The United Arab Emirates (also the UAE or the Emirates) is a Middle Eastern country situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Southwest Asia on the Persian Gulf, comprising seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Ajmān, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain. Before 1971, they were known as the Trucial States or Trucial Oman, in reference to a nineteenth-century truce between Britain and several Arab Sheikhs. The name Pirate Coast has also been used in reference to the area's emirates in the 18th to early 20th century.^[1] It borders Oman and Saudi Arabia. The country is rich in oil and, although it lacks other natural resources, it expects recent additional economic diversification to draw more financial and banking firms. The United Arab Emirates is a highly prosperous country after it gained foreign investment funding the desert-and-coastal nation in the 1970s. The country has a relatively high Human Development Index, or HDI, for the Asian continent. Image File history File links Unbalanced_scales. ... UAE may refer to: United Arab Emirates Unix Amiga Emulator Unrecoverable Application Error Uterine artery embolisation This page concerning a three-letter acronym or abbreviation is a disambiguation page—a list of articles associated with the same title. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Arab_Emirates. ... Image File history File links Coat_of_arms_of_United_Arab_Emirates. ... Flag ratio: 1:2 The flag of the United Arab Emirates was adopted on December 2, 1971. ... The coat of arms of the United Arab Emirates was officially adopted in 1973. ... Many countries choose to include the national motto in the coat of arms. ... A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that is evoking and eulogizing the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a nations government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people. ... Ishy Bilady (عيشي بلادي, Long Live my Nation) is the national anthem of the United Arab Emirates. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... This is a list of national capitals of the world in alphabetical order. ... About 88% of the population of the United Arab Emirates is urban[1]. Demographics of the United Arab Emirates, Data of FAO, year 2005 ; Number of inhabitants in thousands. ... Abu Dhabi or Abu Zaby (Arabic language: أبوظبي) is the largest of the seven emirates that comprise the United Arab Emirates and was also the largest of the former Trucial States. ... An official language is a language that is given a unique legal status in the countries, states, and other territories. ... Arabic ( or just ) is the largest living member of the Semitic language family in terms of speakers. ... A map displaying todays federations. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... President is a title held by many leaders of organizations, companies, trade unions, universities, and countries. ... Khalifa bin Zayed, president of the UAE. His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahayan (Arabic: ‎, born 1948) is the current president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). ... A prime minister is the very most senior minister of a cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. ... Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Arabic: الشيخ محمد بن راشد آل مكتوم) (born 1949) is currently the Prime Minister and Vice President of the United Arab Emirates, as well as the Ruler of Dubai. ... The United Arab Emirates was formed from the group of tribally organized Arabian Peninsula sheikhdoms along the southern coast of the Persian Gulf and the northwestern coast of the Gulf of Oman. ... December 2 is the 336th day (337th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday. ... This is a list of the countries of the world sorted by area. ... To help compare orders of magnitude of different geographical regions, we list here areas between 10,000 km² and 100,000 km². See also areas of other orders of magnitude. ... This is a list of the countries of the world sorted by area. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ... This is a list of sovereign states and other territories by population, using the most recently available official figures. ... Population density by country, 2006 Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. ... Population density by country, 2006 List of countries and dependencies by population density in inhabitants/km². The list includes sovereign states and self-governing dependent territories that are recognized by the United Nations. ... The Purchasing power parity (PPP) theory was developed by Gustav Cassel in 1920. ... Map of world GDP (PPP) by country using the IMF list for 2005 There are three lists of countries of the world sorted by their gross domestic product (GDP) (the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year). ... Per capita is a Latin phrase meaning for each head. ... Map of countries by GDP (PPP) per capita, based on the 2005 IMF data. ... Countries by nominal GDP. Source: IMF (2005) This article includes a list of countries of the world sorted by their gross domestic product (GDP), the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year. ... Per capita is a Latin phrase meaning for each head. ... Map of countries by GDP (nominal) per capita. ... World map indicating Human Development Index (2004). ... Image File history File links Red_Arrow_Down. ... This is a list of countries by Human Development Index as included in the United Nations Development Programmes Human Development Report 2006, compiled on the basis of 2004 data. ... The Dirham is the currency of the United Arab Emirates. ... ISO 4217 is the international standard describing three letter codes (also known as the currency code) to define the names of currencies established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ... A time zone is a region of the Earth that has adopted the same standard time, usually referred to as the local time. ... Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) is a high-precison atomic time standard. ... Daylight saving time around the world  DST used  DST no longer used  DST never used Daylight saving time (DST), also summer time in British English, is the convention of advancing clocks so that afternoons have more daylight and mornings have less. ... Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) is a high-precison atomic time standard. ... The following is a list of currently existing Internet Top-level domains (TLDs). ... .ae is the Internet country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for the United Arab Emirates. ... This is a list of country calling codes defined by ITU-T recommendation E.164. ... A map showing countries commonly considered to be part of the Middle East The Middle East is a region comprising the lands around the southern and eastern parts of the Mediterranean Sea, a territory that extends from the eastern Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf. ... The Arabian Peninsula Emirets towers in United Arab Emirates; the eastern part of Arabian Penisula The Arabian Peninsula (in Arabic: شبه الجزيرة العربية, or جزيرة العرب) is a peninsula in Southwest Asia at the junction of Africa and Asia consisting mainly of desert. ... This article does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Map of the Persian Gulf. ... Etymologically an emirate or amirate (Arabic: إمارة Imarah, plural: إمارات Imarat) is the quality, dignity, office or territorial competence of any Emir (prince, governor etc. ... Abu Dhabi or Abu Zaby (Arabic language: أبوظبي) is the largest of the seven emirates that comprise the United Arab Emirates and was also the largest of the former Trucial States. ... The flag of Ajman Ajmān, or Ujman (Arabic: عجمان) is the smallest member state of the United Arab Emirates, with an area of just 260 square kilometres. ... Coordinates: Emirate Dubai Government  - Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Area [1]  - Metro 4,114 km² (1,588. ... Fujairah (Arabic: الفجيرة) is an emirate of the United Arab Emirates. ... The flag of Ras al-Khaimah Ras Al-Khaimah (Arabic: رأس الخيمة the top of the tent) is one of the United Arab Emirates. ... Sharjah Central Souq - Shopping Mall The flag of Sharjah The Emirate of Sharjah (Arabic: الشارقة ash-shaariqah) extends along approximately 16 kilometres of the United Arab Emiratess Persian Gulf coastline and for more than 80 kilometres into the interior. ... Umm al-Qaiwain (Arabic language: أمّ القيوين) is one of the United Arab Emirates. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) The 19th century lasted from 1801 to 1900 in the Gregorian calendar (using the Common Era system of year numbering). ... For other uses, see Sheikh (disambiguation). ... Look up pirate and piracy in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... (17th century - 18th century - 19th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701 through 1800. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999... Pumpjack pumping an oil well near Lubbock, Texas Ignacy Łukasiewicz - inventor of the refining of kerosene from crude oil. ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, inclusive. ... World map showing the location of Asia. ...

