Feditorschoice_December12.xml&section=editorschoice |archive-date=4 January 2014 }}</ref> with a nominal gross domestic product (GDP) of US$414.2 billion, and a real GDP of 392.8 billion constant 2010 USD in 2018.<ref name=":2" /> Since its independence in 1971, the UAE's economy has grown by nearly 231 times to 1.45 trillion AED in 2013. The non-oil trade has grown to 1.2 trillion AED, a growth by around 28 times from 1981 to 2012.<ref name="Economy2013"/> Backed by the world's seventh-largest oil deposits, and thanks to considerate investments combined with decided economic liberalism and firm Government control, the UAE has seen their real GDP more than triple in the last four decades. Nowadays the UAE is one of the world's richest countries, with GDP per capita almost 80% higher than OECD average.<ref name=":2" />
As impressive as economic growth has been in the UAE, the total population has increased from just around 550,000 in 1975 to close to 10 million in 2018. This growth is mainly due to the influx of foreign workers into the country, making the national population a minority. The UAE features a unique labour market system, in which residence in the UAE is conditional on stringent visa rules. This system is a major advantage in terms of macroeconomic stability, as labour supply adjusts quickly to demand throughout economic business cycles. This allows the Government to keep unemployment in the country on a very low level of less than 3%, and it also gives the Government more leeway in terms of macroeconomic policies – where other governments often need to make trade-offs between fighting unemployment and fighting inflation.<ref name=":2" />
Between 2014 and 2018, the accommodation and food, education, information and communication, arts and recreation, and real estate sectors overperformed in terms of growth, whereas the construction, logistics, professional services, public, and oil and gas sectors underperformed.<ref name=":2" />
===Business and finance===
[[File:Abu dhabi skylines 2014.jpg|thumb|left|[[Abu Dhabi]] skyline]]
The UAE offers businesses a strong enabling environment: stable political and macroeconomic conditions, a future-oriented Government, good general infrastructure and ICT infrastructure. Moreover, the country has made continuous and convincing improvements to its regulatory environment<ref name=":2" /> and is ranked as the 26th best nation in the world for doing business by the [[Doing Business Report|Doing Business 2017 Report]] published by the [[World Bank Group]].<ref name="Doing Business">{{cite web|url=http://www.doingbusiness.org/rankings|title=Ranking of Economies|work=[[World Bank Group]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604005151/http://www.forbes.com/feeds/afx/2007/06/12/afx3810988.html|archive-date=4 June 2011}}</ref> The UAE are in the top ranks of several other global indices, such as the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Global Competitiveness Index (GCI), the World Happiness Report (WHR) and 33rd in the [[Global Innovation Index]] in 2021.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web |title=Global Innovation Index 2021  |url=https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2021/|work=[[World Intellectual Property Organization]]|publisher=[[United Nations]]|access-date=2022-03-05 |language=en}}</ref> The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), for example, assigns the UAE rank two regionally in terms of business environment and 22 worldwide. From the 2018 Arab Youth Survey the UAE emerges as the top Arab country in areas such as living, safety and security, economic opportunities, and starting a business, and as an example for other states to emulate.<ref name=":2" />
The weaker points remain the level of education across the UAE population, limitations in the financial and labour markets, barriers to trade and some regulations that hinder business dynamism. The major challenge for the country, though, remains translating investments and strong enabling conditions into knowledge, innovation and creative outputs.<ref name=":2" />
[[File:United Arab Emirates Product Exports (2019).svg|thumb|right|A proportional representation of United Arab Emirates exports, 2019]]
UAE law does not allow trade unions to exist.<ref name="ituc" /> The right to [[collective bargaining]] and the [[right to strike]] are not recognised, and the [[Ministry of Labour]] has the power to force workers to go back to work. Migrant workers who participate in a strike can have their work permits cancelled and be deported.<ref name="ituc">{{cite web | url=http://survey.ituc-csi.org/United-Arab-Emirates.html?edition=336 | title=United Arab Emirates | work=ITUC }}</ref> Consequently, there are very few anti-discrimination laws in relation to labour issues, with Emiratis – and other [[Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf|GCC]] Arabs – getting preference in public sector jobs despite lesser credentials than competitors and lower motivation. In fact, just over eighty percent of Emirati workers hold government posts, with many of the rest taking part in state-owned enterprises such as [[Emirates (airline)|Emirates airlines]] and [[Dubai Properties]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Krane |first=Jim |title=City of Gold: Dubai and the Dream of Capitalism |place=New York |publisher=St. Martin's Press |year=2009 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/cityofgolddubaid0000kran/page/267 267–270] |isbn=978-0-312-53574-2 |url=https://archive.org/details/cityofgolddubaid0000kran/page/267 }}</ref>
The UAE's monetary policy stresses stability and predictability, as the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) keeps a peg to the US Dollar (USD) and moves interest rates close to the Federal Funds Rate. This policy makes sense in the current situation of global and regional economic and geopolitical uncertainty. Also considering the fact that exports have become the main driver of the UAE's economic growth (the contribution of international trade to GDP grew from 31% in 2017 to 33.5% in 2018, outpacing overall GDP growth for the period), and the fact that the AED is currently undervalued, a departure from this policy – and particularly the peg – would negatively affect this important part of the UAE economy in the short term. In the mid- to long term, however, the peg will become less important, as the UAE transitions to a knowledge-based economy – and becomes yet more independent from the oil and gas sector (oil is currently still being traded not in AED, but in USD). On the contrary, it will become more and more important for the Government to have monetary policy at its free disposal to target inflation, shun too heavy reliance on taxes, and avoid situations where decisions on exchange rates and interest rates contradict fiscal policy measures – as has been the case in recent years, where monetary policy has limited fiscal policy effects on economic expansion.<ref name=":2" />
According to [[Fitch Ratings]], the decline in property sector follows risks of progressively worsening the quality of assets in possession with UAE banks, leading the economy to rougher times ahead. Even though as compared to retail and property, UAE banks fared well. The higher US interest rates followed since 2016 – which the UAE currency complies to – have boosted profitability. However, the likelihood of plunging interest rates and increasing provisioning costs on bad loans, point to difficult times ahead for the [[economy]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/3d537bae-cf30-11e9-b018-ca4456540ea6|title= UAE banks prepare for rough ride ahead|access-date=18 October 2019|website=Financial Times|date= 18 October 2019|last1= Kerr|first1= Simeon}}</ref>
[[File:Dubai Marina Skyline.jpg|thumb|left|[[Dubai Marina]] Skyline]]
Since 2015, economic growth has been more mixed due to a number of factors impacting both demand and supply. In 2017 and 2018 growth has been positive but on a low level of 0.8 and 1.4%, respectively. To support the economy the Government is currently following an expansionary fiscal policy. However, the effects of this policy are partially offset by monetary policy, which has been contractionary. If not for the fiscal stimulus in 2018, the UAE economy would probably have contracted in that year. One of the factors responsible for slower growth has been a credit crunch, which is due to, among other factors, higher interest rates. Government debt has remained on a low level, despite high deficits in a few recent years. Risks related to government debt remain low. Inflation has been picking up in 2017 and 18. Contributing factors were the introduction of a value added tax (VAT) of 5% in 2018 as well as higher commodity prices. Despite the Government's expansionary fiscal policy and a growing economy in 2018 and at the beginning of 2019, prices have been dropping in late 2018 and 2019 owing to oversupply in some sectors of importance to consumer prices.<ref name=":2" />
The UAE has an attractive tax system for companies and wealthy individuals, making it a preferred destination for companies seeking [[tax avoidance]]. The NGO [[Tax Justice Network]] places them in 2021 in the group of the ten largest [[tax havens]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1254738/les-emirats-arabes-unis-dans-le-top-10-des-paradis-fiscaux-selon-une-ong.html|title=Les Emirats arabes unis dans le top 10 des paradis fiscaux, selon une ONG|date=9 March 2021|website=L'Orient-Le Jour}}</ref>
===Oil and gas===
[[File:ADNOC Refining Ruwais Site-187.jpg|thumb|[[Ruwais Refinery]] is the fourth-largest single-site oil refinery in the world and the biggest in the Middle East.]]
