United Arab Emirates

Total Experience
Have a total Tourist Experience of Unlimited Sun, Sand, Sports and shopping in the UAE along with its friendly, helpful and generous people.

The Sun always shines in the UAE, its naturally desert climate and its convenient location in the Arabian Gulf has endowed it with warm seas and cozy beaches. Together with a booming economy, where trade and tourism are encouraged, it also makes for the ultimate shopping destination. Its state-of-the-art tourist infrastructure with numerous world-class hotels, sports events and shopping spectaculars held annually, ensures its position as the Middle East’s number one tourist destination.

Every year, tourist attractions are constantly being upgraded and added - from one of the world’s largest aqua parks to cultural and wildlife museums. From Wind Towers to Towering Skyscrapers, The UAE has a unique blend of traditional Arab, Islamic values and culture with the modernity of a cosmopolitan living environment. It celebrated its 25th year of formation in 1997. Its massive oil wealth is being wisely utilized to keep pace with technology and social changes the world is experiencing. As a result, tourists will find the UAE a modern country with thriving sky scraper filled cities no different from modern cities in Europe or Asia.

Administrative Divisions:
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was formed as a federation of seven emirates -Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain-, which came together as one state on the 2nd of December 1971.
The President and Vice –President are chosen every 5 years by a 40- members Federal National Council, who are ruling Family members in each of the 7 Emirates .

Location:
UAE is located in the Middle East at the tip of the Arabian Peninsula between 22 ° and 26° north latitude and between 51° and 56 east longitude (24 00 N, 54 00 E). It is one of the GCC (Gulf Co-operation Council States) and has borders with Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar.

Weather / Climate:
In summer (April to September), temperatures in UAE will vary between 38-48°C (100-118°F) in daytime while at night it will vary between 26-30°C (79-86°F) with high humidity levels. In winter (October to March), days are sunny and pleasant with an average of 26°C (79°F), while nights are cool with an average of 15°C (59°F)

Visa Requirements:
The requirements of obtaining a visa to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and its seven emirates -Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah- are that you are not a citizen of Israel, and that your passport is valid for at least 6 months before your arrival..

Visit Visas:
Visit visas, also referred to as tourist visas, and are given to individuals who will be spending over 14 days in the UAE. The list below contains countries that don’t require a visit visa before entering the UAE, and can obtain one at an airport or other entry points.

in the above list need to be sponsored by a hotel or travel agency in order to obtain a tourist visa. A hotel or travel agency will charge between Dhs. 150 ($ 41) to Dhs. 250 ($ 68.5) for the issuing of a visa. To get sponsored by a hotel, you will need to book a room in the hotel.

Other Tourist Visas:
A transit visa can be issued by the sponsorship of an airline operating in the UAE, which is a 4-day (96 hours) visa, to individuals who have a valid ticket for an onward flight. An Entry Service Permit is identical to a visit visa, except it is a 14-day visa.

Location:
Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia
Geographic coordinates:
24 00 N, 54 00 E
Map references:
Middle East
Area:
Total: 83,600 sq km
Land: 83,600 sq km
Water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
Slightly smaller than Maine
Land boundaries:
Total: 867 km
Border countries:
Oman 410 km, Saudi Arabia 457 km
Coastline:
1,318 km
Climate:
Desert; cooler in eastern mountains
Terrain:
Flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert wasteland; mountains in east
Elevation extremes:
Lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
Highest point: Jabal Yibir 1,527 m
Natural resources:
Petroleum, natural gas
Geography :
Strategic location along southern approaches to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil
Population:
2,602,713 (July 2006 est.)
Nationality:
Emirati(s)
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)
Religions:
Muslim 96% (Shi’a 16%), other (includes Christian, Hindu) 4%
Languages:
Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu
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
Government type:
Federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE federal government and other powers reserved to member emirates
Capital:
Abu Dhabi
Administrative divisions:
7 emirates (imarat, singular - imarah); Abu Zaby (AbuDhabi), Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah (Sharjah), Dubayy (Dubai), Ras al Khaymah, Umm al Qaywayn (Quwayn)
Independence:
2 December 1971 (from UK)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 2 December (1971)
Currency :
Emirati dirham (AED)
Exchange rates:
Emirati dirhams per US dollar - 3.673 (2006), 3.6725 (2005), 3.6725 (2004), 3.6725 (2003), 3.6725 (2002)
note: officially pegged to the US dollar since February 2002

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