History

Main article: History of the United Arab Emirates

Image File history File links Wiki_letter_w. ... The United Arab Emirates was formed from the group of tribally organized Arabian Peninsula sheikhdoms along the southern coast of the Persian Gulf and the northwestern coast of the Gulf of Oman. ...

Geography

The United Arab Emirates is situated on a pensinsula in the Arabian Gulf. It is bordered by Oman to the east and Saudi Arabia to the west and south. Iran is the closest country to it from the north. The UAE is 83,600 sq.km (including 200 islands - approximately). map of the United Arab Emirates, converted directly from CIA World Factbook GIF. File links The following pages link to this file: Geography of the United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates Categories: CIA World Factbook images ...

Administrative divisions

Administrative map of the United Arab Emirates.

Main article: Emirates of the United Arab Emirates

See also: Ranked lists of UAE Emirates, List of cities in the United Arab Emirates, and Category:Towns and villages in the United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates is a federation which consists of seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1414x1123, 213 KB) Administrative map of the United Arab Emirates in English. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1414x1123, 213 KB) Administrative map of the United Arab Emirates in English. ... The United Arab Emirates is composed of 7 emirates (imarat; singular: imarah): Abu Dhabi Ajman Al Fujayrah Sharjah Dubai Ras al Khaymah Umm al Qaywayn See also  ISO 3166-2:AE Categories: Lists of subnational entities | United Arab Emirates ... These are ranked lists of the emirates of the United Arab Emirates. ... Map of the United Arab Emirates This is a list of the principal cities of the United Arab Emirates, in alphabetical order: Abu Dhabi Ajmān, Ajmān Alain Ruwais Diba Diba Al Hesn Diba Al Baya Dubai Fujairah Kalba Kawr Fakkān MÄ«nā Jabal AlÄ« MÄ«n... A map displaying todays federations. ... Etymologically an emirate or amirate (Arabic: إمارة Imarah, plural: إمارات Imarat) is the quality, dignity, office or territorial competence of any Emir (prince, governor etc. ... Abu Dhabi (Arabic: ‎ ʼAbÅ« Ẓaby, literally Father of Gazelle) is the largest of the seven emirates that compose the United Arab Emirates and was also the largest of the former Trucial States. ... Ajmān, or Ujman (Arabic:عجمان) is the smallest member state of the United Arab Emirates, with an area of just 250 km². Located along the Persian Gulf, it also controls Masfut and Manama, two small, inland enclaves that are primarily agricultural. ... Coordinates: Emirate Dubai Government  - Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Area [1]  - Metro 4,114 km² (1,588. ... Fujairah (Arabic: الفجيرة) is an emirate of the United Arab Emirates. ... The flag of Ras al-Khaimah Ras Al-Khaimah (Arabic: رأس الخيمة the top of the tent) is one of the United Arab Emirates. ... Sharjah Central Souq - Shopping Mall The flag of Sharjah The Emirate of Sharjah (Arabic: الشارقة ash-shaariqah) extends along approximately 16 kilometres of the United Arab Emiratess Persian Gulf coastline and for more than 80 kilometres into the interior. ... Umm al-Qaiwain (Arabic language: أمّ القيوين) is one of the United Arab Emirates. ...

