UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
A federal state located in Southwest Asia, in the southeastern part of the Arabian Peninsula, on the shores of the Persian and Oman Gulfs. The UAE consists of 7 emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, Fujairah, and Umm Al-Quwain. The largest are Abu Dhabi (approx. 67,000 km², 1 million people) and Dubai (approx. 4,000 km², about 1.2 million people). The territory is about 83,600 km² (land borders run through deserts and are not clearly defined). The capital is Abu Dhabi (approx. 1 million), and the largest cities in the country are Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah. The population is 4 million (as of 2003). It is estimated that the indigenous people (Arabs) make up only 25% (official data of this kind is not published). Almost 90% of the UAE's workforce are foreigners. More than 1.3 million Indians, Pakistanis, Iranians, and immigrants from Arab countries (mainly from Egypt, Syria, Yemen) reside here. There are also about 70,000 citizens of other states living in the country.
The official language is Arabic. English is widely spoken. The state religion is Sunni Islam. About 20% of the population are Shiites. The currency is the dirham = 100 fils.
It has diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation (established with the USSR in December 1971).
The national holiday is December 2 - the Day of the Formation of the State (1971).
The UAE is a federation. Each of the emirates that make it up is an absolute monarchy and retains significant independence. According to the constitution (1971), the supreme body of state power is the Supreme Council, consisting of the rulers of the emirates. From its members, it elects a president for a term of 5 years. Since 2004, the president of the UAE has been the ruler of Abu Dhabi - Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The Federal National Council (40 members appointed proportionally from each emirate) is a consultative body of a parliamentary type, consisting of representatives of influential tribes, as well as business circles and intelligentsia. The chairman of the FNC is Said Mohammed Said Al-Kindi. The highest executive authority is the Council of Ministers. Since 1990, the post of Prime Minister has been held by the ruler of Dubai, Vice President of the UAE Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The activities of political parties and organizations are prohibited.
At the turn of the 18th-19th centuries, the territory of the present-day UAE belonged to Arab tribes engaged in livestock breeding, maritime fishing, and trade. In the 19th century, there was an active penetration of Great Britain into the Persian Gulf region. During the same period, it concluded a series of agreements (1820, 1843, 1853, 1892) with the rulers of the coastal emirates, under which Great Britain effectively gained unlimited rights in the area, including the use of force to protect its interests. The territory of the UAE, known as the Trucial Oman since 1853, was effectively transformed into a British protectorate, and this situation persisted until the late 1960s. After Great Britain decided to withdraw its troops from the Persian Gulf region (December 2, 1971), a federal state was formed - the United Arab Emirates.
The UAE is a member of the UN (since 1971), the League of Arab States (since 1972), the Non-Aligned Movement, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and other international organizations.
On major international issues, including disarmament, they adhere to the line of the majority of Arab countries. The priority foreign policy task of the UAE is to establish the foundations of stability and security in the Persian Gulf region and the region as a whole; in this context, participation in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is given significant importance. They advocate for the continued military presence of the West in the Gulf area; their troops were deployed in Kuwait during the US and UK military operation against Iraq in 2003. In matters of Middle Eastern regulation, the UAE's approach is based on support for the Madrid peace process with an emphasis on the strict implementation of UN Security Council resolutions 242, 338, and 425.
A significant concern for the emirates is the territorial dispute with Iran over three islands in the Persian Gulf - Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb.
The internal political situation in the UAE is characterized by stability.
Revenues from oil and foreign capital investments allow for significant funding for the development of healthcare, education, housing construction, and urban improvement. In terms of GDP per capita (around $20,000), the UAE ranks first in the Persian Gulf region. The GDP in 2004 exceeded $90 billion.
The oil sector is the foundation of the national economy. Proven oil reserves amount to over 97.8 billion barrels, with the majority located in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. Natural gas fields are also being developed (proven reserves - 6.6 trillion m³). Oil and petroleum product exports brought the treasury $30 billion in 2004 - about 30% of GDP. Oil production in 2004 was approximately 2.4 million barrels per day.
The most important sector of the economy is electricity generation. The installed capacity for electricity production is 6,000 MW. In terms of the volume of manufacturing industry (over 700 enterprises in oil and gas, light, food, and aluminum industries), the UAE ranks second in the region after Saudi Arabia. Priority areas include the processing industry, real estate, and services.
Agriculture in the UAE contributes only 6% to GDP. Less than 5% of the working-age population is employed in it. The total area of cultivated land is 32,000 hectares. The main food needs are met through imports.
Most foreign transport is carried out by sea. The main ports are Jebel Ali and Rashid in Dubai, Zayed in Abu Dhabi, and Fujairah in the Fujairah emirate. There are 6 international airports - in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Al Ain, and Fujairah. Domestic transport is provided by road.
All emirates are connected by modern highways.
To attract foreign capital, the UAE has created 15 free economic zones, where 4,000 foreign companies have opened offices. Of these, 2,300 are concentrated in the largest free economic zone in the UAE, "Jebel Ali." Federal and local authorities actively encourage foreign investment in the country's economy. In operating enterprises, the share of foreign capital participation is up to 50%.
The UAE is a major financial center in the Middle East. The total deposits of 48 commercial banks operating in the country amount to about $80 billion. The volume of foreign investments in 2004 amounted to $16.3 billion.
Development projects are carried out by the emirates independently. The external debt in 2004 amounted to $21 billion.
The country's foreign trade balance is characterized by a positive balance. The UAE's exports (in 2004 - $24 billion) are mainly represented by oil and petroleum products. In addition to oil, liquefied gas, aluminum, fertilizers, and cement are also exported. Imports consist primarily of machinery and equipment, vehicles, household appliances, finished goods, and food.
Main trading partners: China, Japan, USA, UK, South Korea, France, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Iran, India. Trading firms in the UAE, especially in Dubai, are heavily involved in re-export trade.
A significant portion of oil revenues, which have not found application within the country, is invested in foreign economies.
Legislation provides for compulsory secondary education for UAE citizens. The state university established in 1977 in Al Ain (6,000 students) trains specialists in the humanities, as well as doctors and biologists.
Daily newspapers: "Al-Bayan," "Al-Wahda," "Al-Ittihad," "Al-Khalij," "Al-Hayat" - in Arabic, "Gulf News," "Khaleej Times," and "Gulf Today" - in English. The UAE Information Agency (WAM) is located in Abu Dhabi. National television is represented by a number of channels. In the free information zone of the Dubai emirate, the largest Arab satellite channel "Al-Arabiya" has been operating since February 2003.