Although the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is generalized as being a country, strictly it is a federation consisting of seven Emirates. In Arabic, the UAE is referred to as Al Imarat al Arabiyah al Muttahidah, or Al Imarat, for short. The seven Emirates, in order of size, are: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Umm al Qaywayn, Ajman, Fujairah and Ras al Khaymah.
Cities
Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE, and the Emirate holds the seat of government since the UAE was formed in 1971. Dubai as a city and an Emirate are essentially used interchangeably these days with construction edging further and further outwards. Abu Dhabi City, is basically an island just off the coast of the Emirate and linked to the land by two bridges. Dubai as a city is the most populated but as an Emirate, Abu Dhabi is the most populous, with cities such as Al Ain and Madinat Zayed in the East. Other key cities include Sharjah and Khorfakkan, both in Sharjah.
Location
Key maps are linked to in our map section, but location wise, the UAE is located between the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman with borders in the North with Saudi Arabia and in the North West with Oman. In square kilometers, the UAE is 82,880 which is about 30,000 square miles.
People
The people of the country are referred to as Emirati although the term UAE National is used more and more often. On occasion where comparisons are between UAE Nationals and Expatriates, the terms local and expat are used. With the population estimated in 2004 to be 4.3 million, the percentage of UAE Nationals are between 15 and 20%, depending on which figures that you look at. In Dubai, that percentage would be close to 10%. As far as the large number of expatriates that live and work in the country, the majority are Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Egyptian, Jordanian, Iranian, Filipino. From the West, there are increasing numbers of British, French, other Western Europeans as well as Canadians, South Africans and Australians, with almost every nationality represented. To understand the make up, at least a third of the population are from the Indian subcontinent, and certain areas resemble the streets of India rather than Arabia.
Language
Arabic is the official language of the UAE with Gulf Arabic being specific dialect. However, English is used as a business language and is spoken by a large number. Hindi and Urdu as well as Farsi, Pashto and Malayalam are other common languages due to the make up of the population.
Currency
The currency used is the Emirati dirham (AED). We have covered this area in more detail Money Section.
Religion
The UAE Nationals are majority Sunni Muslim, with about 15% of the Shia minority. Many of the expats who come here are also Muslim, especially since some come from the Gulf states. Other religions that are represented include Christianity and Hinduism. It is not illegal to practice another religion here, as opposed to some other countries, but it is illegal to essentially preach with the intention of conversion. There are churches in allocated areas, as well as temples, but of course, you see Mosques at every corner, and Islam is the most practiced religion here.
Climate
How hot does it get? Well, it is sunny all year round. It is surprisingly pleasant from October to March. From April to September, the heat and humidity can become unbearable at times, especially in July and August. Rain is not usual, but on occasion, it can rain during the non-summer months. Let’s put it like this: umbrellas are used more to keep off the sun than the rain. The temperature can reach past 50 degrees at its peak in August, but the hottest it gets is around the 45 degree Centigrade mark. The humidity during the hot period can make it particularly uncomfortable, but with air conditioning, in malls, offices and in the homes, some sort of normality can be attained. The winter months can provide some great evenings to sit out side – and it can be argues that the Arabs go as crazy for cool weather as the British crave their two weeks of Summer.
Working Days and Hours
In the West, traditionally, the Saturday and Sunday rule applies. Things are a little different here. Friday is the core working day. Government and schools have Wednesday off, in addition. Some private institutions have Saturdays off, while some institutions align themselves to the West. It all depends. There are many who work a six day week and many, usually laborers, who work for all seven days. Official business hours operate around a split shift system from 8 until 1, and then from 4 until 7, Saturday to Thursday, although there are many institutions who are moving toward a straight shift system from 730 to 4 or similar. Banks are usually open from 8 til 3, Saturday until Wednesday and close at midday on a Thursday.
Telephone
There is one telecoms provider, Etisalat, with another, du, to start services during 2006. The National code for the UAE is 971. The local codes are 02 (Abu Dhabi) 03 (Al Ain), 04 (Dubai), 06 (Sharjah, Ajman and Umm-al-Quwwain), 07 (Ras al Khaimah), 09 (Fujairah). Mobile numbers are preceeded by 050. The numbers are usually 7 digits in length, and between Emirates local codes should be dialed. Within each Emirate the code should be dropped, and calling mobile to mobile does not require the mobile code, but calling from mobile to Dubai Land Line would require the 02 code. Calling from overseas requires the dropping of the 0. e.g. +971 (0) 4 765 4321.
National Holidays
The UAE has some holidays tied to the Gregorian calendar (Western calendar) and some that are ties to the Muslim Lunar calendar (Hijri Calendar). The holidays are January 1st (New Year’s Day), December 2nd (National Day) as well as the Prophet’s birthday (Mawlid al Nabi), Ascension of the Prophet (Al Isra wa al Meraj), The last day of Ramadhan, Eid al Fitr (Feast of the Breaking of the Fast, usually at least 2 days), Eid al Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice, usually 3 days) and the Hijra New Year. Since the dates of the Islamic holidays are based on the Hijri calendar they are subject to change every year, getting earlier by approximately 11 days every year. Islamic holidays are granted in accordance with the latest decree or ministerial decision by the Government and announcements are usually published in the press, to give exact public and private holidays.
Predicted dates for the next couple of years are as follows, but these are always subject to the sighting of the moon:
Mawlid
11.4.2006, 31.3.2007, 20.3.2008
Ramadan
24.9.2006-22.10.2006, 13.9.2007-12.10.2007, 2/9/2008-2/10/2008
Eid al Fitr
23.10.2006, 13.10.2007, 2.10.2008
Eid al Adha
31.12.2006, 20.12.2007,8.12.2008
Hijra New Year
20.1.2007, 10.1.2008
Flag
The UAE flag has three horizontal bands of green, white, and black (top to bottom), with a wider vertical red band on the side.
The colours are the pan-Arab colors and have been historically linked to the Arab people and Islamic faith and signify Arab unity and independence. Other flags in the region use similar colours in the their flags. Supposedly, red means blood, white is peace, green is Islam and black is oil.
Geography
The land is flat by the coast of the Arabian Gulf, with deserts in the central undeveloped part of the country. There are also some mountains towards the coast of Oman. In the most part Terrain, there is significant desert area with some small agricultural regions. Sometimes you will be astounded with all the greenery and that you actually see in the desert!
Back to top
|