Five emirates have one or more exclaves, in addition to the main territory: D is Bs exclave, but is not an enclave. ...

• Ajman: 1 exclave
• Dubai: 1 exclave
• Fujairah: 2 exclaves
• Ras al-Khaimah: 1 exclave
• Sharjah: 3 exclaves

In addition there are two areas under joint control. One is jointly controlled by Oman and Ajman, the other by Fujairah and Sharjah.

Exclaves and enclaves

There is an Omani enclave surrounded by UAE territory, known as Wadi Madha. It is located halfway between the Musandam peninsula and the rest of Oman, on the Dubai-Hatta road in the Emirate of Sharjah. It covers approximately 75 square kilometres (29 sq mi) and the boundary was settled in 1969. The north-east corner of Madha is closest to the Khor Fakkan-Fujairah road, barely 10 metres (33 ft) away. Within the enclave is a UAE exclave called Nahwa, also belonging to the Emirate of Sharjah. It is about 8 kilometres (5 mi) on a dirt track west of the town of New Madha. It consists of about forty houses with its own clinic and telephone exchange [1]. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The Omani territory of Madha (Arabic: ) or Wadi Madha is surrounded by the United Arab Emirates, halfway between the Musandam Peninsula and the rest of Oman. ... The Musandam peninsula is a region of Oman that is separated from the rest of the country by the United Arab Emirates. ... Coordinates: Emirate Dubai Government  - Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Area [1]  - Metro 4,114 km² (1,588. ... Hatta can mean:- Hatta was an Arab village in Palestine (now Israel): it was abandoned in 1948. ... Sharjah Central Souq - Shopping Mall The flag of Sharjah The Emirate of Sharjah (Arabic: الشارقة ash-shaariqah) extends along approximately 16 kilometres of the United Arab Emiratess Persian Gulf coastline and for more than 80 kilometres into the interior. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ... Khor Fakkan (sometimes written as Khawr Fakkan) (Arabic:خورفكان) is geographically situated within the Emirate of Fujairah on the East coast of the United Arab Emirates on the Gulf of Oman, but is actually an isolated enclave belonging to the Emirate of Sharjah. ... Fujairah (Arabic: الفجيرة) is an emirate of the United Arab Emirates. ... D is Bs exclave, but is not an enclave. ... According to The Encyclopedia of International Boundaries there is one enclave within the Omani Madha exclave, named Nahwa, belonging to the Emirate of Sharjah. ... A mile is a unit of length, usually used to measure distance, in a number of different systems, including Imperial units, United States customary units and Norwegian/Swedish mil. ...

Politics

Main article: Politics of the United Arab Emirates

See also: foreign relations of the United Arab Emirates and military of the United Arab Emirates

The Presidency and Premiership of the United Arab Emirates is hereditary to the Al Nahyan clan of Abu Dhabi and the Al Maktoum clan of Dubai respectively. The Supreme Council, consisting of the rulers of the seven emirates, also elects the Council of Ministers, while an appointed forty-member Federal National Council, drawn from all the emirates, reviews proposed laws. There is a federal court system; all emirates except Dubai and Ras al-Khaimah have joined the federal system; all emirates have both secular and Islamic law for civil, criminal, and high courts. Politics of the United Arab Emirates takes place in a framework of a federal presidential republic, a federation of seven absolute monarchies, the Emirates of Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah, Sharjah, Dubai, Ras al-Khaimah and Umm al-Qaiwain. ... The UAE joined the United Nations and the Arab League and has established diplomatic relations with more than 60 countries, including the United States, Japan, Russia, the Peoples Republic of China, and most Western European countries. ... The Trucial Oman Scouts, long the symbol of public order on the coast and commanded by British officers, were turned over to the United Arab Emirates as its defense forces in 1971. ...

