United Arab Emirates

Al Imarat al Arabiyah al Muttahidah

federation with specified powers delegated to the UAEIndependence 2 December 1971 (from UK)

United Arab Emirates as the 1998 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 99 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalAbu Dhabi
Position24 00 N, 54 00 E
Area82,880 sq km
LocationMiddle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian
1998

Every edition of United Arab Emirates

Populationas each edition published it
2.3 million July 1998 est. · 2.25m in 1990
Population growth% a year
1.78% 1998 est. · 5.06% in 1993
Median ageyears
Not in this edition 27.6 yrs in 2003
Life expectancyyears at birth
74.93 years 1998 est. · 72 yrs in 1993
Fertility ratechildren per woman
3.56 children per woman 1998 est. · 4.9 in 1990
Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births
14.77 deaths per 1,000 live births 1998 est. · 24 in 1990
GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars
$24,000 1997 est. · $13,800 in 1993
GDP real growth% a year
5% 1997 est. · 1% in 1994

Geography

Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian | Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia

18 fields

Land useshare of 82,880 sq km

permanent crops 0%permanent pastures 2%forests and woodland 0%other 98% (1993 est.)arable land 0% in all · irrigated 50 sq km (1993 est.)
Area
82,880sq km
land: 82,880 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmslightly smaller than Maine
Coastline
1,318km
contiguous zone: 24 nmcontinental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental marginexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm
Highest point
1,527m
Jabal Yibirlowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
Land boundaries
867km
border countries: Oman 410 km, Saudi Arabia 457 km

Location

Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia

Geographic coordinates

24 00 N, 54 00 E

Map references

Middle East

Climate

desert; cooler in eastern mountains

Terrain

flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert wasteland; mountains in east

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas

Natural hazards

frequent sand and dust storms

Environment-current issues

  • lack of natural freshwater resources being overcome by desalination plants;
  • desertification;
  • beach pollution from oil spills

Environment-international agreements

party to:
Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified:
Biodiversity, Law of the Sea

Geography-note

strategic location along southern approaches to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil

People

15 fields
Population
2,303,088
(July 1998 est.)note: includes 1,561,840 non-nationals (July 1998 est.)growth rate: 1.78% (1998 est.)

Per 1,000 population(1998 est.)

Birth
18.61Death
3.06Net migration
2.25

Male · female

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years (1998 est.)74.93
73.5 · 76.44
TotalMale · femaleLiteracy (1995 est.)79.2%
78.9% · 79.8%
MaleFemaleLiteracy definition: age 15 and over can read and write but definition of literacy not available

Ethnic groups(1982)

Emiri 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)

Age structure

0-14 years:
32% (male 372,413; female 356,834)
15-64 years:
66% (male 995,798; female 535,014)
65 years and over:
2% (male 29,169; female 13,860) (July 1998 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years:
1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years:
1.86 male(s)/female
65 years and over:
2.1 male(s)/female (1998 est.)

Infant mortality rate

14.77 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)

Total fertility rate

3.56 children born/woman (1998 est.)

Nationality

noun:
Emirian(s)
adjective:
Emirian

Religions

Muslim 96% (Shi'a 16%), Christian, Hindu, and other 4%

Languages

Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu

Government

Federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE; President ZAYID bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan (since 2 December 1971), ruler of Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) (since 6 August 1966) and Vice President MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy (Dubai); Prime Minister MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy (Dubai)

20 fields

Country name

conventional long form:
United Arab Emirates
conventional short form:
none
local long form:
Al Imarat al Arabiyah al Muttahidah
local short form:
none
former:
Trucial States
abbreviation:
UAE

Government type

federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE federal government and other powers reserved to member emirates

Administrative divisions

7 emirates (imarat, singular-imarah); Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi), 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah (Sharjah), Dubayy (Dubai), Ra's al Khaymah, Umm al Qaywayn

Independence

2 December 1971 (from UK)

National holiday

National Day, 2 December (1971)

Constitution

2 December 1971 (made permanent in 1996)

Executive branch

chief of state:
President ZAYID bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan (since 2 December 1971), ruler of Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) (since 6 August 1966) and Vice President MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy (Dubai)
head of government:
  • Prime Minister MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy (Dubai);
  • Deputy Prime Minister SULTAN bin Zayid Al Nuhayyan (since 20 November 1990)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers appointed by the president

note: there is also a Federal Supreme Council (FSC) which is composed of the seven emirate rulers; the council is the highest constitutional authority in the UAE;

establishes general policies and sanctions federal legislation, Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) and Dubayy (Dubai) rulers have effective veto power; meets four times a year

elections:
  • president and vice president elected by the FSC (a group of seven electors) for five-year terms;
  • election last held NA October 1996 (next to be held NA 2001);
  • prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president
election results:
  • ZAYID bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan reelected president;
  • percent of FSC vote - NA, but believed to be unanimous;
  • MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum elected vice president;
  • percent of FSC vote-NA, but believed to be unanimous

Legislative branch

unicameral Federal National Council or Majlis al-Ittihad al-Watani (40 seats; members appointed by the rulers of the constituent states to serve two-year terms); elections: none note: reviews legislation, but cannot change or veto

Judicial branch

Union Supreme Court, judges appointed by the president

International organization participation

ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AL, AMF, CAEU, CCC, ESCWA, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission:
Ambassador Muhammad bin Husayn al-SHAALI
chancery:
Suite 700, 1255 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20037
telephone:
[1] (202) 955-7999

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission:
Ambassador David C. LITT
embassy:
Al-Sudan Street, Abu Dhabi
mailing address:
  • P. O. Box 4009, Abu Dhabi;
  • American Embassy Abu Dhabi, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-6010 (pouch);
  • note-work week is Saturday through Wednesday
telephone:
[971] (2) 436691, 436692

FAX

[971] (2) 434771; consulate(s) general: Dubai

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and black with a thicker vertical red band on the hoist side

Economy

28 fields
GDP, purchasing power parity
-$54.2billion
purchasing power parity · (1997 est.)
GDP per capita, PPP
-$24,000
purchasing power parity · (1997 est.)
Real growth rate
5%
(1997 est.)industrial production growth: 6.1% (1995 est.)

