United Arab Emirates

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

1 (2000)

Internet country code

.ae

Internet users

900,000 (2002)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 13, FM 7, shortwave 2 (1998)

Telephone system

general assessment: modern system 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

Telephones - main lines in use

915,223 (1998)

Telephones - mobile cellular

1 million (1999)

Television broadcast stations

15 (1997)

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

revenues: $20 billion expenditures: $22 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)

Currency

Emirati dirham (AED)

Currency code

AED

Debt - external

$18.5 billion (2002 est.)

Economic aid - donor

$NA

Economy - overview

The UAE has an open economy with a high per capita income and 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 more than 100 years. The government has increased spending on job creation and infrastructure expansion and is opening up its utilities to greater private sector involvement.

Electricity - consumption

35.1 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - production

37.74 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% other: 0% (2001) nuclear: 0%

Exchange rates

Emirati dirhams per US dollar - 3.67 (2002), 3.67 (2001), 3.67 (2000), 3.67 (1999), 3.67 (1998)

Exports

$44.9 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities

crude oil 45%, natural gas, reexports, dried fish, dates

Exports - partners

Japan 27.8%, South Korea 10.1%, Singapore 3.8% (2002)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP

purchasing power parity - $53.97 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 3% industry: 46% services: 51% (2000 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $22,100 (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

1.8% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports

$30.8 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food

Imports - partners

US 8.1%, China 7.8%, Japan 6.6%, Germany 6.5%, India 5.7%, France 5.6%, UK 5.4%, South Korea 5.1%, Iran 4.2% (2002)

Industrial production growth rate

4% (2000)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.8% (2002 est.)

Labor force

1.6 million (2000 est.) note: 73.9% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (July 2002 est.) (2000 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

services 78%, industry 15%, agriculture 7% (2000 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

37.86 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports

7.08 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - production

44.94 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

5.892 trillion cu m (37257)

Oil - consumption

310,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

NA (2001)

Oil - imports

NA (2001)

Oil - production

2.566 million bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

80.31 billion bbl (37257)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Unemployment rate

NA%

Area

total: 82,880 sq km land: 82,880 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Maine

Climate

desert; cooler in eastern mountains

Coastline

1,318 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point: Jabal Yibir 1,527 m

Environment - current issues

lack of natural freshwater resources compensated by desalination plants; desertification; beach pollution from oil spills

Environment - international agreements

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

Geographic coordinates

24 00 N, 54 00 E

Geography - note

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

Irrigated land

720 sq km (1998 est.)

Land boundaries

total: 867 km border countries: Oman 410 km, Saudi Arabia 457 km

Land use

arable land: 0.48% permanent crops: 0.49% other: 99.03% (1998 est.)

Location

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

Map references

Middle East

Maritime claims

contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM

Natural hazards

frequent sand and dust storms

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas

Terrain

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

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

Capital

Abu Dhabi

Constitution

2 December 1971 (made permanent in 1996)

Country name

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Marcelle M. WAHBA embassy: Al-Sudan Street, Abu Dhabi mailing address: P. O. Box 4009, Abu Dhabi telephone: [971] (2) 4436691 FAX: [971] (2) 4435441 consulate(s) general: Dubai

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Asri Said Ahmad al-DHAHIRI FAX: [1] (202) 243-2432 telephone: [1] (202) 243-2400 chancery: 3522 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20037

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) note: there is also a Federal Supreme Council (FSC) composed of the seven emirate rulers; the FSC is the highest constitutional authority in the UAE; establishes general policies and sanctions federal legislation; meets four times a year; Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) and Dubayy (Dubai) rulers have effective veto power 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 elections: president and vice president elected by the FSC (a group of seven electors) for five-year terms; election last held 2 December 2001 (next to be held NA 2006); 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

Flag description

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

Government type

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

Independence

2 December 1971 (from UK)

International organization participation

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

Judicial branch

Union Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president)

Legal system

federal court system introduced in 1971; all emirates except Dubayy (Dubai) and Ra's al Khaymah are not fully integrated into the federal system; all emirates have secular and Islamic law for civil, criminal, and high courts

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

National holiday

Independence Day, 2 December (1971)

Political parties and leaders

none

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Suffrage

none

Background

The Trucial States of the Persian Gulf coast granted the UK control of their defense and foreign affairs in 19th century treaties. In 1971, six of these states - Abu Zaby, 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah, Dubayy, and Umm al Qaywayn - merged to form the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They were joined in 1972 by Ra's al Khaymah. The UAE's per capita GDP is not far below those of leading West European nations. Its generosity with oil revenues and its moderate foreign policy stance have allowed the UAE to play a vital role in the affairs of the region.

Military branches

Army, Navy (including Marines and Coast Guard), Air Force, Air Defense, paramilitary forces (includes Federal Police Force)

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$1.6 billion (FY00)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

3.1% (FY00)

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49: 764,413 note: includes non-nationals (2003 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49: 416,963 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - military age

18 years of age (2003 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

males: 26,636 (2003 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 26.7% (male 338,245; female 324,866) 15-64 years: 70.4% (male 1,087,927; female 661,349) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 52,059; female 20,372) (2003 est.)

Birth rate

18.48 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Death rate

4.02 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Ethnic groups

Emirati 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)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.18% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

total: 15.58 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 18.32 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 74.75 years male: 72.28 years female: 77.35 years (2003 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 77.9% male: 76.1% female: 81.7% (2003 est.)

Median age

total: 27.6 years male: 36.1 years female: 21.9 years (2002)

Nationality

noun: Emirati(s) adjective: Emirati

Net migration rate

1.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Population

2,484,818 note: includes an estimated 1,606,079 non-nationals; the 17 December 1995 census presents a total population figure of 2,377,453, and there are estimates of 3.44 million for 2002 (July 2003 est.)

Population growth rate

1.57% (2003 est.)

Religions

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

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.65 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 2.56 male(s)/female total population: 1.47 male(s)/female (2003 est.)

Total fertility rate

3.09 children born/woman (2003 est.)

Disputes - international

because the treaties have not been made public, the exact alignment of the boundary with Saudi Arabia is still unknown and labeled approximate; boundary agreement signed and ratified with Oman in 2003 for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhah enclaves; UAE engage direct talks and Arab League support to resolve disputes over Iran's occupation of Lesser and Greater Tunb islands and Abu Musa island

Illicit drugs

the UAE is a drug transshipment point for traffickers given its proximity to southwest Asian drug producing countries; the UAE's position as a major financial center makes it vulnerable to money laundering; anti-money-laundering legislation was signed into law by the president on 25 January 2002

Airports

41 (2002)

Airports - with paved runways

total: 22 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 4 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 19 under 914 m: 5 (2002) over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

Heliports

2 (2002)

Highways

total: 1,088 km paved: 1,088 km (including 253 km of expressways) unpaved: 0 km (1999 est.)

Merchant marine

total: 61 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 815,428 GRT/1,207,346 DWT ships by type: cargo 12, chemical tanker 4, container 7, liquefied gas 1, livestock carrier 1, petroleum tanker 25, roll on/roll off 6, short-sea passenger 4, specialized tanker 1 note: includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of convenience: Greece 2, Italy 1, Kuwait 2 (2002 est.)

Pipelines

condensate 383 km; gas 1,765 km; liquid petroleum gas 186 km; oil 1,266 km (2003)

Ports and harbors

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

Railways

0 km

Waterways

none