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The UAE is a desert country, situated on the Arabian Penninsula near the [[Strait of Hormuz]]; it shares an undefined boundary with [[Saudi Arabia]] and [[Oman]].

The UAE is a desert country, situated on the Arabian Penninsula near the [[Strait of Hormuz]]; it shares an undefined boundary with [[Saudi Arabia]] and [[Oman]].

*Area: 82,880 sq. km. (30,000 sq. mi.); about the size of Maine.  

*Area: 82,880 sq. km. (30,000 sq. mi.); about the size of Maine.  

*Cities (2002 est.): Capital--Abu Dhabi (pop. 1,000,000); Dubai (pop. 860,000).  

*Cities (2002 est.): Capital—Abu Dhabi (pop. 1,000,000); Dubai (pop. 860,000).  

*Terrain: Largely desert with some agricultural areas.  

*Terrain: Largely desert with some agricultural areas.  

*Climate: Hot, humid, low annual rainfall.  

*Climate: Hot, humid, low annual rainfall.  

==People==

==People==

Only 15-20% of the total population of 4.4 million is U.A.E. citizens. The rest include significant numbers of other Arabs--Palestinians, Egyptians, Jordanians, Yemenis, Omanis--as well as many Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Iranians, Afghans, Filipinos, and west Europeans.  

Only 15-20% of the total population of 4.4 million is U.A.E. citizens. The rest include significant numbers of other Arabs—Palestinians, Egyptians, Jordanians, Yemenis, Omanis—as well as many Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Iranians, Afghans, Filipinos, and west Europeans.  

The majority of U.A.E. citizens are [[Sunni]] Muslims with a very small [[Shiite|Shi'a]] minority. Many foreigners also are Muslim, although Hindus and Christians make up a portion of the U.A.E.'s foreign population.  

The majority of U.A.E. citizens are [[Sunni]] Muslims with a very small [[Shiite|Shi'a]] minority. Many foreigners also are Muslim, although Hindus and Christians make up a portion of the U.A.E.'s foreign population.  

*Religions: Muslim (96%), Hindu, Christian.  

*Religions: Muslim (96%), Hindu, Christian.  

*Languages: Arabic (official), English, Hindi, Urdu, Persian.  

*Languages: Arabic (official), English, Hindi, Urdu, Persian.  

*Education: Years compulsory--ages 6-12. Literacy (U.A.E. citizens)--about 80%.  

*Education: Years compulsory—ages 6–12. Literacy (U.A.E. citizens)--about 80%.  

*Health: Life expectancy--about 76 yrs.  

*Health: Life expectancy—about 76 yrs.  

*Work force (2006) 2.968 million (93% foreign in 15-64 age group): Agriculture--2.3%; industry--61.9%; services--35.8%.  

*Work force (2006) 2.968 million (93% foreign in 15-64 age group): Agriculture—2.3%; industry—61.9%; services—35.8%.  

==Government==

==Government==

Administratively, the U.A.E. is a loose federation of seven emirates, each with its own ruler. The pace at which local government in each emirate evolves from traditional to modern is set primarily by the ruler. Under the provisional constitution of 1971, each emirate reserves considerable powers, including control over mineral rights (notably oil and gas) and revenues. In this milieu, federal powers have developed slowly. The constitution established the positions of President (Chief of State) and Vice President, each serving 5-year terms; a Council of Ministers, led by a Prime Minister (head of government); a supreme council of rulers; and a 40-member Federal National Council (FNC). The FNC is a consultative body with half its members appointed by the emirate rulers and half elected.  

Administratively, the U.A.E. is a loose federation of seven emirates, each with its own ruler. The pace at which local government in each emirate evolves from traditional to modern is set primarily by the ruler. Under the provisional constitution of 1971, each emirate reserves considerable powers, including control over mineral rights (notably oil and gas) and revenues. In this milieu, federal powers have developed slowly. The constitution established the positions of President (Chief of State) and Vice President, each serving 5-year terms; a Council of Ministers, led by a Prime Minister (head of government); a supreme council of rulers; and a 40-member Federal National Council (FNC). The FNC is a consultative body with half its members appointed by the emirate rulers and half elected.  

[[File:Gulf2.jpg|thumb|340px|]]

[[File:Gulf2.jpg|thumb|340px]]

===Principal Government Officials===  

===Principal Government Officials===  

*President, Ruler of Abu Dhabi--Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan  

*President, Ruler of Abu Dhabi—Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan  

*Vice President, Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, Ruler of Dubai--Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum  

*Vice President, Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, Ruler of Dubai—Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum  

*Deputy Prime Minister--Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed al Nahyan  

*Deputy Prime Minister—Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed al Nahyan  

*Deputy Prime Minister--Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed al Nahyan  

*Deputy Prime Minister—Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed al Nahyan  

*Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince--Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan  

*Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince—Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan  

*Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development--Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Owais  

*Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development—Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Owais  