The UAE leadership has driven forward economic diversification efforts already before the oil price crash in the 1980s, and the UAE is nowadays the most diversified economy in the [[MENA|Middle East and North Africa]] (MENA) region. Although the oil and gas sector does still play an important role in the UAE economy, these efforts have paid off in terms of great resilience during periods of oil price fluctuations and economic turbulence.
In 2018, the oil and gas sector contributed 26% to overall GDP. The introduction of the [[Value-added tax|VAT]] has provided the Government with an additional source of income – approximately 6% of the total revenue in 2018, or 27 billion [[United Arab Emirates dirham|United Arab Emirates Dirham]] (AED) – affording its fiscal policy more independence from oil- and gas-related revenue, which constitutes about 36% of the total government revenue. While the government may still adjust the exact arrangement of the VAT, it is not likely that any new taxes will be introduced in the foreseeable future. Additional taxes would destroy one of the UAE's main enticements for businesses to operate in the country and put a heavy burden on the economy.<ref name=":2" /> The UAE [[List of countries by carbon dioxide emissions per capita|emits a lot of carbon dioxide per person]] compared to other countries.<ref>{{cite web|title=EDGAR - The Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research|url=https://edgar.jrc.ec.europa.eu/report_2020#emissions_table|access-date=2021-04-24|website=edgar.jrc.ec.europa.eu}}</ref> The [[Barakah nuclear power plant]] is the first on the Arabian peninsula and expected to reduce the carbon footprint of the country.<ref>Reuters.  (19 January 2022). "Unit 2 of UAE’s Barakah nuclear plant to start operations within months: ENEC CEO". [https://english.alarabiya.net/business/energy/2022/01/19/Unit-2-of-UAE-s-Barakah-nuclear-plant-to-start-operations-within-months-ENEC-CEO Al Arabiya website] Retrieved 22 January 2022.</ref>
===Tourism===
{{main|Tourism in the United Arab Emirates}}
[[File:Dubai Marina Beach Panorama.jpg|thumb|left|[[Dubai Marina]] Beach]]
Tourism acts as a growth sector for the entire UAE economy. [[Dubai]] is the top tourism destination in the Middle East.<ref name="tdb" /> According to the annual MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index, Dubai is the fifth most popular tourism destination in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gulfbusiness.com/2014/07/dubai-ranks-fifth-among-top-global-destinations-travellers/|title=Dubai Ranks Fifth Among Top Global Destinations For Travellers|work=Gulf Business|date=10 July 2014|access-date=4 February 2016|archive-date=17 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017061651/http://gulfbusiness.com/2014/07/dubai-ranks-fifth-among-top-global-destinations-travellers/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Dubai holds up to 66% share of the UAE's tourism economy, with [[Abu Dhabi]] having 16% and [[Sharjah]] 10%. Dubai welcomed 10 million tourists in 2013.
The UAE has the most advanced and developed infrastructure in the region.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theprospectgroup.com/infrastructure-in-the-united-arab-emirates-uae-81876/|title=Infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)|work=The Prospect Group}}</ref> Since the 1980s, the UAE has been spending billions of dollars on infrastructure. These developments are particularly evident in the larger emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The northern emirates are rapidly following suit, providing major incentives for developers of residential and commercial property.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slideshare.net/arunkodiyeri/uae-yearbook-2009 |title=UAE yearbook 2009 |publisher=Slideshare.net |date=13 April 2009 }}</ref><ref name="Topic: Tourism industry of the UAE">{{cite web|title=Topic: Tourism industry of the UAE|url=https://www.statista.com/topics/4643/tourism-industry-of-the-uae/|access-date=2021-07-31|website=Statista|language=en}}</ref>
The inbound tourism expenditure in the UAE for 2019 accounted for 118.6 percent share of the outbound tourism expenditure.<ref name="Topic: Tourism industry of the UAE"/> Since January 6, 2020, tourist visas to the United Arab Emirates are valid for five years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessliveme.com/uae/uae-offers-5-year-tourist-visa-as-neighbors-vie-for-visitors/|title=UAE Offers 5-Year Tourist Visa as Neighbors Vie for Visitors|access-date=7 January 2020|website=Business Live Middle East|date=7 January 2020}}</ref> It has been projected that the travel and tourism industry will contribute about 280.6 billion United Arab Emirati dirham to the UAE's GDP by 2028.<ref name="Topic: Tourism industry of the UAE"/>
===Transport===
{{Main|Transport in the United Arab Emirates}}
====Air====
{{Multiple image
| align    = right
| direction = horizontal
| width    =
| image1    = Emirates Airbus A380 (A6-EDS) departs London Heathrow 11April2015.jpg
| width1    = 190
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| caption1  = [[Emirates (airline)|Emirates]], one of the world's largest airlines based in [[Dubai]].
| image2    = Etihad Airways - Airbus A380-861.jpg
| width2    = 210
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| caption2  = [[Etihad Airways]], second largest airline in UAE based in [[Abu Dhabi]].
}}
[[Dubai International Airport]] became the [[World's busiest airports by international passenger traffic|busiest airport in the world by international passenger traffic]] in 2014, overtaking [[Heathrow Airport|London Heathrow]].<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/11372616/Dubai-overtakes-Heathrow-to-become-worlds-busiest-airport.html|title = Dubai Overtakes Heathrow To Become World's Busiest|last = Anderson|first = Elizabeth|date = 27 January 2015|work = The Telegraph|access-date = 12 February 2015}}</ref>
====Highways====
[[File:Dubai Roads on 8 May 2008 Pict 2.jpg|thumb|[[E 311 road (United Arab Emirates)|E 311]], one of major roads in the UAE.]]
[[Abu Dhabi]], [[Dubai]], [[Sharjah]], [[Ajman]], [[Umm Al Quwain]], and [[Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah|Ras Al Khaimah]] are connected by the [[E 11 road (United Arab Emirates)|E11 highway]], which is the longest road in the UAE. In Dubai, in addition to the [[Dubai Metro]], The [[Dubai Tram]] and [[Palm Jumeirah Monorail]] also connect specific parts of the city. There is also a bus, taxi, abra and water taxi network run by RTA. [[Dubai Trolley|T1]], a double-decker tram system in [[Downtown Dubai]], were operational from 2015 to 2019.
Salik, meaning "open" or "clear", is Dubai's electronic toll collection system that was launched in July 2007 and is part of Dubai's traffic congestion management system. Each time one passes through a Salik tolling point, a toll is deducted from the drivers' prepaid toll account using advanced Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. There are four Salik tolling points placed in strategic locations in Dubai: at Al Maktoum Bridge, Al Garhoud Bridge, and along Sheikh Zayed Road at Al Safa and Al Barsha.<ref>{{cite web|last=Salik|title=Home|url=https://www.salik.rta.ae/en|access-date=2021-08-02|website=Salik|language=en}}</ref>
====Eligibility to drive====
Individual customers, citizens and residents, who are above the legal age and medically fit, are eligible to get a driving learning permit and apply for a new driving licence. The minimum age requirement to obtain a driving licence depends on the vehicle, for which you are obtaining the licence. The minimum age requirement is as follows:<ref>{{cite web|title=Getting a driving licence - The Official Portal of the UAE Government|url=https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/transportation/get-a-driving-licence|access-date=2021-08-03|website=u.ae|language=en}}</ref>
* 17 years for motorcycles and for vehicles for people with special needs
* 18 years for cars and light vehicles
* 20 years for heavy vehicles and tractors
* 21 years for buses.
====Rail====
[[File:5018 Dubai Metro in Dubai UAE.png|thumb|A [[Dubai Metro]] train. Dubai Metro is the Arabian peninsula's first [[rapid transit]] system and was the world's longest driverless metro network until 2016.]]
A {{convert|1200|km|mi|abbr=on}} [[Rail transport in the United Arab Emirates|country-wide railway]] is under construction which will connect all the major cities and ports.<ref name="IRJMar12">{{cite news|url=http://www.railjournal.com/index.php/freight/from-sand-to-sea.html|title=From sand to sea|work=International Railway Journal|date=21 March 2012}}</ref> The Dubai Metro is the first urban train network in the Arabian Peninsula.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8247330.stm|title=Will metro change Dubai car culture?|date=11 September 2009|work=BBC News}}</ref>
====Sea====
The major ports of the United Arab Emirates are [[Khalifa Port]], [[Zayed Port]], Port [[Jebel Ali]], [[Port Rashid]], [[Port Khalid]], [[Port Saeed]], and Port Khor Fakkan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uae.gov.ae/Government/ports.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080714124311/http://www.uae.gov.ae/Government/ports.htm|archive-date=14 July 2008 |title=UAE Ports |publisher=Uae.gov.ae }}</ref>
The Emirates are increasingly developing their logistics and ports in order to participate in trade between Europe and China or Africa. For this purpose, ports are being rapidly expanded and investments are being made in their technology.
The Emirates have historically been and currently still are part of the Maritime [[Silk Road]] that runs from the Chinese coast to the south via the southern tip of India to [[Mombasa]], from there through the Red Sea via the [[Suez Canal]] to the Mediterranean, there to the Upper Adriatic region and the northern Italian hub of [[Trieste]] with its rail connections to [[Central Europe]], Eastern Europe and the [[North Sea]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/wadeshepard/2017/08/02/next-up-abu-dhabi-chinas-maritime-silk-road-breaks-into-the-middle-east/|title=Next Up On China's Maritime Silk Road: Abu Dhabi|first=Wade|last=Shepard|website=Forbes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1418636/business-economy|title=China flags up UAE as Silk Road mega-hub with $300m port deal|date=10 December 2018|website=Arab News}}</ref>