GDP-composition by sector(1996 est.)

agriculture 3%industry 55%services 42% (1996 est.)

Budget

Revenues
$5.1 billionExpenditures
$5.4 billion (1997 est.)
expenditures including capital expenditures of $294 million
Fixed lines
677,793
(1993 est.)

Economy-overview

The UAE has an open economy with one of the world's highest per capita incomes and with a sizable annual trade surplus. Its wealth is based on oil and gas output (about 33% of GDP), and the fortunes of the economy fluctuate with the prices of those commodities. Since 1973, the UAE has undergone a profound transformation from an impoverished region of small desert principalities to a modern state with a high standard of living.

At present levels of production, oil and gas reserves should last for over 100 years. The UAE Government is encouraging increased privatization within the economy, and industrial development is expected to pick up in 1997-98.

Labor force

total:
1.05 million (1996 est.)
by occupation:
services 65%, industry and commerce 30%, agriculture 5% (1996 est.)

note: 75% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (July 1998 est.)

Industries

petroleum, fishing, petrochemicals, construction materials, some boat building, handicrafts, pearling

Electricity-capacity

5.29 million kW (1995)

Electricity-production

18 billion kWh (1995)

Agriculture-products

  • dates, vegetables, watermelons;
  • poultry, eggs, dairy products;
  • fish

Exports

total value:
$33.2 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.)
commodities:
crude oil 66%, natural gas, reexports, dried fish, dates
partners:
Japan 38%, South Korea 7%, Singapore 7%, India 6%, Oman 4%, Iran 3% (1996)

Imports

total value:
$23.5 billion (f.o.b., 1996 est.)
commodities:
manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food
partners:
US 10%, Japan 9%, UK 8%, Italy 6%, South Korea 6%, India 6% (1996)

Debt-external

$14 billion (1996 est.)

Currency

1 Emirian dirham (Dh) = 100 fils

Exchange rates

Emirian dirhams (Dh) per US$1-3.6710 (fixed rate)

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications

Telephone system

modern system consisting of microwave radio relay and coaxial cable; key centers are Abu Dhabi and Dubai

domestic:
microwave radio relay and coaxial cable
international:
  • satellite earth stations-3 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat;
  • submarine cables to Qatar, Bahrain, India, and Pakistan;
  • tropospheric scatter to Bahrain;
  • microwave radio relay to Saudi Arabia

Radio broadcast stations

AM 8, FM 3, shortwave 0

Radios

545,000 (1992 est.)

Televisions

170,000 (1993 est.)

Transportation

9 fields

Merchant marine, 67 ships by typeone square, one ship · (1997 est.)

bulk 3cargo 18chemical tanker 3container 7liquefied gas tanker 1livestock carrier 1oil tanker 27refrigerated cargo 1roll-on/roll-off cargo 6

Airports by runway lengthpaved only

under 914 m
4
over 3,047 m: 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3

Airports by runway lengthunpaved only

under 914 m
5
total: 18 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 8

Networkskm

Highways
4,835Railways
0
Highways: paved: 4,835 km · unpaved: 0 km (1996 est.)

Highways

total:
4,835 km
paved:
4,835 km
unpaved:
0 km (1996 est.)

Pipelines

crude oil 830 km; natural gas, including natural gas liquids, 870 km

Ports and harbors

'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Das Island, Khawr Fakkan, Mina' Jabal 'Ali, Mina' Khalid, Mina' Rashid, Mina' Saqr, Mina' Zayid, Umm al Qaywayn

Airports

40 (1997 est.)

Heliports

2 (1997 est.)

Military

Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary (includes | Federal Police Force)

7 fields

Military branches

Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary (includes Federal Police Force)

Military manpower-availability

males age 15-49: 791,770 (1998 est.) note: includes non-nationals

Transnational Issues

2 fields

Disputes-international

  • location and status of boundary with Saudi Arabia is not final, de facto boundary reflects 1974 agreement;
  • no defined boundary with most of Oman, but Administrative Line in far north;
  • claims two islands in the Persian Gulf occupied by Iran: Lesser Tunb (called Tunb as Sughra in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Kuchek in Persian by Iran) and Greater Tunb (called Tunb al Kubra in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Tonb-e Bozorg in Persian by Iran);
  • claims island in the Persian Gulf jointly administered with Iran (called Abu Musa in Arabic by UAE and Jazireh-ye Abu Musa in Persian by Iran)-over which Iran has taken steps to exert unilateral control since 1992, including access restrictions and a military build-up on the island;
  • the UAE has garnered significant diplomatic support in the region in protesting these Iranian actions

Illicit drugs

growing role as heroin transshipment and money-laundering center due to its proximity to southwest Asian producing countries and the bustling free trade zone in Dubai UNITED KINGDOM

Central Intelligence Agency. “United Arab Emirates.” The World Factbook 1998. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/united-arab-emirates/1998.

How to cite ← 1997 edition 1999 edition →