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| Country Name: |
United Arab Emirates Dawlat Al-Amarat Al-'Arabiyya
Al-Muttahida ا ﻻ ﻣ ﺎ ر ا ت ا ﻟ ﻤ ﺘ ﺤ ﺪ ة ا ﻟ ﻌ ﺮ ﺑ ﻴ ﺔ
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| Background: |
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.
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| Area: |
82,880 sq km |
| Population: |
4,798,491 (July 2009 est.) |
| Ethnic Groups: |
Emirati 19%, other Arab and Iranian 23%, South Asian 50% |
| Borders: |
Oman 410 km, Saudi Arabia 457 km |
| Natural Resources: |
petroleum, natural gas |
| Capital: |
Abu Dhabi |
| Government Type: |
federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE federal government |
| Independence: |
2 December 1971 (from UK) |
| Languages: |
Arabic, English |
| Currency: |
UAE Dirham |
| GMT: |
GMT (+4) |
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