The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of seven states
formed in 1971 by the then Trucial States after independence from
Britain.
Although each state - Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al
Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al Qaiwain - maintains a large degree of
independence, the UAE is governed by a Supreme Council of Rulers made up
of the seven emirs, who appoint the prime minister and the cabinet.
Before oil was discovered in the 1950s the UAE's economy was
dependent on fishing and a declining pearling industry. But since 1962,
when Abu Dhabi became the first of the emirates to begin exporting oil,
the country's society and economy have been transformed.
Boom town: Oil money, business and tourism transformed
Dubai
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The late Sheikh Zayed, ruler of Abu Dhabi and president of the UAE at
its inception, was quick to seize on the potential of the oil industry.
He oversaw the development of all the emirates and directed oil
revenues into healthcare, education and the national infrastructure.
The oil industry has attracted a large influx of foreign workers who,
together with expatriates, now make up more than three quarters of the
population.
The country's growing business sector and its tourist industry have
helped to fuel a construction boom, with billions of dollars being
pumped into showpiece schemes. Chic hotels and skyscrapers are
emblematic of cities such as Abu Dhabi and cosmopolitan Dubai.
The UAE is one of the most liberal countries in the Gulf, with other
cultures and beliefs generally tolerated. However it is the only state
in the region not to have elected bodies.
Population: 3.1 million (UN, 2008)
Capital: Abu Dhabi
Area: 77,700 sq km (30,000 sq miles)
Major language: Arabic
Major religion: Islam
Life expectancy: 76 years (men), 81 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 Dirham = 100 fils
Main exports: Oil, gas
GNI per capita: n/a
Internet domain: .ae
International dialling code: +971
President, ruler of Abu Dhabi: Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed
Sheikh Khalifa was named as president by the UAE Federal Council
shortly after the death of his father, Sheikh Zayed Bin-Sultan Al
Nahyan, in November 2004. The former president, who was 86, had been in
poor health.
Sheikh Khalifa succeeded his father
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Sheikh Khalifa, crown prince of Abu Dhabi since 1969, is said to be a
pro-Western moderniser.
Often referred to as the father of the nation, Sheikh Zayed succeeded
his brother as ruler of Abu Dhabi in 1966 and, because of his strong
leadership and commitment to forming the federation, he was elected as
the first president of the United Arab Emirates in 1971.
Reelected every five years since 1971, Sheikh Zayed instilled the
values of religious tolerance and equality, especially for women, into
his policies, which greatly enhanced the stability of the UAE.
Vice president, prime minister, ruler of Dubai: Sheikh Mohammed bin
Rashid al-Maktoum
Ruler of Ajman: Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid al-Nuaimi
Ruler of Fujairah: Sheikh Hamad bin Muhammad bin Hamad al-Sharqi
Ruler of Ras al Khaimah: Sheikh Saqr bin Muhammad al-Qasimi
Ruler of Sharjah: Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad al-Qasimi
Ruler of Umm al Qaiwain: Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmad al-Mualla
Dubai aspires to be a regional and international centre for
television and media services, alongside Egypt and Lebanon. An
Electronic Commerce and Media Zone Authority was created in 2000 to
attract regional and international media outlets.
Dubai Media City and its counterparts offer two key advantages: tax
benefits and freedom of speech.
Major media organisations - including Reuters and Sony - and
publishers, artists and writers have moved in. Established satellite
broadcaster MBC relocated to Dubai Media City from London.
Other influential pan-Arab satellite TV stations based in the UAE
include Abu Dhabi TV which mounted extensive coverage of the US-led
military campaign in Iraq in 2003.
The constitution provides for freedom of speech but there is strong
regulatory and political control of media content.
A 1988 law requires that publications be licensed and outlines
acceptable subjects of reporting. Foreign publications are censored
before distribution. Journalists tend to practise self-censorship when
reporting on such matters as government policy and ruling families.
Internet use is extensive; by 2004 there were more than one million
users.
The press
Al-Bayan - private,
Dubai-based daily
Gulf News - Dubai-based,
English-language
Khaleej Times -
private, Dubai-based daily
Television
Emirates Dubai TV -
pan-Arab broadcaster
Abu Dhabi TV - pan-Arab
broadcaster
Ajman TV
Sharjah TV
MBC - Dubai-based pan-Arab
broadcaster
Al-Arabiya -
news channel operated by MBC
Radio
Abu Dhabi Radio
Radio Asia - commercial, broadcasts in Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam
Ras al Khaimah Radio
Al-Arabya FM - commercial
Dubai 92 - English-language
Dubai 93.9 - Arabic-language
City FM - programmes in English and Urdu
News agency
Emirates News Agency (WAM) -
official
