United Arab Emirates

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Country Facts
  • Full name: United Arab Emirates
  • Population: 4.7 million (UN, 2010)
  • Capital: Abu Dhabi
  • Largest city: Dubai
  • Area: 77,700 sq km (30,000 sq miles)
  • Major language: Arabic
  • Major religion: Islam
  • Life expectancy: 77 years (men), 79 years (women) (UN)
  • Monetary unit: 1 Dirham = 100 fils
  • Main exports: Oil, gas
  • GNI per capita:n/a
  • Internet domain: .ae
  • International dialing code: +971

Country Leadership

President, ruler of Abu Dhabi: Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed

Sheikh Khalifa was named as president by the UAE Federal Council shortly after the death of his father, Sheikh Zayed Bin-Sultan Al Nahyan, in November 2004. The former president, who was 86, had been in poor health.
Sheikh Khalifa succeeded his father Sheikh Zayed in 2004Sheikh Khalifa, who had been crown prince of Abu Dhabi since 1969, is said to be a pro-Western moderniser.
Often referred to as the father of the nation, Sheikh Zayed succeeded his brother as ruler of Abu Dhabi in 1966 and, because of his strong leadership and commitment to forming the federation, he was elected as the first president of the United Arab Emirates in 1971.
Re-elected every five years since 1971, Sheikh Zayed instilled the values of religious tolerance and equality, especially for women, into his policies, which greatly enhanced the stability of the UAE.

Vice president and PM, ruler of Dubai: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum

Sheikh Mohammed sought to recast Dubai as a global citySheikh Mohammed succeeded his elder brother Sheikh Maktoum as ruler of Dubai in January 2006, and was elected to take his place as the UAE's federal prime minister.
Even before taking over as ruler, Sheikh Mohammed, had pursued the ambition of transforming Dubai - originally a fishing village and the emirates' main trading post - into one of the world's foremost financial and cultural capitals.
In the early 2000s, growth rates reached double digits, while investment and workers poured in from Asia, other Middle Eastern countries and the West. Sheikh Mohammed also worked to make his state the most tolerant in the UAE for foreigners.
However, the economic crash of 2008 left Dubai with large debts to foreign investors lured during the boom years, and needing assistance from Abu Dhabi. In December 2009, Abu Dhabi gave Dubai $10bn handout to pay off the debts of the government-owned company Dubai World.
  • Ruler of Ajman: Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid al-Nuaimi
  • Ruler of Fujairah: Sheikh Hamad bin Muhammad bin Hamad al-Sharqi
  • Ruler of Ras al Khaimah: Sa'ud Bin-Saqr al-Qasimi
  • Ruler of Sharjah: Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad al-Qasimi
  • Ruler of Umm al Qaiwain: Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmad al-Mualla
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Sheikh Khalifa succeeded his father Sheikh Zayed in 2004
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Sheikh Mohammed sought to recast Dubai as a global city

The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Washington, D.C.

Embassy Activities: