Weather
Desert; cooler in eastern mountains.
Terrain
Flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert wasteland; mountains in east.
Currency
Emirati Dirham (AED)
Languages
Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu
Religion
Muslim 96% (Shi'a 16%), Christian, Hindu, and other 4%
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)
History
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.
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