Entertainment and relaxation. UAE. First prayer at Sheikh Khalifa Mosque

United United Arab Emirates(UAE) is the real personification of an oriental fairy tale, which contains all the cliches associated with luxury, wealth, magical nature, oriental wisdom and the wonders of technology.

Geographical characteristics

The United Arab Emirates is located on the Arabian Peninsula, in its northeastern part. Overwhelming majority settlements stretches along the coast of the Persian and Oman Gulfs. The country's territory also includes islands in the Persian Gulf. The UAE includes: Abu Dhabi (the largest of the seven emirates, which has capital status), Dubai (the second in size and influence), Ras al-Khaimah, Umm al-Qaiwain, Fujairah, Sharjah and Ajman (the smallest emirate).

It borders on Saudi Arabia to the west, south and southeast, Qatar to the northwest, and Oman to the southeast and northeast. The country has an area of ​​83,600 square meters. km, but such artificial man-made projects as the Palm Islands and the World and Universe archipelagos significantly expand its area and extent coastline.

The internal political structure of the UAE is unique: the country consists of 7 emirates with a federal structure and a monarchical form of government.

Nature

Desert in the UAE

Most of the country's territory is occupied by the Rub al-Khali desert (one of the largest, hottest and driest deserts in the world). The desert stretches from southwest to northeast, its area is 650 thousand square meters. km. Rub al-Khali is not limited to the UAE, and partially covers the territories of neighboring Oman, Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Rub al-Khani, as an arid desert, is characterized by negligible precipitation and a high percentage of night evaporation.

High temperatures (in summer time the temperature consistently crosses the border of 50 degrees) and the arid climate contribute to the fact that the desert is practically uninhabitable. The sands in the desert are silicate; dunes reaching a height of 300 meters cover deposits of gravel and gypsum. A famous natural phenomenon of the Arabian desert is “desert roses”. These are intricately frozen forms of sand, which are overgrown with crystalline particles of gypsum due to high night evaporations. “Rose” is located at great depths under the sand; over time, the wind blows away the dune and opens it. Each specimen can be at least a thousand years old.

Approaching the coast of the Persian Gulf, the desert transforms into clayey plains facing the gulf.

In contrast to the lifelessness of the desert, the coast and water of the Persian and Oman Gulfs are rich in coastal and underwater flora and fauna. The shores of the bays are inhabited by coral reefs.

Both bays have an abundance of commercial fish - for centuries, fishing has been the main activity of the population. Crustaceans and mollusks (including pearl ones) are also found here.

The Gulf of Oman is connected to the Indian Ocean through the Arabian Sea, so the Gulf is considered part of the ocean. The Gulf of Oman is slightly colder than the Persian Gulf, and its coastline is more rocky, unlike the flat Persian Gulf. The bays are connected by the narrow Strait of Hormuz...

The climate of the UAE is desert tropical. The weather is hot at any time of the year. In winter it resembles the heat of the average Russian summer (up to 26 degrees Celsius), in summer period average temperature is 47-49 degrees and often breaks these records. A rare phenomenon for the UAE, precipitation occurs only in winter; it falls only 100 mm per year, and sunny days in the country are 350-355 per year.

In the desert, night temperatures often reach 0 degrees. In addition, sandstorms occur in deserts, bypassing large resort areas.

The UAE's humid air has a low oxygen content, so the country's summer period, which lasts from late September to May, is difficult to endure due to high humidity...

Resources

Natural resources

A leap in the country's economic development occurred in the mid-20th century, when a large oil field was discovered on the coast. Before this, there was no development of natural resources in the country, and the main activity of the population was fishing.

Rapid economic development led to the fact that in a few decades the country turned into a tourist paradise with an incredible number of skyscrapers forming a futuristic business and Cultural Center. Oil remains the main natural resource of the country, but today the UAE economy is formed in such a way that even after the depletion of natural resources, the economic situation will not decline.

Culture

Ethnically, the indigenous people of the UAE are Arabs. But Arabs are not the largest group of the population, since due to the high need for labor migrants, up to 85% of the non-indigenous population lives in the country. The highest numbers in the UAE are among Indians and Pakistanis. There is also a high proportion of Bedouins, Egyptians, Omanis, Iranians and Filipinos.

The official language is Arabic, but due to the large non-indigenous population, all languages ​​of the surrounding countries are spoken here - Urdu and Hindi, Farsi and Tagalog. In addition, English is the unifying language. 85% of the population are Muslims (85% of them are Sunnis, 15% are Shiites), more than half of the non-indigenous population also profess Islam.

An interesting fact is that ethnic Arabs and UAE citizens are by no means the largest ethnic group in the country. The largest number of Indians live in the country - from 2.5 to 3 million people, with Pakistanis in second place - from 1.2 to 1.5 million.

Citizens are only in third place - there are 1,084,764 of them (information for 2015). Attentive readers have noticed that the number of citizens is calculated with an accuracy of one person, and the data on visitors is approximate. Indeed, citizens in the UAE are strictly counted, but no one counts visitors.

In fourth place in number are visitors from Bangladesh - from 700 thousand to 1 million, then Filipinos - 500-700 thousand, Iranians and Egyptians - 400-500 thousand, Nepalese and Sri Lankans - 400-500 thousand.

About 250,000 Russians and natives of the former Soviet republics live in the UAE. Considering that about 400,000 Russians come to the United Arab Emirates on vacation each year, our citizens are in demand in the tourism industry.

Don’t be surprised when you don’t see an Arab at the hotel reception; citizens don’t work in such minor positions. Citizens work in management - in banks, police, customs and other government agencies.

Visitors, in most cases, are engaged in low-paid work. Exceptions are invited managers and employees from Europe. This diverse ethnic composition makes the UAE's demographics very interesting.

Features of the population composition

There are 2.15 times more men than women in the UAE. It is for this reason that women are not recommended to go on holiday to the UAE alone. Imagine for a second the gigantic sexual frustration of local men. We are not talking about citizens, but about visiting workers. Despite strict Sharia law, there is prostitution in the UAE. The authorities know about this, but are not particularly diligent in combating this phenomenon.

Cases of sexual violence occur frequently, but there are very few criminal cases related to these cases. The reason is the technology for handling such cases in the police. If a woman claims rape, then evidence is required to initiate a case - beatings. If there is no beating, then rape is not recorded.

Thanks to visitors, the country's population is very young - 55% of the population are people from 20 to 40 years old. This is natural, because young people are invited to work; an old man will not be invited to work on a construction site.

The birth rate greatly exceeds the death rate. According to the latest statistics for 2011, 84,000 people were born, only 7,350 died. This is logical, workers are invited to work in the country in at a young age, with good health and minimal risks of death.

Life expectancy is high: 77.5 years for men, 80.2 years for women. For comparison, in Russia life expectancy for men is 58.6 years, for women 74 years.

Tourists have to communicate with Indians, Iranians and other visitors. Let's talk about them in more detail.

Lately more and more Russian tourists They prefer the fabulous United Arab Emirates (UAE), located in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula, to the usual Turkey and Egypt. “Tourist paradise” has grown on the spot in just a few decades barren desert. An important impetus for the rapid development of the country was the active oil production in the region, which began in the late 1960s. Awareness that something is valuable natural resource exhausted, formed an economic model that would allow the Emirates to actively develop even after the depletion of black gold reserves. In addition to oil, the UAE had two more important economic advantages: firstly, profitable geographical position at the crossroads of routes coming from Europe, Africa and South Asia, and secondly, the coast warm sea with magnificent gently sloping sandy beaches. The country's authorities decided to make the most of each of the advantages: to create free trade zones, the largest financial and business centers in the entire Middle East, and to form ultra-modern resorts of the highest class.

The official language in the UAE is Arabic, but due to the huge influx of employees from India, Philippines, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Egypt, Iraq, Ethiopia and other countries in the markets and outside resort areas You can hear dozens of languages ​​and dialects. Almost all hotel and restaurant staff speak excellent English, and in some places, especially in Dubai, even Russian. Due to the high level of labor migration, about 85% of the country's population are not citizens. In addition to Islam, residents of the UAE also profess Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity.

Capital	Abu Dhabi
Population	5 million people
Population density	60 people/km 2
	Arab
Religion	Sunni Islam
Form of government	federal monarchy
	UAE dirham equal to 100 fils
Timezone
International dialing code
Domain zone
Electricity	220/240V (triple plug)

The largest cities are the capitals of all seven emirates into which the country is divided:

• Abu Dhabi,
• Dubai,
• Sharjah,
• Fujairah,
• Ajaman,
• Umm al-Quwain,
• Ras al Khaimah,
• as well as the oasis city of Al Ain in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Climate and weather

Like the entire Arabian Peninsula, the UAE has a tropical desert climate, characterized by ultra-high summer temperatures reaching +50 °C and almost complete absence of precipitation. In winter, the air temperature remains at a comfortable +20…+23 °C. When traveling inland, you should remember that in the desert it is always several degrees hotter during the day and much colder at night than on the coast. Nighttime winter temperatures in the desert can drop to 0°C.

The average water temperature almost all year round is +24…+27 °C, dropping in January - February to +18 °C and rising in August to +35 °C. During the winter months, the water in the pools warms up to +26…+28 °C.

It rains occasionally in winter and early spring, and the average number of sunny days per year is about 350-355 days. The average precipitation does not exceed 100 mm per year. In spring there is fog on the coast.

From, to put it mildly, unpleasant natural phenomena In the UAE, dust storms should be mentioned, which, however, go unnoticed in large resort cities. An important feature of the Emirates climate is the low oxygen content in the air, which makes this climate unsuitable for recreation for people with heart and lung diseases. The most difficult months to bear are considered to be August and September, when the heat is 40 degrees and air humidity exceeds all imaginable limits. That's why tourist season in the UAE the period is from late September - early October to May.

Nature

Most of the country is desert Rub al-Khali, which turns into clayey plains, which, in turn, crash into the Persian Gulf. The east of the UAE is occupied by rocky mountains Al-Hajjar located on the coast Gulf of Oman with a rich underwater fauna, the most beautiful representatives of which live in coastal coral reefs. The abundance of commercial species of fish, crustaceans and molluscs in the waters of the Persian and Oman Gulfs explains why for many centuries the main occupation local residents There was fishing and pearling.

Animals in the UAE also include wild goats, camels, mountain goats (ibex), Arabian leopards and some other desert inhabitants.

During the migration period, many birds stop to rest in the northern regions of the country.

In the largest resort cities, work is constantly being carried out on landscaping both the cities themselves and the immediate surroundings, but this initiative has not yet been crowned with significant success, since heavy weather they kill planted plants (and they are constantly replaced, spending huge amounts of money on this). Desalination of water for irrigation, in turn, leads to such environmental problem, as soil salinization.

Attractions

Any person who has not yet visited the UAE or who has visited the country only once, when mentioning this state, immediately sees unimaginable ultra-modern high-rise buildings in the high-tech style, created over the past few decades in Abu Dhabi and the largest city of the Emirates Dubai.

Among them is a skyscraper Burj Khalifa(“Khalifa Tower”), hotel Burj Al Arab(Burj Al Arab) in the shape of a sail and many others. Modern skyscrapers, magnificent in bright sunshine, become simply fantastic in the light of night spotlights and backlights.

But the few ancient buildings and winding streets in the cities of the UAE will help you plunge into the amazing and subtle world of the Ancient East. The most famous historical sights of the country are:

• Al Hosn Palace, or White Fort, in Abu Dhabi,
• Al Khail fortress near Fujairah city,
• Fujairah Fort,
• Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi,
• Jumeirah in Dubai,
• Al-Bidiya between Fujairah and Dibba, etc.

Nutrition

Talking about national cuisine UAE, it should be noted that all Arab countries are characterized by pan-Arab cuisine with some regional characteristics. Thus, the culinary traditions of the UAE were influenced by the cuisine of Iran, Lebanon, Egypt and other countries in Africa and Asia. The absolute rule of Arabic dishes is the complete absence of pork and the presence huge amount spices

Getting to know local cuisine In the UAE, it's best to start with small shops and street cafes, where literally all dishes will be wrapped in pita bread or served with a round pita bun. Try it once manakish(melted local cheese with olives and aromatic herbs), falafel(tender chickpea balls fried in olive oil) and, of course, shawarma- and your mouth will always water at the mere memory of such yummy food.

In UAE restaurants, appetizers are required before serving the main course. meze, served on a large platter, divided into cells. Among meze Most often there are vegetable salads, nut-garlic pastes, eggplant caviar, wheat and corn porridges, as well as pies with meat and cheese.

Among the main dishes, seafood dishes delivered to the table almost from a fishing boat, and meat dishes from chicken, veal and lamb are extremely popular among tourists. It's worth ordering at least once for lunch Bricks- triangular envelopes made of the thinnest dough filled with fish, shrimp or minced meat. Among the gastronomic “celebrities” of the UAE are: Al Madrubu(boiled salted fish with sauce), fish and meat kebabs, biryani(basmati rice with meat or fish with the addition of vegetables, spices and sauce), etc.

Oriental sweets are a separate subject of conversation. In the UAE, the variety of desserts is so great that it’s impossible to count them all. Turkish delight, date honey, halva, Umm Ali pudding and much more are best purchased at the bazaar or in specialized shops.

Among the drinks, tea and coffee of various varieties are most often consumed. Freshly squeezed juices are sold everywhere. It is better to avoid alcoholic beverages while on holiday in the UAE, as for possession of alcohol or being intoxicated in public places you can be prosecuted and deported from the country.

Restaurants in the UAE are called all establishments, from tiny street cafes to huge chic restaurants in 5-star hotels.

Tips are always included in the bill.

Accommodation

The quality of 1-2 star hotels in the UAE is very relative, that is, you can easily encounter a lack of working air conditioning or water in the shower, during spring rain showers, roofs and windows leak, and there is water in the hotel courtyard. Often, the rooms of such hotels have inexpensive, noisy window air conditioners.

3-4 star hotels offer a completely different level of service, but the price almost doubles: if a room in the former costs $50-60 for two, then in hotels with 3-4 stars the average cost of living in a double room is approximately $100 .

There are luxury 5-star hotels at every resort in the UAE. Cost of living in double rooms such hotels range from $150 to $4,000. The best, but also the most expensive hotels are in Dubai. The cost of a room depends, as a rule, on the class of the hotel, the distance of the hotel from the coast, the view from the window, the time of year (cheaper in summer), the presence of a private beach, heated swimming pools in winter period etc.

Furnished rooms and villas are also available for tourists in the UAE. The average cost of a private one-bedroom apartment is about $1,000 per week, villas with a small pool and tropical garden - $8,000-9,000 per week.

Entertainment and relaxation

The main type of holiday in the UAE is beach holiday. On the shores of the Persian (in the UAE it is called the Arabian) and Oman Gulfs, all the beaches are sandy.

Here you can rent sun loungers, deck chairs and umbrellas, you can do aquatic species sports (windsurfing, water skiing, scooters, etc.), have a snack in numerous cafes and eateries. Hotels located on the seashore have their own beaches. Guests of 2-3 star hotels visit paid and free city beaches. Expensive hotels, located in the city center, usually have an agreement with coastal hotels on free access to private beaches for their guests, where regular buses run from the hotel.

Tourists who prefer an active holiday are offered unique safaris on camels, ATVs or SUVs along the sand dunes in the desert, a walk along the coastal waters under the snow-white sail of the national dhow boat, diving, playing golf or tennis, and a visit to one of the largest water parks in the world, Wild Wadi in Dubai, getting to know the fauna of the oceans at the Aquarium in the Dubai shopping and entertainment center and much, much more.

The undisputed leader in all kinds of entertainment, including nightlife, is the emirate of Dubai, but you can find good modern nightclubs in every major city in the country.

Purchases

When going to the UAE, many tourists are still at home anticipating the best shopping experience of their lives, and most often such expectations are met 100%, especially for cities such as Abu Dhabi, Dubai And Sharjah. There are two types of shopping in the Emirates: the first, traditional for all Eastern countries, is on shopping streets and bazaars, where it is customary to bargain even when the price seems more than attractive to you; the second - in shopping centers, which are entire streets and even cities under one roof, consisting of boutiques and stores of world-famous brands and brands. In the markets, high-quality counterfeits of well-known brands are most often sold.

Shops and shops located on shopping streets are usually open from 9:00 to 13:00, then they close and resume work only after 16:00, working until 20:00-21:00. During the month of Ramadan, shops are open from 16:00 to midnight. Day off, unlike European countries, in the UAE, not on Sunday, but on Friday, which is due to the peculiarities of religion. It is Friday (Juma) in the Islamic calendar that is the day of worship of Allah. Many large supermarkets are open on Friday after 16:00.

In addition to fashionable clothes, shoes and accessories, in the UAE it is customary to purchase various originally oriental things: products made of gold and copper, silk fabrics, oriental carpets, products made of camel wool, all kinds of coffee pots and hookahs, painted jewelry boxes, khanjara daggers and, of course, “delicious” souvenirs - oriental sweets and spices.

Transport

Direct flights to Abu Dhabi And Dubai are made from many largest cities Europe, America, North Africa and Asia. Several direct flights depart daily from Moscow to the UAE. Regularly carried out during the season charter flights. The flight duration is about 5 hours. The cost of a round-trip economy class flight will range from $425 to $750 depending on the airline and date of travel.

You can get to the UAE by taking a ferry that runs between the Iranian city Bandar Abbas And Sharjah(port of Mina Khaled) or Dubai(Port Rashid). Port Zayed in Abu Dhabi serves mainly cargo ships. The cost of a trip across the bay is about $55-60 one way.

You can travel between the emirates by bus. Urban public transport It is not well developed - it is used, as a rule, only by visiting hired workers, so it is better to travel around the cities by taxi or rented car. Taxis in the UAE are the main way for tourists to travel, so many taxi drivers speak a little English. English language. Taxis are privately owned and operated by private companies. The former are a little cheaper, the latter are often equipped with meters. The fare for a taxi without meters should be discussed before the start of the trip, and be sure to bargain, as prices are deliberately inflated. A taxi caught on the street will cost less than one taken from a hotel parking lot. Local taxi drivers are not well versed in street names, so it is better to indicate the name of the place where you are going or a significant object located nearby.

Dubai has the only two-line metro in the country.

You can rent a car in the UAE with or without a driver. To drive a car, you need an international driving license (driving licenses from CIS countries are not valid in the UAE) and insurance. The driver's age cannot be less than 21 years.

In the UAE, those who break the rules are punished to the fullest extent traffic. The fine for running a red light is about $800, for not using seat belts - $150, for drunk driving - deportation from the country or imprisonment, for damage state property- $10,000. The speed limit in cities is 60 km/h, on highways – 100 km/h. Parking in cities is almost always paid, except from 13:00 to 16:00. Quality of roads in cities and between major tourist centers the country is excellent, but local residents, especially rich young people, behave extremely rudely on the roads.

Almost all hotels with 3-star categories and above transport their clients to the beach and back for free on their own buses.

Connection

Mobile communications in the UAE are provided by the following operators: Etisalat and du (Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company PJSC), operating in the GSM 900 format. To buy SIM cards from local operators, you must present a passport. Etisalat has developed the Ahlan tariff plan specifically for short stays in the country. The cost of a call abroad is about $0.7, the cost of an SMS is $0.25.

You can call abroad from pay phones that provide excellent call quality.

You can access the Internet by connecting to the mobile operator Etisalat, using the services of an Internet cafe or free or paid Wi-Fi in many cafes, restaurants and hotels in cities.

Safety

The UAE is the safest Muslim country in the world. There is practically no crime here, not even pickpockets. You can walk at any time of the day, but in the evening and at night it is better to avoid areas where settlements of visiting hired workers are located.

For throwing away trash or jaywalking, you will be asked to pay $135, and for swearing you will be taken into custody.

It is better not to drink tap water, as it is obtained by desalination of salty sea water.

There are many strong coastal currents in the Persian Gulf, so always soberly assess your strengths and do not let children go into the water alone, even if they are excellent swimmers. Underwater diving It is best to do it under the supervision of a local instructor who is well acquainted with the characteristics of the area.

Business climate

One of the main goals facing the UAE Government is to transform the country into the most important financial and trade center in the Middle East. To achieve this goal, a number of free economic zones have been created in the country, banking and transport infrastructure, taxes are simplified (corporate, income, VAT, payroll), currency is freely convertible (UAE dirham), free movement of capital is guaranteed, etc.

All best hotels are equipped with magnificent state-of-the-art conference rooms, suitable both for conducting inter-corporate negotiations and for organizing large international symposia and congresses. Annually business centers Dubai And Abu Dhabi conduct business seminars and exhibitions of products of world-famous companies.

Real estate

Foreign citizens have the right to purchase real estate in the UAE - this is even welcome. Since 2006, foreigners have received the right to purchase land plots for new facilities, the rest can be taken in long-term rental. The cost of 1 m2 of housing ranges from $2,000 to $6,000. The residential real estate market comes mainly from new buildings; the secondary housing market is not developed.

Residential buildings in the UAE are always built at an accelerated pace and most often using low-paid labor, so even the so-called “luxury” complexes actually offer low-quality housing. Dense development, especially on the “palm trees” in the coastal waters of Dubai, leads to a lack of picturesque views from the window, and one can only dream of peace and tranquility here.

As commercial real estate, Russian citizens are most interested in office premises, shops, hotels and restaurants. The average cost of 1 m2 of office is $1,700, for a hotel - about $7,000.

In the UAE, Muslim traditions are strictly observed, so there are a number of prohibitions that also apply to tourists.

Thus, you cannot appear in beachwear outside of beaches and swimming pools, and sunbathing without a swimsuit or its upper part is strictly prohibited. Women are only allowed to sit in the back seat of a car and should never get into a car without a taxi badge (you may be mistaken for a woman of easy virtue). It is prohibited to be in public places while intoxicated. You cannot kiss, hug, or show obscene gestures. Gambling and sexual relations not legalized by marriage are prohibited. You cannot talk to local women on the street, so only men will be allowed to photograph, after asking their permission first. The country also has a strict ban on photographing sheikhs' palaces, military installations, banks and government institutions.

When entering a house or mosque, it is customary to take off your shoes.

Money, food and things are taken only with the right hand. When visiting the locals, you shouldn’t skip a few cups of coffee. When shaking hands, do not look the other person in the eye.

Customs restrictions, in addition to the standard import of weapons, pornography and drugs, apply to a number of medications, so it is best to obtain a prescription for the required medication with the Latin name and dosage.

When traveling to the UAE during the holy month of Ramadan, please remember that many establishments, including shops and restaurants, may change their opening hours. That is, during the day there are practically no places left where you can have lunch, since during Ramadan a strict fast is observed between dawn and sunset. Even tourists are frowned upon here and can officially complain to the police if they eat, drink, smoke or dress indecently (from the point of view of the local population).

Visa information

To visit the UAE, citizens of all CIS countries require a visa. Tourist visas are issued by the Dubai Visa Centre, Abu Dhabi Visa Centre, Asian Visa Center in Moscow and tour operators.

The main requirements for obtaining a visa through the Dubai and Abu Dhabi Visa Application Centers are:

• availability of air tickets to relevant airports in the country;
• traveling or having a valid visa to the Schengen countries, UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or Japan;
• absence of marks indicating that you visited Israel.

Documents for obtaining a visa (copy of passport, photograph, application form, copy of children’s birth certificate) are submitted electronically. The consular fee for Russian citizens is $60, for citizens of other CIS countries - $75.

The UAE Embassy in Moscow is located at: st. Olof Palme 4, tel. (+495) 147 62 86, 147 00 66.

General information about the UAE

The official name is the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (Al Emirat al Arabiya al Muttahida - United Arab Emirates). The country is located in the northeastern part of the Arabian Peninsula on the shores of the Persian Gulf, in the southwestern part of Asia. Area 83.6 thousand km2, population 2445.9 thousand people. (2002). The official language is Arabic. The capital is Abu Dhabi (1 million people). Public holiday - Federation Day on December 2 (1971). The monetary unit is the dirham (equal to 100 fils).

Member of the UN (since 1971), Arab League, OPEC (since 1967), GCC (since 1981), WTO, etc.

