United Arab Emirates Overview

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has a rich ancient and cultural history.  Seven present emirates, each headed by a sheikh, his family, and government authorities presides over the people and resources of an area that has most of its population residing on the coast, because of the geography of the area. Yet, it is rich in its people, culture, traditions, and attractions.

Ancient history somewhere around 200 to 20 million years ago, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) peninsula formation became rich in fossils. Man had several thousand years before his appearance, although numerous ancient animals made history by appearing and then disappearing. Ancient man emerged the Pleistocene epoch in the Cenozoic era during the Holocene period.

The Quaternary period was also known as the “Ice Age.” Prehistoric mastodons and mammoths that had lived before this period disappeared from the earth. Three important worldwide ice sheets, changing ocean levels, reducing land masses: Laurentide, Scandinavian, and Patagonia.

Several expeditions found artifacts and animal bones. Iraqi expeditions in and French expeditions found artifacts near the Sharjah coast.  They found were stone arrowheads pre-dating the Iron Age. Although Human graves were robbed, archeologists discovered horse and camel bones. In 1991, the Abu Dhabi Islands Archaeological Survey (ADIAS) was established and became responsible for archeological and paleontological surveys for the periods between 20,000 to 2,000 years ago. The survey was created, funded, and supported by the late HH President Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi. These surveys of the western coastal, offshore, and desert ceased in 2006, but were continued by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH); however, ADIAS kept on publishing the results of its work.

For many centuries, the modern history of UAE was marked by disputes, coastal pirate raids, and British intervention. Between the 17th and 19th centuries, pirates raided commercial shipping. Even patrols by both Arab countries and European nations, did not discourage pirates from raids. Long-lasting disputes between the peninsula’s reigning sheikhs continued from one dynasty to the next. In 1835 the sheiks reached an agreement to stop raids at sea. Then, eighteen years later, in 1853, they reached a new agreement called the Trucial Sheikhdoms.  It was brokered under the auspices of the United Kingdom. Disputing sheikhs referred to a British civil servant called the Political Resident for resolution of disputes. Under this agreement there would be no maritime raids. It became an uninterrupted truce concerning trade on the seas.

In 1892, the Trucial Sheikdom and the United Kingdom reached another contract. During this agreement, relationships between sheikhs improved. Another bargain started because UK and Gulf nations pacts. Terms set down in this new arrangement stipulated that sheikhs must obtain the UK’s permission before disposing of any territory or entering into contracts with any other countries. This worked well for the Trucial Sheikhdoms, since the UK promised to protect them from any attacks on land or sea.

An example of this occurred in 1955 when the United Kingdom sided with Abu Dhabi’s difference of opinion with Saudi Arabia. The disagreement was over two issues. The first was the ownership of the Burami Oasis. The second was a border dispute with the country of Oman. The UAE government never ratified the 1974 agreement otherwise the issue would have been settled. It was not until 1999 that the Oman border was finally defined.

In 1971 UK ended its protection of the sheikdoms. Even though the Arab countries of Bahrain and Qatar chose to exempt themselves from the other seven countries, they became fully independent in August and September 1971 respectively. The other six countries, originally in the Trucial Sheikhdom formed the United Arab Emirates. A seventh sheikhdom, Ras al-Khaimah became part of the UAE in 1972. After the United Kingdom released control of the Trucial Shiekhdoms, seven Arab royal houses, or emirates, formed a federation in 1971. The seven emirates include Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras al-Khaimah, Ajman, Fujairah, and Umm al-Qawain.

Abu Dhabi is the heart of UAE’s central government, but each of the Arab royal houses retains autonomy in their respective emirates. By reciprocal and unofficial consent, the rulers of Abu Dhabi serve as president; the rulers of Dubai as vice president and prime minister. The sheikhs lead the Emirates highest council, the UAE Supreme Council of Ministers and are the country’s cabinet. These seven emirate rulers and the leading families form sanctions and federal policies. This is the emirates highest leading constitutional authority, meeting four times a year, while the UAE cabinet makes daily decisions. The Federal National Council is another branch of the UAE government, appointed by each emirate ruler. They meet to comment on legislation proposed by the cabinet. The judicial branch called the UAE Supreme Court, whose five judges have three functions. Their function is mostly dispute resolution between either the individual emirates or the emi-rates and the federal government. The Supreme Court also rules on the constitutionality of the federal laws that are made. The current UAE president is Abu Dhabi sheikh, Sheikh Shaykh Khalifa, since 2004 and Prime Minister, Sheikh Muhammad ibn Rashid al-Maktoum, serving since 2006.

Sixteen powers are under federation control, all others individual emirates regulate. The central government has power over labor, banking, immigration, defense, education, currency, public health; territorial waters; extradition, postal service; foreign affairs; communications and air services.  

The population of UAE lives an area slightly smaller than the US state of Maine, with a surface area of 83,600 km2 (32,278 sq mi), coastline 1,318 km (819 miles) long. They are located in the eastern Arabian Peninsula, neighboring Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar. Parts of its boundaries extend along the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Most of the land is desert, sand dunes, oases, and wadis (dry river beds). The coastal region has coral reefs and salt marshes, plus approximately 200 offshore islands. The highest point in the country is Jabal Yibir at 1,527 meters (5,010 feet). The largest city populations live near water. Abu Dhabi is the largest of the emirates. The biggest sand dunes are Al-Liwa, near oases east of Aradah. The other sand dune, Al Ain, is outside Abu Dhabi.