=== Telecommunications ===
The UAE is served by two [[telecommunication]]s operators, [[Etisalat]] and [[Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company]] ("du"). Etisalat operated a [[monopoly]] until du launched mobile services in February 2007.<ref name=etisalatmon>{{cite web|url=http://opennet.net/sites/opennet.net/files/united_arab_emirates.pdf |title=United Arab Emirates |work=OpenNet Interactive }}</ref> Internet subscribers were expected to increase from 0.904 million in 2007 to 2.66 million in 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://emiratesseo.com/uae-telecom-market-grows-competition/ |title=UAE telecom market grows with competition &#124; Mobile telecomms report |publisher=Ameinfo.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141214221608/http://emiratesseo.com/uae-telecom-market-grows-competition/ |archive-date=14 December 2014 }}</ref> The regulator, the [[Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (UAE)|Telecommunications Regulatory Authority]], mandates filtering websites for religious, political and sexual content.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/uae-reports-high-website-censorship |title=UAE reports high website censorship|work=The National Newspaper |date=12 June 2009 }}</ref>
[[5G]] wireless services were installed nationwide in 2019 through a partnership with [[Huawei]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/technology/uae-ready-for-fast-lane-with-5g---|title=UAE ready for fast lane with 5G in 2019|author=Khaleej Times|date=17 February 2019}}</ref>
==Culture==
{{Main|Culture of the United Arab Emirates}}{{See also|Emirati dialect}}
[[File:UAE Folk Dance- Khaliji.jpg|thumb|An Emirati folk dance, the women flip their hair sideways in brightly coloured traditional dress.]]
Emirati culture is based on [[Arabian culture]] and has been influenced by the cultures of [[Persians|Persia]], [[India]], and [[East Africa]].<ref name="folk"/> Arabian and [[Persian architecture|Arabian inspired architecture]] is part of the expression of the local Emirati identity.<ref name="loc">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SkCtS-n7GEEC&pg=PA430 |title=Handbook of Islamic Marketing|page=430|quote=Arabian and Persian inspired architecture is part of the expression of a 'local' identity|isbn=978-0857936028|last1=Sandıkcı|first1=Özlem|last2=Rice|first2=Gillian|year= 2011}}</ref> Arabian influence on Emirati culture is noticeably visible in traditional Emirati architecture and [[folk arts]].<ref name="folk">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UMldAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA167 |title=Folklore and Folklife in the United Arab Emirates|page=167 |isbn=978-1136849077|last1=Hurriez|first1=Sayyid Hamid|year=2013}}</ref> For example, the distinctive wind tower which tops traditional Emirati buildings, the ''[[barjeel]]'' has become an identifying mark of Emirati architecture and is attributed to Arabian influence.<ref name="folk"/> This influence is derived both from traders who fled the tax regime in Persia in the early 19th century and from Emirati ownership of ports on the Arabian coast, for instance the Al Qassimi port of Lingeh.<ref>{{Cite book|title=United Arab Emirates: A New Perspective|last=Hellyer|first=Peter|publisher=Trident|year=2001|isbn=978-1900724470|page=181}}</ref>
[[File:Haribya Band.jpg|thumb|left|A band performs [[Yowlah]] in an Emirati wedding. Yowlah is a cultural dance derived from Arab tribes sword battles.]]
The United Arab Emirates has a diverse society.<ref name=migrationinformation>{{cite web|url=https://www.migrationpolicy.org/programs/migration-information-source|title=Migration Information Source|website=migrationpolicy.org}}</ref> Dubai's economy depends more on international trade and tourism, and is more open to visitors, while Abu Dhabi society is more domestic as the city's economy is focused on fossil fuel extraction.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/coronavirus-united-arab-emirates-dubai-abu-dhabi/2020/07/12/23fbfef2-bf89-11ea-8908-68a2b9eae9e0_story.html Rivals Dubai and Abu Dhabi tackle coronavirus in very different ways]</ref>
Major holidays in the United Arab Emirates include ''[[Eid ul-Fitr|Eid al Fitr]]'', which marks the end of ''[[Ramadan]]'', and [[National Day (United Arab Emirates)|National Day]] (2 December), which marks the formation of the United Arab Emirates.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gowealthy.com/gowealthy/wcms/en/home/articles/entertainment/events-and-festivals/Official-holidays-in-UAE-kvOQ0zrKKl.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503011056/http://www.gowealthy.com/gowealthy/wcms/en/home/articles/entertainment/events-and-festivals/Official-holidays-in-UAE-kvOQ0zrKKl.html|archive-date=3 May 2008 |title=Official holidays in UAE |publisher=Gowealthy.com }}</ref> Emirati males prefer to wear a [[thawb|kandura]], an ankle-length white tunic woven from wool or cotton, and Emirati women wear an [[abaya]], a black over-garment that covers most parts of the body.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.grapeshisha.com/about-uae/uae-clothing.html |title=UAE National Clothing |publisher=Grapeshisha.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104204209/http://www.grapeshisha.com/about-uae/uae-clothing.html |archive-date=4 January 2012 }}</ref>
Ancient Emirati poetry was strongly influenced by the eighth-century Arab scholar Al Khalil bin Ahmed. The earliest known poet in the UAE is [[Ibn Majid]], born between 1432 and 1437 in Ras Al-Khaimah. The most famous Emirati writers were Mubarak Al Oqaili (1880–1954), Salem bin Ali al Owais (1887–1959) and Ahmed bin Sulayem (1905–1976). Three other poets from Sharjah, known as the Hirah group, are observed to have been heavily influenced by the Apollo and [[Romantic poetry|Romantic poets]].<ref name=poetry>{{cite web|url=http://www.visitabudhabi.ae/en/what.to.do/art.and.culture/literature.and.poetry.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008014601/http://www.visitabudhabi.ae/en/what.to.do/art.and.culture/literature.and.poetry.aspx |archive-date=8 October 2011 |title=Literature and poetry |publisher=Visitabudhabi.ae |date=1 July 2009 }}</ref> The [[Sharjah International Book Fair]] is the oldest and largest in the country.
The [[list of museums in the United Arab Emirates]] includes some of regional repute, most famously [[Sharjah (city)|Sharjah]] with its Heritage District containing 17 museums,<ref>[http://www.sharjahmuseums.ae/ Sharjah Museums Department] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110222082532/http://www.sharjahmuseums.ae/ |date=22 February 2011 }}. sharjahmuseums.ae</ref> which in 1998 was the Cultural Capital of the Arab World.<ref>{{cite web|date=18 October 2009 |url=http://www.sharjahtourism.ae/en/category/about-sharjah/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202124611/http://www.sharjahtourism.ae/en/category/about-sharjah/ |archive-date=2 February 2009 |title=About Sharjah&nbsp;– Sharjah Commerce Tourism Development Authority |publisher=Sharjahtourism.ae}}</ref> In Dubai, the area of [[Al Quoz]] has attracted a number of art galleries as well as museums such as the [[Salsali Private Museum]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Dubai FAQs |url=http://www.dubaifaqs.com/art-galleries-in-dubai.php |title=Art Galleries Dubai |publisher=Dubaifaqs.com }}</ref> Abu Dhabi has established a culture district on [[Saadiyat Island]]. Six grand projects are planned, including the [[Guggenheim Abu Dhabi]] and the [[Louvre Abu Dhabi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saadiyat.ae/en/cultural.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120730122944/http://www.saadiyat.ae/en/cultural.html|archive-date=30 July 2012 |title=Saadiyat Island&nbsp;– Island of Happiness |publisher=Saadiyat.ae |date=19 March 2009}}</ref> Dubai also plans to build a [[Kunsthal]] museum and a district for galleries and artists.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arabianbusiness.com/dubai-eyeing-new-fashion-design-district-17269.html|author=Irish, John and Walid, Tamara |title=Dubai eyeing new fashion, design district |publisher=ArabianBusiness.com |date=11 June 2009 }}</ref>
Emirati culture is a part of the [[culture of Eastern Arabia]]. [[Liwa (music)|Liwa]] is a type of music and dance performed locally, mainly in communities that contain descendants of [[Bantu peoples]] from the [[African Great Lakes]] region.<ref name=poetry/> The [[Dubai Desert Rock Festival]] is also another major festival consisting of heavy metal and rock artists.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.desertrockfestival.com/?page_id=6 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100119083259/http://www.desertrockfestival.com/?page_id=6 |archive-date=19 January 2010 |title=Festival Info |publisher=DesertRockFestival.com }}</ref> The [[cinema of the United Arab Emirates]] is minimal but expanding.
===Cuisine===
{{Main|Emirati cuisine}}
[[File:Luqaimat.jpg|thumb|190px|[[Arabic coffee]] with [[lugaimat]]; a traditional Emirati sweet.]]
