Middle East > United Arab Emirates > Government

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Administrative divisions 7 emirates (imarat, singular - imarah); Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi), 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah (Sharjah), Dubayy (Dubai), Ra's al Khaymah, Umm al Qaywayn (Quwayn)
Capital city > Geographic coordinates	24 28 N, 54 22 E
Constitution 2 December 1971; made permanent in 1996
Corruption	6.2		[30th of 160]
Diplomatic representation from the US > Mailing address	P. O. Box 4009, Abu Dhabi
Executive branch > Cabinet Council of Ministers appointed by the president
Executive branch > Chief of state President KHALIFA bin Zayid Al-Nuhayyan (since 3 November 2004), ruler of Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) (since 4 November 2004); Vice President and Prime Minister MUHAMMAD BIN RASHID Al-Maktum (since 5 January 2006)
Flag description three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and black with a wider vertical red band on the hoist side
Government type federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE federal government and other powers reserved to member emirates
Independence	2 December 1971 (from UK)
Judicial branch Union Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president)
Legal system based on a dual system of Sharia and civil courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch unicameral Federal National Council (FNC) or Majlis al-Ittihad al-Watani (40 seats; 20 members appointed by the rulers of the constituent states, 20 members elected to serve two-year terms)
National holiday Independence Day, 2 December
Parliamentary seats > Female	0%		[143rd of 143]
Political parties and leaders	none
Status	absolute monarchy
Suffrage	none
Time required to start a business > days	63 days		[33rd of 171]
Transnational Issues > Disputes > International boundary agreement was signed and ratified with Oman in 2003 for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah enclaves, but contents of the agreement and detailed maps showing the alignment have not been published; Iran and UAE dispute Tunb Islands and Abu Musa Island, which Iran occupies

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