Overview

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation consisting of seven sheikhdoms located on the Arabian Gulf. The seven sheikhdoms -- also called emirates -- are Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras al-Khaimah, Umm al-Qawain, Ajman and Fujairah. There are borders with Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman. The borders between the different sheikhdoms are not always precisely defined.

Country name:

United Arab Emirates (al-Imarat al-Arabiyya Al-Muttahida)

Land area

83,600 sq km (32,278 sq mi)

Population

2,407,460

Population growth rate

1.59% (2001 estimation)

Birth rate

18.11 Birth per 1000 population (2001 estimation)

Death rate

3.79 deaths per 1000 population (2001 estimation)

Type of government

federation of emirates

Government leader

Sheikh Zaid bin Sultan al Nahayan, President

Legislature

Federal National Council

Political subdivisions

7 emirates

Official language

Arabic

Major religion

Islam

GDP- real growth rate

4% (2000 estimation)

GDP

Purchasing power parity- $54 billion (2000 estimation)

GDP- per capita

Purchasing power parity 22

Foreign trade

Imports $11 billion
Exports $21.3 billion

Currency

UAE dirham, divided into 100 fils
($1 = 3.66 dirhams)

Railroads

None

Major ports

3

Major airfields

5

International dialing code

+971

Time zone

GMT + 4 hours