|
 Key Data
Region: Middle East
Population 2,344,402 (July 2000 Estimate)
Area Total 82,880 km2 Area Land 82,880 km2 Coastline 1,318 km
Climate Desert; cooler in eastern mountains
Languages Arabic Persian English Hindi Urdu
Currency 1 Emirian dirham (Dh$) = 100 fils
Holiday National Day, 2 December 1971
Boundaries
Saudi Arabia 457 km
Oman 410 km
Ethnic Divisions
South Asian 50 %
Other Arab and Iranian 23 %
Emiri 19 %
Other expatriates 8 %
Religions
Muslims (Shi'a 16%) 96 %
Christian, Hindu and other 4 %
Largest Cities
City ,Population Estimated
Dubai 585,189 1989
Abu Dhabi 363,432 1989
Al-Ayn 176,411 1989
Ash-Shariqah 125,000 1980
Ras al-Khaymah 42,000 1980
People
The population of the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) totals
around 2.4 million, but less than 35 percent are ethnic Emiris. Non-nationals
include significant numbers of other Arabs-Palestinians, Egyptians, Jordanians,
Yemenis, Omanis-as well as many Iranians, Pakistanis, Indians, Filipinos and
West Europeans. The majority of U.A.E. citizens are Sunni Muslims with a small
Shia minority. Most foreigners also are Muslim, although Hindus and Christians
make up a portion of the U.A.E.'s foreign population. Arabic is the official
language, while Persian, English, Hindi and Urdu are also spoken. Educational
standards among U.A.E. citizens are rising rapidly. Enrollment in private
schools has risen 145 percent from 1991 to 1999. In the same period, public
schools experienced a 73.5 percent growth. Both citizens and temporary residents
have taken advantage of numerous facilities throughout the country. There are
several institutions of higher learning. The U.A.E. University in al-Ain has
around 15,000 students in an academic year, and female students usually
constitute 80 percent of the student body. A network of technical-vocational
colleges opened in 1989. The functional literacy rate for the total population
is 79.2 percent. The number is gender-balanced with 78.9 percent for males and
79.8 percent for females. In terms of health and welfare, the infant mortality
rate in the U.A.E. is 17.17 deaths per 1,000 live births. Life expectancy at
birth for the total population is 74.06 years-71.64 years of age for males and
76.61 years of age for females, according to the CIA Factbook 2000. The
population growth was estimated to be 1.61 percent in 2000, and the fertility
rate 3.29 children per woman. The Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite
of three basic components of human development: longevity, knowledge and
standard of living. For a complete overview of the index and its methodology,
please see the appendix. The HDI 2000 ranks the United Arab Emirates in the
lower part of the high development category on a 45th place with an overall
score of 0.810. The U.A.E. scores relatively high on the life expectancy index
(0.83) and the GDP index (0.86), but somewhat lower on the education index
(0.73).
History
The U.A.E. was formed from the group of tribally organized
Arabian Peninsula shaikhdoms along the southern coast of the Persian Gulf and
the northwestern coast of the gulf of Oman. This area was converted to Islam in
the seventh century; for centuries it was embroiled in dynastic disputes. It
became known as the Pirate Coast, as raiders based there harassed foreign
shipping, while both European and Arab navies patrolled the area from the 17th
century into the 19th century. Early British expeditions to protect the India
trade from raiders at Ras al-Khaimah led to campaigns against that headquarters
and other harbors along the coast in 1819. The next year, a general peace treaty
was signed to which all the principal shaikhs of the coast adhered. Raids
continued intermittently until 1835, when the shaikhs agreed not to engage in
hostilities at sea. In 1853, they signed a treaty with the United Kingdom, under
which the shaikhs (the "Trucial Shaikhdoms") agreed to a
"perpetual maritime truce." It was enforced by the United Kingdom, and
disputes among shaikhs were referred to the British for settlement. Primarily in
reaction to the ambitions of other European countries, the United Kingdom and
the Trucial Shaikhdoms established closer bonds in an 1892 treaty, similar to
treaties entered into by the U.K. with other Gulf principalities. The shaikhs
agreed not to dispose of any territory except to the United Kingdom, and not to
enter into relationships with any foreign government other than the United
Kingdom without its consent. In return, the British promised to protect the
