Career ResourcesCareers, Jobs and Education Resources for: United Arab Emirates
The Trucial States of the Persian Gulf coast granted the UK control of their defense and foreign affairs in 19th century treaties. In 1971, six of these states - Abu Zaby, 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah, Dubayy, and Umm al Qaywayn - merged to form the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They were joined in 1972 by Ra's al Khaymah. The UAE's per capita GDP is on par with those of leading West European nations. Its generosity with oil revenues and its moderate foreign policy stance have allowed the UAE to play a vital role in the affairs of the region.
(from the CIA)
Economic Overview
The uae has an open economy with a high per capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus. despite largely successful efforts at economic diversification, nearly 40% of gdp is still directly based on oil and gas output. since the discovery of oil in the uae more than 30 years ago, the uae has undergone a profound transformation from an impoverished region of small desert principalities to a modern state with a high standard of living. the government has increased spending on job creation and infrastructure expansion and is opening up utilities to greater private sector involvement. in april 2004, the uae signed a trade and investment framework agreement with washington and in november 2004 agreed to undertake negotiations toward a free trade agreement with the us. the country's free trade zones - offering 100% foreign ownership and zero taxes - are helping to attract foreign investors. higher oil revenue, strong liquidity, housing shortages, and cheap credit in 2005-07 led to a surge in asset prices (shares and real estate) and consumer inflation. rising prices are increasing the operating costs for businesses in the uae and adversely impacting government employees and others on fixed incomes. dependence on oil and a large expatriate workforce are significant long-term challenges. the uae's strategic plan for the next few years focuses on diversification and creating more opportunities for nationals through improved education and increased private sector employment.
Environmental Issues
Lack of natural freshwater resources compensated by desalination plants; desertification; beach pollution from oil spills
Government Type
Federation with specified powers delegated to the uae federal government and other powers reserved to member emirates
Population
4,621,399 note: estimate is based on the results of the 2005 census that included a significantly higher estimate of net inmigration of non-citizens than previous estimates (july 2008 est.)
Location
Middle east, bordering the gulf of oman and the persian gulf, between oman and saudi arabia
Area
Total: 83,600 sq km land: 83,600 sq km water: 0 sq km
Slightly smaller than maine
Country Aliases
Conventional long form: united arab emirates conventional short form: none local long form: al imarat al arabiyah al muttahidah local short form: none former: trucial oman, trucial states abbreviation: uae
Capital
Name: abu dhabi geographic coordinates: 24 28 n, 54 22 e time difference: utc+4 (9 hours ahead of washington, dc during standard time)
Military Service
18 years of age (est.) for voluntary military service; 18 years of age for officers and women; no conscription (2008)
International Disputes
Boundary agreement was signed and ratified with oman in 2003 for entire border, including oman's musandam peninsula and al madhah enclaves, but contents of the agreement and detailed maps showing the alignment have not been published; iran and uae dispute tunb islands and abu musa island, which iran occupies