Sights of the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Geography of the UAE

Located between 22° and 27° north latitude and 51° and 56° east longitude. In the north they are washed by the waters of the Persian Gulf (the length of the UAE coastline is over 700 km), and the north-eastern coast of the country, with a length of approx. 90 km, washed by the waters of the Gulf of Oman Indian Ocean. The Persian Gulf has an average depth of 42 m. The meteorological regime of the Arabian Sea with the Gulf of Oman is determined by the seasonal change of monsoons with surface circulation of waters that have a circular flow. The Arabian Sea is wide open to the south, where tidal waves come from. The winter monsoons in the Gulf of Oman sometimes develop into short-term severe storms. In the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Gulf of Oman with the Persian Gulf, the direction of the current changes seasonally: in summer from the ocean to the Persian Gulf, in winter - vice versa.

The coast of the UAE is heavily indented, has many capes and sand spits, between which there are shallow bays and coves with natural beaches. The UAE includes approx. 200 islands, most small in size.

The United Arab Emirates is bordered in the south by Saudi Arabia, in the east by Oman, and a small part of the sea coast is occupied by the Oman enclave.

The territory of the UAE is mostly flat rocky desert with rare oases bordered by salt marshes, swamps and beaches on the bay. The narrow coastal strip gives way to vast rocky plateaus, salt marshes and sand dunes desert area occupying 2/3 of the territory. The UAE desert is part of the vast Rub al-Khali desert. In the east of the UAE are the Khojar Mountains; the average height is 1000-1500 m, the maximum is 2500. The coastal region of the Gulf of Oman stands out - Ash-Shamaliya (the center of the northern part of the Al-Watina valley) with a length of 75-80 km and a width of 2-4 to 25 km.

The depths of the UAE contain oil, natural gas, coal, iron ore, and rare earth metals. The possibility of developing fields (other than oil and gas) is being studied. Oil and gas are the main ones natural resources UAE, of global importance. Proven reserves are estimated at 12,600 million tons of oil and 5,800 billion m3 of gas - 9.4 and 4.0% of world reserves, respectively (1997). Soils: sandstones, limestones, mountain red and red-brown soils are found in the valleys.

The climate is desert, on the coast - subtropical. Average monthly temperatures in winter are +10-18°C, in summer +35-48°C. Sandstorms are common in summer. In the east, in Fujairah, summers are somewhat less hot and more humid. Precipitation is approx. 100 mm per year, in the mountains 300-400 mm per year. There are no natural reservoirs and rivers; temporary streams appear in the valleys. Vegetation is mostly sparse and includes dry grasses and shrubs. Acacia, tamarisk, date and coconut palms grow in the oases. Animal world characteristic of the desert zone: gazelles, foxes, hares, small rodents, snakes. The coast is home to many species of birds (seagulls, flamingos, herons, etc.). Sea waters are rich in fish.

Population of the UAE

Average annual growth rate of the indigenous population in the 1960-80s. was approx. 3%, in 2001 - 3.4%, and the total population was much higher due to immigration - 20% in 1976-96.

Birth rate 18.3‰, mortality 3.9‰, infant mortality 16.12 people. per 1000 newborns. Average life expectancy is 74.52 years, incl. men - 72.06 and women - 77.1 (2002). Sex and age structure of the population (2002): 0-14 years - 27.7% (men 345.1 thousand people, women 331.5 thousand); 15-64 years old - 69.7% (men 1069.4 thousand, women 635.3 thousand); 65 years and older - 2.6% (46.0 thousand men, 18.7 thousand women). The urban population is approx. 85.9% (2000). 79.2% of the population aged 15 years and over are literate (78.9% of men and 79.8% of women) (1995).

Population - Arabs (UAE citizens), approx. 26% of all residents, of which 8.8% are immigrants. The rest of the population comes from the South and East Asia(Indians, Iranians, Pakistanis, Filipinos, Chinese, etc.) and various European countries. Languages: Arabic, English, Farsi, Hindi, Urdu.

The state religion is Islam (practices 96% of the population). 80-85% of Muslims are Sunnis, the rest are Shiites. Christians, Hindus and others make up 4%.

History of the UAE

Favorable geographical position connecting the future territory of the UAE with ancient civilizations East, contributed already in 4-3 thousand BC. development of trade and navigation in these places. About four thousand years northern part The Arabian Peninsula was occupied by 13 Arab tribes, wandering from one region to another. History of the UAE in the 1st century AD. relatively poorly studied. The lands of the UAE first belonged to Oman, then, in the 6th century. BC, came under the rule of the Persian kings. Years of independence were followed by new conquests, until everything South coast The Gulf was not included in the Arab Caliphate, which spread among local residents in the 7th century. AD Islam.

In the 16th century The era of eastern conquests gave way to the time of Western colonialists. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to try to gain a foothold in the south of the Persian Gulf, but Turkey, Iran and Oman did not want to cede the disputed area to the newcomers. The Western powers did not give up hope of conquering the region. In the 18th century The English East India Company first monopolized all trade in the Gulf, and then, using military power, in 1820 forced the rulers of 7 Arab principalities to sign an agreement, which marked the beginning of English rule in the lands of the UAE (since 1853 they were called the Treaty of Oman).

However, the rule of an advanced industrial power did not lead to the destruction of the feudal-patriarchal system. Local residents continued to firmly adhere to ancient traditions. Began in the 1920s. the liberation struggle in the emirates forced the colonial authorities to take steps that combined the use military force with the provision of a certain autonomy to the Arab principalities in order to maintain economic control over the oil resources of the area. The growth of anti-British protests in the 1950s and 60s. forced Great Britain to renounce its protectorate in 1971 and provide the emirates with the opportunity to proclaim an independent state - the UAE, which was founded in December 1971 consisting of 6 emirates. The birth of the UAE was a complex process. When independence was declared on December 2, 1971, the emirate of Ras al-Khaimah refused to enter the federation, which nevertheless joined the new state entity in February 1972. In addition, two days before the declaration of independence of the UAE, the troops of the Iranian Shah occupied three strategically important islands in Hormuz strait, two of which belonged to the emirate of Ras al-Khaimah and one to Shard (Abu Musa, Greater and Lesser Tunb). This territorial dispute between Iran and the UAE remains unresolved. In May 1999, an agreement was signed between the UAE and Oman on border demarcation. The federation considers 1971 to be the year of its birth.

Government structure and political system of the UAE

United Arab Emirates - federal state consisting of 7 emirates (absolute monarchies) with special powers delegated to the federation. The Constitution of 1971 is in force, in 1996 it was transformed from temporary to permanent.

Administrative division: emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras al-Khaimah, Al Fujairah, Umm al-Quwain, Ajman. The emirates are administratively divided into municipalities.

Most big cities(thousand people): Abu Dhabi, Dubai (737), Sharjah (approx. 435).

The principles of government of the UAE provide for the approval by the rulers of at least 5 emirates of proposals submitted to the government for implementation. The formation of the Armed Forces, according to the Constitution, is transferred to the federal authorities. In 1994, Sharia law was introduced to deal with a number of crimes (murder, theft, drug use and sale).

The highest legislative body: the Supreme Council of 7 Emirati Sheikhs. The highest advisory body of the legislative branch: Federal National Council consisting of 40 members (8 each from Abu Dhabi and Dubai, 6 each from Sharjah and Ras al-Khaimah, 4 each from other emirates). Each emirate can study and reject laws developed by the Council of Ministers. The highest executive body is the Council of Ministers. Head of state: president. Head of the highest executive body: Prime Minister.

The President is elected from among the monarchs of the emirates for a term of 5 years, he appoints the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers. Each emirate separately appoints its representatives to the Federal National Council.

An outstanding political figure in the UAE is the ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who comes from a noble and ancient family. Since 1971, he has been re-elected several times as President of the UAE. Sheikh Zayed proved himself to be a strong supporter of unity, a calm, peace-loving reformer. Having headed Abu Dhabi since 1966, Sheikh Zayed advocated a policy of using national wealth to transform the country and create good for the people. Under his leadership, the UAE entered an era of rapid economic growth and achieved success on the path of modernization. UAE, which was back in the 1970s. a country with a tribal system, currently have a modern production and social infrastructure, one of the most advanced in the Middle East, and in many indicators of quality of life they are close to the level of developed countries.

There are no political parties in the UAE. Among the leading organizations of the UAE business community there are a significant number of local chambers of commerce (more than 50) and other specialized bodies providing assistance in business matters. These include, in particular, the Department of Economic Development of Abu Dhabi, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the administration of the Jebel Ali Free Economic Zone, contract and procurement departments at city municipalities, etc. Among the leading organizations of the business community are national companies in which State, private, and in some cases foreign capital, banking and insurance companies are represented in various proportions. The social structure of society is represented by layers and groups that are not yet fully formed, intermediate from the traditional to the modern type. The formation of such social groups as local entrepreneurs, intelligentsia, bureaucracy, and the working class continues.

Domestic policy is aimed at creating an economy that meets modern requirements by investing income from the export of oil, gas and petroleum products, and improving the social conditions of life of the indigenous population. IN last years greater emphasis is placed on market principles in the economy and privatization. Particular importance is given to development in the UAE international tourism and enhancing the country's role as a commercial center of international importance. The UAE's foreign policy is based on the principles of a balanced approach to relations with different states, with a certain priority in relations with the UK. An important place is given to issues of pan-Arab unity and cooperation within the GCC.

The UAE armed forces consist of the army and navy (including the sea and coast guard), special forces (including the Federal Police). The total number is St. 70 thousand people fit for military service at the age of 15 - 49 years - 419,851 people. (2002). There are several dozen ships in service and approx. 100 planes, 400 tanks.

The United Arab Emirates has diplomatic relations with Russian Federation(Diplomatic relations between the USSR and the UAE were established in December 1971).

Economy of the UAE

The UAE's economic growth rate, unprecedented in history, was made possible by the production and export of oil, which provided one of the highest gross product per capita in the world. The UAE's GDP, calculated using purchasing power parity, amounted to $51 billion; GDP per capita - $21,100 (2001). Real GDP growth 5% (2001). The UAE's share in the world economy is insignificant, but the country provides 3.5% of global oil production. The economically active population is 1.6 million people. (2000), most of it is represented by immigrants.

Sectoral structure of the economy by contribution to GDP (2000): agriculture 3%, industry 46%, service sector 51%. GDP structure by employment: service sector 78%, industry 15%, agriculture 7% (2000).

The main industry is oil and gas, which produces approx. 33% of UAE GDP. It is controlled by the state through the state oil companies of individual emirates. From ser. 1970s All oil and gas reserves are declared the property of the state. On January 1, 1981, the entire sales network was also nationalized in the country - gas stations, transport, storage facilities, which previously belonged to foreign monopolies. Oil production: 96.8 million tons in 1977, 121 million tons in 1997. At the current level of oil production, the UAE's oil reserves will last for more than 100 years. Considerable attention is paid to the utilization of associated and natural gas. The implementation of industrialization projects in the UAE oil and gas industry has occurred almost exclusively at the expense of the public sector. From ser. 1970s The government decided to transfer part of the oil produced for processing within the country. A clear course has been outlined towards the export of petroleum products, rather than crude oil. A plan was implemented to increase oil refining capacity to 2.6 million barrels. per day in 2000 (compared to 15 thousand barrels per day in 1976). Over the past 5 years, a massive multi-billion dollar investment program has been implemented in the gas industry and the production of liquefied gases. Gas production in 1997-2000 was 39 billion m3 per year. The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, which accounts for more than 90% of gas reserves, plans to invest more than $6 billion in 2003-06 alone, 2/3 of which in gas development. In 1997, about 3 million tons of jet fuel, 1.5 million tons of gasoline, about 2 million tons of oils, 1.1 million tons of naphtha, and 3.8 million tons of diesel fuel were produced. Petrochemical production related to the oil and gas industry is intensively developing. Complexes for the production of chlorine, caustic soda, granulated sulfur, ammonia, urea and other products, most of which are exported, have been commissioned.