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was the union's president from the nation's founding until his death on 2 November 2004. The Federal Supreme Council elected his son, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahayan, president the next day. Sheikh Zayed Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (Arabic:الشيخ زايد بن سلطان أل نهيان)‎, (1918 — 2 November 2004), the principal architect of the seven United Arab Emirates, was the moderate... November 2 is the 306th day of the year (307th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 59 days remaining. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Khalifa bin Zayed, president of the UAE. His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahayan (Arabic: ‎, born 1948) is the current president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). ...

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of the United Arab Emirates

UAE has one of the most diverse populations in the Middle East.^[2] Since the mid-1980s, people from all across South Asia have settled in the UAE. In fact, an estimated 85 percent of the population is comprised of non-citizens, one of the world's highest percentages of foreign-born in any nation.^{[citation needed]} The UAE's better living standards and economic opportunities than anywhere else in the Middle East and South Asia have made it an attractive destination for Indians and Pakistanis, along with tens of thousands from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. In 2006, there were approximately 1.2 million Indian nationals and 700,000 Pakistani nationals in the UAE, making them the largest expatriate community in the oil-rich nation.^[3] Persons from over twenty Arab nationalities, including thousands of Palestinians who came as either political refugees or migrant workers, live in the UAE.^{[citation needed]} Demographics of the United Arab Emirates, Data of FAO, year 2005 ; Number of inhabitants in thousands. ... A map showing countries commonly considered to be part of the Middle East The Middle East is a region comprising the lands around the southern and eastern parts of the Mediterranean Sea, a territory that extends from the eastern Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf. ... The 1980s refers to the years of and between 1980 and 1989. ... This article is about the geopolitical region in Asia. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... A non-resident Indian (NRI) is an Indian citizen who has migrated to another country. ... This article or section may contain original research or unverified claims. ... The Palestinian flag, adopted in 1948, is a widely recognized modern symbol of the Palestinian people. ...

The most populated city is Dubai, with approximately 1.2 million people. Other major cities include Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Sharjah, and Fujairah. About 88% of the population of the United Arab Emirates is urban.^[4] The remaining live in tiny towns scattered throughout the country or many of the desert oilfield camps. Coordinates: Emirate Dubai Government  - Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Area [1]  - Metro 4,114 km² (1,588. ...

There are also residents from other parts of the Middle East, Baluchistan, Africa, Europe, Post-Soviet states, and North America. The UAE has developed a small number, but very affluent group of expatriates (Americans, British, Japanese and Australians) from developed countries, attracted to a very warm climate, scenic views (beaches, golf courses, man-made islands and lucrative housing tracts in Abu Dhabi and Dubai), the nation's comparably low-cost of living (but in 2006, thousands of real estate properties are valued over millions of dollars) and tax-free incentives for their business or residency in the UAE. They make up under 5 percent of the UAE population, mainly English-speaking as well learned Arabic and are mainly not Muslims, but adhered to the law and customs of their adopted country. A map showing countries commonly considered to be part of the Middle East The Middle East is a region comprising the lands around the southern and eastern parts of the Mediterranean Sea, a territory that extends from the eastern Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf. ... Baluchistan (or Balochistan), also known as Greater Baluchistan is an arid region of south Asia, presently split between Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan. ... A world map showing the continent of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. ... This article is 150 kilobytes or more in size. ... Post-Soviet states in alphabetical order: 1. ... World map showing North America A satellite composite image of North America. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...

Culture and religion

See also: Islam in the United Arab Emirates, Roman Catholicism in the United Arab Emirates, Music of the United Arab Emirates, Cinema of the United Arab Emirates, UAE Public Library and Cultural Center, and Yowla

