2003 Edition

Administrative divisions

7 emirates (imarat, singular - imarah); Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi), 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah (Sharjah), Dubayy (Dubai), Ra's al Khaymah, Umm al Qaywayn

Age structure

0-14 years: 26.7% (male 338,245; female 324,866) 15-64 years: 70.4% (male 1,087,927; female 661,349) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 52,059; female 20,372) (2003 est.)

Agriculture - products

dates, vegetables, watermelons; poultry, eggs, dairy products; fish

Airports

41 (2002)

Airports - with paved runways

over 3,047 m

8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3

total

22

under 914 m

4 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

Airports - with unpaved runways

over 3,047 m

1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

total

19

under 914 m

5 (2002)

Area

land

82,880 sq km

total

82,880 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Maine

Background

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 United Arab Emirates (UAE). They were joined in 1972 by Ra's al Khaymah. The UAE's per capita GDP is not far below those of leading West European nations. Its generosity with oil revenues and its moderate foreign policy stance have allowed the UAE to play a vital role in the affairs of the region. Geography United Arab Emirates

Birth rate

18.48 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$22 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)

revenues

$20 billion

Capital

Abu Dhabi

Climate

desert; cooler in eastern mountains

Coastline

1,318 km

Constitution

2 December 1971 (made permanent in 1996)

Country name

abbreviation

UAE

conventional long form

United Arab Emirates

conventional short form

none

former

Trucial Oman, Trucial States

local long form

Al Imarat al Arabiyah al Muttahidah

local short form

none

Currency

Emirati dirham (AED)

Currency code

AED

Death rate

4.02 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Debt - external

$18.5 billion (2002 est.)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Marcelle M. WAHBA

embassy

Al-Sudan Street, Abu Dhabi

mailing address

P. O. Box 4009, Abu Dhabi

telephone

[971] (2) 4436691

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Asri Said Ahmad al-DHAHIRI

Disputes - international

because the treaties have not been made public, the exact alignment of the boundary with Saudi Arabia is still unknown and labeled approximate; boundary agreement signed and ratified with Oman in 2003 for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah enclaves; UAE engage direct talks and Arab League support to resolve disputes over Iran's occupation of Lesser and Greater Tunb islands and Abu Musa island

Economic aid - donor

$NA

Economy - overview

The UAE has an open economy with a high per capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus. Its wealth is based on oil and gas output (about 33% of GDP), and the fortunes of the economy fluctuate with the prices of those commodities. Since 1973, the UAE has undergone a profound transformation from an impoverished region of small desert principalities to a modern state with a high standard of living. At present levels of production, oil and gas reserves should last for more than 100 years. The government has increased spending on job creation and infrastructure expansion and is opening up its utilities to greater private sector involvement.

Electricity - consumption

35.1 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - production

37.74 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

100%

hydro

0%

nuclear

0%

other

0% (2001)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Jabal Yibir 1,527 m

lowest point

Persian Gulf 0 m

Environment - current issues

lack of natural freshwater resources compensated by desalination plants; desertification; beach pollution from oil spills

Environment - international agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified

Law of the Sea

Ethnic groups

Emirati 19%, other Arab and Iranian 23%, South Asian 50%, other expatriates (includes Westerners and East Asians) 8% (1982)

note

less than 20% are UAE citizens (1982)

Exchange rates

Emirati dirhams per US dollar - 3.67 (2002), 3.67 (2001), 3.67 (2000), 3.67 (1999), 3.67 (1998)

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president

chief of state

President ZAYID bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan (since 2 December 1971), ruler of Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) (since 6 August 1966) and Vice President MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy (Dubai)

election results

ZAYID bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan reelected president; percent of FSC vote - NA%, but believed to be unanimous; MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum elected vice president; percent of FSC vote - NA%, but believed to be unanimous

elections

president and vice president elected by the FSC (a group of seven electors) for five-year terms; election last held 2 December 2001 (next to be held NA 2006); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president

head of government

Prime Minister MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy (Dubai); Deputy Prime Minister SULTAN bin Zayid Al Nuhayyan (since 20 November 1990)

note

there is also a Federal Supreme Council (FSC) composed of the seven emirate rulers; the FSC is the highest constitutional authority in the UAE; establishes general policies and sanctions federal legislation; meets four times a year; Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) and Dubayy (Dubai) rulers have effective veto power

Exports

$44.9 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities

crude oil 45%, natural gas, reexports, dried fish, dates

Exports - partners

Japan 27.8%, South Korea 10.1%, Singapore 3.8% (2002)

FAX

[1] (202) 243-2432

[971] (2) 4435441

chancery

3522 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20037

consulate(s) general

Dubai

telephone

[1] (202) 243-2400

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications United Arab Emirates

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and black with a wider vertical red band on the hoist side Economy United Arab Emirates

GDP

purchasing power parity - $53.97 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

3%

industry

46%

services

51% (2000 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $22,100 (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

1.8% (2002 est.)