The traditional food of the Emirates has always been rice, fish and meat. The people of the United Arab Emirates have adopted most of their foods from other West and South Asian countries including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, India and Oman. Seafood has been the mainstay of the Emirati diet for centuries. Meat and rice are other staple foods, with [[lamb and mutton]] preferred to goat and beef. Popular beverages are coffee and tea, which can be complemented with [[cardamom]], [[saffron]], or [[Spearmint|mint]] to give them a distinctive flavour.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uaeinteract.com/travel/food.asp |title=UAE Travel& Tourism: Food & Drink |work=UAEinteract |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611160248/http://www.uaeinteract.com/travel/food.asp |archive-date=11 June 2009 }}</ref>
Popular cultural Emirati dishes include ''threed'', ''machboos'', ''khubisa'', ''khameer'' and ''chabab'' bread among others while [[lugaimat]] is a famous Emirati dessert.<ref>{{cite web|last=Samtani|first=Kumar|date=2018-01-08|title=7 Traditional Emirati Dishes to Try in Dubai|url=https://eatyourworld.com/blog/7-traditional-emirati-dishes-to-try-in-dubai/|access-date=2021-08-18|website=Eat Your World Blog|language=en-US}}</ref>
With the influence of western culture, fast food has become very popular among young people, to the extent that campaigns have been held to highlight the dangers of fast food excesses.<ref>[http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/the-uae-s-big-fat-problem-1.1050951 The UAE's big fat problem]. ''Gulf News''. (19 July 2012). Retrieved 26 January 2014.</ref> Alcohol is allowed to be served only in hotel restaurants and bars. All nightclubs are permitted to sell alcohol. Specific supermarkets may sell alcohol, but these products are sold in separate sections. Likewise, pork, which is [[haram]] (not permitted for Muslims), is sold in separate sections in all major supermarkets. Note that although alcohol may be consumed, it is illegal to be intoxicated in public or drive a motor vehicle with any trace of alcohol in the blood.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alloexpat.com/abu_dhabi_expat_forum/alcohol-and-pork-licenses-t6912.html |title=Alcohol and Pork Licenses |publisher=Alloexpat.com |date=30 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090805054659/http://www.alloexpat.com/abu_dhabi_expat_forum/alcohol-and-pork-licenses-t6912.html |archive-date=5 August 2009 }}</ref>
===Sports===
{{Main|Sport in the United Arab Emirates}}
[[File:Yas Marina Circuit, October 12, 2018 SkySat (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|[[Yas Marina Circuit]] in [[Abu Dhabi]]]]
[[Formula One]] is particularly popular in the United Arab Emirates, and a Grand Prix is annually held at the [[Yas Marina Circuit]] in [[Yas Island]] in Abu Dhabi. The race takes place in the evening, and was the first ever Grand Prix to start in daylight and finish at night.<ref>{{cite news|title=Abu Dhabi confirms 5pm race start|url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/78061|work=Autosport|date=28 August 2009}}</ref> Other popular sports include [[camel racing]], [[falconry]], [[endurance riding]], and [[tennis]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uae.gov.ae/Government/sports.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611135303/http://www.uae.gov.ae/Government/sports.htm|archive-date=11 June 2008 |title=UAE Sports |publisher=Uae.gov.ae }}</ref> The emirate of [[Dubai]] is also home to two major [[golf]] courses: the [[Dubai Golf Club]] and [[Emirates Golf Club]].
In the past, child camel jockeys were used, leading to widespread criticism. Eventually, the UAE passed laws banning the use of children for the sport, leading to the prompt removal of almost all child jockeys.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4063391.stm Middle East | Help for Gulf child camel jockeys]. BBC News (2 December 2004). Retrieved 10 October 2015.</ref> Recently robot jockeys have been introduced to overcome the problem of child camel jockeys which was an issue of human rights violations. [[Ansar Burney]] is often praised for the work he has done in this area.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/archive/print/308742-ansar-burney-%E2%80%94-a-true-champion-of-human-rights|title=Ansar Burney – a true champion of human rights|access-date=19 July 2018|archive-date=23 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191123143428/https://www.thenews.com.pk/archive/print/308742-ansar-burney-%E2%80%94-a-true-champion-of-human-rights|url-status=dead}}</ref>
====Football====
{{further|Football in the United Arab Emirates}}
[[File:Abu Dhabi Zayed Sports City Stadium 1.jpg|thumb|[[Zayed Sports City Stadium]] in [[Abu Dhabi]].]]
[[Association football|Football]] is a popular sport in the UAE. [[Al-Nasr Dubai SC|Al Nasr]], [[Al Ain Club|Al Ain]], [[Al Wasl FC|Al Wasl]], [[Sharjah FC|Sharjah]], [[Al Wahda FC|Al Wahda]], and [[Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai FC|Shabab Al Ahli]] are the most popular teams and enjoy the reputation of long-time regional champions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indexuae.com/Top/Recreation_and_Sports/Clubs |title=Clubs, Sports Clubs UAE United Arab Emirates |publisher=Indexuae.com |access-date=8 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090717173430/http://www.indexuae.com/Top/Recreation_and_Sports/Clubs |archive-date=17 July 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[United Arab Emirates Football Association]] was established in 1971 and since then has dedicated its time and effort to promoting the game, organising [[youth program]]mes and improving the abilities of not only its players, but also the officials and coaches involved with its regional teams. The [[United Arab Emirates national football team|UAE]] qualified for the [[FIFA World Cup]] in [[1990 FIFA World Cup|1990]], along with [[Egypt national football team|Egypt]]. It was the third consecutive World Cup with two Arab nations qualifying, after [[Kuwait national football team|Kuwait]] and [[Algeria national football team|Algeria]] in [[1982 FIFA World Cup|1982]], and [[Iraq national football team|Iraq]] and Algeria again in [[1986 FIFA World Cup|1986]]. The UAE has won the [[Gulf Cup of Nations|Gulf Cup Championship]] twice: the first cup won in January 2007 held in [[Abu Dhabi]] and the second in January 2013, held in [[Bahrain]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gulfnews.com/indepth/gulfcup2007/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070318080035/http://www.gulfnews.com/indepth/gulfcup2007/index.html |archive-date=18 March 2007 |title=Gulf Cup 2007 |work=Gulf News }}</ref> The country hosted the [[2019 AFC Asian Cup]]. The UAE team went all the way to the semi-finals, where they were defeated by the eventual champions, [[Qatar national football team|Qatar]].
====Cricket====
{{further|Cricket in the United Arab Emirates|List of cricket grounds in the United Arab Emirates}}
[[File:Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium-01.jpg|thumb|left|[[Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium]] in Abu Dhabi]]
[[Cricket]] is one of the most popular sports in the UAE, largely because of the expatriate population from the [[SAARC]] countries, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The headquarters of the [[International Cricket Council]] (ICC) have been located in the [[Dubai Sports City]] complex since 2005, including the [[ICC Academy]] which was established in 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/icc-headquarters-to-stay-in-dubai/story-QDVppxrQuTZBM6hBHABuIP.html|title=ICC headquarters to stay in Dubai|newspaper=Hindustan Times|date=14 October 2010|access-date=6 November 2021}}</ref> There are a number of international cricket venues in the UAE, which are frequently used for international tournaments and "neutral" bilateral series due to the local climate and Dubai's status as a transport hub. Notable international tournaments hosted by the UAE have included the [[2014 Under-19 Cricket World Cup]], the [[2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup]], and three editions of the [[Asia Cup]] ([[1984 Asia Cup|1984]], [[1995 Asia Cup|1995]] and [[2018 Asia Cup|2018]]). Notable grounds include the [[Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium]] in [[Sharjah]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cricketeurope4.net/CRICKETEUROPE/GENERAL/TIMELINES/uae.shtml |title=UAE Cricket Timeline |publisher=Cricketeurope4.net |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709093903/http://www.cricketeurope4.net/CRICKETEUROPE/GENERAL/TIMELINES/uae.shtml |archive-date=9 July 2012 }}</ref> [[Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium]] in [[Abu Dhabi]], and [[Dubai International Cricket Stadium]] in Dubai.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/other/content/ground/country.html?country=27 |title=Cricinfo&nbsp;– Grounds&nbsp;– United Arab Emirates |work=Content-uk.cricinfo.com |date=17 June 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106155437/http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/other/content/ground/country.html?country=27 |archive-date=6 January 2009 }}</ref>
The [[Emirates Cricket Board]] (ECB) became a member of the ICC in 1990. The [[United Arab Emirates national cricket team|UAE national cricket team]] has qualified for the [[Cricket World Cup]] on two occasions ([[1996 Cricket World Cup|1996]] and [[2015 Cricket World Cup|2015]])<ref>{{cite web |author=Nayar, K.R. |url=http://gulfnews.com/sport/cricket/not-stumped-by-uae-cricket-issues-khan-1.130154 |title=Not stumped by UAE cricket issues&nbsp;– Khan |work=Gulf News |date=6 September 2008 |access-date=1 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406013456/http://gulfnews.com/sport/cricket/not-stumped-by-uae-cricket-issues-khan-1.130154 |archive-date=6 April 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icc-cricket.com/cricket-world-cup/qualification/qualification-overview|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104135014/http://www.icc-cricket.com/cricket-world-cup/qualification/qualification-overview|url-status=dead|title=Qualification – Cricket World Cup 2015 Qualifier &#124; ICC|archive-date=4 November 2013}}</ref> and the [[ICC Men's T20 World Cup]] on one occasion ([[2014 ICC World Twenty20|2014]]).  The [[United Arab Emirates women's national cricket team|national women's team]] is similarly one of the strongest associate teams in Asia, notably participating in the [[2018 ICC Women's World Twenty20 Qualifier]].
