United Arab Emirates

Internet country code

.ae

Internet hosts

56,283 (2004)

Internet users

1,110,200 (2003)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 13, FM 8, shortwave 2 (2004)

Telephone system

general assessment: modern fiber-optic integrated services; digital network with rapidly growing use of mobile cellular telephones; key centers are Abu Dhabi and Dubai domestic: microwave radio relay, fiber optic and coaxial cable international: country code - 971; 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

1,135,800 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular

2,972,300 (2003)

Television broadcast stations

15 (2004)

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

revenues: $17.35 billion expenditures: $23.85 billion, including capital expenditures of $3.4 billion (2003 est.)

Currency

Emirati dirham (AED)

Currency code

AED

Current account balance

$12.47 billion (2003)

Debt - external

$20.71 billion (2003 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)

Exchange rates

Emirati dirhams per US dollar - 3.67 (2003), 3.6725 (2002), 3.6725 (2001), 3.6725 (2000), 3.6725 (1999)

Exports

$56.73 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Japan 26.2%, South Korea 10.5%, Iran 3.8% (2003)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP

purchasing power parity - $57.7 billion (2003 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 4% industry: 58.5% services: 37.5% (2002 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $23,200 (2003 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

5.2% (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA

Imports

$37.16 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food

Imports - partners

China 10%, Japan 7.2%, Germany 7.2%, US 7%, France 6.9%, UK 5.9%, Italy 4.4%, South Korea 4.4%, India 4.1% (2003)

Industrial production growth rate

4% (2000)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.2% (2003 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

22% of GDP (2003)

Labor force

2.16 million note: 73.9% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (2003)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture 7%, industry 15%, services 78% (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 (1 January 2002)

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 (1 January 2002)

Population below poverty line

NA

Public debt

18.1% of GDP (2003)

Reserves of foreign exchange & gold

$15.79 billion (2003)

Unemployment rate

2.4% (2001)

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: 0.6% permanent crops: 2.25% other: 97.15% (2001)

Location

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

Map references

Middle East

Maritime claims

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

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 local short form: none former: Trucial Oman, Trucial States abbreviation: UAE

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Michele SISON embassy: Embassies District, Plot 38 Sector W59-02, Street No. 4, Abu Dhabi mailing address: P. O. Box 4009, Abu Dhabi telephone: [971] (2) 414-2200 FAX: [971] (2) 414-2469 consulate(s) general: Dubai

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Asri Said Ahmad al-DHAHIRI chancery: 3522 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 243-2400 FAX: [1] (202) 243-2432 note: also a consulate or representative office in New York, NY

Executive branch

chief of state: President Sheikh KHALIFA bin Zayid Al Nuhayyan (since 3 November 2004), ruler of Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi) (since 4 November 2004) and Vice President MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy (Dubai) 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); Deputy Prime Minister HAMDAN bin Zayid Al Nuhayyan (since 20 October 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president 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 elections: president and vice president elected by the FSC (composed of rulers of the seven emirates) for five-year terms; election last held 3 November 2004 upon the death of the UAE's Founding Father and first President ZAYID bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan (next to be held 2009); prime minister and deputy prime minister appointed by the president election results: KHALIFA bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan elected president by a unanimous vote of the FSC; MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum unanimously reaffirmed vice president

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, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Union Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president)

Legal system

federal court system introduced in 1971; applies to all emirates except Dubayy (Dubai) and Ra's al Khaymah, which are not fully integrated into the federal system; all emirates have secular courts to adjudicate criminal, civil, and commercial matters and Islamic courts to review family and religious disputes

Legislative branch

unicameral Federal National Council (FNC) 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 on par with 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 and Air Defense Force, 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 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49: 412,490 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - military age and obligation

18 years of age (est.); no conscription (2001)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

males: 29,183 (2004 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 25.9% (male 333,661; female 320,368) 15-64 years: 70.9% (male 1,103,385; female 685,281) 65 years and over: 3.2% (male 58,862; female 22,358) (2004 est.)

Birth rate

18.65 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Death rate

4.14 deaths/1,000 population (2004 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: 15.06 deaths/1,000 live births male: 17.71 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 74.99 years male: 72.51 years female: 77.6 years (2004 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: 27.7 years male: 35.7 years female: 22.4 years (2004 est.)

Nationality

noun: Emirati(s) adjective: Emirati

Net migration rate

1.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Population

2,523,915 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 2004 est.)

Population growth rate

1.57% (2004 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: 1.61 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 2.63 male(s)/female total population: 1.46 male(s)/female (2004 est.)

Total fertility rate

3.02 children born/woman (2004 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 in direct talks and solicit 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 controls improving

Airports

35 (2003 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

total: 22 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 13 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 4 (2004 est.)

Heliports

2 (2003 est.)

Highways

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

Merchant marine

total: 59 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 578,477 GRT/739,823 DWT by type: cargo 12, chemical tanker 5, container 7, liquefied gas 1, petroleum tanker 21, roll on/roll off 8, short-sea/passenger 4, specialized tanker 1 (2004 est.)

Pipelines

condensate 469 km; gas 2,655 km; liquid petroleum gas 300 km; oil 2,936 km; oil/gas/water 5 km (2004)

Ports and harbors

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