STUDY IN UAE - About UAE

General Information

Area: The total area of the UAE is about 83,600 sq. km (with a total of 200 islands). The area of the UAE (except the islands) is about 77,700 square kilometers and among the GCC States it is the third largest after Saudi Arabia & Oman.

Population: 2,724,000 (1998)
Note: includes 1,576,472 non-nationals
Population Growth Rate: 1.61% (2000 est.)
Population Density: 35.1 per sq km

Capital: Abu Dhabi

Independence: 2 December 1971

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

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.

UAE Government

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 Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahayan, who is also Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and the Vice-President, HH Sheikh Maktoum 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 Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, (Ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi) since 1971.

Head of Government: Vice President, H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Ruler of the Emirate of Dubai) since 1979.

Heritage and Culture

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. For more information on the Heritage and Traditions of the UAE http://www.uaeinteract.com/history/trad/index.asp

Communication

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 (02), Dubai (04), Al Sharjah (06), Ras Al Khaimah (07), Ajman (06), Umm Al Quwain (06), Fujairah (09).

Mobile telephone: GSM 900 network. Network operators include ETISALAT (website: www.etisalat.co.ae).

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.
Website: http://www.emiratespost.com

Press: English-language daily newspapers include Gulf News, Khaleej Times and Emirates News. Foreign newspapers are available in hotel bookshops 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 and UAE Radio Ra’s al-Khaimah.

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.