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NAVIGATION
United Arab Emirates
Al Imarat al Arabiyah al Muttahidah
former: Trucial Oman, Trucial States
INTRODUCTION
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Background:
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The Trucial States of the Persian Gulf coast granted the UK control of their defense and foreign affairs in 19th century treaties. In 1971, six of these states - Abu Zaby, 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah, Dubayy, and Umm al Qaywayn - merged to form the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They were joined in 1972 by Ra's al Khaymah. The UAE's per capita GDP is not far below those of leading West European nations. Its generosity with oil revenues and its moderate foreign policy stance have allowed the UAE to play a vital role in the affairs of the region. |
GEOGRAPHY
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Location:
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Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia |
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Geographic coordinates:
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24 00 N, 54 00 E |
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Map references:
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Middle East |
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Area:
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total: 82,880 sq km
land: 82,880 sq km water: 0 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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slightly smaller than Maine |
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Land boundaries:
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total: 867 km
border countries: Oman 410 km, Saudi Arabia 457 km |
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Coastline:
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1,318 km |
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Maritime claims:
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contiguous zone: 24 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin exclusive economic zone: 200 NM |
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Climate:
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desert; cooler in eastern mountains |
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Terrain:
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flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert wasteland; mountains in east |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
highest point: Jabal Yibir 1,527 m |
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Natural resources:
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petroleum, natural gas |
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Land use:
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arable land: 0.48%
permanent crops: 0.49% other: 99.03% (1998 est.) |
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Irrigated land:
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720 sq km (1998 est.) |
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Natural hazards:
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frequent sand and dust storms |
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Environment - current issues:
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lack of natural freshwater resources compensated by desalination plants; desertification; beach pollution from oil spills |
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Environment - international agreements:
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party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea |
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Geography - note:
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strategic location along southern approaches to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil |
PEOPLE
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Population:
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2,484,818
note: includes an estimated 1,606,079 non-nationals; the 17 December 1995 census presents a total population figure of 2,377,453, and there are estimates of 3.44 million for 2002 (July 2003 est.) |
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: 26.7% (male 338,245; female 324,866)
15-64 years: 70.4% (male 1,087,927; female 661,349) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 52,059; female 20,372) (2003 est.) |
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Median age:
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total: 27.6 years
male: 36.1 years female: 21.9 years (2002) |
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Population growth rate:
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1.57% (2003 est.) |
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Birth rate:
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18.48 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) |
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Death rate:
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4.02 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) |
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Net migration rate:
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1.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.) |
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Sex ratio:
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at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.65 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 2.56 male(s)/female total population: 1.47 male(s)/female (2003 est.) |
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Infant mortality rate:
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total: 15.58 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 12.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.) male: 18.32 deaths/1,000 live births |
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 74.75 years
male: 72.28 years female: 77.35 years (2003 est.) |
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Total fertility rate:
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3.09 children born/woman (2003 est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
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0.18% (2001 est.) |
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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
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NA |
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HIV/AIDS - deaths:
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NA |
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Nationality:
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noun: Emirati(s)
adjective: Emirati |
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Ethnic groups:
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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) |
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Religions:
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Muslim 96% (Shi'a 16%), Christian, Hindu, and other 4% |
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Languages:
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Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu |
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Literacy:
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definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 77.9% male: 76.1% female: 81.7% (2003 est.) |