Rooted in Islamic culture, the UAE has strong ties with the rest of the Arab and Islamic world. The government is committed to preserving traditional forms of art and culture, primarily through the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation. Jumeirah Mosque, built in stone in medieval Fatimid tradition, is an example of modern Islamic architecture and is one of the most photographed sights of Dubai More than 80 percent of the population of the UAE are noncitizens. ... The Roman Catholic Church in the United Arab Emirates is part of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope and curia in Rome. ... The United Arab Emirates is a part of the Persian Gulf khaleeji tradition, and is also known for Bedouin folk music. ... The Cinema of the United Arab Emirates is very small. ... The Abu Dhabi Public Library and Cultural Center Designed by architect Hisham N. Ashkouri as the 1st Prize entry in an International Design Competition in 1976, this building is a cluster of three buildings, a one million volume National Library, a complete 600-seat Auditorium with full performance art stage... Yowla can mean the York One-World Linking Association [1], which is the parent organisation of the York-Fanteakwa Link a dance or martial art native to the United Arab Emirates. ... Islam ▶(?) (Arabic: الإسلام al-islām) the submission to God is a monotheistic faith, one of the Abrahamic religions, the worlds second-largest religion, and said by some sources to be the fastest growing religion in some parts of the world. ... Map of Arab League states in dark green with non-Arab areas in light green and Somalia and Djibouti in striped green due to their Arab League membership but non-Arab population. ... Islam (Arabic: ; ( ▶ (help· info)), the submission to God) is a monotheistic faith, one of the Abrahamic religions and the worlds second-largest religion. ...

Nearly all citizens are Muslims, approximately 85 percent of whom are Sunni and the remaining 15 percent are Shi'a. Although no official figures are available, local observers estimate that approximately 55 percent of the foreign population is Muslim, 25 percent is Hindu, 10 percent is Christian, 5 percent is Buddhist, and 5 percent (most of whom reside in Dubai and Abu Dhabi) belong to other religions, including Parsi, Baha'i, and Sikh.^[5] Sunni Islam (Arabic سنّة) is the largest denomination of Islam. ... Shia Islam ( Arabic شيعى follower; English has traditionally used Shiite or Shiite) is the second largest Islamic denomination; some 20-25% of all Muslims are said to follow a Shia tradition. ... This article discusses the adherents of Hinduism. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Christianity. ... A replica of an ancient statue found among the ruins of a temple at Sarnath Buddhism is a philosophy based on the teachings of the Buddha, Siddhārtha Gautama, a prince of the Shakyas, whose lifetime is traditionally given as 566 to 486 BCE. It had subsequently been accepted by... A Parsi (Gujarati: PārsÄ«, IPA: ), sometimes spelled Parsee, is a member of the close-knit Zoroastrian community based in the Indian subcontinent. ... Known in India as the Lotus Temple, the Bahai House of Worship attracts an average of three and a half million visitors a year. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ...

Dubai is the only emirate of the UAE with a Hindu Temple and a Sikh Gurudwara. Churches are also present in the country. There are a variety of Asian-influenced schools, restaurants and cultural centers. There also exist a growing number of European centers, schools, and restaurants. The first known manuscript in UAE is Al jawaher wal la'li. This article discusses the adherents of Hinduism. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... A manuscript (Latin manu scriptus, written by hand), strictly speaking, is any written document that is put down by hand, in contrast to being printed or reproduced some other way. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ...

Education

The education system up to the secondary level is monitored by the Ministry of Education. It consists of primary schools, middle schools and secondary schools. The public schools are government-funded and the curricula is created to match the United Arab Emirates development's goals and values. The medium of instruction in the public school is Arabic with emphasis on English as a second language. There are also many private schools internationally accredited. Public schools in the country is free for Emirati (UAE's National). 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 institutes; including the main three institutes : United Arab Emirates University, Zayed University and Higher Colleges of Technology. There are also many private universities and colleges in the country. Some world-renowned universities have established campuses in the United Arab Emirates. In some educational systems, undergraduate education is post-secondary education up to the level of a Bachelors degree. ... United Arab Emirates University is the largest of the three government-sponsored institutions of higher learning in the United Arab Emirates. ... Most of the following description of Zayed University has been inserted by University staff. ... The Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) was established in 1988, and is now the largest institution of higher learning in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with over 16,500 students. ...

The country has shown interest to improve education and research. Recent interest includes establishing CERT Research Centers and Masdar Institute of Science and Technology.

Sports

New sports are becoming popular alongside traditional camel racing. Examples of these new sports include golf, with two European Tour events in the country (the Dubai Desert Classic and the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship) and the world's richest horse race, the Dubai World Cup, held annually in March [2]. This camel is driven by a child jockey. ... The PGA European Tour is a top-level professional mens golf tour. ... 18th hole during Dubal Desert Classic 2001 The Dubai Desert Classic is an annual professional golf tournament which is usually played in February or March. ... The Abu Dhabi Golf Championship is a new European Tour golf tournament to be held at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club by Sheraton in Abu Dhabi in the United Emirates which will be staged for the first time in January 2006. ... The Dubai World Cup is a Thoroughbred horserace event held annually since 1996 at the Nad Al Sheba Racecourse, 10 minutes away from the city centre of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. ...