Among other industries, energy (38.7 billion kW in 2000), water desalination (more than 900 thousand m3 per day, 1996), aluminum industry (approx. 370 thousand tons in 1997 - 2nd place in the Middle East) received widespread development. East), construction materials industry, textile, food (including fish processing), some types of shipbuilding, handicraft production, etc.

Agriculture is represented mainly by the production of dates, vegetables and fruits, poultry farming and egg production, cattle breeding, fishing (about 100 thousand tons of fish per year), and pearl fishing. Fish consumption in the UAE is one of the highest in the world - 140 kg per capita. In the UAE, only 0.48% of land is cultivable. Unfavorable conditions for agricultural production are compensated for by government assistance.

Not in the UAE railways. Length highways with a coverage of 4835 km (1998). All emirates are connected by a first-class highway. The number of cars exceeded 350 thousand in mid. 1990s Pipeline transport is developed: 830 km of oil pipelines and 870 km of pipelines for pumping gas, incl. liquefied The UAE maritime transport has 341 vessels. Among them are 56 ships with a total capacity of St. 1 thousand tons, including 13 dry cargo ships, 3 tankers for transporting chemicals, 7 container ships, 1 tanker for transporting liquefied gas, 25 oil tankers, 1 ship for transporting poultry, the total carrying capacity of these ships is 1.25 million tons (2002). There are 15 seaports in the UAE, through which cargo flows approx. 88 million tons per year, including exported oil. Largest port countries - Rashid in Dubai, through which 70% of imports and re-exports pass. The 2nd port in the Jebel Ali zone in Dubai has the world's largest artificial deep-water harbor, 67 berths and 15 km of port embankments. Cargo turnover of both ports in mid. 1990s was more than 25.3 million tons. The next most important ports of the UAE are Mina Zayed in Abu Dhabi, Khalid in Sharjah, Saqr in Ras al-Khaimah, etc. There are 6 large modern airports of international importance in the UAE. In terms of traffic volume, the airports of Dubai, Jebel Ali, and Sharjah stand out first (handles 65% of the total air-sea cargo traffic of the UAE, more than 2180 tons of cargo per month). The airports of Fujairah and Ras al-Khaimah are very large. A modern communication system has been created and is developing in the UAE; in terms of the number of telephones per 1 resident, the UAE occupies one of the first places in the Middle East. In total, more than 1.05 million landlines and 1.9 million mobile phones (2001). Since 1995, Internet access has been provided, there are St. 900 thousand users (2002). There are 15 television and 2 radio stations in the UAE, and 7 daily newspapers are published.

Wholesale and retail trade, services, and tourism are widely developed. There are many shops and shopping centers, among them are the popular tourist area of ​​Deira and the Gold Souk gold jewelry market in Dubai, famous shopping centers in Sharjah. Prices for most goods are lower than European ones. Delivery of any product to the buyer is free. A wide range of services are offered to tourists, incl. excursions, safaris, recreational activities, etc.

The tourism infrastructure has received the most widespread development in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. There are more than 160 comfortable hotels in Dubai alone. More than 1.5 million tourists and other visitors from other countries visit the country annually (2000).

The modern economic policy of the UAE is characterized by a combination of state regulation of the main proportions of economic development, the presence of state and quasi-state organizations in most sectors of the economy with the encouragement of the private business sector. Social policy includes providing citizens of the Emirates with various privileges and material benefits, the minimum required standard of living, employment opportunities, subsidized housing construction, development human factor through funding education and vocational training programs, health care.

The UAE monetary system is characterized by collateral national currency with the help of foreign exchange reserves generated from export income. Control over the issue of money and monetary circulation is carried out by the UAE Monetary Authority (central bank). The currency regime is very liberal. The Monetary Authority regulates bank lending limits and collateral. The banking system includes 19 national banks, some of which have state capital, and 28 foreign, several national insurance companies. The National Bank for Investment and Development was established to finance private projects in industry.

A special feature of the budget system is the presence of the emirates’ own budgets along with the federal one. UAE budget revenues are 20 billion US dollars, expenses are 22 billion (2000). Most of the income comes from oil exports. The largest funding items were defense and security, education, health care, and government services. In the 1970-80s. in the UAE there were no taxes, except religious and corporate taxes on oil companies and banks with foreign capital. The introduction of some indirect taxes began only in the end. 1990s

The standard of living of the UAE population is high. GDP per capita since 1970s increased almost 20 times and approached the level of developed countries. Wage in industry approx. $8,135.71 per year. Final consumer expenditures amounted to 39% of GDP (1991). Gross capital investment 30.1% of GDP (1998).

Income from foreign investments of the UAE is estimated at up to 60% of the country's GDP. The trade balance is active. In 2000, the value of exports amounted to $47.6 billion. The main export items: oil (45%), natural gas, fish, dates. Main export partners: Japan (30%), India (7%), Singapore (6%), South Korea(4%), Oman, Iran (1999). Imports - $28.6 billion (2000). Industrial and consumer goods are imported. Main partners: Japan (9%), Great Britain (8%), Italy (6%), Germany, South Korea.

Science and culture of the UAE

The first higher education institution, the university in Al Ain, was opened in 1977. In 1986, there were 255 thousand students of all forms of education in the country, and in 1998/99 - more than 569 thousand, the number of teachers reached 36.5 thousand. In 1998 17.2% of the budget was spent on education. Less than 9% of the population over 15 years of age is illiterate (2000).

Features of traditions, customs and literature are associated with Islamic culture. During Ramadan (9th month of Muslim lunar calendar) believers observe fasting, from sunrise to sunset they must avoid spectacles, love pleasures, they must not drink or smoke. In the UAE, women are not required to cover their faces, but often wear veils or large headscarves. Among the traditions are Arab hospitality, horse racing, camel racing, falconry, and golf.

Cultural attractions of the UAE include the oil exhibition, the Kornichi shipyard, where the Arabian dhow is made, many architectural monuments: the Al Fahidi Museum in Dubai in a 19th century fort, local history museums and examples of Islamic architecture (Jumeirah Mosque in Dubai), the palace of the ruler of Dubai, open to the public .

The content of the article

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (UAE)(Arabic: Al-Amirat al-Arabiya al-Muttahida), a federal state in South-West Asia, in the eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula, on the coast of the Persian and Oman Gulfs. It borders on Qatar in the north, Saudi Arabia in the south and southwest, and Oman in the northeast and southeast. In the north it is washed by the waters of the Persian Gulf, in the east by the Gulf of Oman. Total length border 867 km, coastline – 1318 km. The UAE includes the following emirates: Abu Dhabi (Abu Zabi; area 67,350 sq. km, or 87% of the country), Dubai (Dibai; 3,900 sq. km, or 5%), Sharjah (2,600 sq. km, or 3.3%), Ajman (259 sq. km, or 0.3%), Ras al-Khaimah (1,700 sq. km, or 2.2%), Umm al-Quwain (750 sq. km, or 1%), Fujairah (1150 sq. km, or 1.5%). The land borders run through deserts and are not clearly defined. total area- OK. 83,600 sq. km (including the islands of Abu Musa, Greater and Lesser Tunb). Population – about 3.13 million people, incl. 2.05 million non-citizens (2002). The capital is Abu Dhabi (420 thousand).

NATURE

Relief.

Most of the territory of the UAE is occupied by salt marshes and sandy deserts, in the west there are sandy and rocky deserts, in the east and northeast there are the Hajar Mountains (the highest point is the city of Adan, 1127 m). The highest point in the country is Mount Jabal Yibir (1527 m). East of Al Udayd Bay, located at the base of the Qatar Peninsula, there are moving sand dunes, and flat, barren salt marshes spread along the coast. The shores are mostly low, the coastline is indented with small bays, framed by islands and coral reefs protruding above the surface of the shallow waters.

The main mineral resources are oil and natural gas. Oil reserves are estimated at 12,330 million tons (about 10% of world reserves). The main oil fields in Abu Dhabi are Asab, Beb, Bu Hasa, Al-Zakum, in Dubai - Fallah, Fateh, South-West Fateh, Margham, in Sharjah - Mubarak. Natural gas reserves amount to 5794 billion cubic meters. m. In terms of natural gas reserves, the UAE ranks 4th in the world after Russia, Iran and Qatar. There are also deposits of uranium, chromium and nickel ores and bauxite.

Climate

dry, transitional from tropical to subtropical. Air temperature from November to May ranges from 18 to 25° C, from June to August - from 30 to 35° C (maximum up to 50° C), average monthly temperatures range from 20° to 35° C. Summer, with the exception of mountainous areas , very hot, in winter the weather becomes cooler. Precipitation is approx. 100 mm, in the mountains 300–400 mm per year (maximum in winter). Occasionally there are heavy downpours that cause great damage by washing out roads and disrupting communications. There are no permanent rivers, temporary streams flow through the valleys, most of the year they are dry riverbeds - wadis. Sources of fresh water along the flat coast of the Persian Gulf are very few. There is no agriculture west of Abu Dhabi. Intensive water intake from underground sources has led to a significant decrease in groundwater levels and their salinization.

Vegetation and fauna.

On the western slopes of the mountains there are large oases with vineyards, date palms, acacias, and tamarisk; Cereals, mangoes, bananas, lemons, and tobacco are also cultivated. In the mountains there is savannah-type vegetation. In desert areas there are hares, jerboas, gazelles, dromedary Arabian camels, and some species of lizards and snakes. The coastal waters of the Persian Gulf are rich in fish (sardines, herring, etc.) and pearls.

POPULATION

Demography.

From 1968 to 2003, the country's population increased 20 times, primarily due to the influx of foreign labor. In 2003, the total population of the UAE was 3.75 million people, incl. Abu Dhabi (1,186 thousand people, or 39% of the population in 2000), Dubai (913 thousand inhabitants, or 28%), Sharjah (520 thousand), Ajman (174 thousand), Ras al- Khaima (171 thousand), Umm al-Qaiwain (46 thousand), Fujairah (98 thousand). As a result of immigration, there are serious imbalances in the gender structure of the population. Women now make up approximately 33% of the population, as many workers choose to come to the UAE without their families. In the 1990s, the natural population movement was characterized by high fertility and low mortality. The average annual population growth in 1990–1995 was 5.3%, in 2003 – 1.57% (with a birth rate of 18.48 and a death rate of 4.02 per 1000 people). The average life expectancy is 74 years (72 years for men, 77 years for women).

Ethnic groups.

About 80% of the population are from other countries. In 2000, ethnic Arabs made up 48.1% of the total population (UAE Arabs 12.2%, Bedouins 9.4%, Egyptian Arabs 6.2%, Omani Arabs 4.1%, Saudi Arabs 4% ), South Asians - 35.7%, Iranians - 5%, Filipinos - 3.4%, Europeans - 2.4%, others - 5.4%. The number of UAE citizens, according to various estimates, has not exceeded 25% of the population in recent decades. At the same time, the most numerous ethnic groups are (as of 2003) people from India (about 30%, or 1.2 million) and Pakistan (about 20%).

Work force.

The economically active population is 1.6 million people. (2000), of which 73.9% are foreign labor (2002). About 78% are employed in the service sector, 15% in industry, 7% in agriculture (2000). In general, since the late 1990s there has been a downward trend in the number of people employed in industry and agriculture. Foreign workers from India and Pakistan play the most significant role in the local economy. Since 2002, the government has been taking measures to “Emiratize the workforce” (it should be noted that very few local residents work in the industrial sector). As part of personnel reforms, up to 90% of the workforce is expected to be staffed by UAE nationals. government agencies, 80% - economic and financial organizations, 60% - justice authorities. At the same time, the struggle to limit the influx of foreign labor is intensifying. In 1996, as part of an amnesty declared for illegal immigrants and foreign citizens with expired visas and documents, 150 thousand people left the country; during the amnesty in 2003, another approx. took advantage of it. 80 thousand people Unemployment in 1996 reached 2.6%.

Urbanization.