*Minister of Economy--Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi  

*Minister of Economy—Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi  

*Minister of Education--Dr. Hanif Hassan  

*Minister of Education—Dr. Hanif Hassan  

*Minister of Energy--Mohammed bin Dha'en Al Hamili  

*Minister of Energy—Mohammed bin Dha'en Al Hamili  

*Minister of Environment and Water--Dr. Mohammed Saeed Al Kindi

*Minister of Environment and Water—Dr. Mohammed Saeed Al Kindi

*Minister of Federal National Council Affairs--Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash  

*Minister of Federal National Council Affairs—Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash  

*Minister of Finance and Industry--Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum  

*Minister of Finance and Industry—Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum  

*Minister of Foreign Affairs--Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan  

*Minister of Foreign Affairs—Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan  

*Minister of Governmental Sector Development--Sultan Al Mansouri  

*Minister of Governmental Sector Development—Sultan Al Mansouri  

*Minister of Health--Humaid Mohammed Al Qatami  

*Minister of Health—Humaid Mohammed Al Qatami  

*Minister of Higher Education--Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan  

*Minister of Higher Education—Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan  

*Minister of Interior--Major Gen. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan  

*Minister of Interior—Major Gen. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan  

*Minister of Justice--Mohammed Nakhira Al Daheri  

*Minister of Justice—Mohammed Nakhira Al Daheri  

*Minister of Labor--Dr. Ali bin Abdullah Al Kaabi  

*Minister of Labor—Dr. Ali bin Abdullah Al Kaabi  

*Minister of Presidential Affairs--Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan  

*Minister of Presidential Affairs—Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan  

*Minister of Public Works--Sheikh amdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan  

*Minister of Public Works—Sheikh amdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan  

*Minister of Social Affairs--Mariam Mohammed Khalfan Al Roumi  

*Minister of Social Affairs—Mariam Mohammed Khalfan Al Roumi  

*Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs--Mohammad Abdullah Gergawi  

*Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs—Mohammad Abdullah Gergawi  

*Minister of State for Financial and Industrial Affairs--Dr. Mohammed Khalfan Bin Kharbash  

*Minister of State for Financial and Industrial Affairs—Dr. Mohammed Khalfan Bin Kharbash  

*Minister of State for Foreign Affairs--Mohammed Hussain Al Sha'ali  

*Minister of State for Foreign Affairs—Mohammed Hussain Al Sha'ali  

===Political Conditions===

===Political Conditions===

The Trucial Oman Scouts, long the symbol of public order on the coast and commanded by British officers, were turned over to the U.A.E. as its defense forces in 1971. The U.A.E. armed forces, consisting of 48,800 troops, are headquartered in Abu Dhabi and are primarily responsible for the defense of the seven emirates.  

The Trucial Oman Scouts, long the symbol of public order on the coast and commanded by British officers, were turned over to the U.A.E. as its defense forces in 1971. The U.A.E. armed forces, consisting of 48,800 troops, are headquartered in Abu Dhabi and are primarily responsible for the defense of the seven emirates.  

Although small in number, the U.A.E. armed forces are equipped with some of the most modern weapon systems, purchased from a variety of outside countries. The military has been reducing the number of foreign nationals in its ranks, and its officer corps is composed almost entirely of U.A.E. nationals. The U.A.E. air force has about 4,000 personnel. The Air Force has advanced U.S. [[F-16]] BLOCK 60 multi-role fighter aircraft. Other equipment includes French Mirage 2000-9 fighters, British Hawk trainer aircraft, 36 transport aircraft and U.S. [[AH-64 Apache|Apache]] and French [[Aérospatiale Puma|Puma]] helicopters. The Air Defense Force is linked into a joint air defense system with the other six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations aimed at protecting the airspace of the allied states. The U.A.E. Navy is small--about 2,500 personnel--and maintains 12 well-equipped coastal patrol boats and 8 missile boats. Although primarily concerned with coastal defense, the Navy is constructing a six-unit class of blue water corvettes in conjunction with French shipbuilder CMN. The U.A.E.'s Land Forces are equipped with several hundred French [[LeClerc tank]]s and a similar number of Russian [[BMP-3]] armored fighting vehicles. The U.A.E. Special Operations Command (SOC) is a small but effective force centered on the counter-terrorism mission within the country. SOC is well-financed, trained, and equipped and is capable of executing its mission with a level of expertise equal to, or above, the rest of the GCC.  