Trucial coast from all aggression by sea, and to help out in case of land
attack. In 1955, the United Kingdom sided with Abu Dhabi in the latter's dispute
with Saudi Arabia over the Buraimi Oasis and another territory to the south. The
U.A.E. had border conflicts with Saudi Arabia and Oman in 1974 concerning eight
villages along their borders. The U.A.E. claimed six of the villages and Oman
took two, and Saudi Arabia gained a strip of land giving it access to the
Persian Gulf and a share of a disputed oil field. Other disagreements over
boundaries and water rights remained, and the final location and status of
boundary with both Saudi Arabia has not been reached to date. The border with
Oman remains officially unsettled, but the two governments agreed to delineate
the border in May 1999. In 1968, the U.K. announced its decision, reaffirmed in
March 1971, to end the treaty relationships with the seven Trucial Shaikhdoms,
which had been, together with Bahrain and Qatar, under British protection. The
nine attempted to form a union of Arab emirates, but by mid-1971 they were
unable to agree on the terms of the union, even though the termination date of
the British treaty relationship was the end of 1971. Bahrain became independent
in August and Qatar in September 1971. When the British-Trucial Shaikhdoms
treaty expired on Dec. 1, 1971, the Shaikhdoms became fully independent. On Dec.
2, 1971, six of them entered into a union called the United Arab Emirates; the
seventh, Ras al-Khaimah, joined in early 1972. The government was centralized
further in 1976 when the Federal Government attained control over defense,
immigration and foreign relations. This move resulted in some minor disputes
between some of the states. In 1979, further measures were taken toward
centralization, but were rejected by two of the states. The constitution,
provisional since 1971, was made permanent in June 1996.
Economy
The UAE has an open economy with one of the world's highest
per capita incomes and with a sizable annual trade surplus it enjoys low levels
of inflation and has a strong industrial and service sector. Its wealth is based
on oil and gas output (about 33% of GDP), and the fortunes of the economy
fluctuate with the prices of those commodities. With world oil prices at
relatively low levels in 1998, the GDP growth rate was a negative 5.7% and the
normally favorable trade balance was slightly negative. Since 1973, the UAE has
undergone a profound transformation from an impoverished region of small desert
principalities to a modern state with a high standard of living. At present
levels of production, oil and gas reserves should last for over 100 years. The
UAE Government is encouraging increased privatization within the economy. Gross
Domestic Product Real GDP in United Arab Emirates increased by 12.5% between
1994 and 1998, an average annual compound growth rate of 3.0%, while the
population increased by 7.9%, which was an annual compound growth rate of 1.9%.
This resulted in an increase in real GDP per capita from $17,814 to $18,627 over
the same period.
Agriculture
The agriculture sector in United Arab Emirates contributes
3.0% of the GDP and employs an estimated 5.0% of the labor force. The key
primary food crops produced are, potatoes, wheat and bananas. The primary meat
products are mutton, chicken, beef and veal, camels and goat. The largest (in
value terms) agricultural exports in 1997 were cigarettes, flour of wheat, rice,
dates and nuts. The total value of agriculture exports in 1997 was $908.1
million, while the total value of agricultural imports in 1997 was $2.3 billion.
Energy
The UAE is a net energy exporter. The main exports are oil
and natural gas. In 1997 the UAE exported an estimated 2.2 million barrels of
oil per day and 248 bcf of gas. The UAE contains proven crude oil reserves of
97.8 billion barrels, or slightly less than 10 percent of the world total. Abu
Dhabi holds 94 percent of this amount, or about 92 billion barrels. Dubai
contains an estimated 4.0 billion barrels, followed by Sharjah and Ras al-Khaimah,
with 1.5 billion and 100 million barrels of oil, respectively. In 1997, UAE
produced an estimated 2.5 million bbl/d. The majority of the UAE's crude oil is
considered light, with gravities in the 32° to 44° API range. Abu Dhabi's
Murban 39° and Dubai's Fateh 32° blends are the UAE's primary export crudes.
Most of the UAE's oil fields have been producing since the 1960s or early 1970s.