Due to the fact that the United Arab Emirates geography is largely sand, the country has very sparse forests and does not receive much rain. It is considered a sub-tropical climate. Depending on the location, the climate may either be sunny, extremely hot and dry or sunny, hot and humid. Sandstorms or shaman are frequent, not just in the desert, but near the coast, especially during the winter months of November to April 25 C (77 F), with lower humidity. From June to September temperatures hover around 48 C (118.4 F). The humidity is a very uncomfortable 90%. For example, in the month of November, the temperature in Dubai is 25 C, with humidity around 54%, clear skies, and wind coming from SSE at 12 mph. In Abu Dhabi the temperature is 22.8 C (73 F), clear skies, relative humidity of 61%, and wind from SSE at 16 mph. Both areas have very comfortable weather this time of year.

Although most of the world knows the culture of this area as Arab, its official name is Emirati or in Arabic, Al-Thaqafa Al-Emaratiya. Until early in the 1960s, when the UAE became designated as an oil culture, two major subcultures dominated the country. The farmers, or Bedouins, lived in the deserts close to oases. Fisherman lived on the coast making their living from their sea captures and pearls. These two subcultures were socially, economically, and politically interdependent, so they created a common culture and identity.

While Arabic is the official language, others speak English, which is commerce’s official language. Other languages heard among the UAE are Hindi, Farsi, Urdu, and Filipino. Arabic is the official language.

The UAE’s major holiday is National Day, symbolizing, an experiment in the Arab world that became a continued, unified success. Family is the extremely important in the UAE. Their president referred to as a father. Their flag, sharing the colors of other Arab countries, is green, white, red, and black. Several cultural symbols reflect the country’s main products and exports. These symbols are the coffee pot, the Arabian horse, the pearling boat, falcon, camel, and date palm. Anyone who’s tasted the country’s coffee or seen a majestic Arabian horse understands the pride the people feel and why these symbols are important. This culture came through difficult times and now enjoys prosperity. Banknotes, coins, and stamps display these symbols.

Considered a patriarchal state, men and women are considered equal, yet males have preference in employment. A symbol of social category, males appear in the traditional dress of a white robe (kandoura), white head cloth (ghutrah), and black rope (aqual). Men grow short beards and mustaches. Arab women in UAE wear a long black robe, called an abaya, which covers their clothes, plus a head scarf.

The predominant religion is Islam; however, UAE is tolerant of other religions. Residents and visitors can drink or smoke, but they may not appear public unruly and drunk. They must respect the laws and customs of the country.

The national currency name is called the Emirian Dirham.

The food of UAE is as varied as it is delicious. Many favorites that people of Western nations have learned to enjoy are traditional meals here. Some of these dishes include shawarma, made from chicken and roasted on a spit. Another favorite is made from roasted chickpeas, called falafel, which may be served with bread and hummus. Other fancier dishes include varieties such as Matchbous (spiced lamb with rice), Harries, umm ali (bread pudding), Esh asayra (cheese cake with cream topping), and Mahalbiya (another pudding). Many Arab or Asian cultures are similar, like naan, lavash, and dates and served with Arab or other ethnic foods. Restaurants also serve many varieties of seafood, shellfish, soups, and rice dishes. However, while Arabian food is common, other ethnic foods can please a variety of tastes. Many UAE restaurants serve European, Italian, French, Indian, Thai, Japanese, Pakistani, Mexican, Iranian, Lebanese, or Persian food.

While this area has been a popular one for geologists and archeologists, wildlife experts find existing wildlife and flora. The list of wildlife is extensive, including mammals, flora, fish, insects, birds, reptiles, and marine life. Many are familiar, but it is exciting to discover new wildlife never seen before.

Reptiles include many that are poisonous and non-poisonous, for example vipers and monitor lizards plus geckos, terrapins (turtles), amphisbaenids respectively.

Mammals include many prey species such as the Lesser Jerboa, gerbils, hedgehogs, and jirds, Arabian Oryx, gazelles, and mice. Predators include wildcats, like the beautiful Arabian leopard, foxes, the Arabian Wolf, hyaenas, caracals, and sand cats. Bats of two species were once seen in large groups in UAE. Today only the insectivorous bats are prevalent, since fruit bats’ numbers have been reduced due to the use of pesticides.

Birds are characterized by the area which they inhabit. The United Arab Emirates has an extensive list of bird species. Some of the more commonly recognized species are Kingfishers, Cormorants, Plovers, Terns, falcon, eagle, and raven. Whatever the species, visitors are likely to see many varieties.

Life below the water has many living creatures. Mammals of many species include whales, turtles, fish, and snakes. In addition, the waters around UAE have rich coral reefs.

The United Arab Emirates’ history began millions of years ago. They faced challenges in modern history before becoming unified. While much of the country is not arable land, its residents found ways to produce a living from it, joining with sea coast residents to form a cohesive population to make the country it is today.