About the UAE

Founded in 1971, the United Arab Emirates has quickly become a place of incredible opportunity for millions of people from around the world.

Over the past four decades, the UAE has grown from a humble alliance of quiet coastal towns into a powerful union, bustling with commerce and ranked as one of the most competitive countries in the world.

The UAE is a federation of seven emirates – Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al Khaimah and Umm al Qaiwain

About the seven emirates

The UAE is a federation of seven emirates. Each one, unique and rich in tradition, plays a vital role in making the UAE the powerful nation it is today.

Abu Dhabi

Laying along the shores of the Arabian Gulf and reaching far back into the desert, Abu Dhabi occupies an area of nearly 70,000 square kilometers, accounting for about 86.7 per cent of the country.

Up until the 1950s, the population along the coast relied on fishing and pearling to make a living, while those further inland subsisted on growing dates and camel herding.

After oil was first discovered in 1958, Abu Dhabi became one of the richest areas in the world.

Today, Abu Dhabi is a cosmopolitan metropolis and serves as the UAE's political, commercial and cultural center.

Dubai

Dubai is situated along Dubai Creek, a natural harbor, and has been a center of trade for centuries.

While not boasting the oil resources of the capital, Dubai has focused on trade, industry and tourism. Under the wise leadership of its leaders, Dubai has become a leading commercial hub featuring one of the world's busiest ports, Jebel Ali.

Dubai's main revenues are now form tourism, real estate, and financial services. Over the past few years, Dubai has grabbed the world's attention through its monumental, innovative construction projects and sporting events.

Sharjah

Sharjah shares its southern border with Dubai and is the only emirate with coastlines on both the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

In the 1930s, the British Imperial Airways set up a staging and refueling post in Sharjah for flights bound for India, greatly benefiting the emirate and turning it into a major transport hub along the southern Gulf coast.

Today, Sharjah is a cultural and educational center and takes pride in preserving the country's cultural heritage and traditions.

Ajman

Along the coast, dhow building along with fishing and date farming traditionally provided the local population with a steady means of sustenance.

Today, Ajman has experienced massive development and a construction boom.

Umm Al Qaiwain

Umm Al Qaiwan is positioned between the emirates of Sharjah and Ajman to the south and Ras Al Khaimah to the north.

Fishing and date farming play a significant role in the emirates' economy.

After the union of the emirates in 1971, Umm Al Qaiwain was transformed, and progress continues. Umm Al Qaiwan features several historical attractions, including the Old Harbor and Fort Umm Al Qaiwan.

Ras Al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah boasts an abundance of vegetation, and agriculture plays a significant role in the economy. The emirate also benefits from manufacturing, stone quarries, and fishing.

Today, the emirate features several world-class resorts, along with a variety of tourist attractions.

Fujairah

Fujairah rests along the coast of the Gulf of Oman and features mountains and sweeping plains.

Irrigated by rainwater flowing down the Hajar Mountains, Fujairah is an ideal place for agriculture. Farming, along with fishing, are the emirate's main economic drivers.