Most of the population is concentrated on the coast and in oases. City dwellers make up 84% of the country's population (1996). In the interior desert regions there is a very rare nomadic, semi-nomadic and sedentary indigenous Arab population (Emirati Arabs, Bedouins), preserving the tribal division. The largest tribes among nomads and semi-nomads are the Beni-Kitab, among the settled population - Avamir, Beni Khadzhir, Beni Mura, Beniyaz, Davasir, Kavasim, Menasir, Naim, Nami, Shamis. Largest cities: Dubai (710 thousand), Abu Dhabi (928 thousand), Sharjah (325 thousand), Al Ain (240 thousand), Ajman (120 thousand), Ras al-Khaimah (80 thousand .). Average density – 38 people/sq. km (2003); The average density in the emirates is: in Abu Dhabi – 12.7 people/sq. km, Umm al-Quwain – 45.1 people/sq. km, Al Fujairah – 58.7 people/sq. km, Ras al-Khaimah – 84.9 people/sq. km, Sharjah – 154 people/sq. km, Dubai – 172.8 people/sq. km, Ajman – 456.9 people/sq. km (as of 1996).

Language.

The official language is Arabic (native only for 40% of the population). The dialect of local residents is as close as possible to classical Arabic, with small inclusions of Bedouin words and expressions. The most common languages ​​spoken in immigrant communities are Hindi and Urdu, along with Malay (13%), Balochi (8%), Pashto (6%), Farsi (5%), Telugu (5%), Somali (4%), Bengali (3%). Most residents speak spoken English.

Religion.

The state religion is Islam, mainly of the Sunni persuasion. Muslims make up 96% of believers (about 16% of the population are Shiites, living mainly in Dubai); Christians, Hindus, etc. - approx. 4% (1995). According to the laws, the spread of other religions and the conversion of Muslims to other faiths is prohibited, which is punishable by a prison term of 5 to 10 years. The Muslim (lunar Hijri) and Gregorian calendars are used.

POLITICAL SYSTEM

Federal authorities.

The UAE is a federal state. Each of the emirates included in the federation is an absolute monarchy and retains significant independence. The federal authorities consist of: the Federal Supreme Council, the head of state and his deputy, the Council of Ministers, the Federal National Assembly, the Supreme Federal Court.

According to the constitution of 1971 (as amended in 1976; provisional until 1996), the highest body of government is the Federal Supreme Council (FSC), consisting of the rulers of the seven emirates. The Council meets 4 times a year and has broad powers. Its exclusive jurisdiction is the ratification of international treaties and agreements; introduction and lifting of a state of emergency; declaration of war; appointment of the chairman and members of the Supreme Federal Court. Along with this, the Supreme Council determines general federal policy and exercises supreme control over the affairs of the federation; approves federal legislation; appointment of the President, Vice-President, Chairman of the Council of Ministers, Chairman of the Supreme Court and its members and acceptance of the resignation of each of them. For all decisions made, except procedural issues, a majority of 5 votes is required in the Supreme Council, subject to the consent of the rulers of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, who have the right of veto.

Every 5 years, the Supreme Council elects the head of the federation and his deputy - the president and vice-president - from among its members. The Constitution gives the head of state broad legislative and executive rights. Exercising executive power through ministers, the president at the same time presides over meetings of the FVS and has the right to veto any of its decisions. He can issue decrees and acts on any issues other than those within the exclusive competence of the FVS; appoint and dismiss the prime minister, his deputy and the cabinet of ministers. The head of state has the right (with the consent of the Supreme Council) to dissolve the national assembly. He issues federal laws and controls the implementation of federal laws, decrees and acts by the Council of Ministers and individual ministers; approves death sentences, and also has the power of pardon and commutation of sentences.

The permanent president of the UAE (since 1971) is the ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and the vice-president (since October 8, 1990) is the Emir of Dubai, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum (the last elections took place on December 2, 2001).

Executive branch belongs to the Council of Ministers (consists of 21 ministers and one deputy prime minister), appointed by the head of state. The Council of Ministers directly manages all internal and external affairs of the federation under the supervision of the head of state and the Federal Supreme Assembly. The Council of Ministers can make laws in all areas of ordinary jurisdiction, except for matters relating to the ratification of international treaties and agreements, the introduction or lifting of martial law, declaration of war, etc.

Since 1990, the post of prime minister has been held by the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and the first deputy prime minister is Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Role advisory body belongs to the unicameral Federal National Assembly (FNC, Majlis al-Ittihad al-Watani). It consists of 40 representatives appointed by the rulers of the emirates for 2 years: 8 deputies each from Abu Dhabi and Dubai (with veto power), 6 each from Sharjah and Ras al-Khaimah, 4 each from Ajman, Umm Al -Qaiwaina and Fujairah. There is no electoral legislation; each emirate independently determines the method of electing deputies to parliament. From among its members, the Federal Tax Service elects the presidium and the chairman of the National Assembly. Currently, the chairman of the Federal Tax Service is a deputy from the emirate of Abu Dhabi, Al-Haj Abdullah Al Mohairabi.

The National Assembly has not only legislative power, but even legislative initiative. The Federal Tax Service only has the right to consider bills prepared by the Council of Ministers, propose amendments to them and even reject them, but the decisions of the meeting have no legal force. It has the right to discuss any issues, provided that the Council of Ministers does not consider the discussion of this issue to be contrary to the highest interests of the federal state. In addition, the National Assembly can make recommendations, which are also non-binding and can be rejected by the Council of Ministers.

The Constitution guarantees independence judiciary. The federal court system has existed since 1971; All emirates joined it, with the exception of Dubai and Ras al-Khaimah. All emirates have secular and Islamic (Sharia) laws for civil, criminal and supreme courts. The highest body of judicial power is the Federal Supreme Court(consists of 6 members), whose judges are appointed by the president.

Local authorities.

In parallel to the federal institutions, each of the emirates has its own governing bodies.

The emirates are headed by hereditary monarchs (sheikhs or emirs). Power usually passes through the male line to the eldest son of the ruler, but the ruler can appoint another eldest relative from a given dynasty as heir. Each ruler has the highest legislative and executive powers and directly conducts all internal and external affairs that are not within the competence of the federal authorities.

The largest and most populous emirate, Abu Dhabi, has its own government, which is formed on the same principles as the federal one, and is headed by Crown Prince Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan.

Advisory functions are vested in the National Consultative Council, which has the same powers as the Federal National Assembly. It consists of 60 members representing the main tribes and influential families of the emirate.

Various administrative functions in all emirates are carried out by many local departments (police and security, public works, health care, education, water and electricity, finance, customs, etc.). Some of the departments are subordinated federal ministries. The most extensive administrative system has been created in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. It covers almost all spheres of life in these emirates.

There is no official administrative-territorial division in the emirates. Abu Dhabi alone is administratively divided into three regions. Along with this, Abu Dhabi has a system of representatives of the ruler. Currently, there are five such representatives: in the Eastern and Western regions, on Das Island, where an important oil terminal is located, etc.

Currently, there are municipalities in all the capitals of the emirates, as well as in the cities of Al Ain (Abu Dhabi), For Fakkan and Kalba (Sharjah). All municipalities are headed by members of the ruling dynasties. In the capitals of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras al-Khaimah and Fujairah, municipal councils have been established within the municipalities, including various departments. Their members are also appointed by the rulers. The functions of municipalities include issues of local government (organization of water and electricity supply, street improvement, etc.).

In small and remote settlements, the ruler and government of each emirate may appoint a local representative, an emir or wali, through whom residents can make their own requests to the government. In most cases, local tribal leaders are appointed as local representatives of the emir.

Political parties.

There is no organized opposition, the activities of political parties and trade unions are prohibited. The majority of the non-Emirati Arab population has neither civil nor political rights. Organizations such as Human Rights Watch are trying to convince the government of the need for legislative reforms.

Foreign policy.

The UAE is a member of the UN, the League of Arab States, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, etc. Since its formation, the UAE has officially entered the group of non-aligned countries and acted in it from a position of “absolute neutrality”, which allowed them to maintain “equidistance” from the West and the East . In matters of Middle East settlement, the UAE advocates the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from all occupied Arab territories. They also demand that all legitimate rights of the Arab people of Palestine be ensured, incl. his right to create his own state. Regarding the Iran-Iraq War, the UAE supported Iraq, providing it with material and moral assistance, while at the same time maintaining economic ties with Iran. Participation in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is of great importance, in which the UAE sees an effective mechanism for ensuring regional stability and cooperation.

Territorial disputes.

A border agreement was signed with Oman in 1999, but the final definition of the border between the two countries was postponed until 2002. Parts of the border between the emirates of Ras al-Khaimah and Sharjah, including the Musandam Peninsula, remain uncertain. The status of the UAE's border with Saudi Arabia has not been definitively established (details of the 1974 and 1977 agreements have not been made public). The conflict with Iran continues over the islands of Abu Musa, Greater and Lesser Tunb, occupied by Iranian troops in November 1971. In 2000, Tehran declared the islands an integral part of its territory, and the issue about them closed.

Armed forces.

The United Armed Forces of the UAE were created in 1976, but in 1978 the armed forces of Dubai and Ras al-Khaimah left their composition (the latter subsequently returned back). Dubai still retains significant independence in the military field.

The national armed forces consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. The Supreme Commander-in-Chief is the head of state; direct leadership of the armed forces is exercised by the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff. The Ministry of Defense is located in Dubai, the General Staff is in Abu Dhabi. UAE Minister of Defense - Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The total strength of the armed forces is approximately approx. 65 thousand people (2000). The ground forces (59 thousand people, including 12-15 thousand in the emirate of Dubai) have 2 armored, 2 motorized infantry, 2 infantry, artillery brigades, 2 combined brigades (Dubai) and a royal guard brigade. It is armed with 487 tanks, 620 armored personnel carriers, 615 infantry fighting vehicles, as well as missiles and artillery installations. The Air Force (4 thousand people) includes 10 air squadrons, is armed with 108 combat aircraft, 42 helicopters and up to 80 military transport aircraft and helicopters. The Navy (2.4 thousand people, including 200 officers) consists of units of combat and auxiliary ships. They are armed with 27 ships. The main naval bases are Dalma, Mina Zayed (Abu Dhabi), Mina Khalid, Khor Fakan, Tauwella (Sharjah). Recruitment is carried out on the principle of voluntary recruitment, with the number of foreign volunteers reaching 30% of the total number of armed forces.

In addition to the regular armed forces, there are also coast guards and maritime police - 1,200 people. (including 110 officers). Internal security and police functions are carried out by the Federal Police Force (approx. 6 thousand people) and the National Guard (approx. 4 thousand people). Each emirate has its own National Guard.

The UAE purchases the most modern weapons, mostly Western-made; in the 1990s, a number of large contracts were concluded with Russia. In March 2000, one of the largest arms purchase transactions in world history took place: the UAE purchased 80 F-16 jet fighters from Lockheed Martin for $8 million. The UAE's defense spending remains among the highest in the Gulf region. All R. In the 1990s they reached $2 billion, in 1999 – 3.8 billion, in 2000 – 3.9 billion, in 2002 – St. 4 billion

ECONOMY

The UAE has an open economy with a high per capita income and a significant annual surplus. Since 1973, the UAE has transformed from a poor region of small desert principalities into a modern state with a high standard of living. The largest of the emirates, Abu Dhabi, accounts for 90% of oil and gas production and 60% of the UAE's GDP. Due to smaller oil and gas reserves, Dubai has become a trade, commercial and transport hub. Sharjah's main focus is on light industry and the development of port communications. The remaining emirates (known as the northern emirates) are considered poorer than the others and together account for only 6.6% of GDP (1996). In 2002, the UAE's GDP reached $53 billion. Average annual income per capita increased from $9,635 (1996) to $22,000 (2002).

The UAE leadership plans to further diversify the economy, which today is mainly focused on oil. Data analysis shows that the share of non-oil industries in GDP increased from 36.73% in 1980 to 77.64% in 1998, while the share of the manufacturing sector increased from 3.76% in 1980 to 12.4% in 1998. And yet the share of oil in the country's GDP remains quite high.

Oil and gas.

