Edition 2007 — United Arab Emirates

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 (Quwayn)

Age structure

0-14 years: 24.9% (male 331,012/female 317,643) 15-64 years: 71.2% (male 1,125,286/female 726,689) 65 years and over: 3.9% (male 74,700/female 27,383)
note: 73.9% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (2006 est.)

Agriculture - products

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

Airports

37 (2006)

Airports - with paved runways

over 3,047 m: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4
total: 23
under 914 m: 3 (2006)

Airports - with unpaved runways

over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3
total: 14
under 914 m: 4 (2006)

Area

land: 83,600 sq km
total: 83,600 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 on par with 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

18.96 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Budget

expenditures: $36.89 billion; including capital expenditures of $3.4 billion (2006 est.)
revenues: $57.85 billion

Capital

geographic coordinates: 24 28 N, 54 22 E
name: Abu Dhabi
time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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 (code)

Emirati dirham (AED)

Currency code

AED

Current account balance

$26.89 billion (2006 est.)

Death rate

4.4 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Debt - external

$39.1 billion (2006 est.)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Michele J. SISON
embassy: Embassies District, Plot 38 Sector W59-02, Street No. 4, Abu Dhabi
mailing address: P. O. Box 4009, Abu Dhabi
telephone: [971] (2) 414-2200

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery: 3522 International Court NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20008
chief of mission: Ambassador Saqr Ghobash Said GHOBASH
telephone: [1] (202) 243-2400

Disputes - international

boundary agreement was signed and ratified with Oman in 2003 for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah enclaves, but contents of the agreement and detailed maps showing the alignment have not been published; Iran and UAE dispute Tunb Islands and Abu Musa Island, which Iran occupies

Economic aid - donor

since its founding in 1971, the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development has given about $5.2 billion in aid to 56 countries (2004)

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 30% of GDP), and the fortunes of the economy fluctuate with the prices of those commodities. Since the discovery of oil in the UAE more than 30 years ago, 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. The government has increased spending on job creation and infrastructure expansion and is opening up its utilities to greater private sector involvement. In April 2004, the UAE signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) with Washington and in November 2004 agreed to undertake negotiations toward a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US. Higher oil revenue, strong liquidity, and cheap credit in 2005-06 led to a surge in asset prices (shares and real estate) and consumer inflation. Rising prices are increasing the operating costs for businesses in the UAE and degrading the UAE's allure to foreign investors. Dependence on a large expatriate workforce and oil are significant long-term challenges to the UAE's economy.

Electricity - consumption

46.05 billion kWh (2004)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2004)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2004)

Electricity - production

49.52 billion kWh (2004)

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, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, 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 - 3.673 (2006), 3.6725 (2005), 3.6725 (2004), 3.6725 (2003), 3.6725 (2002), note, officially pegged to the US dollar since February 2002

Executive branch

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
chief of state: President KHALIFA bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan (since 3 November 2004), ruler of Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) (since 4 November 2004); Vice President and Prime Minister MUHAMMAD bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 5 January 2006)
election results: KHALIFA bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan elected president by a unanimous vote of the FSC; MUHAMMAD bin Rashid al-Maktum unanimously reaffirmed vice president
elections: president and vice president elected by the FSC for five-year terms (no term limits); election last held 3 November 2004 upon the death of the UAE's Founding Father and first President ZAYID bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan (next to be held 2009); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president
head of government: Prime Minister and Vice President MUHAMMAD bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 5 January 2006); Deputy Prime Ministers SULTAN bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan (since 20 November 1990) and HAMDAN bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan (since 20 October 2003)
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

$137.1 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Japan 24.4%, South Korea 9.7%, Thailand 5.5%, India 4.3% (2005)

FAX

[1] (202) 243-2432; [971] (2) 414-2603
consulate(s): New York, Houston
consulate(s) general: Dubai

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 - composition by sector

agriculture: 2.3%
industry: 61.9%
services: 35.8% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$49,700 (2006 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

10.2% (2006 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$110.6 billion (2006 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$129.4 billion (2006 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

4 (2006)

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 controls improving, but informal banking remains unregulated This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007

Imports

$88.89 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food

Imports - partners

UK 10%, China 9.7%, US 9.4%, India 9.2%, Germany 5.9%, Japan 5.4%, France 4.7%, Singapore 4.1% (2005)

Independence

2 December 1971 (from UK)

Industrial production growth rate

4% (2000)

Industries

petroleum and petrochemicals; fishing, aluminum, cement, fertilizers, commercial ship repair, construction materials, some boat building, handicrafts, textiles

Infant mortality rate

female: 11.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
male: 16.57 deaths/1,000 live births
total: 14.09 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

10% (2006 est.)