Following the [[2009 attack on the Sri Lanka national cricket team]], the UAE served as the ''de facto'' home of the [[Pakistan national cricket team]] for nearly a decade, as well as hosting the [[Pakistan Super League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/pakistan-not-to-play-home-matches-in-uae-anymore-pcb-ceo/story-tYo1UuA3czorquuVluZzxL.html|title=Pakistan not to play home matches in UAE anymore: PCB CEO|date=24 September 2019|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2018-12-15|title=UAE to host matches for Pakistan Super League next year|url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/1421216/sport|access-date=2021-02-19|website=Arab News|language=en}}</ref> The UAE has also hosted one full edition of [[Indian Premier League]] (IPL) in 2020 and two partial editions of the [[Indian Premier League]] (IPL)  in 2014 and 2021.<ref>{{cite web|date=2020-08-02|title=IPL 2020 to be held from September 19 to November 10|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/ipl-2020-to-be-held-in-uae-from-september-19-to-november-10/story-GeHbVaf1f4zv07p3V8RGwO.html|access-date=2021-05-09|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref>
==Education==
{{Main|Education in the United Arab Emirates}}
[[File:UniversityCityHall.jpg|thumb|left|University City Hall is the largest hall located in [[Sharjah University City|University City]] in [[Sharjah]]. Graduation ceremonies of [[American University of Sharjah]], [[University of Sharjah]], and [[Higher Colleges of Technology]] are notably held here.]]
[[File:Abu Dhabi University 2013 03 13 (8582695329).jpg|thumb|[[Abu Dhabi University]]]]
The [[education|education system]] through secondary level is monitored by the Ministry of Education in all emirates except Abu Dhabi, where it falls under the authority of the [[Abu Dhabi Education Council]]. It consists of [[primary school]]s, [[middle school]]s and [[High Schools|high schools]]. The public schools are government-funded and the curriculum is created to match the United Arab Emirates' development goals. The medium of instruction in the public school is Arabic with emphasis on English as a second language. There are also many private schools which are internationally accredited. [[Public school (government funded)|Public schools]] in the country are free for citizens of the UAE, while the fees for private schools vary.
The higher education system is monitored by the Ministry of Higher Education. The ministry also is responsible for admitting students to its [[undergraduate education|undergraduate]] institutions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aud.edu/Admissions/undergraduate_req.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101224200815/http://aud.edu/Admissions/undergraduate_req.asp |archive-date=24 December 2010 |title=American University in Dubai. Undergraduate : Admission |work=Aud.edu }}</ref> The adult literacy rate in 2015 was 93.8%.<ref>{{cite web |title=Middle East :: United Arab Emirates – The World Factbook – Central Intelligence Agency |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/united-arab-emirates/ |website=www.cia.gov |access-date=29 October 2019}}</ref>
The UAE has shown a strong interest in improving education and research. Enterprises include the establishment of the [[CERT Group of Companies|CERT]] Research Centres and the [[Masdar Institute of Science and Technology]] and Institute for Enterprise Development.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.masdar.ac.ae/institute/index.aspx?mi=mi |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080731123515/http://www.masdar.ac.ae/institute/index.aspx?mi=mi |archive-date=31 July 2008 |title=MASDAR &#124; Profile |work=Web.archive.org |date=31 July 2008 }}</ref> According to the QS Rankings, the top-ranking universities in the country are the [[United Arab Emirates University]] (421–430th worldwide), [[Khalifa University]]<ref>[http://www.topuniversities.com/universities/khalifa-university/undergrad Khalifa University | Undergraduate]. Top Universities. Retrieved 10 October 2015.</ref> (441–450th worldwide), the [[American University of Sharjah]] (431–440th) and [[University of Sharjah]] (551–600th worldwide).<ref>[http://www.topuniversities.com/node/4392/ranking-details/world-university-rankings/2013 American University of Sharjah Rankings]. Top Universities. Retrieved 26 November 2015.</ref> United Arab Emirates was ranked 33rd in the [[Global Innovation Index]] in 2021, up from 36th in 2019.<ref name="auto1"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Global Innovation Index 2019|url=https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2019/index.html|access-date=2021-09-02|website=www.wipo.int|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=RTD - Item|url=https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/rtd/items/691898|access-date=2021-09-02|website=ec.europa.eu}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=2013-10-28|title=Global Innovation Index|url=https://knowledge.insead.edu/entrepreneurship-innovation/global-innovation-index-2930|access-date=2021-09-02|website=INSEAD Knowledge|language=en}}</ref>
==Demographics==
{{Main|Demographics of the United Arab Emirates}}
[[File:Palm jumeirah core.jpg|thumb|Residential villas in the [[Palm Jumeirah]] palm fronds in [[Dubai]].]]
According to an estimate by the World Bank, the UAE's population in 2020 was 9,890,400. Immigrants accounted for 88.52% while Emiratis made up the remaining 11.48%.<ref>{{cite web|title=UAE Population Statistics|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=AE|url-status=live}}</ref> This unique imbalance is due to the country's exceptionally high [[net migration rate]] of 21.71, the [[List of countries by net migration rate|world's highest]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2112rank.html?countryName=India&countryCode=in&regionCode=sas&rank=85#in |title=Net migration rate |publisher=Cia.gov |access-date=9 March 2010 |archive-date=8 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308042938/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2112rank.html?countryName=India&countryCode=in&regionCode=sas&rank=85#in |url-status=dead }}</ref> UAE citizenship is very difficult to obtain other than by [[filiation]] and only granted under very special circumstances.<ref>{{cite web |title=UAE nationality |url=https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/passports-and-traveling/uae-nationality |website=u.ae |access-date=10 December 2020}}</ref>
The UAE is ethnically diverse. The five most populous nationalities in the emirates of Dubai, Sharjah, and Ajman are Indian (25%), Pakistani (12%), Emirati (9%), Bangladeshi (7%), and Filipino (5%).<ref>{{cite web|title = Indians, Pakistanis make up 23% of Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman population|url = http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/society/indians-pakistanis-make-up-37-of-dubai-sharjah-ajman-population-1.1562336|website = gulfnews.com|access-date = 7 August 2015}}</ref>  Immigrants from Europe, Australia, Northern America and Latin America make up 500,000 of the population.<ref name="arabianbusiness.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.arabianbusiness.com/uae-population-hits-6m-emiratis-make-up-16-5--12137.html|title=UAE population hits 6m, Emiratis make up 16.5%|author=Sambidge, Andy|date=7 October 2009|publisher=ArabianBusiness.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Mcintosh |first=Lindsay |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/terror_red_alert_for_100_000_british_expats_in_dubai_1_1173062 |title=Terror red alert for 100,000 British expats in Dubai |work=The Scotsman |date=16 June 2008 }}</ref> More than 100,000 British nationals live in the country.<ref>{{cite news|author=Whittell, Giles  |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article7061449.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100525100904/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article7061449.ece |archive-date=25 May 2010 |title=British pair face jail for kissing in Dubai restaurant |work=The Times |date=15 March 2010}}</ref> The rest of the population are from other [[Arab World|Arab states]].<ref name="WorldFactbook">{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/united-arab-emirates/|title=United Arab Emirates|work=CIA World Factbook|date=10 May 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.arabnews.com/?page=7&section=0&article=53888&d=3&m=11&y=2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709123331/http://archive.arabnews.com/?page=7&section=0&article=53888&d=3&m=11&y=2004|archive-date=9 July 2012|title=Editorial: The Ideal Prince |publisher=Arabnews.com |date=3 November 2004 }}</ref>
