First Impressions of United Arab Emirates

By | May 1, 2022

The mere fact that enormous financial resources are invested in the future in this region and improbable visions are realized and suddenly take shape is the best way to legitimize a visit to the United Arab Emirates (VAR). A new center of trade and finance is emerging and is attracting more and more of the world’s attention. Do you feel addressed? Yes?

Then only one thing helps: Combine your next trip to Japan or the Far East with a stay in Dubai, or – even better – spend a few days on the beach and enjoy the luxury – because you are worth it!

Geography

According to topmbadirectory, the UAE is almost entirely covered by arid sandy desert; over two-thirds of the country is occupied by the northern foothills of the Great Arabian Desert (Rub al-Chali). Their sand dunes can often wander hundreds of miles, threatening oases and cities. Large-scale planting could only partially stop the encroachment of the desert. The most important desert oases are Al-Ain/Buraimi in the border area with Oman and the Liwa oasis in the south.

Political system

Since the founding of the United Arab Emirates in 1971, the Emirates have steadily developed their national identity and have benefited from a degree of political stability that is very high for the region. According to the Provisional Constitution of 1971, the UAE is a federation of seven autonomous emirates. In May 1996, the Federal Supreme Council approved amendments to the constitution that definitively designated Abu Dhabi as the capital and made the previously provisional constitution permanent.

Government

Parallel to the federal institutions, each of the seven emirates also has a local government. The complexity of governments varies from emirate to emirate, depending on factors such as population, area and level of development. The largest emirate in terms of area, Abu Dhabi, has its own central government apparatus, the Executive Council. This in turn includes various ministries. The Emirate of Abu Dhabi is divided into two regions: The Western Region and the Eastern Region, which in turn are run by official representatives of the ruler. The two largest cities, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, are governed by municipalities, each having a city council reporting to the Department of Municipalities and Agriculture. A new city authority was established for the Western Region.

Population

The UAE’s population is among the fastest growing in the world. When it was founded in 1971, 240,000 people lived in the Emirates; the last official estimate at the end of 2008 indicated 4,765,000 inhabitants. According to UN estimates, in 2016 there were already 9,267,000 inhabitants. The rapid population growth is mainly due to the large number of immigrant workers. Of the 9,157,000 inhabitants, 1,062,000 are UAE nationals and 8,095,000 are foreign migrant workers, which corresponds to a foreigner quota of almost 90% (as of 2015). Of the domestic citizens, 70% are Arabs, including 10% nomads. The remaining 30% are made up of ethnic Iranians, Indians, Bangladeshis, Pakistanis and Filipinos. In 2015, almost 60% of the entire population came from South Asia. 20.9% of the population was younger than 15 in 2016. With most migrant workers being men, the UAE has one of the most unequal gender ratios in the world. In 2016, there were 218 men for every 100 women. UAE laws generally do not provide for naturalization. Children born in the country are granted UAE citizenship only if the father is a UAE national. In the Emirate of Dubai, naturalization is possible for people born there from the age of 30 under certain conditions. It is possible for foreigners to obtain unlimited residence permits to settle permanently in the UAE. Those born in the country are granted UAE citizenship only if the father is a UAE national. In the Emirate of Dubai, naturalization is possible for people born there from the age of 30 under certain conditions. It is possible for foreigners to obtain unlimited residence permits to settle permanently in the UAE. Those born in the country are granted UAE citizenship only if the father is a UAE national. In the Emirate of Dubai, naturalization is possible for people born there from the age of 30 under certain conditions. It is possible for foreigners to obtain unlimited residence permits to settle permanently in the UAE.

Business

The UAE is one of the most oil-rich countries on earth and lies in the so-called strategic ellipse. GDP per capita is among the highest in the world. In the Global Competitiveness Index, which measures a country’s competitiveness, the UAE ranks 16th out of 138 countries (as of 2016–17). The country ranks 8th out of 180 countries in the 2017 Economic Freedom Index. The UAE is now one of the most liberal economies in the world. However, the economic differences between the emirates are extreme, as only three of the seven emirates produce oil. Oil export revenues have fluctuated significantly in recent years due to fierce competition in the international oil market.

Agriculture

Since the 1970s, many desert areas have been transformed into agricultural areas through systematic irrigation. Fossil groundwater reserves are often tapped for irrigation, mostly very saline and undrinkable, whose drying up is foreseeable. Tobacco, vegetables, dates and citrus fruits can therefore be grown, albeit in small quantities. Agriculture and animal husbandry can also be practiced in the groundwater-rich areas around al-Ain and in the Hajar mountains. Poultry farming was greatly expanded. Fishing is the main source of income in the Emirates of Ajman and Umm al-Qaiwain.

First Impressions of United Arab Emirates