International organization participation

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

Internet country code

.ae

Internet hosts

337,092 (2006)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

1 (2000)

Internet users

1,397,200 (2005) Transportation United Arab Emirates

Investment (gross fixed)

24.3% of GDP (2006 est.)

Irrigated land

760 sq km (2003)

Judicial branch

Union Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president)

Labor force

2.968 million (2006 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

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

Land boundaries

border countries: Oman 410 km, Saudi Arabia 457 km
total: 867 km

Land use

arable land: 0.77%
other: 96.96% (2005)
permanent crops: 2.27%

Languages

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

Legal system

federal court system introduced in 1971; applies to all emirates except Dubayy (Dubai) and Ra's al Khaymah, which are not fully integrated into the federal judicial system; all emirates have secular courts to adjudicate criminal, civil, and commercial matters and Islamic courts to review family and religious disputes

Legislative branch

unicameral Federal National Council (FNC) or Majlis al-Ittihad al-Watani (40 seats; members appointed by the rulers of the constituent states to serve two-year terms)
elections: elections for one half of the FNC (the other half remains appointed) are scheduled for December 2006; a new electoral college - a body of 6,689 Emiratis (including 1,189 women) appointed by the rulers of the seven emirates - are the only eligible voters and candidates; a total of 456 FNC electoral college members including 65 women are running for FNC seats
note: reviews legislation, but cannot change or veto

Life expectancy at birth

female: 78.08 years (2006 est.)
male: 72.92 years
total population: 75.44 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

Manpower available for military service

females age 18-49: 497,394 (includes non-nationals; 2005 est.)
males age 18-49: 653,181

Manpower fit for military service

females age 18-49: 419,975 (2005 est.)
males age 18-49: 526,671

Manpower reaching military service age annually

females age 18-49: 29,617 (2005 est.)
males: 30,706

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: 23.3 years (2006 est.)
male: 34.8 years
total: 28.1 years

Merchant marine

by type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 7, chemical tanker 5, container 6, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 6, petroleum tanker 20, roll on/roll off 6, specialized tanker 1
foreign-owned: 10 (Greece 2, Kuwait 8)
registered in other countries: 259 (Bahamas 16, Barbados 1, Belize 5, Cambodia 1, Comoros 6, Cyprus 11, Dominica 2, Georgia 1, Hong Kong 2, India 6, Iran 1, Jordan 11, Kiribati 1, North Korea 6, Liberia 18, Malta 5, Marshall Islands 3, Mexico 1, Mongolia 5, Norway 1, Panama 105, Philippines 1, Saint Kitts and Nevis 19, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 11, Saudi Arabia 1, Sierra Leone 3, Singapore 7, Somalia 1, Sri Lanka 2, Syria 1, unknown 5) (2006)
total: 58 ships (1000 GRT or over) 656,003 GRT/891,837 DWT

Military branches

Army, Navy (includes Marines and Coast Guard), Air and Air Defense Force, 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 service age and obligation

18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2001)

National holiday

Independence Day, 2 December (1971)

Nationality

adjective: Emirati
noun: Emirati(s)

Natural gas - consumption

40.31 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - exports

7.18 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - imports

1.2 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production

46.29 billion cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

6.006 trillion cu m (1 January 2005 est.)

Natural hazards

frequent sand and dust storms

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas

Net migration rate

0.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Oil - consumption

400,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports

2.5 million bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2004)

Oil - production

2.396 million bbl/day (2005 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

97.8 billion bbl (2006 est.)

Pipelines

condensate 520 km; gas 2,580 km; liquid petroleum gas 300 km; oil 2,950 km; oil/gas/water 5 km; refined products 156 km (2006)

Political parties and leaders

none

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Population

2,602,713 (July 2006 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Population growth rate

1.52% (2006 est.)

Ports and terminals

Al Fujayrah, Khawr Fakkan, Mina' Jabal 'Ali, Mina' Rashid, Mina' Saqr, Mina' Zayid, Sharjan Military United Arab Emirates

Public debt

17.7% of GDP (2006 est.)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 13, FM 8, shortwave 2 (2004)

Radios

820,000 (1997)

Religions

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

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$25.51 billion (2006 est.)

Roadways

paved: 1,088 km (including 253 km of expressways) (1999)
total: 1,088 km

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
total population: 1.43 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.55 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 2.73 male(s)/female

Suffrage