About 88% of the population of the United Arab Emirates is urban.<ref>{{cite web|title=Table 3.10 Urbanization |work=World Development Indicators |url=http://devdata.worldbank.org/wdipdfs/table3_10.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090325215156/http://devdata.worldbank.org/wdipdfs/table3_10.pdf |archive-date=25 March 2009 |url-status=unfit }}</ref> The average [[List of countries by life expectancy|life expectancy]] was 76.7 in 2012, higher than for any other Arab country.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2102rank.html?countryName=United%20Arab%20Emirates&countryCode=ae&regionCode=mde&rank=71#ae |title=Life expectancy at birth |work=The World Factbook |access-date=14 September 2012 |archive-date=6 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306230455/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2102rank.html?countryName=United%20Arab%20Emirates&countryCode=ae&regionCode=mde&rank=71#ae |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="uaeinteract2">{{cite web |url=http://www.uaeinteract.com/docs/Average_life_expectancy_in_UAE_rises_to_75_years/7752.htm |title=Average life expectancy in UAE rises to 75 years |publisher=Uaeinteract.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611161529/http://www.uaeinteract.com/docs/Average_life_expectancy_in_UAE_rises_to_75_years/7752.htm |archive-date=11 June 2009 }}</ref> With a male/female [[human sex ratio|sex ratio]] of 2.2 males for each female in the total population and 2.75 to 1 for the 15–65 [[Demographic profile|age group]], the UAE's [[Gender mortality differentials|gender imbalance]] is second highest in the world after Qatar.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2018.html |title=Sex ratio |work=The World Factbook |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016065003/https://www.cia.gov/library//publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2018.html |archive-date=16 October 2013 }}</ref>
===Religion===
{{Main|Religion in the United Arab Emirates}}
[[File:Sheikh Zayed Mosque view.jpg|thumb|left|[[Sheikh Zayed Mosque]] in Abu Dhabi.]]
[[Islam]] is the largest and the official [[state religion]] of the UAE. The government follows a policy of tolerance toward other religions and rarely interferes in the religious activities of non-Muslims.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/religiousfreedom/index.htm?year=2012&dlid=208416|title=International Religious Freedom Report for 2012 – United Arab Emirates|work=Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor }}</ref>
There are more [[Sunni]] than [[Shiite|Shia]] Muslims in the United Arab Emirates,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2122.html?countryName=Pakistan&countryCode=pk&regionCode=sas&#pk|publisher=CIA|title=The World Factbook|access-date=13 March 2021|archive-date=26 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226143549/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2122.html?countryName=Pakistan&countryCode=pk&regionCode=sas&#pk|url-status=dead}}</ref> and 85% of the Emirati population are Sunni Muslims. The vast majority of the remainder 15% are Shia Muslims, who are concentrated in the [[Emirate of Dubai|Emirates of Dubai]] and [[Emirate of Sharjah|Sharjah]]. Although no official statistics are available for the breakdown between Sunni and Shia Muslims among noncitizen residents, media estimates suggest less than 20% of the noncitizen Muslim population are Shia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.justice.gov/eoir/page/file/1079186/download|title=United Arab Emirates 2017 International Religious Freedom Report|publisher=US Department of Justice|date=2017|page=2}}</ref> [[Sheikh Zayed Mosque]] in Abu Dhabi is the largest mosque in the country and a major tourist attraction. [[Ibadi]] is common among Omanis in the UAE, while [[Sufi]] influences exist as well.<ref>{{cite web|date=2018-04-16|title=The Return of Sufism to the UAE|url=https://mesbar.org/the-return-of-sufism-to-the-uae/|access-date=2021-07-29|website=Al-Mesbar Center|language=en-US}}</ref>
[[Roman Catholicism in the United Arab Emirates|Roman Catholics]] and [[Protestantism in the United Arab Emirates|Protestants]] form significant proportions of the Christian minority. The country has at least 45 churches.<ref name="irf127360">{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2009/127360.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091031224349/http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2009/127360.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2009-10-31 |title=United Arab Emirates |publisher=State.gov |access-date=2010-11-24}}</ref> Many Christians in the United Arab Emirates are of Asian, African, and European origin, along with fellow Middle Eastern countries such as Lebanon, Syria, and Egypt.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.refdag.nl/nieuws/groeiende_en_vitale_kerk_in_arabische_golf_1_494237 |title=Groeiende en vitale kerk in Arabische Golf - Nieuws - Reformatorisch Dagblad |publisher=Refdag.nl |access-date=24 November 2010}}</ref> The United Arab Emirates forms part of the [[Roman Catholic Vicariate Apostolic of Southern Arabia|Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia]] and the Vicar Apostolic Bishop [[Paul Hinder]] is based in [[Abu Dhabi]].<ref>{{cite web|date=21 March 2005 |title=New Apostolic Vicar for Arabia Appointed |work=[[Zenit News Agency]] |url=http://www.zenit.org/article-12565?l=english |access-date=21 November 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607230554/http://www.zenit.org/article-12565?l=english |archive-date=7 June 2011 }}</ref>
There is a small [[Jews|Jewish]] community in the United Arab Emirates. There is only one known [[synagogue]], in [[Dubai]], which has been open since 2008. The synagogue also welcomes visitors.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/for-the-first-time-dubais-jewish-community-steps-hesitantly-out-of-the-shadows/|title=For the first time, Dubai's Jewish community steps hesitantly out of the shadows|last=Herschlag|first=Miriam|website=www.timesofisrael.com|language=en-US|access-date=6 December 2018}}</ref> As of 2019, according to Rabbi [[Marc Schneier]] of the [[Foundation for Ethnic Understanding]], it is estimated that there are about 150 families to 3,000 Jews who live and worship freely in the UAE.<ref name=Ynt>{{cite news|url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5458305,00.html|title=The Jews of Dubai are on the map|publisher=ynetnews.com|date=5 February 2019}}</ref>
{{bar box
|title=Religions in UAE in 2010 ([[Pew Research Center|Pew Research]])<ref name=pew>[http://www.globalreligiousfutures.org/countries/united-arab-emirates/religious_demography#/?affiliations_religion_id=0&affiliations_year = 2010 Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project: United Arab Emirates]. [[Pew Research Center]]. 2010.</ref><ref>[https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2007/90223.htm United Arab Emirates]. International Religious Freedom Report 2007. State.gov. Retrieved 27 September 2013.</ref>
|titlebar=#Fcd116
|left1=Religion
|right1=Percent
|float=right
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Islam in the United Arab Emirates|Islam]]|green|76}}
{{bar percent|[[Christianity in the United Arab Emirates|Christianity]]|blue|13}}
{{bar percent|[[Hinduism in the United Arab Emirates|Hinduism]]|orange|7}}
{{bar percent|[[Buddhism in the United Arab Emirates|Buddhism]]|yellow|2}}
{{bar percent|[[Freedom of religion in the United Arab Emirates|Other]]|gray|1}}
{{bar percent|[[Irreligion in the United Arab Emirates|None]]|black|1}}
}}
South Asians in the United Arab Emirates constitute the largest ethnic group in the country.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bq-magazine.com/economy/socioeconomics/2015/04/uae-population-by-nationality |title=UAE´s population&nbsp;– by nationality |publisher=bq magazine |date=12 April 2015 |access-date=20 December 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170321184658/http://www.bq-magazine.com/economy/socioeconomics/2015/04/uae-population-by-nationality |archive-date=21 March 2017 }}</ref> Over 2 million Indian migrants (mostly from the southern states of [[Kerala]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[Kanara|Coastal Karnataka]] and [[Tamil Nadu]]) are estimated to be living in the UAE.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/03/03/india-is-a-top-source-and-destination-for-worlds-migrants/|title=India is a top source and destination for world's migrants|website=Pew Research Center|language=en-US|access-date=9 September 2019}}</ref> There is currently only one Hindu temple in the UAE in Dubai, the [[Hindu Temple, Dubai]] (referred to locally as Shiva and Krishna Mandir) located in Dubai. Another temple, the [[BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi]] is a Hindu temple that is being built by the [[BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha]]n in Abu Dhabi.
Other religions also exist in the United Arab Emirates, including [[Sikhism]], [[Buddhism]], [[Judaism]], [[Baháʼí Faith|Baháʼís]] and [[Druze]].<ref name=religiousfreedom/>
The UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, [[Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan|Abdullah bin Zayed]], announced in 2019 the design and construction plan of the [[Abrahamic Family House]], which will serve as an interfaith complex that houses a [[synagogue]], [[mosque]], and a [[Church (building)|church]] on [[Saadiyat Island]] in [[Abu Dhabi]].<ref>{{cite web|title=First images of Abu Dhabi's Abrahamic Family House under construction released|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/heritage/first-images-of-abu-dhabi-s-abrahamic-family-house-under-construction-released-1.1241661|access-date=2021-07-29|website=The National|date=15 June 2021 }}</ref>
===Languages===
[[Arabic language|Arabic]] is the national language of the United Arab Emirates. The [[Gulf Arabic|Gulf dialect]] of Arabic is spoken natively by Emirati people.<ref>{{cite book|last=Christensen|first=Shane|title=Frommer's Dubai|year=2010|work=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=978-0-470-71178-1|page=174}}</ref> The area was occupied by the British until 1971 and, with many expatriates resident, English is the primary ''[[lingua franca]]'' in the UAE. Consequently, a knowledge of English is a requirement when applying for most local jobs.
=== Health ===
{{Main|Health in the United Arab Emirates}}
