Introduction
The United Arab Emirates, also known as the UAE, is a federation made up of seven emirates. Each of these emirates has its own king (or sheikh). From there, a president and prime minister are elected by the Supreme Council. Usually the Sheikh of Abu Dhabi is elected president while the Sheikh of Dubai is elected prime minister. This piece of land is only about as big as South Carolina but holds a population of roughly 6 million people. From its history of many tribes, to its treaties with Great Britain, the UAE has established itself as a very modern country in today's day and age. The UAE is a global attraction for tourism and one of the leading oil exporting countries in the world.
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History
The United Arab Emirates began when the Trucial States of the Persian Gulf coast gave the United Kingdom control of their defense and foreign affairs in 19th century treaties. Ties began due to these treaties when the United Kingdom offered protection to the Trucial States in exchange for exclusive trade. This agreement created a truce establishing that no land would be ceded to other foreign powers and treaties would only be made with the United Kingdom. On December 2, 1971 the Trucial States declared the independence from the United Kingdom and became the United Arab Emirates which consisted of six states being Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah, Dubai, and Umm al Qaywayn. They were joined in 1972 by Ra's al Khaymah.
GeographyLocation: The United Arab Emirates is located in the Middle East. It borders the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia.
Geographic Coordinates: 24 00 N, 54 00 E Climate: desert; cooler in the eastern mountains. Natural Resources: petroleum gas and natural gas Natural Hazards: frequent sand and dust storms |
Demographics
Population: 6,072, 475 (July 2017 est.)
Nationality: Emirati(s)
Ethnic Groups: Emirati 11.6 percent, South Asian 59.4 percent (includes Indian 38.2 percent, Bangladeshi 9.5 percent, Pakistani 9.4 percent, other 2.3 percent) Egyptian 10.2 percent, Philippine 6.1 percent, other 12.8 percent.
Religions: Muslim (Official) 76 percent, Christian 9 percent, other 15 percent (mostly Hindu and Buddhist)
By Age:
0-14 years: 21.01 percent (male 652,718/ female 622, 850)
15-24 years: 13.51 percent (male 487,558/ female 332,829)
25-54 years: 61.14 percent (male 2,828,731/ female 884,223)
55-64 years: 3.27 percent (male 147,429/ female 51, 097)
Birth Rate: 15.1 births 1,000 population
Death Rate: 1.9 deaths/ 1,000 population
Distribution: Nearly 85 percent of the population is concentrated in the three largest emirates Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah
Nationality: Emirati(s)
Ethnic Groups: Emirati 11.6 percent, South Asian 59.4 percent (includes Indian 38.2 percent, Bangladeshi 9.5 percent, Pakistani 9.4 percent, other 2.3 percent) Egyptian 10.2 percent, Philippine 6.1 percent, other 12.8 percent.
Religions: Muslim (Official) 76 percent, Christian 9 percent, other 15 percent (mostly Hindu and Buddhist)
By Age:
0-14 years: 21.01 percent (male 652,718/ female 622, 850)
15-24 years: 13.51 percent (male 487,558/ female 332,829)
25-54 years: 61.14 percent (male 2,828,731/ female 884,223)
55-64 years: 3.27 percent (male 147,429/ female 51, 097)
Birth Rate: 15.1 births 1,000 population
Death Rate: 1.9 deaths/ 1,000 population
Distribution: Nearly 85 percent of the population is concentrated in the three largest emirates Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah
Languages and Education
The primary language spoken in the UAE is Arabic. However, there are many English speakers in the UAE and there has been an effort to improve the English of individuals here.
The proficiency of English speakers in this area has increased over the years, and now the UAE is ranked first regionally and 36th internationally in English proficiency (Sabry, 2013). English is commonly used in the UAE and taught in schools as a second language.
Due to high immigration rates into the country, other languages spoken here include Hindi, Farsi, Urdu, and Malayalam.
Education has grown significantly since the discovery of oil in the UAE. Many schools have been built since the 1960's and in recent years there has been an emphasis on English education. The UAE recruits English-speaking teachers to teach English in schools.
The proficiency of English speakers in this area has increased over the years, and now the UAE is ranked first regionally and 36th internationally in English proficiency (Sabry, 2013). English is commonly used in the UAE and taught in schools as a second language.
Due to high immigration rates into the country, other languages spoken here include Hindi, Farsi, Urdu, and Malayalam.
Education has grown significantly since the discovery of oil in the UAE. Many schools have been built since the 1960's and in recent years there has been an emphasis on English education. The UAE recruits English-speaking teachers to teach English in schools.
Politics
Government Type: The government is a federation of monarchies.
Chief of State: President Khalifa bin Zayid Al-Nuhayyan has been in since November 3, 2014 (right picture).
Head of Government: Prime Minister Vice President Muhammad Bin Rashid Al-Maktum has been in since January 5, 2006. Deputy Prime Ministers Saif Bin Zayid Al Nuhayyan and Mansur Bin Zayid Al-Nuhayyan have been in since May 11, 2009.
Cabinet: The Cabinet is made up of a Council of Ministers announced by the prime minister and is then approved by the president.
Elections: The President and Vice President are elected by the Federal Supreme Council. The council is made up of the rulers of the emirates. The terms last 5 years and there is no term limit.
Chief of State: President Khalifa bin Zayid Al-Nuhayyan has been in since November 3, 2014 (right picture).
Head of Government: Prime Minister Vice President Muhammad Bin Rashid Al-Maktum has been in since January 5, 2006. Deputy Prime Ministers Saif Bin Zayid Al Nuhayyan and Mansur Bin Zayid Al-Nuhayyan have been in since May 11, 2009.
Cabinet: The Cabinet is made up of a Council of Ministers announced by the prime minister and is then approved by the president.
Elections: The President and Vice President are elected by the Federal Supreme Council. The council is made up of the rulers of the emirates. The terms last 5 years and there is no term limit.
(Jaworskyj, 2017)
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(Etihad Airways, 2017)
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By: Dylan Martin
Winter 2018