The United Arab Emirates (also known as the UAE or simply Emirates) is a country in the Middle East located in the southeast region of the Arabian Peninsula in Southwest Asia. It comprises of seven emirates in the Persian Gulf.

The seven emirates are Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimath, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain.

History

Until 1971 the UAE was known as the Trucial States or Trucial Oman. This was in reference to a 19th century truce called between Britain and a few Arab Sheikhs. Sharing borders with Oman and Saudi Arabia and has rich resources of oil.

There were treaties signed in 1974 and 1977 between the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia but these border demarcations were never made public. Because of this, only the governments know the border between the two countries.

Geographical Features

The United Arab Emirates is located in Southwest Asia and borders the Gulf of Oman as well as the Persian Gulf. The landscape is mostly flat and barren coastal plains that merge with sand dunes of the deserts. A few mountains can be found to the east. Ninety percent of the United Arab Emirates is covered in desert land. Due to its strategic position along the southern approach to the Strait of Hormuz, the UAE is a very important transit point for the shipment of crude oil.

What to see

The UAE has strong roots in Islamic culture along with long standing relations shared with the ret of the Arab community in the Middle East. The government promotes activities like the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation in order to ensure the preservation of traditional arts and culture.

Social change is rapidly catching up with the society in the United Arab Emirates. The attitude towards women is become more progressive and modern sports like Golf are as popular as traditional camel racing.

There are two important golf events in the UAE, the European Tours and the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship. You can also participate in the world's richest horse race at the Dubai World Cup held annually in March.

There are many safaris, cruises, tours and sightseeing offers that entice people to visit the United Arab Emirates.

One of the most famous places that you can visit is the Emirate of Dubai. A duty free shopping paradise that is a sprawling modern city with shopping malls and an exciting nightlife that can appeal to the most jaded vacationer

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