Aside from the international circuit events, the UAE has a healthy indigenous sporting environment with the local community participating in a wide variety of clubs and establishments. The seven emirates regularly compete in national leagues and cups in a multiplicity of sports that are controlled by specialized governing bodies. Top sporting venues (both indoor and outdoor) and an all-year-round good climate ensure that the activities continue throughout the winter season.

Football (soccer)

Like most other sporting nations, the UAE has a huge interest in football. The UAE FA was first established in 1971 and since then has dedicated its time and effort to promoting the game, organising youth programmes and improving the abilities of not only its players, but of the officials and coaches involved with its regional teams. The U.A.E. football team qualified for the World Cup in 1990 - with Egypt it was the third consecutive World Cup with two Arab nations qualifying after Kuwait and Algeria in 1982 and Iraq and Algeria again in 1986. The UAE team narrowly won the Kirin Cup with a sixty-eighth minute goal against hosts Japan, but campaigns in the Asian Cup Finals, They have on the Gulf Cup with the lead of Ismail Matar who was the best striker in it Matar also was the best youth player in the Youth World Cup 2003. A new manager, Dick Advocat, joined the UAE team in July in time for a four-team friendly in Switzerland, in which they beat both Qatar and Kuwait but lost 5–4 on penalties in the final against Egypt. Despite the disappointment of the national team, football in the UAE has had a successful year. All tournaments for senior and junior teams were completed, and sponsorship deals with Dubai Holding and Emirates airline have been signed. In April, Dubai Holding agreed to provide the national team with Dh20 million (US$5.45 million) sponsorship money over the next four years. The fund will also go towards developing the sport.The UAE also recently won the Gulf Cup soccer championship held in Abu Dhabi January 2007. Football is a ball game played between two teams of eleven players, each attempting to win by scoring more goals than their opponent. ... First international UAE 1 - 0 Qatar (Saudi Arabia; March 17, 1972) Biggest win Brunei 0 - 12 UAE (Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei; April 14, 2001) Biggest defeat Brazil 8 - 0 UAE (Abu Dhabi, UAE; November 12, 2005) World Cup Appearances 1 (First in 1990) Best result Round 1, 1990 AFC Asian... The FIFA World Cup Trophy, which has been awarded to the world champions since 1974. ... Qualifying countries The 1990 FIFA World Cup, the 14th staging of the World Cup, was held in Italy from June 8 to July 8. ... Qualifying countries The 1982 Football World Cup was held in Spain by decision of FIFA in July 1966, in the same session where FIFA gave the right to host the 1974 and 1978 tournaments to, respectively, West Germany and Argentina. ... Qualifying countries The 1986 FIFA World Cup, the 13th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in Mexico from May 31 to June 29. ...

Tennis

The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships (part of the ATP Tour World Series at the Aviation Club, Dubai) was bigger than ever in 2005 with no less than six of the top-seeded women’s players taking centre court, a first time appearance by tennis’ golden boy, Andre Agassi, and the return of the celebrated Roger Federer,who was seeking his third title crown, resulting in some dramatic court action. In an unprecedented move, Dubai Duty Free, organisers of the championship,decided to switch the men’s tournament to the first week of the competition so that it ran from 21 to 27 February and the women’s was played from 28 February to 5 March.

Camel Racing

The inhabitants of the Gulf states have enjoyed a long and productive relationship with the camel, which is held in great admiration and respect. Formalizing camel racing was one way of maintaining its central role in UAE life. The UAE now has no less than 15 race tracks across the seven emirates. Nad Al Sheba, 10 kilometers outside of Dubai, Al Wathba, 30 kilometers south-east of Abu Dhabi, and Al Ain track, which is 20 kilometers west of Al Ain, are all large, well-equipped camel tracks with high-tech facilities. Two smaller tracks are located in Sharjah, one in Ra’s al-Khaimah and one in Umm al-Qaiwain. Others are spread throughout the desert areas