The life Expectancy at birth in the UAE is at 76.96 years.<ref>[http://www.geoba.se/population.php?pc=world&type=15 Gazetteer – The World – Life Expectancy – Top 100+ By Country (2018)]. Geoba.se (28 April 2016). Retrieved on 21 August 2018.</ref> [[Cardiovascular disease]] is the principal cause of death in the UAE, constituting 28% of total deaths; other major causes are [[accident]]s and [[injury|injuries]], [[Cancer|malignancies]], and [[congenital disorder|congenital anomalies]].<ref name=cp>{{cite web|url=http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/UAE.pdf |title=United Arab Emirates country profile |work=Library of Congress }}</ref> According to [[List of countries by Body Mass Index (BMI)#WHO Data on Prevalence of Obesity (BMI above 30) (2016)|World Health Organisation data from 2016]], 34.5% of adults in the UAE are clinically [[Obesity|obese]], with a [[body mass index]] (BMI) score of 30 or more.<ref>{{cite web|title=Prevalence of obesity, ages 18+, 2010–2014|url=http://gamapserver.who.int/gho/interactive_charts/ncd/risk_factors/obesity/atlas.html|website=WHO|publisher=World Health Organisation|access-date=26 February 2016}}</ref>
In February 2008, the Ministry of Health unveiled a five-year health strategy for the public health sector in the northern emirates, which fall under its purview and which, unlike Abu Dhabi and Dubai, do not have separate healthcare authorities. The strategy focuses on unifying healthcare policy and improving access to healthcare services at reasonable cost, at the same time reducing dependence on overseas treatment. The ministry plans to add three hospitals to the current 14, and 29 primary healthcare centres to the current 86. Nine were scheduled to open in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uae.gov.ae/Government/health.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080612101330/http://www.uae.gov.ae/Government/health.htm|archive-date=12 June 2008 |title=UAE Health |publisher=Uae.gov.ae }}</ref>
The introduction of mandatory [[health insurance]] in Abu Dhabi for [[expatriate]]s and their dependents was a major driver in reform of healthcare policy. Abu Dhabi nationals were brought under the scheme from 1 June 2008 and Dubai followed for its government employees. Eventually, under federal law, every Emirati and expatriate in the country will be covered by compulsory health insurance under a unified mandatory scheme.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/health/health-cover-is-mandatory-1.43089 |author=El Shammaa, Dina |title=Health cover is mandatory |work=Gulf News |date=3 January 2009 |access-date=1 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112123918/http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/health/health-cover-is-mandatory-1.43089 |archive-date=12 January 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The country has benefited from medical tourists from all over the [[Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf]]. The UAE attracts [[medical tourism|medical tourists]] seeking [[cosmetic surgery]] and advanced procedures, cardiac and spinal surgery, and dental treatment, as health services have higher standards than other Arab countries in the Persian Gulf.<ref name="thenational.ae">{{cite web|author=Detrie, Megan  |url=http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091116/NATIONAL/711159830/1010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091124064723/http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20091116%2FNATIONAL%2F711159830%2F1010 |archive-date=24 November 2009 |title=Dubai has eye on medical tourism |work=The National Newspaper |date=15 November 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===Largest cities===
{{Largest cities
| country      = the United Arab Emirates
| stat_ref    = 2021 Calculation
| list_by_pop  = List of cities in the United Arab Emirates
| div_name    = Emirate
| city_1 = Dubai  | div_1 =  Emirate of Dubai{{!}}Dubai | pop_1 =  3,386,941  | img_1 = Dubai skyline 2015 (crop).jpg
| city_2 = Abu Dhabi | div_2 =  Emirate of Abu Dhabi{{!}}Abu Dhabi | pop_2 = 1,807,000  | img_2 = Abu Dhabi Skyline from Marina.jpg
| city_3 = Sharjah | div_3 =  Sharjah (emirate){{!}}Sharjah | pop_3 = 1,274,749 | img_3 = Sharjah city skyline.jpg
| city_4 = Al Ain | div_4 =  Emirate of Abu Dhabi{{!}}Abu Dhabi | pop_4 = 766,936  | img_4 = Green Mubazzarah.JPG
| city_5 = Ajman | div_5 =  Emirate of Ajman{{!}}Ajman | pop_5 = 490,035 | img_5 = Ajman Nov. 2010 -24.jpg
| city_6 = Ras Al Khaimah | div_6 =  Ras al Khaimah | pop_6 = 115,949
| city_7 = Fujairah | div_7 =  Emirate of Fujairah{{!}}Fujairah| pop_7 = 97,226
| city_8 = Umm Al Quwain | div_8 =  Emirate of Umm Al Quwain{{!}}Umm Al Quwain | pop_8 = 61,700
| city_9 = Dibba Al-Fujairah | div_9 =  Emirate of Fujairah{{!}}Fujairah | pop_9 = 41,017
| city_10 = Khor Fakkan | div_10 = Sharjah (emirate){{!}}Sharjah | pop_10 = 39,151
}}
==See also==
{{Portal|United Arab Emirates|Asia}}
* [[List of United Arab Emirates–related topics]]
* [[Outline of the United Arab Emirates]]{{clear}}
==References==
{{reflist}}
==Further reading==
{{Refbegin}}
* Abu Libdeh, A. (1994).  ‘English on Khalifa Street’.  ''The Journal of the College of Education''.  UAE University 10, 25–51.
* Bianco, C. (2020a). The GCC monarchies: Perceptions of the Iranian threat amid shifting geopolitics. The International Spectator, 55(2), 92–107.
* Bianco, C. (2020b). A Gulf apart: How Europe can gain influence with the Gulf Cooperation Council. European Council on Foreign Relations, February 2020. Available at https://ecfr.eu/archive/page/-/a_gulf_apart_how_europe_can_gain_influence_with_gulf_cooperation_council.pdf.
* Bianco, C. (2021). Can Europe Choreograph a Saudi-Iranian Détente? European University Institute, Robert Schuman Center for Advanced Studies, Middle East Directions. Available at: https://cadmus.eui.eu/bitstream/handle/1814/70351/PB_2021_10-MED.pdf?sequence=1.
* Bianco, C., & Stansfield, G. (2018). The intra-GCC crises: Mapping GCC fragmentation after 2011. International Affairs, 94(3), 613–635.
* Miniaoui, Héla, ed. Economic Development in the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries: From Rentier States to Diversified Economies. Vol. 1. Springer Nature, 2020.
* Guzansky, Y., & Even, S. (2020). The economic crisis in the Gulf States: A challenge to the “contract” between rulers and ruled. INSS Insight No. 1327, June 1, 2020. Available at https://www.INSS.org.il/publication/gulf-states-economy/?offset=7&posts=201&outher=Yoel%20Guzansky.
* Guzansky, Y., & Marshall, Z. A. (2020). The Abraham accords: Immediate significance and long-term implications. Israel Journal of Foreign Affairs, 1–11.
* Guzansky, Y., & Segal, E. (2020). All in the family: Leadership changes in the Gulf. INSS Insight No. 1378, August 30, 2020. Available at: https://www.INSS.org.il/publication/gulf-royal-families/?offset=1&posts=201&outher=Yoel%20Guzansky
* Guzansky, Y., & Winter, O. (2020). Apolitical Normalization: A New Approach to Jews in Arab States. INSS Insight No. 1332, June 8, 2020. Available at: https://www.INSS.org.il/publication/judaism-in-the-arab-world/?offset=5&posts=201&outher=Yoel%20Guzansky.
* Swan, M. (26 April 2012). "Arabic school aims to boost the popularity of the language". ''The National'', p.&nbsp;6.
* {{Cite book |last1=Tausch |first1=Arno |title=The political algebra of global value change. General models and implications for the Muslim world |last2=Heshmati |first2=Almas |last3=Karoui |first3=Hichem |publisher=Nova Science |year=2015 |isbn=978-1-62948-899-8 |edition=1st |location=New York |author-link=Arno Tausch}} Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/290349218_The_political_algebra_of_global_value_change_General_models_and_implications_for_the_Muslim_world
* {{Cite book |last1=Tausch |first1=Arno |title= The Future of the Gulf Region: Value Change and Global Cycles. Gulf Studies, Volume 2, edited by Prof. Mizanur Rahman, Qatar University |publisher=Springer|year=2021 |isbn=978-3-030-78298-6|edition=1st |location=Cham, Switzerland |author-link=Arno Tausch}}
* "Towards A Foreign Language, Teaching Policy for the Arab World: U.A.E Perspective." United Arab Emirates University (1996).
* Woertz, Eckart. "Wither the self-sufficiency illusion? Food security in Arab Gulf States and the impact of COVID-19." Food Security 12.4 (2020): 757-760.
* Zweiri, Mahjoob, Md Mizanur Rahman, and Arwa Kamal, eds. The 2017 Gulf Crisis: An Interdisciplinary Approach. Vol. 3. Springer Nature, 2020.
{{Refend}}
==External links==
{{Sister project links|voy=United Arab Emirates}}
* [https://www.government.ae/ Government portal of the United Arab Emirates] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224133814/https://government.ae/ |date=24 February 2020 }}, ([https://u.ae/ U.AE)]
* [https://worldgovernmentsummit.org/ The World Government Summit – UAE]
* [http://expo2020dubai.ae/ The 2020 World Exposition in UAE]
* [https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/united-arab-emirates/ United Arab Emirates]. ''[[The World Factbook]]''. [[Central Intelligence Agency]].
* {{GovPubs|uae}}
* {{Curlie|Regional/Middle_East/United_Arab_Emirates}}
* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14703998 United Arab Emirates profile] from the [[BBC News]].
* {{Wikiatlas|United Arab Emirates}}
* [http://wits.worldbank.org/CountryProfile/Country/ARE/Year/2011/Summary World Bank Summary Trade Statistics United Arab Emirates]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20171010164537/http://www.poiresources.com/info/history-of-united-arab-emirates/ Timeline of the United Arab Emirates History from Bronze Age to present day]
{{Emirates of the United Arab Emirates |titlestyle=background:#ddf;}}
{{United Arab Emirates topics}}
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Revision as of 03:22, 18 October 2022

