United Arab Emirates – UAE
The United Arab Emirates is located on the south-eastern tip of the Arabian peninsula, with Qatar to the west, Saudi Arabia to the south and the west, and Oman to the East. The UAE is a constitutional Federation of seven sovereign Sheikhdoms; Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Qaiwain, Ras al-Khaimah and Fujairah.
The country was formed from the Trucial states when the British withdrew from the gulf in 1971. Whilst each state maintains a large degree of independence, the UAE is governed by a supreme council of rulers, made up of the seven emirs, who appoint the prime minister and government.
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The capital and the largest city within the federation is Abu Dhabi, located in the largest emirate which carries its name. Over 80% of the country is desert; however the UAE is able to offer diversity, with mountains and fertile plains, breath-taking sand dunes, golden sandy beaches, warm seas, oases, and breathtaking city skylines.
The UAE has one of the highest GNP's per head in the world, since the discovery of oil and gas reserves in the 1950’s. The economy is heavily dependent on hydrocarbon revenues; however the UAE is relatively well insulated from periods of low oil prices, due to the diversification of the economy in recent years. Large foreign exchange reserves, overseas investments, and a booming construction and tourism industry have been instrumental in turning the country into one of the most interesting developing nations in the region.
Abu Dhabi claims 10% of the worlds proven oil reserves and 5% of the natural gas reserves. It has a high level of investment, financed from the oil revenues which have given this emirate a healthy trade and commerce environment separate from the oil industries. The promotion of tourism is set to develop Abu Dhabi into the Singapore of the Middle East.
By contrast, Al Ain - Abu Dhabi’s second largest city - has been developed as a garden city and is a major tourist destination. It is the greenest in the Middle East, the result of a major forestation program (120 million trees have been planted in this emirate alone) and contains none of the high-rise buildings for which the emirate is known.
Dubai is totally different from the other emirates, and draws the majority its revenue from tourism, commerce and development. The world’s fastest growing city, believed to be home to 50% of the world’s tower cranes, has drawn major investment from around the world.
Already well established as a busy tourist destination, it has bold plans to become the definitive place to holiday with a host of bold and brilliant projects currently being constructed. Dubai has attracted over $100 of investment on these showcase projects and $800 million alone on the Burj Dubai, which will become the world’s tallest building when completed in 2009.
Dubai also lays claim to the world’s first and only 7-star hotel, the tallest in the world. Other attractions include Ski Dubai, the largest indoor ski resort in the world and current developments under construction include the world’s first underwater hotel, a chess city (with buildings in the shape of chess pieces), Dubailand, which will become the world’s biggest theme park, and the worlds largest retail development the Dubai Mall.
Dubai is world renowned for luxury, with the highest concentration of 5-star hotels with many more planned and high quality restaurants and facilities. The population of Dubai consists of 85% foreigners, attracted in no small part by the free trade and tax free status that the emirate affords. The major global blue chip corporations have been attracted to make a base in Dubai, and attract workers from all over the world with high tax-free salaries and benefits. It is no surprise that so many foreigners have moved to Dubai for work and to live in this different and exciting emirate.
The northern emirates are more up and coming, and whilst Sharjah has established itself as a manufacturing centre, the remaining emirates are currently still reliant on Abu Dhabi and funds from the government to some degree.
The climate is dry sub tropical with hot summers (May to October) and high humidity near the coast. The best time to visit the UAE is between November and April, when the weather is at its best. Outside of this time the daily temperatures however around 40ºC, and moving from one air conditioned building to another is preferable to getting out and about to explore.
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