United Arab Emirates

About the UAE
The United Arab Emirates consists of seven Emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah. Four-fifths of the UAE is desert but has contrasting landscapes—from the towering red dunes of the Liwa to the rich palm-filled Oasis of Al Ain, from the precipitous Hajjar Mountains to the more fertile stretches of its coastal plains.

Though small in size (similar to the size of Scotland), the UAE has become an important player in regional and international affairs. In 1971, the late President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan unified the small, underdeveloped states into a federation—the only one in the Arab world. With his visionary leadership, oil wealth was used to develop the UAE into one of the world's most open and successful economies.

In 2004, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan became president and has since continued to strive towards an ambitious vision for the UAE.

Quick facts
Political System:
Constitutional Federation (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah)

National Day:
2nd December 1971

Flag:
Three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white (middle), and black (bottom) with a wider vertical red band on the hoist side.

History of the state and the emergence of the Union

Excavations have shown in many locations from the United Arab Emirates, and the effects that are found in those locations that ancient civilization was thriving in the region known today as the United Arab Emirates, and that civilization dating back to about four thousand years BC, and it was touch with neighboring civilizations.

Various stone tools, sharp sword blades and metal sheets were found. Excavations show forts at Hilly site, Bidya, Tell Abraq and Kalbaa that date back 2500-2000 B.C. Recent discoveries show a square citadel with square towers at its corners, in addition to an external wall of 55m long, and a stone mould to make metal coins inside the citadel.

With the coming of Islam, a new phase of the country's history had begun, as Islam reached this country thanks to the Arab leader Amr bin Al-As. The Gulf area under the rule of Islam witnessed a prosperous period, and the Gulf became an international hub of marine trade and navigation during the Umayyad age when the vessel industry prospered.

An archeological site at Jumeirah area in Dubai has been identified as the remainder of an Islamic city of the Umayyad age, which was controlling the trade routes at that time. One of the known Islamic cities is Julphar north of the city of Ras Al Khaimah, where houses were found and four mosques dating back to the Hijri fourth century.

H. H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founder of the Union
H. H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (may Allah bless his Soul), was born in 1918. In 1946, he was elected ruler of Al Ain and in 1966, he became ruler of Abu Dhabi. In 1968, Britain announced that it would withdraw from the area. Immediately Sheikh Zayed took the lead in calling for a federation of the emirates. The rulers of the emirates moved quickly and on the 2nd December, 1971, the United Arab Emirates formally emerged onto the international stage.

On November 2, 2004, Sheikh Zayed passed away, after a long journey of giving and achievements. In line with his vision, the nation keeps going under the leadership of H. H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of United Arab Emirates and the members of the Supreme Council of Rulers and their Crown Princes.

Important Meetings That Led to the Federation

1. The meeting held between H. H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and H. H. Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, early February 1968, which was the first unity meeting that led to achieving what the people of this area always hoped for.

2. The meeting of the rulers of the emirates in Dubai between 25 and 27 February 1968 based on an invitation made by the rulers of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. At this meeting, they agreed on forming the Federation of the United Arab Emirates.

3. The meeting of the rulers of the emirates in December 1971 - In response to the will and wishes of the people of the emirates, this meeting made the following historical declaration: The Supreme Council felicitates the people of the United Arab Emirates, as well as the Arab people, and our friends around the world, and declares the United Arab Emirates as an independent sovereign state being a part of the Arab World.

President:
H. H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan (Ruler of Abu Dhabi)