United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a union of seven sovereign sheikhdoms, formed when the British withdrew from the Gulf in 1971. Travel agents are beginning to promote it as that much hyped land of contrasts. There is a grain of truth in the cliché this time round, for it boasts mountains, beaches, deserts, oases, camel racing, Bedouin markets and the legendary duty free shopping of Dubai, all packed into a relatively small area. If you only visit one country in the Gulf, the UAE is your best choice: it has the most relaxed entry regulations in the region, the best tourist infrastructure and, despite promoting itself exclusively to tourists with a buck or three to spend, it is extremely accessible to independent budget travellers. Moreover, the Emirates we considered safe and secure for travellers,although demonstrations and political gatherings are best avoided.
Full country name: United Arab Emirates
Area: 83,600 sq km
Population:2.4 million
Capital City: Abu Dhabi (pop 500,000 est.)
People: Arab (61%), South Asian (22%), Iranian (8%), other expats (9%)
Language: Arabic, Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu
Religion: Muslim (96%) Hindu, Christian and other (4%)
Government: federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE federal government and other powers reserved to member emirates
Head of State: President Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan
GDP: US$40 billion
GDP per capita: US$17,400
Annual Growth: -5%
Inflation: 5%
Major Industries: Oil, gas, petrochemicals, fishing
Major Trading Partners: USA, EU, Japan, South Korea, India
Dubai
From a small fishing settlement to a ultra modern business hub, Dubai has come a long way. The phenomenal adaptation to technology while keeping the local traditions intact has made dubai a trendsetter in its own way. Dubai is crowned with many Sobriquet (names) like City of Gold and City of Cuisines and so on. The city is rated to be amonst the fastest growing cities in the world. Innovation is Dubais crowning glory, and is evident in the ventures that put the city on the world tourism map.
Dubai is the quintessential home of sand, sun and shopping. A century ago, it was a tranquil town whose coral-and-gypsum huts housed Bedouin traders and pearl divers. Today the merchants have gone international and science-fiction skyscrapers stand alongside the mosques and wind towers of Old Dubai.
The audacity of the citys rulers is breathtaking. Running out of coastline to build hotels? Build vast artificial islands with 120km of new beachfront. Need better connections with the world? Build up an award-winning international airline in 15 years.
Need some publicity? Stage the worlds richest horse race, million-dollar lotteries, international tennis and golf tournaments, and a month-long shopping festival. Need a few landmarks for people to recognise? Up goes the worlds tallest and most lavish hotel, perched on an artificial platform, and a city skyline to boggle the eye.
Area: 35 sqkm
Population: 997,000
Country: United Arab Emirates
Time Zone: GMT/UTC +4
Telephone Area Code: 4
Abu Dhabi
Everything in Abu Dhabi is modern, sleek and shiny. The United Arab Emirates capital is often accused of being a rather soulless place, but that is going a bit too far: it is not exactly buzzing, and it may have more sheen than atmosphere, but it does have its attractions.
Apart from anything else, it is a big city for doing business. Abu Dhabi is by far the richest and most politically important of the UAEs seven emirates. It is hard to believe that this sprawling city was a bleak fishing and pearling village less than 50 years ago.
Population: 500,000
Country: United Arab Emirates
Time Zone: GMT/UTC +4
Telephone Area Code: +971 2
