This film compares and contrasts the UAE of today with that depicted in historical films, going back to the 1950s. Homes made from palm fronds have been replaced by skyscrapers including the tallest building in the world. Camel transport has been replaced by fast cars and state-of-the-art metro rail systems. Sailing dhows used for pearling and trade are replaced by container ships and luxurious cruising boats. The earliest flights to the UAE on old BOAC bi-planes have given way to ultra modern airports and A380 aircraft. For those seeing the UAE for the first time, this film puts the country's amazing progress into perspective.
For more information on the UAE please visit the official site on: http://www.uaeinteract.com
Please direct enquiries to : FQC Media
Email : mediahq@fqcmedia.com
Tel: +9714 428 0886
Ethnicity/Race: Emirati 19%, other Arab Nationals 23%, South
Asian 50%, other expatriates (includes Westerners
and East Asians) 8% (1982).
Language: Arabic is the official language of UAE.
Other languages spoken are English, Hindi,
Farsi, Philippines, Iran, Tagalog, Malayalam,
Russian etc.
Currency: The United Arab Emirates currency is called
the Dirham. Arab Emirate Dirham (Dhs. or
AED) 100 Fils = 1 Dirham. There are no exchange
controls in the UAE and its currency, the
UAE dirham, is freely convertible. The dirham
is linked to the USA dollar, the currency
in which oil revenues are paid. The current
exchange rate is Dh. 3.675 - US$ 1 and no
revaluation has occurred since 1977.
Religion: The official religion of the United Arab
Emirates is Islam. But other faiths are
tolerated and freedom of worship privately
is given. Churches are common in some emirates
and in Dubai you will even find a Hindu
Temple.
Time: GMT
+ 4.
Electricity: 220/240 volts AC, 50Hz. Square three-pin
plugs are widespread.
Geography:
The United Arab Emirates is located in the
middle of the Arabian Gulf, north of the
equator, between latitudes 22, 26.30, and
longitudes 51, 56.30 east of Greenwich.
It is bordered from the north by the Arabian
Gulf, and from the west by the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia, and from the south by the
Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia, and from the east by the Gulf of
Oman.
The strategic geographical
location of UAE to the east of the Arab
world is very important for the security
and stability of this vital part of the
Arab world.
The United Arab Emirates
is composed of seven emirates: Abu Dhabi,
Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Qaiwain, Ras
Al Khaimah and Fujairah.
Climate:
The UAE has a sub-tropical, arid climate.
Rainfall is infrequent and irregular. Falling
mainly in winter, it amounts to some 13
centimeters a year. Temperatures range from
a low of about 10 degrees Celsius to a high
of 48 degrees Celsius. The mean daily maximum
is 24 degrees in January rising to 41 degrees
in July.
Geology:
Most of the surface of the present day UAE
is a sand desert, stretching from the Arabian
Gulf coast south to the unbroken and unoccupied
sands of the Empty Quarter, and east to
the gravel plains bordering the Hajar Mountains.
The desert is a geologically recent feature,
the result of prolonged sub aerial erosion
and deposition in an arid environment. You
will find hills, valleys like the Siji and
Ham and fertile plains such as the Thaid
and Digdaga plains, and different kind of
dunes, plains, marshes and even mangrove
forests.
The UAE has 700 kilometers
of coastline, of which 100 kilometers are
on the Gulf of Oman. Six emirates have their
coastline on the Arabian peninsula stretching
between the Musandam peninsula and the Qatar
peninsula. Fujairah is the only emirate
that lies on the Gulf of Oman. The northern
coastline runs along the Arabian Gulf all
the way to Oman. To the east, a range of
mountains lies close to the Gulf of Oman
and forms a backbone through the Mussandam
Peninsula.
Sharjah "My Desitnation"
Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority - Sharjah Tourism - Video
A Beautiful Video About Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Sharjah is the third largest of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and is the only one to have land on both the Arabian Gulf Coast and the Gulf of Oman.
It is an emirate of contrasts where visitors can enjoy a holiday in the sun, discover traditional markets (souks) or visit modern shopping malls, explore the many heritage sites and museums, admire the majestic mosques, stroll around the lagoons, and experience the natural beauty of true Arabian deserts, mountains and seas. Sharjah Tourism - www.SharjahTourism.ae
Government Structure:
The UAE is a federation of seven
emirates - Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman,
Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Umm Al Qaiwain.
While Abu Dhabi is the centre of federal
government activities, most ministerial
departments also maintain offices in Dubai.
The two largest emirates Abu Dhabi and Dubai
provide over 80% of the UAE's income.
In June 1996, the UAE’s
Federal National Council agreed a permanent
constitution for the country. The Supreme
Council of the UAE, (comprised of the rulers
of the seven emirates), is the highest federal
authority. It is responsible for general
policy matters involving communications,
education, defense, foreign affairs and
development, and for ratifying federal laws.
The President, HH Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed
Al Nahayan, who is also Ruler of Abu Dhabi,
and the Vice-President, HH Sheikh Moahmmed
bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is also Ruler
of Dubai, are elected by the Supreme Council
from among its members.
The Federal Council of Ministers,
responsible to the Supreme Council, has
executive authority to start and implement
laws. The Federal National Council is a
consultative assembly of 40 representatives
who are appointed for two years by the individual
emirates. The council monitors and debates
government policy but has no power of veto.
On Dec. 2, 1971, six small
Arab states formed the United Arab Emirates,
and a seventh state joined on Feb. 11, 1972.
The flag took its colors from the Arab Revolt
flag of 1917. The colors are included in
a 13th-century poem, which speaks of green
Arab lands defended in black battles by
blood-red swords of Arabs whose deeds are
pure white.