Although small in number, the U.A.E. armed forces are equipped with some of the most modern weapon systems, purchased from a variety of outside countries. The military has been reducing the number of foreign nationals in its ranks, and its officer corps is composed almost entirely of U.A.E. nationals. The U.A.E. air force has about 4,000 personnel. The Air Force has advanced U.S. [[F-16]] BLOCK 60 multi-role fighter aircraft. Other equipment includes French Mirage 2000-9 fighters, British Hawk trainer aircraft, 36 transport aircraft and U.S. [[AH-64 Apache|Apache]] and French [[Aérospatiale Puma|Puma]] helicopters. The Air Defense Force is linked into a joint air defense system with the other six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations aimed at protecting the airspace of the allied states. The U.A.E. Navy is small—about 2,500 personnel—and maintains 12 well-equipped coastal patrol boats and 8 missile boats. Although primarily concerned with coastal defense, the Navy is constructing a six-unit class of blue water corvettes in conjunction with French shipbuilder CMN. The U.A.E.'s Land Forces are equipped with several hundred French [[LeClerc tank]]s and a similar number of Russian [[BMP-3]] armored fighting vehicles. The U.A.E. Special Operations Command (SOC) is a small but effective force centered on the counter-terrorism mission within the country. SOC is well-financed, trained, and equipped and is capable of executing its mission with a level of expertise equal to, or above, the rest of the GCC.  

The U.A.E. contributes to the continued security and stability of the Gulf and the Straits of Hormuz. It is a leading partner in the campaign against global terrorism, providing assistance in the military, diplomatic, and financial arenas since September 11, 2001  

The U.A.E. contributes to the continued security and stability of the Gulf and the Straits of Hormuz. It is a leading partner in the campaign against global terrorism, providing assistance in the military, diplomatic, and financial arenas since September 11, 2001  

Prior to the first exports of oil in 1962, the U.A.E. economy was dominated by pearl production, fishing, agriculture, and herding. Since the rise of oil prices in 1973, however, petroleum has dominated the economy, accounting for most of its export earnings and providing significant opportunities for investment. The U.A.E. has huge proven oil reserves, estimated at 98.8 billion barrels in 2003, with gas reserves estimated at (212 trillion cubic feet); at present production rates, these supplies would last well over 150 years. In 2006, the U.A.E. produced about 2.8 million barrels of oil per day.  

Prior to the first exports of oil in 1962, the U.A.E. economy was dominated by pearl production, fishing, agriculture, and herding. Since the rise of oil prices in 1973, however, petroleum has dominated the economy, accounting for most of its export earnings and providing significant opportunities for investment. The U.A.E. has huge proven oil reserves, estimated at 98.8 billion barrels in 2003, with gas reserves estimated at (212 trillion cubic feet); at present production rates, these supplies would last well over 150 years. In 2006, the U.A.E. produced about 2.8 million barrels of oil per day.  

Major increases in imports occurred in manufactured goods, machinery, and transportation equipment, which together accounted for 70% of total imports. Another important foreign exchange earner, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority--which controls the investments of Abu Dhabi, the wealthiest emirate--manages an estimated $600 billion in overseas investments.  

Major increases in imports occurred in manufactured goods, machinery, and transportation equipment, which together accounted for 70% of total imports. Another important foreign exchange earner, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority—which controls the investments of Abu Dhabi, the wealthiest emirate—manages an estimated $600 billion in overseas investments.  

More than 6,000 companies from more than 120 countries operate at the Jebel Ali complex in Dubai, which includes a deep-water port and a [[Free Trade Zone|free trade zone]] for manufacturing and distribution in which all goods for re-export or transshipment enjoy a 100% duty exemption. A major power plant with associated water desalination units, an aluminum smelter, and a steel fabrication unit are prominent facilities near the complex.  

More than 6,000 companies from more than 120 countries operate at the Jebel Ali complex in Dubai, which includes a deep-water port and a [[Free Trade Zone|free trade zone]] for manufacturing and distribution in which all goods for re-export or transshipment enjoy a 100% duty exemption. A major power plant with associated water desalination units, an aluminum smelter, and a steel fabrication unit are prominent facilities near the complex.  

*Inflation rate (2006 est.): 10-13%.  

*Inflation rate (2006 est.): 10-13%.  

*Natural resources: Oil and natural gas.  

*Natural resources: Oil and natural gas.  

*Agriculture (2005 est., 2.0% of GDP): Products--vegetables, dates, dairy products, poultry, fish.  

*Agriculture (2005 est., 2.0% of GDP): Products—vegetables, dates, dairy products, poultry, fish.  

*Petroleum (2005 est.): 36%.  

*Petroleum (2005 est.): 36%.  

*Manufacturing (2005 est.): 13%.  

*Manufacturing (2005 est.): 13%.  

*Services (44% of 2003 GDP): Trade, government, real estate.  

*Services (44% of 2003 GDP): Trade, government, real estate.  

*Trade (2006 est.): Exports--$157 billion: petroleum, gas, and petroleum products. Major markets--Japan, South Korea, Thailand, India. Imports--$126.6 billion: machinery, chemicals, food. Major suppliers--Western Europe, Japan, U.S., China, India.  

*Trade (2006 est.): Exports--$157 billion: petroleum, gas, and petroleum products. Major markets—Japan, South Korea, Thailand, India. Imports--$126.6 billion: machinery, chemicals, food. Major suppliers—Western Europe, Japan, U.S., China, India.  

*Foreign economic aid (2004): In excess of $5.25 billion.

*Foreign economic aid (2004): In excess of $5.25 billion.