Cricket

Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium in Sharjah has hosted 4 international Test matches so far. Sheikh Zayed Stadium and Al Jazira Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi also hosts international cricket. Dubai also has two cricket stadiums (Dubai Cricket Ground No.1 and No.2) and is now home to the International Cricket Council. [3] For the insect, see Cricket (insect). ... We dont have an article called Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium Start this article Search for Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium in. ... Sharjah Central Souq - Shopping Mall The flag of Sharjah The Emirate of Sharjah (Arabic: الشارقة ash-shaariqah) extends along approximately 16 kilometres of the United Arab Emiratess Persian Gulf coastline and for more than 80 kilometres into the interior. ... Sheikh Zayed Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. ... Al Jazira Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium (Arabic: ستاد محمد بن زايد) is a multi-use stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. ... Abu Dhabi or Abu Zaby (Arabic language: أبوظبي) is the largest of the seven emirates that comprise the United Arab Emirates and was also the largest of the former Trucial States. ... Coordinates: Emirate Dubai Government  - Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Area [1]  - Metro 4,114 km² (1,588. ... ICC logo The International Cricket Council (ICC) is the governing body for international Test match and One-day International cricket. ...

F1

In February 2007 it was announced that Bernie Ecclestone had signed a seven year deal with Abu Dhabi, to host a Formula 1 race there from the 2009 season. The 5.6 km circuit is to be set on Yas Island and it will include street and marina sections similar to Monoco's course. Formula One, abbreviated to F1 and also known as Grand Prix racing, is the highest class of single-seat open-wheel auto racing. ... Bernard Charles Bernie Ecclestone (born October 29, 1930 near Bungay, Suffolk) is the president and CEO of Formula One Management and Formula One Administration, and owns a stake in Alpha Prema, the parent company of the Formula One Group of companies. ... Formula One, abbreviated to F1 and also known as Grand Prix racing, is the highest class of single-seat open-wheel auto racing. ...

Rugby Sevens

U.A.E. hosts Dubai Sevens round of the IRB Sevens World Series at Dubai Exiles Rugby Ground. An annual rugby union sevens tournament held in Dubai each year at the Dubai Exiles Rugby Ground. ... The IRB Sevens World Series, known officially as the IRB Sevens before the 2006-07 season and also sometimes called the World Sevens Series, is a series of international rugby union sevens tournaments organised for the first time in the 1999-2000 season. ...

Human rights

Main article: Human rights in the United Arab Emirates

Although the UAE government has made some advances in the protection of human rights, the U.S. Department of State notes in its annual report on human rights practices that numerous fundamental practices and policies exist to the contrary. Specifically, the UAE does not have democratically elected institutions (citizens do not have the right to change their government) or political parties; free assembly and association are restricted; and the rights of workers are limited. Although the United Arab Emirates government has made some advances in the protection of human rights, the U.S. Department of State notes in its annual report on human rights practices that numerous fundamental practices and policies exist to the contrary. ... Human rights are rights which some hold to be inalienable and belonging to all humans. ... ...

Transportation

Main article: Transport in the United Arab Emirates

Dubai has a public transport system called the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). This authority is responsible for the bus network currently in operation. Recently, the RTA purchased 300 busses from Germany's MAN AG in an effort to reduce the city's growing traffic problem. RTA is also developing the Dubai Metro system. The first line (Red Line) is expected to complete by September 2009. // 0 km Dubai - CONSTRUCTION work on a two-line metro network is expected to start on May 5, 2005. ...

Internet

Internet access is strictly filtered over the local proxy server of the telecommunication company Etisalat [4]. However some facilities such as educational facilities and free zones have unlimited internet access.VOIP is blocked, [5] prompting discussion concerning the freedom of speech and making the country less attractive for international companies. Officials have never released a clear statement concerning the reason for the VOIP block. The only statement released was that the UAE has no regulation for VOIP and only the local telecommunication companies are allowed to use this technology [6]. It is argued by some that the government's ownership of the local telecommunication companies is the reason for this block. Etisalats revenue by the end of 2006 was $2.48 billion [7] This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Etisalat logo Emirates Telecommunications Corporation, also known as Etisalat (former Emirtel), is the incumbent telecommunications carrier and internet service provider in the United Arab Emirates. ... IP Telephony, also called Internet telephony, is the technology that makes it possible to have a telephone conversation over the Internet or a dedicated Internet Protocol (IP) network instead of dedicated voice transmission lines. ...

Airlines history

The national airline of Abu Dhabi was formerly Gulf Air, operated jointly with Bahrain and Oman. On September 13, 2005, Abu Dhabi announced that they were withdrawing from Gulf Air to concentrate on Etihad Airways, designated as the new national carrier of the UAE, established in November 2003. For other uses, see Flag carrier (disambiguation). ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... September 13 is the 256th day of the year (257th in leap years). ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Etihad Airways Airbus A330-200 Etihad Airways Airbus A340-300 Etihad Airways is a national airline based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, operating routes to the Middle East, Europe, Asia, the Indian subcontinent and North America. ...