For the past several years, the UAE has kept fairly close to its assigned OPEC
crude production quota, which as of mid-1998 stood at 2.157 million bbl/d. Under
the UAE's constitution, each emirate controls its own oil production and
resource development. Although Abu Dhabi joined OPEC in 1967 (four years before
the UAE was formed), Dubai does not consider itself part of the Organization or
bound by its quotas. Consequently, if Dubai produces at full capacity, Abu Dhabi
adjusts its output so that the UAE, as a whole, meets the OPEC quota. This
situation often forces Abu Dhabi producers to operate below capacity.
Complicating matters for UAE is the fact that many of its Persian Gulf neighbors
and OPEC partners are routinely exceeding OPEC quotas while UAE tries to stay
within 70,000 to 85,000 bbl/d of its crude quota. The UAE's natural gas reserves
of roughly 204.9 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) are the world's fourth largest after
Russia, Iran, and Qatar. About 189 Tcf of these reserves are located in Abu
Dhabi. Sharjah, Dubai, and Ras al-Khaimah contain smaller reserves of 10.7 Tcf,
4.1 Tcf, and 1.1 Tcf, respectively. In Abu Dhabi, the non-associated Khuff gas
reservoirs beneath the Umm Shaif and Abu al-Bukhush oil fields rank among the
world's largest. Current gas reserves are projected to last for about 150 to 170
years, barring any new discoveries. Restrictive OPEC oil production quotas and
increased domestic consumption of electricity have provided incentives for UAE
to develop its vast gas reserves. Over the last decade, gas consumption in Abu
Dhabi has doubled, and is projected to reach 3 billion cubic feet per day by
2000 and 4 billion cubic feet per day by 2005. The development of gas fields
also increases exports of condensates, which are not subject to OPEC quotas. In
December 1996, Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed and Dubai's Sheikh Mohammed reached an
agreement on the supply of Abu Dhabi gas to Dubai. Dubai's gas consumption is
expected to rise sharply by the year 2000 due to expansions in its industrial
sector, a switch to gas by its power stations, and the need for an enhanced oil
recovery system based on gas injections for its depleting oil fields. The deal
stipulates that Abu Dhabi will sell gas to Dubai for $0.80 per million BTU, a
price that undercuts all other potential suppliers. In addition, Sheikh Zayed
promised to pay for the construction of a pipeline from the Abu Al Bukhoosh
offshore field to Dubai's free zone of Jebel Ali. The pipeline's capacity is
expected to be around 800 million cubic feet per day (mmcf/d) with 400-600 mmcf/d
to be supplied to Dubai and cost about $160 million. The agreement is not only
designed to strengthen ties between UAE's two largest emirates, but also to
insulate UAE from Iranian influence. A gas deal, proposed by the French company
Total, between Iran and Dubai had been in the works since early 1996. Sheikh
Zayed feared that the deal could have become a divisive issue within UAE in
light of its ongoing territorial dispute with Iran over the Abu Musa and Tunb
Islands. In the electric power sector the UAE has an installed capacity of 5.4
gw and produces all of its power from thermal (oil/gas) plants. In 1991 total
electricity production has 18.0 billion kwh.
Metals
The primary mineral extraction done in the UAE is of oil and
gas. The primary non-energy mineral produced is chromite. In 1996, 56,000 MT of
chromite were produced in Fujairah.
Environment
The United Arab Emirates are a union of emirates, mostly low
lying desert in landscape, along the western coast of Persian/Arabian Gulf.
Because of its desert features, water scarcity is a serious problem. As well,
because oil and natural gas make up its major industries, there is some degree
of pollution as a result of this industry, especially in the seas around the
territory of the UAE. Of particular significance is the fact that the UAE
recently implemented very aggressive environmental legislation, including a
prohibition against marine pollution, punishable by death. Key current
environmental issues in the UAE include the following: -lack of natural
freshwater resources, with the available water being overcome by desalination
plants -desertification -beach pollution from oil spills Major natural hazards
in the UAE include frequent sand and dust storms. Regulation and protection of
the environment in the United Arab Emirates is controlled and operated under the
jurisdiction of the Federal Environmental Agency. The major international
agreements which the UAE is party to include Climate Change, Endangered Species,
Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, and Ozone Layer Protection. Agreements signed,
but not ratified include Biodiversity, and Law of the Sea.