Head of State:
President, H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed
Al Nahyan, (Ruler of the Emirate of Abu
Dhabi) since November 2004.
Head of Government:
Vice President, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin
Rashid Al Maktoum (Ruler of the Emirate
of Dubai) since Janaury 2006.
Founding Father : H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan
Al Nahyan
Heritage and Traditions
of the United Arab Emirates
The
tribe has been the principal building block
of UAE society since successive waves of
migrations, beginning in the middle of the
first millennium BC, brought Arab tribes
to the region.
The varied terrain which
these tribes inhabited, i.e desert, oasis,
mountains and coast, dictated the traditional
lifestyles that evolved over the centuries
but the common thread was the resourcefulness
which the people displayed in exploiting
to the limit their harsh environment.
This
was assisted by the age-old social structure
in which each family was traditionally bound
by obligations of mutual assistance to his
immediate relatives and to the tribe as
a whole. Among the tribe an individual’s
selfless hospitality was the source of his
honour and pride.
Welcome to Abu Dhabi, where luxury and style are infused with traditional values of hospitality and respect. Where sunny weather, tranquil beaches, lush oases, vibrant city life, and a mixture of culture and traditions come together to create a holiday experience like no other. Explore the emirate's old souqs, sip a fragrant Arabic coffee, ride the dunes on an exhilarating desert safari, or dive into a dazzling marine life - there is something for everyone in Abu Dhabi.
The capital of UAE has around 20 small to mid-sized parks and gardens. If you are looking for swings, climbing frames and slides for the tiny tots, there are a number of parks within the city like Al Nahyan Garden, Capital Garden and Urban and Lake Park. Al Khalidiya and Al Mushrif Gardens are considered the larger and more popular ones among local residents.
Traditional and cosmopolitan, Abu Dhabi's many shopping venues and locales reflect the emirate's nature. Shopping is an expedition, where visitors may find a gem of an antique carpet at one of the emirate's traditional markets or pick up the latest season's designer fashions in one of many ultra-modern shopping malls and boutiques. Abu Dhabi is home to many of the world's top prestigious brand names, as well as a central market place for local and regional artisans producing high quality arts and craft.Souk is the Arabic word for market and Abu Dhabi has several. Traditionally, souks in Abu Dhabi were a maze of shaded alleyways. Today they are more a collection of small shops, but they still have the same relaxed feel as their predecessors. It is here that you will find arts and handicrafts, spices, antiques, oriental carpets and so much more. The Iranian Souk is one of the most authentic souks in Abu Dhabi and well worth a visit, as is the Al Ain Souk, which has retained a charming if somewhat ramshackle appeal. Al Meena Souk is a must for visitors looking for carpets.
Telephone: Telecommunications
throughout the UAE are modern and efficient.
International Direct Dialing is available
in all the emirates. Telephone calls within
each of the emirates are free. Local and
international dialing codes may be obtained
by dialing the operator on 181.
International areas codes
of UAE 00971 +
Abu Dhabi (2), Dubai (4), Al Sharjah (6),
Ras Al Khaimah (7), Ajman (6), Umm Al
Quwain (6), Fujairah (9).
Fax: ETISALAT
offices at main centres provide a service.
All hotels have facilities.
Internet:
Internet cafes provide public access to
Internet and e-mail services. ISPs include
Emirates Internet and Multimedia (EIM).
Website: www.emirates.net.ae
Telegram: Services
are run by ETISALAT, which has offices throughout
the Emirates and are also available through
main post offices.
Post: Airmail
letters and parcels take about five days
to reach Europe. Emirates Post is the official
postal carrier.
Press:
English-language daily newspapers include
Gulf News, Khaleej Times, Gulf Today, The National, Emirates Business 24-7and Emirates News.
Arabic-language daily newspapers include Al Bayan, Al Khaleej, Al Ittihad, Al Wahdah News and Akhbar Al Arab. Foreign newspapers are available in petrol stations and supermarkets.
Radio Stations:
BBC broadcasts can be received on short-wave
frequencies, including 12.095MHz, 11.760MHHz,
9.410MHz, 15.07MHz and 15.575MHz. There
is also a good selection of local English
and other language radio stations.
Dubai FM 92 (English, popular
music), Channel 4 FM 104.8 (English, popular
music), Emirates 1FM 99.3 & 100.5 (English,
popular music), Emirates 2FM 90.5 &
98.5 (English), QBS Dubai 97.5FM 102.6 FM
(English, radio plays, jazz specials), Abu
Dhabi Capital Radio 100. 5 FM (English,
popular music), Emirates Radio 657AM (Malayalam),
106.2 HUM FM (Hindi-Urdu), UAQ Radio 846
AM (Malayalam), Ajman 89.1 FM (Hindi), Radio
Asia 1152 AM: (Malayalam, Hindi, Urdu),
Asianet Radio 657 AM, UAE Radio Ra’s
al-Khaimah and The Coast 103.2 Fujairah (English), ROCK FM 90.7 Fujairah (English).
Television: A
wide range of Arabic, English and other
language TV stations are available in the
UAE.
UAE Channels, Abu Dhabi
TV (Arabic), Emirates Channel (Arabic),
Abu Dhabi Channel 2 (English), Dubai 33
(English), Sharjah Channel 22 (Arabic, Farsi,
English, French), Ajman Channel 4 (Arabic,
English) and Abu Dhabi and Dubai Sports
Channels.
Satellite TV:
Star TV, Orbit, e-Vision and Showtime are
some of the most popular networks available.