The UAE has huge oil reserves (97.8 billion barrels, or 10% of world reserves). At the current level of production, oil and gas reserves should last until the beginning of the 22nd century. The country's wealth is based on oil and gas exports (approx. 33% of GDP) and depends on fluctuations in the prices of these products. Oil production on the shelf off the coast of Abu Dhabi has been carried out since 1962, on the mainland of Abu Dhabi - since 1963. In 1995, the UAE produced an average of 290 thousand tons per day, with Abu Dhabi accounting for 83%, Dubai - 15%, Sharjah - 2%. Abu Dhabi ranks third in terms of oil production in the Middle East (after Saudi Arabia and Iran). In Dubai, the main business center of the UAE, the economic boom associated with oil production began even before it was produced (1969). Small amounts of oil are also produced in Sharjah and Ras al-Khaimah. UAE oil production quotas are set by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), but the UAE has not always adhered to these limits. For example, in 1990, during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, oil production in the country doubled the quota. The UAE also has rich natural gas deposits. Its reserves are approx. 5.3 billion cubic meters m (3.8% of world reserves), according to this indicator the UAE ranks third in the Middle East.

Industry.

Other important sectors of the economy, in addition to oil and gas production, are manufacturing, oil refining, shipbuilding and ship repair. In addition to petroleum products, the country produces steel, aluminum, fertilizers, cement, plastics, machine tools and clothing, and handicrafts. Large gas processing plants are located in Ruwais, Jebel Ali, Das Island, and Sharjah. The building materials industry is developing. 9 cement factories release approx. 5 million tons of cement per year. There is an aluminum plant with a capacity of 240 thousand tons per year.

The number of enterprises with more than 10 employees has almost tripled over 10 years (from 1990 to 1999): from 705 to 1859. Further examination of the statistics shows that industrial production is concentrated in cities: Dubai (678 out of 1859 enterprises ), Sharjah (581), Ajman and Abu Dhabi. The country's largest plants and factories operate in the capital.

Traditional handicrafts are developed - making carpets, woolen fabrics, minting gold and silver products, mining pearls and corals.

The industry accounts for approx. 46% of GDP (2000). In 2000, industrial production increased by 4%.

Agriculture.

The UAE is a semi-arid country with little rainfall. Agriculture accounts for only 3% of GDP and employs 7% of the working population (2000). Main industries Agriculture: fishing, agriculture and nomadic cattle breeding. The total area of ​​cultivated land is 54.5 thousand hectares (1994). The main areas of agricultural development are the eastern part of Ras al-Khaimah and Abu Dhabi, the north-east of Sharjah, and part of the coast of the Gulf of Oman. The main crops grown are dates and vegetables. Efforts are being made to achieve self-sufficiency in grains, but this is hampered by a lack of fresh water. Poultry and cattle are raised. Nomads raise sheep, goats and camels. Basic food needs are met through imports.

Transport.

Thanks to large revenues from oil exports, the transport network was significantly improved. There are no railways in the UAE; domestic transportation is mainly provided by road transport. All emirates are connected by four-lane highways. The main highway runs from Ash Sham through all the main coastal cities to Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The total length of roads is 2,000 km, incl. 1,800 km were built after 1993. Dubai is the main regional and international hub for sea and air traffic. Most overseas transport is carried out by sea. Own sea ​​transport poorly developed. The merchant fleet includes 56 ships (2002). A significant amount of cargo is transported on foreign ships. The most important ports of the UAE are Jabal Api (since 1988) and Port Rashid (in Dubai), Zayed (in Abu Dhabi), Al Fujairah. In the emirate of Dubai there is the world's largest dry dock, designed to repair tankers with a displacement of up to 1 million tons. There are 6 international airports - in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras al-Khaimah, Al Ain, Al Fujairah. Services international airport About 11 million people used Dubai in 1999. There are a total of 40 airports for various purposes in the country (1999). The length of oil pipelines is 830 km, gas pipelines are 870 km.

Free economic zones.

In order to attract foreign capital, a free economic zone (FEZ) was created in the emirate of Dubai in 1985 near the port of Jebel Ali, in which 2,300 companies operate, 1/4 of which are small and medium-sized industrial companies. Main specialization: trade operations (74%), industry (22%), services (4%). The successful experiment in Jebel Ali prompted UAE governments to create new free economic zones. There are currently nine free economic zones in the UAE, more than in any other Arab country. According to available data, the percentage of industrial projects to the total number of projects implemented in SEZs is: in Sharjah - 17.7%, Fujairah - 39.8%, Ajman - 41.3%, Umm Al Quwain - 100%.

Trade.

The UAE's exports are mainly represented by oil and petroleum products (45%). Total exports increased from 22.6 billion dollars (1993) to 44.9 billion (2002). In addition to oil, important export items are liquefied gas, aluminum, fertilizers, cement, fresh and dried fish, dates, and pearls. Main exporting countries: Japan (29.1%), South Korea (10.2%), India (5.4%), Oman (3.7%), Singapore (3.1%), Iran (2. 2%) (as of 2001). UAE imports machinery and equipment, vehicles, electronic equipment and household appliances, finished products, food, chemicals, synthetic materials, metal products. The volume of imports in 1999 was $27.5 billion, in 2002 – $30.8 billion. Main trading partners: USA (6.7%), Germany (6.6%), Japan (6.5%) , France (6.3%), China (6.1%), Great Britain (5.9%), South Korea (5.5%) (as of 2001). Trading firms in the UAE, particularly in the Emirate of Dubai, are widely involved in re-export trade.

National monetary unit - dirham (AED) = 100 fils (since May 1973).

SOCIETY

Health and Social Security.

The establishment of the healthcare system dates back to 1943, when the first hospital was opened in Dubai. In 1971, a network of medical facilities existed in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Dibba. Since the formation of the UAE, the healthcare system has been characterized by rapid growth but lack of coordination. By the early 1990s, cooperation between the emirates in the field of healthcare increased, but oil companies and the armed forces still maintain their own medical facilities. The health care system offers free care to all citizens; in 1982, due to a decrease in oil export revenues, the government introduced paid services for non-citizens, except in emergency cases. In 1995, the health care system employed 15,361 employees, incl. OK. 3 thousand UAE citizens; doctors - 3803, incl. 1839 in the private sector. In 1995, there were 1,227 people for every doctor, and 454 people for every nurse. In 1986 there were 40 hospitals (with 3,900 beds) and 119 clinics in the country, in 1995 there were 51 hospitals (with 6,357 beds). During the implementation of health care reforms, infant mortality decreased from 145 per 1,000 births in 1960 to 15.58 in 2000. In 1985, health workers attended 96% of births. Life expectancy increased from 53 years in 1960 to 74.75 years in 2003. The main causes of death recorded in Abu Dhabi in 1989 per 100,000 population were: accidents and poisoning - 43.7%; cardiovascular diseases – 34.3%; cancer – 13.7%; respiratory tract diseases – 8.1%. As of December 1990, there were 8 cases of HIV infection.

The country has an extensive social safety net, which includes family centers aimed at solving domestic problems and teaching women homemaking skills. Psychological assistance is available for disadvantaged youth; provision of assistance to victims of epidemics and disasters is provided. Widows, orphans, the elderly, the disabled and others unable to support themselves receive social benefits. In 1975, almost 24 thousand citizens received 87.7 million dirhams as part of social assistance; in 1982, about 121,000 people received 275 million dirhams. Other social benefits provided to UAE citizens: free housing and subsidies for apartment improvement. However, the Ministry of Public Works and Housing reported in 1992 that 70% of the 15,000 low-income housing units built by the government were uninhabitable.

Education.

The first private schools in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah were opened in the early 1900s. In sheikhdoms and sultanates, small study groups functioned at mosques. In the 1920s and 1930s, due to the economic crisis, most schools closed. Secular primary schools began to appear in the 1950s. The first British school with Arab teachers was opened in Sharjah in 1953, with 450 boys aged 6 to 17 years. Soon the first primary school for girls was established in Sharjah. The British government opened schools in Abu Dhabi, Ras al-Khaimah and Khawr Fakkan, founded an agricultural school in Ras al-Khaimah in 1955 and a technical school in Sharjah in 1958. Since 1958, large funds for the construction of schools and salaries for teachers have been allocated by Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Egypt. The first indigenous education system was created in Abu Dhabi in the early 1960s. By the 1964–1965 school year there were 6 schools, where 390 boys and 138 girls studied. There were 31 schools in other emirates, incl. 12 schools for girls.

After the creation of the UAE, education problems became one of the priorities in government programs. During the period 1971–1978, spending on education ranked second in the federal budget after defense. The law provides for compulsory secondary education for UAE nationals. The education system includes: preschool institutions for children from 4 to 6 years old, primary schools (6 years of study), junior high schools (3 years of study) and complete secondary schools (3 years of study). Training is separate, in some primary schools joint training is carried out. IN rural areas Education in primary schools lasts no more than 2–3 years. In the 1973–1974 academic year, there were about 140 schools, with about 50 thousand students, incl. 32 thousand in primary schools, 14 thousand in junior high schools, 3 thousand in high schools. In the 1990–1991 academic year, there were about 760 schools, with about 338 thousand students, incl. 49 thousand in preschools, 227 thousand in primary schools and 111 thousand in secondary schools. In the 1995–1996 academic year, there were 1,132 schools in the country, with 422 thousand students (1994–1995). A third of the students attended private or religious schools.

Vocational training is provided at commercial and agricultural schools, as well as at oil industry training centers in Abu Dhabi. In the 1996–1997 academic year, 1,925 people studied in 7 vocational schools and centers.

Higher education, both primary and secondary, is free for all UAE citizens. Main higher education institutions: United Arab Emirates University in Al Ain (founded in 1977; over 15 thousand students); Higher Colleges of Technology in Abu Dhabi (founded 1988), Al Ain (founded 1988), Dubai (founded 1989) and Ras Al Khaimah (founded 1989); Etisalat College of Engineering, Sharjah; Ajman University of Science and Technology (founded in 1988); University of Sharjah (founded 1997); American University of Sharjah (founded 1997); Al Bayan University (founded in 1997; first private university in Abu Dhabi); Dubai aviation college(founded in 1991–1992). Many UAE citizens receive higher education in the USA, Great Britain and other Arab countries.

In addition to educational institutions for children and adolescents, there is a network of educational institutions for adults who have not received appropriate education. The number of adult education centers increased from 54 (in 1972) to 139 (in 1996–1997), where 18 thousand students studied. In 1993, the number of illiterate people fell to 16.8%, compared to 79% in 1968. According to UN estimates, the literate population in 2003 was 77.9% (76.1% men, 81.7% women).

Press, radio, television, Internet.

The media operating in the country, subject to loyalty to the ruling dynasties and the government, enjoy relative freedom. There are 5 daily newspapers in Arabic in the country: Akhbar Dubai (since 1965), Al-Bayan (Dubai, since 1980, circulation 35 thousand), Al-Wahda (Abu Dhabi, since 1973, circulation 15 thousand), “Al-Ittihad” (Abu Dhabi, since 1972, circulation 58 thousand), “Al-Khalij” (in the Principality of Sharjah, since 1970, circulation 58 thousand); 4 newspapers in English: Gulf News (Abu Dhabi, circulation 24.5 thousand), Ricorder (Abu Dhabi and Sharjah), Trade and Industry (Abu Dhabi, since 1975, circulation 9 thousand) , Emirates News (Abu Dhabi). The UAE News Agency (UAE, founded in 1976) is located in Abu Dhabi. The Government Radio and Television Service is located in Dubai. Radio broadcasting from sir. 1960s, currently operates 22 radio stations (1998). Television since 1968, there are 15 television stations (1997). The only Internet Provider is Etisalat. The number of Internet users is more than 300 thousand (as of 2002).

STORY

From ancient times to the beginning of modern times.

