United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates (UAE; Arabic: الإمارات العربية المتحدة, romanized: al-ʾImārāt al-ʿArabiyya l-Muttaḥida), or simply the Emirates (Arabic: الإمارات, romanized: al-ʾImārāt), is a country in West Asia, in the Middle East. It is located at the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula and shares borders with Oman and Saudi Arabia, while also having maritime borders in the Persian Gulf with Qatar and Iran. Abu Dhabi is the country's capital, while Dubai, the most populous city, is an international hub.
United Arab Emirates | |
|---|---|
| Motto: الله الوطن الرئيس "God, Nation, President" | |
| Anthem: عيشي بلادي "Long Live My Country" | |
| Capital | Abu Dhabi 24°28′N 54°22′E |
| Largest city | Dubai 25°15′N 55°18′E |
| Official languages | Arabic |
| Common languages | Emirati Arabic, English |
| Ethnic groups (2015) |
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| Religion (2005 est.) |
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| Demonym(s) | Emirati |
| Government | Federal Islamic semi-constitutional monarchy |
| Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan | |
| Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum | |
| |
| Legislature | |
| Establishment | |
| 1820 and 1892 | |
• Independence from the United Kingdom | 2 December 1971 |
| 9 December 1971 | |
• Admission of Ras Al Khaimah | 10 February 1972 |
| Area | |
• Total | 83,600 km2 (32,300 sq mi) (114th) |
• Water (%) | negligible |
| Population | |
• 2020 estimate | 9,282,410 (92nd) |
• 2005 census | 4,106,427 |
• Density | 121/km2 (313.4/sq mi) (110th) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2023 estimate |
• Total | $895.166 billion (34th) |
• Per capita | $88,961 (6th) |
| GDP (nominal) | 2023 estimate |
• Total | $509.179 billion (31st) |
• Per capita | $50,602 (20th) |
| Gini (2018) | 26.0 low |
| HDI (2021) | 0.911 very high · 26th |
| Currency | UAE dirham (AED) |
| Time zone | UTC+04:00 (GST) |
| Calling code | +971 |
| ISO 3166 code | AE |
| Internet TLD | |
The United Arab Emirates is an elective monarchy formed from a federation of seven emirates, consisting of Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain. Each emirate is an absolute monarchy governed by a ruler, and together the rulers form the Federal Supreme Council, the highest executive and legislative body. The Federal Supreme Council elects a president and two vice presidents from among their members; as of 14 May 2023, the president is Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the vice presidents are Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. In practice, the ruler of Abu Dhabi serves as president while the ruler of Dubai is vice president and also prime minister.
As of 2023, the UAE has an estimated population of 9.97 million. Emirati citizens are estimated to form 11.6% of the population; the remaining residents are expatriates, the majority of whom are South Asian. Islam is the official religion and Arabic is the official language. The United Arab Emirates' oil and natural gas reserves are the world's sixth and seventh-largest, respectively. Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, ruler of Abu Dhabi and the country's first president, oversaw the development of the Emirates by investing oil revenues into healthcare, education, and infrastructure. The country has the most diversified economy among the members of the Gulf Cooperation Council. In the 21st century, the UAE has become less reliant on oil and gas and is economically focusing on tourism and business. The UAE is considered a middle power. It is a member of the United Nations, Arab League, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, OPEC, Non-Aligned Movement, World Trade Organization, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and BRICS. The UAE is also a dialogue partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.