UNITED ARAB EMIRATESBrittany VillaEdward Quanstrom

The United Arab Emirates is located in the Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf and between Oman and Saudi Arabia.

It’s a flat barren coastal plain that merges into rolling sand dunes of vast desert and mountains towards the east.Since it straddles the Tropic of Cancer, the UAE has a sub-tropical arid climate and is warm and sunny in winter, but hot and humid during the summer months.

THE PEOPLE

Nationality-Emirati The official language is Arabic, but also speak

Farsi, English, Hindu, and Urdu. The UAE has approximately 7,891,000 people

which 19% are Emirati, 23% are of other Arab and Iranian, 50% South Asians, and 8% of other ethnic groups.

Due to harsh desert conditions, the traditional food of the United Arab Emirates uses a lot of meat, grain, and dairy. Vegetables are easy to grow in some areas, and are strongly featured in the diet.

As camels are highly prized for their milk and transporting ability, the eating of camel meat is normally reserved for special occasions.

At the close of the meal, it is usual to be served with a red tea infused with mint, which helps the digestion

GOVERNMENT

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

Mixed legal system of Islamic law and civil law.

They have an Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branch.

No political parties Administrative subdivisions: Seven largely-

self governing emirates.

96% are Muslim

ECONOMY

The federation’s economy is dominated by the petroleum produced in the Abū Ẓaby and Dubayy emirates. The wealthiest of the emirates, Abū Ẓaby contains nearly one-tenth of the world’s proven oil reserves and contributes more than half of the national budget.

Burj Khalifa, DubaiTallest tower in the world 2,722ft

BACKGROUND

The Trucial States of the Persian Gulf coast granted the UK control of their defense and foreign affairs in the 19th century treaties. In 1971, six of these states: Abu Zaby (Dhabi), Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah, Dubayy (Dubai), and Umm al Qaywayn (Quwain) merged to join the United Arab Emirates.

The flag incorporates all four Pan-Arab colors, which in this case represent fertility (green), neutrality (white), petroleum resources (black), and unity (red); red was the traditional color incorporated into all flags of the emirates before their unification

The Golden Falcon is the national symbol

Hydropolis Underwater Hotel

REFERENCES

www.cia.gov/library/publications/theworldfactbook http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5444.htm http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/615412/

United-Arab-Emirates/214043/Agriculture-and-fishing

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emirati_cuisine http://emiratesvoyage.com/uae-guide/uae-people-cul

ture/