According to the latest archaeological finds, the first traces of human presence in this region date back to 7 thousand BC. In 5 thousand BC. Agriculture became widespread among the peoples inhabiting these areas. In 4 thousand BC. the gulf coast becomes an important trading point along the route sea ​​vessels between the Sumerian civilization of Mesopotamia and ancient India. In 3 thousand BC. In the east of the Arabian Peninsula, the ancient state of Dilmun arose, which existed until 2–1 thousand BC. The creation of the first Phoenician settlements and trading posts on the coast, which contributed to the development of navigation and the formation of trade centers and colonies, dates back to the same period. In the 6th century. BC. The territory of modern UAE came under the rule of the Persian Achaemenid dynasty. In the 4th century. BC. As a result of the conquests of Alexander the Great, Greek trading colonies arose here. Starting from the 3rd century. BC. the territory of the southeastern coast found itself in the sphere of influence of the Parthian kingdom. This period also includes the migration of Arab tribes from the south and from the center of the Arabian Peninsula to the Persian Gulf region. After the fall of the Parthian kingdom in the 3rd–6th centuries. AD the peoples inhabiting the coast became part of the Sassanid state; Persian agricultural colonies were created in the country, Judaism and Christianity became widespread among the local population; existed Christian churches and monasteries. In the 7th century this territory was included in the Arab Caliphate; such large cities as Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah emerged; Islam became the dominant religion. In the end 7th century the Bay area became part of the Umayyad Caliphate. In the middle of the 8th century. the population of the country (in particular, the principalities of Sharjah and Dubai) participated in the uprising of the Omani tribes against the governor of the Umayyad Caliph; as a result, in the middle of the 8th–9th centuries. The principalities (emirates) were ruled by virtually independent rulers. At the end of the 9th century. they turned into tributaries of the Baghdat Caliphate. In the 10th century individual principalities became part of the state of the Qarmatians, a Muslim Shia sect of the Ismailis, which existed until the end of the 11th century. In the beginning. 13th century most local rulers (in particular, Umm al-Qaiwain, Ras al-Khaimah and Fujairah) found themselves in vassal dependence on the Hormuz state.

From the beginning of the 16th century to the middle of the 19th century.

After the opening of the sea route to India (1498), the Persian Gulf region became the most important point of European influence in the region. From the beginning of the 16th century. and until the middle of the 17th century. part of the coast of the Persian and Hormuz Gulfs was under the rule of the Portuguese, who established a monopoly on all trade between the Far East, India and Southeast Asia. Portugal's main rival was Ottoman Empire, which incited Arab tribes to revolt against the Portuguese invaders. However, the Persian Gulf soon became the object of a struggle between England, France, the Netherlands, Persia and Oman. After ousting the Portuguese in the middle. 17th century On the territory of modern UAE and Oman, the state of Yaruba was founded, which extended its influence to the northeastern and West Coast Arabian Peninsula and East Africa.

In the 2nd half. 18th century control of the southeastern coast of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz was seized by the al-Qawasim tribal confederation; their power extended to the sheikhdoms of Ras al-Khaimah and Sharjah, the Musandam Peninsula, as well as the southwestern coast of Iran and some islands in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. Having a fairly strong fleet, the al-Qawasim established complete maritime control over navigation.

In the 2nd half of the 18th century. Oman, especially its coastal regions, became the object of struggle, first between Great Britain (represented by the East India Company) and France, and then the Wahhabi rulers of Central Arabia. In 1798, an agreement was signed between representatives of the East India Company and the Sultan of Muscat, who also sought to establish control over this part of Arabia, marking the beginning of British expansion. British ships, under the slogan of “free navigation,” tried to monopolize cargo flows between the ports of the Persian Gulf and deprive local residents of their main source of livelihood. This led to conflicts between the East India Company and the local Arab population (the British called them pirates, and therefore the entire area received the name “Pirate Coast”). The main opponent of the East India Company was the al-Qawasim, who at that moment fell under the influence of Wahhabism. England used attacks by al-Qawasim on individual military and commercial ships as a pretext to start a war.

In 1801, under the slogan of the fight against piracy and the slave trade, warships of the East India Company blocked the coast of the Persian Gulf and attacked Arab merchant ships. In 1800–1803 and 1805–1806, the British and their ally, the Sultan of Muscat, fought with varying degrees of success against the tribes of the Pirate Coast.

In 1806, the East India Company imposed a treaty on the al-Qawasim sheikhs, according to which the latter were obliged to respect the flag and property of the company. However, the agreement was not actually respected.

In 1809, the military forces of the East India Company resumed hostilities, destroying a significant part of the Wahhabi fleet (more than 100 ships) and shelling the fortress of Ras al-Khaimah from the sea. However, already in 1814, the Wahhabis again seized control of the sea routes and for the next two years blocked the approaches to the Persian Gulf.

Taking advantage of the defeat of the Wahhabis on land, the British sent a new squadron to the “Pirate Coast” in 1818 with the goal of putting an end to piracy once and for all. On December 9, 1819, they stormed the fortress of Ras al-Khaimah. All Arab-owned ships, including fishing boats, were burned. The defeat forced the emirs and sheikhs of 9 Arab principalities to sign the so-called. “General Treaty of Peace” (January 8 – March 15, 1820), which proclaimed “freedom of navigation” in the Persian Gulf and committed to stopping pirate attacks on English ships, as well as the practice of slavery and the slave trade. England received the right of unlimited domination in the waters of the Persian and Gulf of Oman; it was recognized as having the right to supervise navigation and control the ships of local rulers. In fact, this agreement marked the beginning of the establishment of English control over this territory and the final division of Oman into 3 parts - the Imamate of Oman, the Sultanate of Muscat and the “Pirate Coast”.

In 1821, the fleet of England and Muscat inflicted another defeat on the sheikhs of the Persian Gulf who did not join General Peace Treaty.

Despite the agreement, the sheikhs continued to attack each other. Seeking to control dynastic and tribal struggles, the British imposed a new treaty on the coastal tribes. In 1835, the so-called agreement was signed between representatives of the East India Company and local rulers. First maritime agreement on a truce for six months (this agreement was subsequently extended annually) for the pearl fishing season, which then constituted the main source of income for the sheikhdoms.

In 1838, after several unsuccessful attempts to end the slave trade in the area, the British decided to take full control of the Pirate Coast, Oman, Muscat, Bahrain and Kuwait and establish a permanent presence of their warships in the Gulf. In 1839, an agreement was concluded between Great Britain and Muscat on joint action against piracy and the slave trade, to which the sheikhdoms of the Pirate Coast were annexed in the same year.

In 1843, England imposed a new agreement on the rulers of the Pirate Coast, which extended the First Naval Agreement (1835) by 10 years. In accordance with it, the sheikhs were obliged to obey any decisions of representatives of the East India Company acting on behalf of the British authorities. Failure to comply or violation of them was considered a violation of the First Naval Agreement.

In 1847, in addition to the agreement of 1835, an agreement was signed that significantly expanded the prerogatives of Great Britain in the Persian Gulf. This treaty gave the East India Company the right to search merchant ships suspected of piracy and slave trading. He placed responsibility for violating the ban on the slave trade on the sheikhs who signed the treaty, and also gave the right to representatives of the East India Company to act as arbitrators in conflicts between local rulers. Economically, the agreement gave Great Britain a number of benefits and the right to exploit the pearl shoals of Bahrain and the “Pirate Coast”.

Negotiated Oman.

With the defeat of the Wahhabis, who tried to regain control of the Persian Gulf in 1851–1852, England imposed a new agreement on the rulers of the emirates. In May 1853, the sheikhs of Ras al-Khaimah, Umm al-Quwain, Ajman, Dubai and Abu Dhabi signed the “Treaty of Permanent sea ​​world" In accordance with it, the “Pirate Coast” was renamed “Trucial Oman”, or “Treaty Coast”. England took upon itself the responsibility to mediate in the settlement of land disputes, as well as to protect the emirates from attacks by a third party. The representative of the East India Company received the official right to punish all violators of the treaty, including sheikhs.

According to the agreement of 1869, the sheikhs of Treaty Oman pledged not to independently conclude agreements with third countries, not to grant them any privileges and not to lease the territories of their emirates without the consent of England.

In 1892, several more agreements were signed, leading to the establishment of a full English protectorate over Trucial Oman. In 1898, in addition to this agreement, another treaty was signed, prohibiting the sheikhs of Treaty Oman from buying or selling weapons. British military bases were created on the territory of the sheikhdoms (in particular, in Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi). Political power was exercised by the British liaison officer for the Persian Gulf (with headquarters in Sharjah), reporting to the political resident, first in Bushehr (Iran), then in Bahrain.

At the beginning of the 20th century. the number of sheikhdoms changed. In September 1900, Ras al-Khaimah became part of Sharjah (from 1921 again an independent sheikhdom), at the same time, in 1902, Al-Fujairah separated from Sharjah (recognized in March 1952) and in 1903 - Kalba (recognized in 1936, in 1952 reincorporated into Sharjah).

Basic income to the Arab population the pearl trade continued to be profitable during this period. In 1911, the British entered into an agreement obliging the rulers of the sheikhdoms not to grant concessions for pearl and sponge fishing in their waters to anyone other than England. By the beginning of the First World War, under the Anglo-Turkish Convention of 1913, England received the exclusive right to Treaty Oman, and in 1922 the British established their control over the right of the sheikhs to grant concessions for oil exploration and production to anyone.

Until the early 1930s, British connections with the coast remained extremely limited. The expansion of the Wahhabi rulers of Najd further undermined Britain's position in the region. In inland areas, where the power of the British was always nominal, the tribes tended to unite with the Wahhabis of Central Arabia. Only in 1932 did British Airlines need the territory of Treaty Oman to build intermediate airports (a rest home for passengers and crew in Sharjah) on the route between London and India.

In the late 1920s, an economic crisis erupted on the coast, caused by the appearance of Japanese cultured pearls on the world market.

The discovery of oil changed the strategic and economic importance of this remote corner of the British Empire. Fearing that the area might fall into the hands of competitors, the British urgently created the Petroleum Development of Trushill Coast company. In 1937, British oil companies received concessions for oil production and exploration in Dubai and Sharjah, in 1938 - in Ras al-Khaimah and Kalba, in 1939 - in Abu Dhabi and Ajman.

Taking into account the increased weight of Treaty Oman in the region, London began to develop a plan to unite the sheikhdoms under its control into a federal Arab state, which would also include Iraq, Transjordan and Palestine. England's plans seriously alarmed the population of the emirates. There, anti-feudal and anti-colonial protests became more frequent. In Sharjah, things escalated into open clashes, during which the airfield built by the British was destroyed. Tribes bordering Muscat and Oman took up arms to prevent the cartographic survey. In the end, London was forced to abandon the plan to create a federation.

In 1938–1939 there was an unsuccessful attempt at political reforms in Dubai. The ruling dynasty founded the Financial Council, consisting of local nobility, which, however, tried to remove it from power. A year later the Council was dissolved.

During the Second World War, the sheikhdoms of Treaty Oman adhered to a policy of neutrality; after the war, their status was elevated to emirates (principalities), and at the same time the first steps were taken to integrate the emirates into the federation. In 1945 and 1950–1951, several meetings of the rulers of the emirates took place, at which issues of unifying the police forces, customs administration, and the currency system were discussed. In 1951, local armed forces, the so-called, were created to protect the personnel of oil companies. “Scouts of Treaty Oman” (strength: 1,600 people, led by British officers). In 1952, the foundations of the future federation were laid with the creation of two institutions - the Council of the Treaty States, headed by a British political agent in Dubai, and the Foundation for the Development of the Treaty States.

At the same time, internal and external border conflicts continued, often caused by the economic interests of Western monopolies. In 1947–1949, clashes occurred between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

The domestic political situation in the 1940s and 1950s was complicated by the rivalry between British and American oil companies. Until the mid-1950s, the most acute subject of dispute between ARAMCO, Iraq Petroleum Company and Royal Dutch Shell was the oil-bearing lands of the Al Buraimi oasis, claims to which have been claimed since the 19th century. presented by the rulers of Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia and Oman. In 1949, exploration parties of the American oil company ARAMCO, acting in the interests of Saudi Arabia, appeared here; in 1952, Saudi forces established their control over Buraimi. Only in October 1955, after the failure of negotiations, the armed forces of Oman and Abu Dhabi, supported by the British, again took possession of the oasis.

In 1953, Abu Dhabi granted an oil concession to the Anglo-French consortium. In 1958, large oil reserves were discovered here, in the desert town of Bab, and in 1962 its production and export began. In just a few years, the modest emirate turned into a great oil-producing state in the Middle East. In 1966, oil fields were discovered in Dubai, and in 1973 - in Sharjah and other emirates.