Coordinates: 24°N 54°E / 24°N 54°E / 24; 54

United Arab Emirates

الإمارات العربية المتحدة  (Arabic)
al-ʾImārāt al-ʿArabīyah al-Muttaḥidah
Anthem: عيشي بلادي
"Īšiy Bilādī"
"Long Live My Country"
Ishy Bilady (instrumental)
Location of United Arab Emirates (green)
Location of United Arab Emirates (green)
CapitalAbu Dhabi
24°28′N 54°22′E / 24.467°N 54.367°E / 24.467; 54.367
Largest cityDubai
Official languagesArabic
Spoken languages
  • Arabic
  • English
  • Hindi
  • Filipino
  • Persian
  • Urdu
  • French
  • Malayalam
  • Pashto
  • Spanish
  • Tamil
GovernmentFederal elective constitutional monarchy[1][2][3]
• President
Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Area
• Total
83,600 km2 (32,300 sq mi) (114th)
• Water (%)
negligible
Population
• 2020 estimate
9,890,400[4]
• Density
99/km2 (256.4/sq mi) (110th)
GDP (PPP)2020 estimate
• Total
US$647.650 billion[5] (34th)
• Per capita
US$70,441[5] (7th)
GDP (nominal)2020 estimate
• Total
US$410.214 billion[5] (33th)
• Per capita
US$41,476[5] (19th)
Gini (2014)32.5[6]
medium
HDI (2019)Increase 0.890[7]
very high · 31st
ISO 3166 codeAE
Internet TLD.ae

The United Arab Emirates (UAE; in Arabic: الإمارات العربية المتحدة) is a country in Western Asia. It borders Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. The capital is Abu Dhabi, and the largest city is Dubai. The Burj Khalifa, Earth's tallest artificial structure,[8] is in Dubai. Approximately 600.83 square kilometers is the area of the United Arab Emirates, till December 31, 2017, the UAE counted a population of 9,304,277,  according to the reports of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority.[9] The most common natural sources in The United Arab Emirates are oil and gas. The oil reserves of the UAE are approximately 8.2% of the global oil reserves according to OPEC.[10] The political system of UAE is federal constitutional[11] and it's one of the most growing countries in the Middle East.

History

The oldest human traces in the Emirates date back to 7000 years BCE.The Emirates has more than 330 historical buildings, some have a history from the Stone Age. After the start of Islam a new chapter began in the area, during the Umayyad period, the area of the Arabic Gulf was stable and it became important for navigation and shipping. The Portuguese were the first who arrived in this area after the fall of Al-Andalus. The explorer Vasco da Gama was the first to reach India from Europe after turning around the Cape of Good Hope and passing the Arabic Gulf. The Portuguese controlled all the harbors in the area for more than 2 centuries. During the 18th and 19th centuries Great Britain controlled the area after the Portuguese left.[12] They organized the Trucial States.

Gulf emirate leaders meet to discuss union plans in 1968

In 1968 the British announced that they are leaving their colonies in the Middle East and on 2nd December 1971, the United Arab Emirates was created. Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan became the president of the state and Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the former ruler of Dubai, became the vice president.[12] After the first president Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, his son Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan became the second president of the UAE. But after his death on the on13th of May 2022, his brother Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan became the 3rd president.

Cities and landscape

Al-Ain Oasis

This country has seven emirates: Dubai, Ajman, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi ,Umm al-Quwain, Fujairah and Ras Al-Khaimah.It has also more than 200 islands, that differ in size, origin, composition and importance. The UAE is characterized by a diversity of natural looks from steep mountains to flat coastal plains and from the high red sand dunes in Liwa to the city Al-Ein, which is considered a natural oasis full of palm trees.[9]

Demographics

In 2014, the population in the United Arab Emirates became about 9 million citizens. Due to significant growth in various economic sectors, the United Arab Emirates got a significant increase in population over the past few years, the UAE witnessed a significant influx of labor from different religious and cultural backgrounds. The state of UAE adopts a culture of tolerance and moderation, especially when people from 200 nationalities are living in its territory. The country's inhabitants increased from 4.1 million to 8.3 million between 2005 and 2010 while the Emirati citizens form less than 1 million of them.[13]

Culture

Palm dates bunch

The UAE is a modern state which sticks to its heritage because the citizens are the minority. The officials in UAE support establishing the necessary balance between modernization and tradition and give an illustration of the cultural identity. The United Arab Emirates is colorful and rich in Folklore. The camel and the date palm have nomadic and agricultural bases in its society that are traceable to thousands of years before the spread of Arabs and Muslims. The UAE is also Influenced by other ancient civilizations like Mesopotamia and Greece however the colonial powers which controlled almost everything left very little affect on the folklore of this country. The aggressive behavior of the Portuguese left no space for social interaction and culture exchange[14]

Government and politics

The United Arab Emirates is based on a federal-state system that is subject to the provisions of the UAE constitution with full sovereignty. The Federation has its capital, logo, flag, and national anthem. Several federal institutions shape the political system of the United Arab Emirates. The Federal Supreme Council (in Arabic: المجلس الأعلى للاتحاد) represents the highest authority in the country and the rulers of the seven emirates are members of it. Its mission is to take care of the common interests of the Emirates, the ratification of federal laws, the election of the president and his deputy and other tasks.[11]

The first Arabic satellite to discover Mars

Emirates Mars Mission

In the summer of 2020, the United Arab Emirates launched the EMM (Emirates Mars Mission) to Mars after less than 6 years of designing, conceiving and implementing this mission.The goal of this mission is to use multiple programmatic and scientific objectives to gain useful data about Mars. The Emirates Mars Mission is being operated from the United States (U.S.) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).[15]

Burj Khalifah, the world's tallest building

Development of the UAE

The most important elements behind the growth and development since the founding of the UAE are oil and gas. The first export of oil took place in the year 1962, the former president Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan wanted to use these resources in building infrastructure for starting economic and civilization development.[16] The development of the UAE is going so fast, especially in the last 20 years, so Dubai did realize huge projects like Palm Jumeirah, The World (archipelago) , and Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building.

The state of UAE is focusing recently on building the basics for future development, by supporting projects and initiatives that promote qualitative innovation investments, research, technological- and industrial development. The government is preparing an integrated strategy that will enable them to completely dispense with oil as one important compartment of the economy because currently more than 30% of the UAE's GDP is based on oil.[17]

References

  1. ↑ Stewart, Dona J. (2013). The Middle East Today: Political, Geographical and Cultural Perspectives. London and New York: Routledge. p. 155. ISBN 978-0415782432.
  2. ↑ Day, Alan John (1996). Political Parties of The World. Stockton. p. 599. ISBN 1561591440.
  3. ↑ "United Arab Emirates Constitution". UAE Ministry of Justice. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  4. ↑ "United Arab Emirates Population (2020)". www.worldometers.info.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "United Arab Emirates". International Monetary Fund.
  6. ↑ "GINI index (World Bank estimate) – United Arab Emirates". data.worldbank.org. World Bank. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  7. ↑ "Human Development Report 2020" (PDF). United Nations Development Programme. 15 December 2020. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
  8. ↑ "Did you know? Facts & Figures about the Burj Khalifa | Burj Khalifa". www.burjkhalifa.ae. Retrieved 2020-12-25.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "The yearly book of the state of Emirates". National Media Council: 8–9. 2018.
  10. ↑ "OPEC : OPEC Share of World Crude Oil Reserves". www.opec.org. Retrieved 2022-05-19.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "The yearly book of the state of Emirates". National Media Council. 2018.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Abd Al-Hamid, Salah (2014). Al-im'r't bayna al-t'r'kh wa-al-jughr'fiyah (in Arabic). [Place of publication not identified]: Atlas Publishing House. ISBN 9796500157788. OCLC 945796547.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  13. ↑ "التركيبة السكانية - البوابة الرسمية لحكومة الإمارات العربية المتحدة". u.ae (in Arabic). Retrieved 2022-05-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  14. ↑ Hurriez, Sayyid Hamid (2013-12-16). Folklore and Folklife in the United Arab Emirates. Routledge. doi:10.4324/9781315028682. ISBN 978-1-136-84907-7.
  15. ↑ Amiri, H. E. S.; Brain, D.; Sharaf, O.; Withnell, P.; McGrath, M.; Alloghani, M.; Al Awadhi, M.; Al Dhafri, S.; Al Hamadi, O.; Al Matroushi, H.; Al Shamsi, Z. (2022-02-10). "The Emirates Mars Mission". Space Science Reviews. 218 (1): 4. doi:10.1007/s11214-021-00868-x. ISSN 1572-9672. PMC 8830993. PMID 35194256.
  16. ↑ Sayf, ʻAbd al-Raḥmān Aḥmad; سيف، عبد الرحمن احمد، (2015). Taṭawwur dawlat al-Imārāt al-ʻArabīyah al-Muttaḥidah (in Arabic) (al-Ṭabʻah al-ūlá ed.). ʻAmmān. ISBN 978-9957-600-11-2. OCLC 919460222.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  17. ↑ "Yearly book of the state of Emirates". National Media Council: 49–53. 2018.


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