United Arab Emirates Overview

Laying claim to the world’s only seven-star hotel, the United Arab Emirates provides luxury among the sands, sun and sea. This is no place to come looking for a motel or guesthouse. This is the place to indulge and to splurge. It is also a place to embark on desert safaris and scuba dive adventures in the Arabian Sea. Comprised of seven separate sheikdoms (emirates) that differ from one another as night and day, the UAE is a flamboyant, curious clash of cultures and generations; the ancient desert meets Beverly Hills.

The seven Islamic emirates occupy a small peninsula of 82,880 square kilometres bordered by the Arabian Sea, the Persian Gulf, Oman and Saudi Arabia. It is a naturally stark and barren landscape comprised of red, gold and white sand, rugged mountains and green oases. However, certain sheiks have poured money into creating more green areas full of fountains, grass and trees, not to mention a handful of high-rises.

The UAE is a major port and tax-free, therefore, shopping is reasonable and with a highly varied selection. You will find incredible deals on carpets and gold. From haute couture and high-tech electronics to Pashmina shawls and Persian rugs, you’re likely to find a treasure or two to take home. Restaurants serve every kind of cuisine, buffets are gigantic, Lebanese bakeries are delectable, hotels are luxurious, and the sun shines 365 days of the year.

Dubai is a shopping mecca for luxury goods and unbeatable bargains. It is the most liberal of the Islamic sheikdoms and has a lively nightlife. Take a dinner cruise along the bustling river and wander through the adobe isles of the Gold Souk (market). Bask in the eternal sunshine on ritzy Jumeirah Beach, shop till you drop, or embark on a desert safari, complete with belly dancing by bonfire.

Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE, a smaller, slightly more conservative version of Dubai. A small island connected to the mainland by bridge, Abu Dhabi is a modern city fringed with soft sand and the bright blue waters of the Persian Gulf. Stroll along the waterfront Corniche or cruise out to small sand bars that disappear at high tide. You may even spot some dolphins or wild flamingos!

Sharjah is the most conservative of all the emirates. Financed by Saudi Arabia, Sharjah upholds strict Islamic Law which applies to foreigners and locals alike. There is no alcohol anywhere in Sharjah and any couple staying or visiting must be married by law. A strict conservative dress code applies to all as well. It is a place to experience an authentically Islamic way of life. Visit the Blue Souk (market) and old fort cultural centre.

Only 20% of the UAE’s 3.8 million residents are local Emiratis. The remaining 80% are expatriates from practically every country in the world. They make up the country’s work force from maids and construction workers to hotel managers and oil company CEOs. Because of this, most people you encounter will speak English. You will also find a colourful array of traditional attire. Indians shimmering in their saris, Arabs in abayas, black-veiled women, Sudanis swathed in turbans, businessmen in suites, and so forth.

The UAE offers a unique glimpse into Arabia. There is enough traditional culture to spark curiosity, while Dubai and Abu Dhabi provide Western comforts and high-end luxury.

The UAE has a hot desert climate with very little rain. You can count on daily sunshine and blue sky year-round. There are basically two seasons – hot and cool.

The best time to visit is from November to May when the weather is pleasant with cool evenings. December, January and February are especially cool averaging around 24º C and as low as 13°C in the evening. Things start to really heat up from June through September with temperatures soaring well above 40°C with 100% humidity. July and August are especially hot in the high 40s°C and even 50s°C with occasional sand storms. Venturing outside is unbearable and most residents leave for cooler climates at some point during the harsh hot season. However, hotels drop their rates by around 50% from June through September and many shops and other facilities offer great deals during this time. It is also worth remembering that all buildings are air-conditioned.

Bring light clothing in conservative styles. Bring along a sweater/jumper or jacket for the air-conditioned buildings and for the cooler evenings during November to May.

From the seventh century AD, the United Arab Emirates was a remote region of the Islamic civilisation, inhabited by Bedouin tribes up until the discovery of oil in 1966.

The region of sheikdoms came under loose Ottoman control until the arrival of European colonists in the 1820s. After attacks on British-owned ships by pirates operating in the Gulf region, the UAE were brought under British suzerainty in the 19th Century. The British established what became known as the Trucial States; seven sheikdoms that carried on largely ignored and untouched until the 1950s when the British started to hand over control as part of its post-imperial retrenchment. The British plan for the Trucial States was to unite its seven distinct regimes into a single administrative bloc, known as the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The discovery of oil in 1966 gave the local economy a sudden and rapid boost, and soon transformed the barren landscape and its way of life. Dubai exported oil for the first time in 1969 and the United Arab Emirates was formed in 1971 after independence from Britain.

Today, the UAE is a federation of seven states (or emirates) - Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al Qaiwain. The Supreme Council of Rulers comprises the absolute rulers of the seven emirates. Decisions reached by the Council must have the agreement of at least five members, including Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the two largest members. The council appoints a president to act as head of state. There are no political parties.

The government takes care of its own people, ensuring that every local family has a house and car and is given money upon marriage and the birth of a child.