 The
Trucial States of the Persian Gulf
coast granted the UK control of their defense and foreign affairs in 19th
century treaties. In 1971, six of these states - Abu Zaby, 'Ajman, Al
Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah, Dubayy, and Umm al Qaywayn - merged to form the
UAE. They were joined in 1972 by Ra's al Khaymah. The UAE's per capita GDP
is not far below the GDPs of the leading West European nations. Its
generosity with oil revenues and its moderate foreign policy stance have
allowed it to play a vital role in the affairs of the region.
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 mean time GMT it is bordered from the North by the Arabian Gulf
and from the West by the State of Qatar and 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 total
area of the country is 83600 Sq km. This includes an archipelago with an
area about 5900 Sq km. The total population in 1995 is 2411041 person. The
city of Abu Dhabi is the Capital of the State.
 The
United Arab Emirates is composed of seven
emirates : Abu Dhabi Dubai Sharjah Ajman Umm AlQaiwain Ras
AlKhaimah and Fujairah.The Federation was established on Dec 2nd 1971.
His Highness Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan AlNahyan was elected president of the
state for tenure of five years which was renewed for five times
consecutively. On the first day of its establishment the Federal State
drew its constitutional framework. It started forming the Federal
Government the Federal National Council and The Supreme Council for the
Federation. This Council is composed of the rulers of the Seven Emirates
presided by H H Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan AlNahyan It is the highest
authority in the country which formulates the general policy of the
country on both internal and external levels. Since the establishment of
the Federation on Dec 2nd 1971 the country has become a member in regional
and international organization. It has joined the Arab League and the
United Nations.
The country is also a member of the Arab Gulf
Cooperation Council (AGCC) and a number of other international
organizations.The UAE since its establishment has witnessed a remarkable
and swift economic development which is very difficult to attain even in
the most developed communities.The UAE has rapidly maximized the benefits
obtained through is immense oil proceeds to cater for the basic
requirements of society. The UAE has lived up to the expectation of the
international community and generously stood by its sister countries in
the Arab world and other developing countries in the rest of the world.
Few would have believed that the UAE's efforts to develop a
tourism industry would have been
successful in such a short space of time. Those who know what the UAE
really had to offer visitors have been less surprised by the country's
meteoric rise in the tourism field. Tourism has in fact proved itself to
be a sustainable industry with long-term growth potential Investment in
infrastructure in the form of airports hotels and other facilities has
meant that visitor to the Emirates are assured of comfortable travel a
warm welcome and top-class accommodation. Apart from the natural allure of
Arabian underpinned by its history culture and environment tourists are
now able to take advantage of its warm sunny weather and to enjoy a wide
range of pursuits from camel or horse riding in the desert to deep sea
diving.
(courtesy the General Information Authority of
the UAE)
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