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بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
United Arab Emirates Ittihad al-Imarat al-Arabiyah
People: Population (1992 est.): 2,522,000. Pop.
density: 78 per sq. mi.
Ethnic groups: Arab, Iranian, Pakistani, Indian. Languages: Arabic (official), several others.
Religions: Moslem 96%, Christian, Hindu.
Geography: Area: 32,000 sq. mi., the size of Maine. Location: On the S shore of the Persian Gulf.
Neighbors: Qatar on N, Saudi Ar. on W, S, Oman on E.
Topography: A barren, flat coastal plain gives way to uninhabited sand dunes on the S. Hajar Mtns. are on E. Capital: Abu Dhabi. Cities (1990 est.): Abu Dhabi 722,000; Dubavy 266,000.
Government: Type: Federation of emirates.
Head of state: Pres. Zaid ibn Sultan an-Nahayan b. 1923; in office: Dec. 2, 1971. Head of government: Prime Min. Sheikh Maktum ibn Rashid al-Maktum; in office: Nov. 20, 1990.
Local divisions: 7 autonomous emirates: Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujaira, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, Umm al-Qaiwain. Defense: 6.8% of GDP (1989).
Economy: Chief crops: Vegetables, dates, limes.
Minerals: Oil. Crude oil reserves (1991): 66 bln. barrels.
Arable land: 1%.
Electricity prod. (1991): 17.0 bln. kWh. Labor force: 5% agric.; 85% ind. and commerce; 5% serv.; 5% gvt.
Finance: Monetary unit: Dirham (July 1993: 3.67 = $1 US).
Gross domestic product (1989): $28.4 bln. Per capita GDP: $12,100.
Imports (1992): $13.7 bln.; partners: Jap. 14%, UK 11%, Ger. 6%.
Exports (1990): $21.3 bln.; partners: Jap. 36%.
International reserves less gold (Feb. 1993): $5.5 bln. Gold: 797,000 oz t. Motor
Vehicles (1990): 302,000 Transport: passenger cars; 157,000 commercial vehicles. Civil aviation (1991): 3.8 bln. passenger-km., 4 airports with scheduled flights.
Chief ports: Dubavy, Abu Dhabi.
Communications: Television sets: 1 per 12 persons.
Radios: 1 per 4.7 persons.
Telephones: 1 per 4.3 persons.
Health: Life expectancy at birth (1992): 70 male, 74 female.
Hospital beds: 1 per 442 persons.
Physicians: 1 per 1,057 persons. Infant mortality (per 1,000 live births 1992): 23%. Education (1989): Literacy: 68%. Years Compulsory: ages 6-12. Major International Organizations: UN (World Bank, IMF, ILO), Arab League, OPEC.
Embassy: 600 New Hampshire Ave. NW 20037; 338-6500. The 7 "Trucial Sheikdoms" gave Britain control of defense and foreign relations in the 19th century. They merged to become an independent state Dec. 2, 1971. The Abu Dhabi Petroleum Co. was fully nationalized in 1975. Oil revenues have given the UAE one of the highest per capita GDPs in the world. International banking has grown in recent years.