The discovery of oil caused an aggravation of the political situation in the country. In 1961–1963, an anti-imperialist movement developed in a number of emirates, supported by some representatives of the ruling circles. In 1962, the ruler of Sharjah gave a concession to an American oil company, which displeased official London. The ruler of Sharjah was followed by the Sheikh of Ras al-Khaimah. In October 1964, bypassing the British authorities, a commission of the League of Arab States (LAS), with the consent of the rulers of Ras al-Khaimah and Sharjah, visited a number of points of Treaty Oman. In response to these steps, the ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Saqr III ibn Sultan al Qasimi (1925–1993), on the instructions of the British authorities, was arrested and declared deposed; An attempt was made on the life of the ruler of Ras al-Khaimah, Sheikh Saqr ibn Mohammed al Qasimi. In an effort to prevent further interference of the Arab League in the affairs of Treaty Oman, the British authorities in July 1965 held a meeting of 7 sheikhdom rulers in Dubai, at which it was decided to form an Economic Development Council, and also considered 15 major economic projects that were supposed to contribute to the development of these territories . However, the performances continued, capturing even the relatively prosperous Abu Dhabi in 1966. In response to this, on August 6, 1966, a bloodless coup was organized in Abu Dhabi; As a result of the decision of the sheikhs of the Nahyan clan, who removed the ruling emir Sheikh Shahbout, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (the current head of the UAE) came to power.

Until mid-1967, attempts continued to create a federation with its subsequent annexation to the so-called. "Islamic Pact" (a bloc of countries led by Saudi Arabia).

Modern history of the UAE.

In 1968, the British government announced its intention to withdraw its troops from the region by the end of 1971 and transfer power to local rulers. In the face of difficult economic and international problems, the majority of the sheikhdoms spoke in favor of the creation of an independent federation of the sheikhdoms of Eastern and South-Eastern Arabia. Formally, the initiators of the unification were Sheikhs Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (Abu Dhabi) and Rashid bin Said Al Maktoum (Dubai), who signed a corresponding agreement on February 18, 1968. On February 25, 1968, at a meeting in Dubai, the heads of nine British mandate emirates (the seven emirates of Trucial Oman, Qatar and Bahrain) for the first time discussed the possibility of creating a single federal state. On March 1, 1968, the creation (from March 30, 1968) of the Federation of the Arab Emirates (FAE) was announced. According to the agreement, which entered into force on March 30, 1968, the supreme authority of the Federation was determined by the Supreme Council, which included the rulers of all 9 emirates; the latter were to alternately hold the post of Chairman of the Council for a year. The creation of other bodies was postponed until the next meeting. However, these plans were not implemented due to contradictions that arose between the rulers about the place and role of their emirates in the newly created federation. As a result of the struggle of interests, two groups were formed in the new association, which were also influenced by neighboring states (Saudi Arabia, Iran and Kuwait). One of the groups included the rulers of the emirates of Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, Sharjah, Umm al-Qaiwain, Ajman and Bahrain. They were opposed by the rulers of Dubai, Ras al-Khaimah and Qatar. At the same time, the rulers of Qatar and Bahrain, having a more developed economy and surpassing the other emirates in population, refused to recognize the equality of all members of the federation. As a result of disagreements, the FAE actually disintegrated by the end of 1969, without having time to take final shape. An attempt to revive the federation project was made in March 1971, when the temporary creation of the Federation of Arab Emirates (Treaty Oman together with Qatar and Bahrain) was again announced. However, the unification did not happen. After the withdrawal of British troops in September 1971, Bahrain and Qatar declared themselves independent states.

After a meeting in Dubai on July 18, 1971, six of the seven emirates formed the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and signed an interim constitution. The seventh emirate, Ras al-Khaimah, refused to join, citing the other emirates' refusal to grant it veto power over national decisions and equal representation in the federal assembly. In addition, Ras al-Khaimah refused to cede the Greater and Lesser Tunb islands, rich in oil reserves, to Iran. Other emirates did not want to bind themselves to any obligation to Ras al-Khaimah in the event of its conflict with Iran.

Great Britain and a number of other Arab states rushed to recognize the formation of the UAE. However, Iran and Saudi Arabia refused to recognize the new state, having territorial claims to Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. For this reason, the official declaration of independence of the UAE, scheduled for August 1971, was postponed. As a result of subsequent negotiations with the participation of London, in November 1971 an agreement was reached between Iran and Sharjah, according to which part of the island of Abu Musa passed to Iran; Oil deposits in the coastal waters of the island were also subject to division.

On November 30, 1971, two days before the UAE declared independence, Iranian troops landed on the island of Abu Musa (completely annexed in 1992) and occupied the strategically important islands The Greater and Lesser Tunbs, which belonged to Ras al-Khaimah. Iran's actions sparked protest in the Arab world; a number of countries filed complaints against Iran to the UN Security Council. Great Britain limited itself to expressing its disagreement with Iran's actions. On December 2, 1971, at a conference of seven emirates held in Dubai, the creation of the UAE was proclaimed. Only six of the seven emirates of Trucial Oman were included in the federal state. The Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, was elected President of the UAE, and the Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, was elected Vice President. The new president signed a treaty of friendship with Great Britain, which canceled all previous agreements concluded between the UAE member emirates and the British government. Abu Dhabi was chosen as the temporary capital. A few days later, the UAE was admitted to the Arab League and the United Nations. Having failed to achieve international support on the issue of the Greater and Lesser Tunb islands, Ras al-Khaimah also joined the UAE on February 11, 1972.

Only Saudi Arabia did not recognize the new state, making the solution to the Al-Buraimi issue a condition for its recognition. As a result of a new round of negotiations in August 1974, Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia entered into an agreement among themselves, according to which Saudi Arabia recognized the rights of Abu Dhabi and Oman to the oasis, and in turn received the territory of Sabha Bita in the southern part of Abu Dhabi, two small islet and the right to build a road and oil pipeline through Abu Dhabi to the Gulf coast.

Significant revenues from oil exports made it possible to finance most of the development programs and determined the conservative and generally pro-Western course of the UAE, as well as its close ties with Saudi Arabia. However, political life in the UAE was not without controversy. Since the creation of the UAE, competition for leadership in the federation has continued between Abu Dhabi (which advocated strengthening centralized federal power) and Dubai (which advocated maintaining significant independence for each emirate). In the first cabinet of ministers, formed in 1971, the sons of the Emir of Dubai played a key role, holding the posts of Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, Economy, Finance and Industry. At the end of December 1973, in connection with the reorganization of the Council of Ministers, the son of the Emir of Abu Dhabi, Hamid bin Zayed al Nahyan, was announced as Deputy Prime Minister. By the end of the 1970s, supporters of integration, led by the ruler of Abu Dhabi, won another important victory, achieving the unification of the armed forces of the emirates under a single command (1976), and transferred the police, security, immigration and information authorities to the central government.

Throughout the 1970s, border disputes between the emirates and their neighbors continued. The ruler of Ras al-Khaimah continued to advocate for the emirate's separation from the federation. In 1978, the Ras al-Khaimah military made an unsuccessful attempt to capture disputed territory belonging to Oman. The fall of the Shah of Iran in 1979, the rise of Islamic fundamentalism and the Iran-Iraq War created further threats to the stability of the UAE. In May 1981, in response to emerging threats, the UAE became one of the six founding members of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Persian Gulf, which, against the backdrop of the Iran-Iraq war, turned into a military-political alliance.

During the Iran-Iraq War, the rulers of individual principalities supported Iraq, while others (Dubai, Sharjah and Umm al-Quwain) maintained friendly relations with Iran. The greatest degree of contradiction between the emirates reached in June 1987, when an attempted palace coup took place in Sharjah: Sheikh Sultan ibn Mohammed Al Qasimi was forced to abdicate the throne in favor of his brother, Abdulaziz Al Qasimi. The country's President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (Abu Dhabi) supported Abdel Aziz's claim to power, while Vice President and Prime Minister Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum (Dubai) declared his support for the Sultan. The conflict was resolved only after the Supreme Council of Rulers intervened in the dispute, restoring the powers of Sheikh Sultan and declaring the applicant crown prince.

In 1990, when Iraq invaded Kuwait, the UAE participated in the US-led multinational coalition of forces, contributing $6.5 billion and sending troops. After the end of the war, the US and British navies continued to use UAE ports.

The last decade of the 20th century. In general, it was distinguished by internal political and economic stability. An exception was the closure (on suspicion of financial fraud) in July 1991 of the International Trade and Credit Bank (MTCB), which belonged mostly to the ruling family of the emirate of Abu Dhabi. In December 1993, Abu Dhabi sued the executive management of MTKB for damages. In June 1994, 11 of 12 former MTKB executives accused of fraud were sentenced to prison in Abu Dhabi and ordered to pay compensation. After lengthy negotiations, in 1995, an agreement was reached with depositors and creditors. In June 1996, fraud charges were dropped against two MTKB managers after an appeal.

Since the Gulf War, the UAE has increased defense spending and expanded its international contacts and diplomatic relations. In 1994, an agreement on military cooperation was signed with the United States, and a year later with France. Along with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, the UAE government recognized the Taliban regime in Afghanistan in 1997. In 1998, the UAE restored diplomatic relations with Iraq, interrupted due to the Gulf War (1991). Much attention was paid to the problems of resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict.

UAE in the 21st century

During the same period, the country took steps to resolve territorial problems. Thus, in 1999, during the visit of the Sultan of Oman to Abu Dhabi, border issues with Oman were resolved. In November 2000, negotiations took place with Qatar on the border. The exception remains the territorial dispute with Iran. At the end of 1992, Sharjah and Iran reached an agreement on the island of Abu Musa, which completely passed under the jurisdiction of Iran; all foreigners living on the islands, including UAE citizens, were required to obtain Iranian visas. In 1996, Iran further strengthened its position by starting construction of an airport on the island of Abu Musa and a power plant on the island of Greater Tunb. In 1997, the UAE protested Iranian military activity in the Persian Gulf. In November 1999, the Gulf Cooperation Council reiterated its support for the UAE in its dispute over the three islands. In 1999, a diplomatic conflict broke out between the UAE and Saudi Arabia due to Saudi Arabia's desire to normalize relations with Iran.

The degree of integration of the emirates has been a topic of constant debate. By the end of the 1990s, due to tactical differences in the policies pursued by Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the full integration of the country's armed forces did not take place. The integration of the emirates in many areas is hampered by the still existing rivalry between the leaders of Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

After the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, the UAE government decided to sever diplomatic relations with the Taliban in Afghanistan, the accounts of 62 organizations and individuals suspected by the United States of financing terrorist movements were frozen, and measures were taken to tighten control over cash flows.

During the Iraq War of 2003, US troops were stationed in the UAE, the country provided significant humanitarian aid Iraq after the official announcement of the cessation of hostilities.

On November 3, 2004, the country's president, Zayed ban Sultan, died. On November 3, 2004, the Federal Council of the United Arab Emirates elected the eldest son of Sheikh Zayed, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan, as the new president of the country. Fifty-six-year-old Sheikh Khalifa previously headed the Abu Dhabi Supreme Petroleum Council and is Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashed Al Maktoum served as vice president from December 3, 2001. On January 5, 2006, at the age of 62, he died during a visit to Australia.

Literature:

Yacoub Youssef Abdullah. United Arab Emirates. History of political and state development (19th century - early 70s of the 20th century). M., 1978
Isaev V.A., Ozoling V.V. Qatar. M., 1984
Bodyansky V.L. Eastern Arabia: history, geography, population, economy. M., 1986
Markaryan R.V., Mikhin V.L. United Arab Emirates.- In the book. Recent history Arab countries of Asia. 1917–1985. M., 1988
Egorin A.Z., Isaev V.A. United Arab Emirates. M., 1997



 

It might be useful to read:

• How to get on an excursion to Antarctica?;
• Czech Republic Troy Castle. Troja Castle in Prague. Ancient winery and museum;
• Böcklin and his “island of the dead” A cultural phenomenon of its time;
• Air tickets to Crimea Air tickets to Crimea will become cheaper;
• What you can and cannot take with you;
• Open left menu Heviz How to get from Budapest to Lake Heviz;
• Cable car in Nha Trang (Vinpearl) The longest cable car in the world Vietnam;
• Kamenets-Podolsk fortress - a historical monument of Ukraine Life outside the walls of the Kamenets-Podolsk fortress;