Geographic coordinates

24 00 N, 54 00 E

Geography - note

strategic location along southern approaches to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil People United Arab Emirates

Government type

federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE federal government and other powers reserved to member emirates

Heliports

2 (2002) Military United Arab Emirates

Highways

paved

1,088 km (including 253 km of expressways)

total

1,088 km

unpaved

0 km (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.18% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Illicit drugs

the UAE is a drug transshipment point for traffickers given its proximity to southwest Asian drug producing countries; the UAE's position as a major financial center makes it vulnerable to money laundering; anti-money-laundering legislation was signed into law by the president on 25 January 2002 This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003

Imports

$30.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food

Imports - partners

US 8.1%, China 7.8%, Japan 6.6%, Germany 6.5%, India 5.7%, France 5.6%, UK 5.4%, South Korea 5.1%, Iran 4.2% (2002)

Independence

2 December 1971 (from UK)

Industrial production growth rate

4% (2000)

Industries

petroleum, fishing, petrochemicals, construction materials, some boat building, handicrafts, pearling

Infant mortality rate

female

12.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)

male

18.32 deaths/1,000 live births

total

15.58 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.8% (2002 est.)

International organization participation

ABEDA, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO

Internet country code

.ae

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

1 (2000)

Internet users

900,000 (2002) Transportation United Arab Emirates

Irrigated land

720 sq km (1998 est.)

Judicial branch

Union Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president)

Labor force

1.6 million (2000 est.)

note

73.9% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (July 2002 est.) (2000 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

services 78%, industry 15%, agriculture 7% (2000 est.)

Land boundaries

border countries

Oman 410 km, Saudi Arabia 457 km

total

867 km

Land use

arable land

0.48%

other

99.03% (1998 est.)

permanent crops

0.49%

Languages

Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu

Legal system

federal court system introduced in 1971; all emirates except Dubayy (Dubai) and Ra's al Khaymah are not fully integrated into the federal system; all emirates have secular and Islamic law for civil, criminal, and high courts

Legislative branch

unicameral Federal National Council or Majlis al-Ittihad al-Watani (40 seats; members appointed by the rulers of the constituent states to serve two-year terms)

elections

none

note

reviews legislation, but cannot change or veto

Life expectancy at birth

female

77.35 years (2003 est.)

male

72.28 years

total population

74.75 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

81.7% (2003 est.) Government United Arab Emirates

male

76.1%

total population

77.9%

Location

Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia

Map references

Middle East

Maritime claims

contiguous zone

24 NM

continental shelf

200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin

exclusive economic zone

200 NM

territorial sea

12 NM

Median age

female

21.9 years (2002)

male

36.1 years

total

27.6 years

Merchant marine

convenience

Greece 2, Italy 1, Kuwait 2 (2002 est.)

note

includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of

ships by type

cargo 12, chemical tanker 4, container 7, liquefied gas 1, livestock carrier 1, petroleum tanker 25, roll on/roll off 6, short-sea passenger 4, specialized tanker 1

total

61 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 815,428 GRT/1,207,346 DWT

Military branches

Army, Navy (including Marines and Coast Guard), Air Force, Air Defense, paramilitary forces (includes Federal Police Force)

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$1.6 billion (FY00)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

3.1% (FY00) Transnational Issues United Arab Emirates

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49

764,413

note

includes non-nationals (2003 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49

416,963 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - military age

18 years of age (2003 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

males

26,636 (2003 est.)

National holiday

Independence Day, 2 December (1971)

Nationality

adjective

Emirati

noun

Emirati(s)

Natural gas - consumption

37.86 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports

7.08 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - production

44.94 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

5.892 trillion cu m (37257)

Natural hazards

frequent sand and dust storms

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas

Net migration rate

1.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Oil - consumption

310,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

NA (2001)

Oil - imports

NA (2001)

Oil - production

2.566 million bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

80.31 billion bbl (37257)

Pipelines

condensate 383 km; gas 1,765 km; liquid petroleum gas 186 km; oil 1,266 km (2003)

Political parties and leaders

none

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Population

2,484,818

note

includes an estimated 1,606,079 non-nationals; the 17 December 1995 census presents a total population figure of 2,377,453, and there are estimates of 3.44 million for 2002 (July 2003 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Population growth rate

1.57% (2003 est.)

Ports and harbors

'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Das Island, Khawr Fakkan, Mina' Jabal 'Ali, Mina' Khalid, Mina' Rashid, Mina' Saqr, Mina' Zayid, Umm al Qaywayn

Radio broadcast stations

AM 13, FM 7, shortwave 2 (1998)

Radios

820,000 (1997)

Railways

0 km

Religions

Muslim 96% (Shi'a 16%), Christian, Hindu, and other 4%

Sex ratio

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.47 male(s)/female (2003 est.)

under 15 years

1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.65 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 2.56 male(s)/female

Suffrage

none

Telephone system

domestic

microwave radio relay and coaxial cable

general assessment

modern system of microwave radio relay and coaxial cable; key centers are Abu Dhabi and Dubai

international

satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; submarine cables to Qatar, Bahrain, India, and Pakistan; tropospheric scatter to Bahrain; microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia

Telephones - main lines in use

915,223 (1998)

Telephones - mobile cellular

1 million (1999)

Television broadcast stations

15 (1997)

Televisions

310,000 (1997)

Terrain

flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert wasteland; mountains in east

Total fertility rate

3.09 children born/woman (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Waterways

none