Culture
Islam is the official religion and Arabic the official
language. The majority of the local population is Sunni. The communities have
their own schools and social and cultural institutions. English, Urdu/Hindi and
Farsi are also spoken. Traditionally, the people of Abu Dhabi are courteous,
kind and friendly and quite hospitable both in social matters and in business.
Foreigners. especially tourists and visitors are treated with generosity. But
they in turn are expected to respect local customs, especially religious
practice. and abide by the law of the land. During Ramadan, the holy month of
fasting, non--Muslim foreigners are expected to refrain from eating. drinking
and smoking in public places during the hours of fasting. In Ramadan official
working hours are reduced.
National Dress
Native menfolk of the Arabian peninsula have a distinct form
of dress. They wear an ankle-length shirt (dishdasha), usually white (or colored
or striped in winter), a white, or sometimes red-chequered, headcloth (ghutra)
and the twisted, black rope piece (agal), holding the gutra in place. Men of
distinction and the Sheikhs also wear on top of their dishdasha a flowing cloak
(abba or bisht) edged with gold braid. It may he black or brown. UAE women are
very particular about their dress. They generally cover themselves from head to
feet with a black cloak called the ahaya'.
Camel Racing
Reflecting the traditions of the desert, the role of the
camel has been given much attention. Once it carried the people across the
sands, providing at the same time milk, meat and leather, while its
shoulder-blades were used as little 'blackboards' for children studying. Now
proper school equipment is available from other sources, as is leather, but many
local families still keep a few for meat and for milk. To encourage them to do
so, the government offers subsidies to those who still keep this noble and
historic beast of burden. The camel will more easily be noticed by the visitor,
however, during the great camel races held in various locations throughout the
country in the winter months, when owners from the Emirates and the rest of
Arabia pit their fastest steeds one against the other. The major festivals
attract many hundreds of camels to compete for prizes that total several million
dollars. The top steeds can each fetch well over a million dollars. Camel-racing
has become one of the country's most popular spectator sports.
Boat Racing
Another tradition that has taken on new life in the years
since the UAE was established is that of boat racing, now given substantial
encouragement by the government in the form of handsome cash prizes. Two kinds
of boats are used. The first is powered by a single sail that catches the wind
to drive wooden boats of shallow draught fast across the surface of the sea. A
couple of dozen such sailing boats scudding across the waves, their sails
shining in the sun, is one of the most romantic sights to be seen anywhere. The
other boats are powered by men, not the wind, great rowing boats of 20 meters or
more in length, rowed by up to a hundred oarsmen straining every muscle to reach
the finishing line. Boat races are held on special occasions throughout the
year, to commemorate events such as the annual National Day holiday, and have
proved a popular attraction for visitors, while, at the same time, keeping alive
the maritime traditions of the UAE.
FALCONRY
More of an individual sport is that of falconry, whose origins among the Arabs
date back many centuries, and are lost in the mists of time. Flying Saker or
peregrine falcons prized for their strength or speed, the people of the Emirates
practiced falconry in the past not merely as a sport but as a way of providing a
useful supplement to their diet. Today, it is purely a sport and one which is
popular however, the people of the Emirates are concerned with the need to
understand and protect the environment, and the quarry which they hunt, lest it
disappears.
Folk Music and Dance
Folk dances and music are integral to any celebration. Most
dances are male-oriented. Everybody present at a joyous occasion is expected to
join in. Dancers sway together in a line or a circle or clapping to the
accompaniment of tambourines of various sizes, with rings or bells attached.
Drums are an integral part of classical and folk music. A popular dance for
females has young girls in flowing black tresses swing their heads in a
hypnotic, undulating movement. Many popular songs are sung on special occasion.
Both music and words, usually of a bedu dialect, are simply composed. The
wedding provide the most popular occasions for traditional dancing. Dance groups
may begin performing a week or more before the event. Most wedding music and
dance is of local origin but some brought by immigrants have also been absorbed
into the folklore. At functions attended by local dignitaries and state guests a
particular folksong - the Ayyalah - is performed. This is basically developed
from a war song whose purpose was to raise the morale of the fighting men.
