Western Asia · AsiaUnited Arab Emirates
Discover the UAE - a federation of seven emirates where futuristic skyscrapers rise from the desert, superlatives are a lifestyle, and ambition knows no ceiling.
Where Is the United Arab Emirates?
The United Arab Emirates is a country in Western Asia. Its capital is Abu Dhabi.
- Capital Abu Dhabi
- Population 11.5M
- Area 83,600 km²
Fifty years ago, the United Arab Emirates was a collection of small fishing and pearl-diving villages scattered along the Persian Gulf coast. Today, Dubai alone has the world's tallest building, the world's largest shopping mall, artificial islands shaped like palm trees visible from space, and an indoor ski slope in the middle of a desert where summer temperatures hit 50 degrees Celsius. The transformation of the UAE from one of the poorest regions on Earth to one of the wealthiest is the most dramatic economic makeover in modern history.
The UAE is a federation of seven emirates - Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah - each with its own ruler and personality. Abu Dhabi, the capital and by far the largest emirate, holds most of the oil wealth and plays the role of the steady, cultured elder sibling with the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Dubai is the flashy younger sibling, a global brand built on sheer audacity and an if-you-can-dream-it-we-can-build-it philosophy. Together they have created a country where over 85% of the population are expatriates from every corner of the globe.
But there is more to the UAE than glass towers and luxury malls. The Al Hajar Mountains in the east offer rugged hiking. The Rub al Khali, the Empty Quarter, is the largest sand desert in the world. Emirati culture, rooted in Bedouin traditions of hospitality, falconry, and pearl diving, persists beneath the gleaming surface. And the ambition shows no sign of slowing down - the UAE has sent a probe to Mars, is building a museum of the future, and is planning for a post-oil economy with investments in renewable energy and artificial intelligence.
At a glance
Largest cities in United Arab Emirates
Dubai
Abu Dhabi
Sharjah
Al Ain
Fujairah
Famous people from United Arab Emirates
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
PoliticsFounding father who united seven emirates into one nation in 1971, transforming a desert backwater into a modern federation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
PoliticsRuler of Dubai who transformed the emirate into a global business and tourism hub, coining the phrase 'if you can dream it, we can build it'
Hazza Al Mansouri
ScienceFirst Emirati astronaut who traveled to the International Space Station in 2019, becoming a national hero and inspiring a generation
Traditional cuisine of United Arab Emirates
- Al Machboos
- The UAE's national dish of spiced rice with meat or seafood, flavored with loomi (dried lime), bezar spice blend, and saffron
- Luqaimat
- Golden deep-fried dumplings drizzled with date syrup, a beloved Emirati dessert served during Ramadan and celebrations
- Shawarma
- Spit-roasted meat in flatbread with garlic sauce and pickles, the UAE's most popular street food found on virtually every corner
- Al Harees
- Slow-cooked wheat and meat porridge with a smooth, comforting texture, traditionally prepared during Ramadan and Eid
- Camel Milk Chocolate
- Luxury chocolate made from camel milk, a uniquely Emirati innovation that has gained international gourmet recognition
Nature and landmarks in United Arab Emirates
- Rub al Khali (Empty Quarter)Desert
- The world's largest sand desert stretching across the UAE's south, with towering dunes reaching 300 meters and absolute silence
- Al Hajar MountainsMountain
- Rugged mountain range in the eastern UAE reaching 1,900 meters, with dramatic wadis, ancient villages, and cooler temperatures
- Sir Bani Yas IslandIsland
- Protected wildlife reserve off Abu Dhabi's coast where Arabian oryx, gazelles, and cheetahs roam freely on a desert island sanctuary
- HattaMountain
- Mountain enclave of Dubai emirate with a turquoise reservoir, heritage village, and some of the UAE's best hiking and kayaking
- Mangrove National ParkNational Park
- Abu Dhabi's protected mangrove forests, home to flamingos, herons, and marine life, a surprising green oasis in the desert city
Sports in United Arab Emirates
- Football
- Most popular sport in the UAE, the country hosted the 2019 Asian Cup and the domestic league attracts top international players
- Camel Racing
- Traditional Bedouin sport now using robot jockeys, with prize camels worth millions of dirhams and races broadcast on national television
- Cricket
- Hugely popular among the large South Asian expat community, the UAE has hosted major international cricket tournaments and ICC events
Did you know?
The Burj Khalifa in Dubai stands at 828 meters, making it the tallest building ever constructed by humans
Over 85% of the UAE's population are foreign expatriates, making it one of the most internationally diverse countries on Earth
The UAE sent a probe called Hope to Mars in 2021, becoming only the fifth entity in history to reach the red planet
Dubai's Palm Jumeirah is an artificial island visible from space, built by pouring enough sand to fill 2.5 Empire State Buildings
The UAE went from having no paved roads in the 1960s to having one of the most modern infrastructure networks in the world
Falconry is so important to Emirati culture that falcons have their own passports and can sit in first class on Emirates flights
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi has the world's largest hand-knotted carpet and one of the world's largest chandeliers
Read more about United Arab Emirates
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