About U.A.E (United Arab Emirates)
The United Arab Emirates is comprised of seven emirates, which occupy the southeastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula. UAE containing seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah with approximately land space 83000 sq. km. includes approximately 2000 islands
Location
Bordered in the North by Arabian Gulf, to the east by The Gulf of Oman and Sultanate of Oman, to the South by the Sultanate of Oman and Saudi Arabia, and to the West by Qatar and Saudi Arabia, Lies between Latitudes 22 & 26,5 North and Longitudes 51& 56,5 East.
Religion
The dominate religion is Islam.
The official languages are Arabic, English, Hindi, Urdu and Farsi.
Currency
Dirham, 1 DH = 100 fils; 1 US $= 3,67 DH
Weather
Between November and March warm sunny days with average temperature of 26 C (79 F) and cool nights with average temperature of 16 C (58 F), Summer months are hot and humid with temperatures up to 41 C (105 F)
Car rentals
There are car rental offices in each of the emirates offering all types and sizes of cars. Cars can either be rented alone or with driver. Rates vary but are around Dh 120 a day for a small car and up to Dh. 1000 a day for a chauffeur driven limousine. You will need to provide a copy of your passport and driver’s license if payment is by credit card.
Driving license
Individuals from the following countries do not need an international driving license: GCC countries (Gulf Cooperation Council), Canada, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Turkey and USA.
Transportation
Taxis form a common means of getting around town. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have plenty of metered taxis that can be hired for DH 10.
Water
Water comes from desalination plants and is safe to drink. Many people still prefer to drink bottled water that is available in shops and restaurants.
Shopping-Business Hours
Shops are generally open from 9.30 am to 1 PM. And from 4.30 PM to 9.30 pm on Saturday through Thursday. Many shops in the malls are open all day which is suitable for shopping without crowds. On Friday, the Islamic holiday shops do not generally open until 2.00 PM or later.
Bargaining
Part of the tradition of shopping in the UAE is bargaining over the price. In other shops except for truly fixed prices stores a bit of negotiating will bring a reduction of price. If you have to ask for the price of something it means the price is not fixed. Credit Cards most hotels and restaurants accept it such as American Express, Visa, MasterCard and diner Club. Some larger shops do as well.
Clothing
Local dress for both men and women loosely covers the head, arms and legs. Fabrics are lightweight and of natural fibers. There are no restrictions of a dress code for visitors. Summer clothing is suitable all year around with sweaters or light jackets being needed at night in the winter months.
Travel Advisory
United Arab Emirates (Dubai) is the safest country in the world even though it is regionally located in the Middle East, since 1970 it is a NEUTRAL country that has no disputes with any nation or country.
It is the only country in the world that is peaceful from all aspects. The main factor is a tight security and the people who living in it respect the country rules.
In UAE there are 70 percent foreigners who have investments, businesses and employments. The people in UAE are very hospitable, broadminded, educated, civilized and only focusing on their business and work.
In UAE, you can find people from different places most of them are from Eastern Europe, Western Europe and Asia. It is the only country that has no religion criticism and it’s a free country. Everybody is welcome in this country and once you will be here the government’s tight security assures you 100 % safety.
Dubai was famous for Oil Production in the past but now totally turned over to a Tourist Spot, UAE has beautiful white sandy beaches that attract the Tourists.
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, by far the largest emirate, is ruled by the Al Nahyan family. It occupies 67,340 square kilometers or 81% of the total area of the country. The emirate is primarily a vast desert area with about two dozen islands in the coastal waters, including the island where the city of Abu Dhabi is located, plus six sizeable islands further out in the Arabian Gulf. The population of the emirate is concentrated in three areas: the capital city, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, which is an oasis city located near the Hajar Mountains; and the villages of the Liwa oasis. Traditionally, the population along the coast relied on fishing and pearling for their livelihood, whilst those in the hinterland relied on date plantations and camel herding. Through remarkable leadership and personal commitment, His Highness late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan has developed Abu Dhabi into an influential, fully modernized state, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the current ruler of Abu Dhabi and UAE current president.
Dubai
Dubai, the second largest of the seven emirates, is ruled by Al Maktoum family. It occupies an area of approximately 3,900 kilometers, which includes a small enclave called Hatta, situated close to Oman, amongst the Hajar Mountains. Dubai, is located along the creek, a natural harbor, which traditionally provided the basis of the trading industry. Pearling and fishing were the main sources of income for the people of Dubai. Under the wise leadership of its rulers, Dubai’s focus on trade and industry transformed it into the leading trading port along the southern gulf. His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the current ruler of Dubai.
Sharjah
Sharjah, which shares its southern border with Dubai, is ruled by Al Qasimi family. It is approximately 2,600 square kilometers and is the only emirate to have coastlines on both the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. In the nineteenth century the town of Sharjah was the leading port in the lower Gulf. Produce from the interior of Oman, India and Persia arrived there. Sharjah’s salt mines meant that salt constituted an important part of its export business, along with pearls. In the 1930s when the pearling industry declined and trade decreased due to the creek silting up, Imperial Airways’ flying boats set up a staging post for flights in route to India, which benefited the residents of Sharjah. Today, under the leadership of Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Sharjah is the cultural and educational centre of the UAE and takes pride in preserving the country’s cultural heritage as well as promoting Arab culture and traditions.
Ajman
Ajman is the smallest emirate, comprising only 260 square kilometers. It is ruled by Al Nuami family. Surrounded mostly by the emirate of Sharjah, Ajman also possesses the small enclaves of Manama and Musfut in the Hajar Mountains. Along the creek dhow building was the specialized trade. Fishing and date trees provided the local population with their primary means of sustenance. Ajman benefited greatly from the union of the emirates, a fact that is reflected today in their stately buildings and infrastructure. Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuami has been the ruler since 1981.
Umm Al Qaiwain
Umm Al Qaiwain is ruled by Al Mualla family. It is the second smallest emirate, with a total area of around 770 square kilometers. Positioned between the emirates of Sharjah and Ajman to the south and Ras Al Khaimah to the north, Umm Al Qaiwain has the smallest population. Fishing is the local population’s primary means of income. Date farming also plays a significant role in the economy. After the union of the emirates in 1971 Umm Al Qaiwain developed into a modern state, and continues to progress under its present ruler, Sheikh Saud Bin Rashid Al Mualla.
Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah, the most northerly emirate, is ruled by another branch of Al Qasimi family. It covers an area of 1,700 square kilometers. Thanks to the run-off water from the Hajar Mountains, Ras Al Khaimah has a unique abundance of flora, so it is no surprise that agriculture is important to the local economy. The emirate also benefits from its stone quarries, and fishing, which is plentiful in the rich waters of the Gulf. The city of Ras Al Khaimah, situated on an inlet, has a rich history. It was renowned for its prosperous port and for its exquisite pearls, which were famous as being the whitest and roundest available anywhere. Ras Al Khaimah’s current ruler is Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi.
Fujairah
The only emirate without a coastline on the Arabian Gulf is Fujairah, which is ruled by Al Sharqi family. Situated along the coast of the Gulf of Oman, Fujairah covers about 1,300 square kilometers. Unlike other emirates, where the desert forms a large part of the terrain, mountains and plains are its predominant features. Fujairah’s economy is based on fishing and agriculture. Like Ras Al Khaimah, the land in Fujairah is irrigated by rainwater from the Hajar Mountains, making it ideal for farming. Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi is the present ruler.
