"United Arab Emirates (UAE)" United Arab Emirates by amna_alshamsi

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

Climate: desert; cooler in eastern mountains

Population:
2,445,989 note: includes 1,576,472 non-nationals (July 2002 est.)

Religions: Islam

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

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

Currency:
Emirati dirham (AED) ( 1$ = 3.625AED).

UAE consists of seven emirates which are Abu Dhabi (the capital), Dubai (business capital), Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Alquween, Ras Al Khaimah, Al Fujairah

I have meet so many people who are interested to know about the culture and traditions of the UAE. I am proud to write about it. UAE and especially Dubai witnessed a vast development since the discovery of oil in the 60’s and early 70’s. Nevertheless, the core principles are still there and I can summarize it as follows:
- The family is still considered the strongest and most cohesive social unit and this is applied to all the countries in the Arab region.
- Traditional and social celebration remain important especially Eid Al Fiter which follows the holey month of Ramadan and Eid Al Adha which takes place at the conclusion of the Hajj on the Islamic calendar. In those special occasions and also in UAE independence day (2/12/1971) Emiraties perform traditional dances and also women decorate their hands and feet with henna, I saw many tourists doing so (check the pic) .
- Traditional sports such as camel racing, falconry and dhow racing at the sea are still taking place every year.

The traditions and culture did not prevent both genders (especially women) from participating in all the development projects in the country, now a days women are given more opportunity to choose education and some types of professional work have become ore available to women.

http://www.orientconnections.com/

Despite to the differences in cultures , foreigner and tourists are free to participate their own religions

A chronology of key events:
1820 - Britain and a number of local rulers sign a treaty to suppress piracy along the Gulf coast. From this, and later agreements, the area becomes known as the Trucial Coast.

1892 - The Exclusive Agreements between the Trucial States and Britain are signed giving Britain control over foreign affairs and each Emirate control over internal affairs.


Traditional view: A woman in Dubai
1948 - Sheikh Saqr Bin-Muhammad al-Qasimi becomes Ruler of Ra's al-Khaymah.

1950s - Oil is discovered in the Trucial States.

1952 - The seven emirates form a Trucial Council to promote increased cooperation between themselves.

Oil exports begin

1962 - Oil is exported for the first time from Abu Dhabi.

1966 August - Sheikh Zayid Bin-Sultan Al Nuhayyan takes over as Ruler of Abu Dhabi.


Sharjah skyline
1968 - In light of approaching independence, Bahrain and Qatar join with the Trucial States but differing objectives lead to the break up of this union in 1971.

1971 November - Iran occupies the islands of Greater and Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa.

Federation formed

1971 December - After gaining independence from Britain, the six states of Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujayrah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Qaywayn form a federation called United Arab Emirates. Sheikh Zayid Bin-Sultan Al Nuhayyan is elected president of the federation.

1971 - UAE joins the Arab League.

1972 - Ra's al-Khaymah joins the federation.

1972 January - Sheikh Sultan Bin-Muhammad al-Qasimi becomes Ruler of Sharjah.


Old style: Emirates baker
1972 February - The Federal National Council (FNC) is created; it is a 40 member consultative body appointed by the seven rulers.

1974 September - Sheikh Hamad Bin-Muhammad Bin-Hamad al-Sharqi becomes Ruler of Fujayrah.

1981 February - Sheikh Rashid Bin-Ahmad al-Mu'alla becomes Ruler of Umm al-Qaywayn.

1981 May - UAE is a founding member of the Gulf Cooperation Council; its first ever summit is held in Abu Dhabi.

1981 September - Sheikh Humayd Bin-Rashid al-Nu'aymi becomes Ruler of Ajman.

1986 October - Sheikh Zayid Bin-Sultan Al Nuhayyan is reelected President for a fourth five- year term.

http://news.bbc.co.uk

• Pros:Every thing!
• Cons:only summer heat !
• In a nutshell:A multinational county!