In 1985, Dubai established its airline Emirates, which is now one of the fastest growing airlines in the world [8]. 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Coordinates: Emirate Dubai Government  - Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Area [1]  - Metro 4,114 km² (1,588. ... Boeing 777-300ER “Emirates” redirects here. ...

Photo Gallery

UAE in Picture

Technology, media and telecommunications

Communication

Main article: Communications in the United Arab Emirates

Image File history File links Wiki_letter_w. ... Telephones - main lines in use: 915,223 (1998) Telephones - mobile cellular: 1 million (1999) Telephone system: modern system consisting of microwave radio relay and coaxial cable; key centers are Abu Dhabi and Dubai domestic: microwave radio relay and coaxial cable international: satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and...

Media

Media is one of the first industries that the emirate of Dubai has sought to develop through a number of micro-cities,Dubai Media City has helped to make Dubai the media hub for the region, encompassing both the creation of media, from print through television and new media, and the advertising and marketing industry. Dubai Media City is located in Dubai at the crossroads of the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. ...

A number of international news organizations, including Reuters, Associated Press, Agence France Press, Bloomberg, Dow Jones Newswires, CNN and the BBC, all have a presence in Dubai Media City, and enjoy complete freedom to report on local and regional events.

The leading English-language newspapers in the UAE are:

• Gulf News, the highest circulating broadsheet
• The Emirates Evening Post, the only English afternoon daily
• 7DAYS, the highest circulating tabloid
• Khaleej Times, the second-highest circulating broadsheet
• Emirates Today, a government-owned newspaper
• Xpress, Dubai's tabloid

Holidays

The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Arabic ( or just ) is the largest living member of the Semitic language family in terms of speakers. ... January 1 is the first day of the calendar year in both the Julian and Gregorian calendars. ... Eid ul-Adha (Arabic: عيد الأضحى ‘Īd al-’Aḍḥā) occurs on the tenth day of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijja. ... The Islamic calendar or Muslim calendar (Arabic: التقويم الهجري; at-taqwÄ«m al-hijrÄ«; Persian: گاه‌شماری هجري قمری ‎ Gāhshomāri-ye hejri-ye qamari; also called the Hijri calendar) is the calendar used to date events in many predominantly Muslim countries, and used by Muslims everywhere to determine the proper day on which to... Isra is an Arabic word referring to what Muslims regard as Muhammads miraculous night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem - specifically, to the site of Masjid al-Aqsa - alluded to in Surat Al-Isra 1: سبحان الذي أسرى ب&#1593... December 2 is the 336th day (337th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The fourth pillar of Islam which is fasting is practiced during the month of Ramadan. ... Eid ul-Fitr or Id-Ul-Fitr (Arabic: عيد الفطر ‘Īd al-Fiá¹­r), often abbreviated as simply Eid, is an Islamic holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. ...

See also

• Schools in the United Arab Emirates
• Companies in the United Arab Emirates

The following page lists Emirati companies or subsidiaries according to their sector. ...

References

World Bank Group logo The World Bank Group is a group of five international organizations responsible for providing finance and advice to countries for the purposes of economic development and eliminating poverty. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... October 24 is the 297th day of the year (298th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 68 days remaining. ...

External links

Image File history File links Information_icon. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Image File history File links Wikibooks-logo. ... Image File history File links Wikiquote-logo. ... Image File history File links Wikisource-logo. ... Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... Image File history File links WikiNews-Logo. ... Image File history File links Wikiversity-logo-Snorky. ...

Government

• Government of United Arab Emirates official site
• UAE Interact: News & Information on the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Supported by The National Media Council
• Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi
• Food Control Authority
• Dubai eGovernment Portal
• Ras Al Khaimah eGovernment Portal
• Geographic Information System

General information

• Open Directory Project - United Arab Emirates directory category
• US State Department - United Arab Emirates includes Background Notes, Country Study and major reports
• Columbia University-United Arab Emirates - Information about UAE
• BBC News Country Profile
• Emirates Live - Emirates Reflective Pictures
• CIA World Factbook - United Arab Emirates directory category
• Dubai FAQs - Information about Dubai and the UAE
• Dubai Jobs Network UAE Jobs in Dubai
• The United Arab Emirates Information Guide - The Emirates Network
• Online Maps of the United Arab Emirates
• StartpageDubai - online guide for Dubai

Non-governmental organisations

• Ansar Burney Trust - working on human rights and human trafficking issues in the Middle East; and against the use of children for slavery for camel racing in the UAE