Visa
Most visitors to the UAE need an entry visa. This is the best
obtained through a sponsor within the UAE. British passport holders with the
right to abide in Great Britain may obtain a visa at the airport upon arrival.
Transit visas are valid for 14 days, tourist ones for 30 days and visit visas
for 30 days but can be renewed for up total 100 days. Citizens of GCC countries
may enter without a visa. Persons travelling on Israeli passport or who have
Israeli stamped passport will be denied entry. The fine for overstaying is 100
Dh. per day.
Duty Free Allowances:
Visitors are allowed 2000 cigarettes or 400 cigars or 2 kg of tobacco and
reasonable quantity of perfume. Customs There is no restriction of the amount of
currency that can be brought into the UAE and no customs duty on personal
effects.
Getting Around
Car rentals
There are car rental offices in each of the emirates offering all makes and
sizes of cars. Cars can either be rented alone or with driver. Rates vary but
are around Dh 120 a day for a small car and up to Dh. 1000 a day for a chauffeur
driven limousine. You will need to provide a copy of your passport and driver's
license if payment is by credit card.
Driving license:
Individuals from the following countries do not need an international license:
ECC countries, Canada, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Turkey and USA.
Helicopter hire:
Helicopters and fixed wing aircraft can be hired in AbuDhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.
You need a license from the authorities to access the airport and must submit a
flight plan. Rates range from US$ 1200 to US$ 6000 per hour.
Transportation
Taxis form a common means of getting around town. AbuDhabi
and Dubai have plenty of metered taxis that can be hired for Dh 5-20. There are
many unmetered taxis as well, so it is best to agree upon the fare in advance.
For long distance journeys, it is common to share taxis.
Utilities
Electricity
The electricity supply is 220/240 volts at 50 Hz. Visitors
from Europe can use their appliances although outlet adapters may be necessary.
Appliances from the USA will need transformers.
Water
Water comes from desalination plants and is safe to drink.
Many people still prefer to drink bottled water that is available in shops and
restaurants.
Telecommunications
Telephone service is excellent through the UAE. Calls within
cities are free. There is small charge for calls within the rest of the country.
Pay phones are operated with a phone card that is issued by the
Telecommunication Company in various amounts and is then used as a debit card.
These are generally available at a variety of outlets in the town. Major hotels
have fax and telex services and can arrange for modem access if necessary.
Television
There are nine television stations in the UAE. Some broadcast
in Arabic, some in English and some have special programs in Urdu, Hindi, and
French. Several additional stations are available via satellite and cable.
Radio
Stations broadcasting in Arabic and English transmit 24 hours
a day.
Shopping-Business hours
Shops are generally open from 9.30 am to 1 PM. And from 4.30
PM to 9.30 pm on Saturday through Thursday. Many shops in the malls are open all
day, which offers, foe shopping without crowds. On Friday, the Islamic holiday
shops do not generally open until 2.00 PM or later.
Bargaining
Part of the tradition of shopping in the UAE is bargaining over the price. In
other shops except for truly fixed prices stores a bit of negotiating will bring
a reduction of price. If you have to ask for the price of something it means the
price is not fixed. Credit Cards Most hotels and finer restaurants accept credit
cards such as American Express, Visa, MasterCard and diner Club. Some larger
shops do as well.
Health
Immunization
No health certificate or special immunizations are required when travelling to
the UAE unless you have been in cholera or yellow Fever affected area 14 days
prior to visiting. It is wise to check with your travel agent before traveling,
however, should the situation change.
Coping with the heat
For eight months of the year the Emirates is hot and along the coast humid. It
is important that the visitor take precautions not to over exert. All hotels and
restaurants are air conditioned as are most shops but outside it's still hot.
Try to limit going in and out of the air conditioning and make sure to drink
plenty of fluids when outside for a long time.
Clothing
Local dress for both men and women loosely covers the head, arms and legs.
Fabrics are lightweight and of natural fibbers. There are no restrictions of a
dress code for visitors. Summer clothing is suitable all year around with
sweaters or light jackets being needed at night in the winter months.
Medical care
Even the smallest emirate is now equipped with a modern hospital so there is no
need to worry about the availability of health care. Most major cities have
several hospitals and abundance of private clinics, should you be in need.
|
|
