United Arab Emirates Country & Tourist Information

Location
Middle East.

Area
77,700 sq km (30,000 sq miles).

Population
4.4 million (UN, 2007).

Population Density
57 per sq km.

Capital
Abu Dhabi.
Population: 1.5 million (2008 figure for entire emirate).

Government
Federation of seven autonomous Emirates. The highest federal authority is the Supreme Council of Rulers comprising the absolute rulers of the seven emirates. Decisions reached by the council must have the agreement of at least five members, including Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the two largest members. The council appoints a president to act as head of state. There are no political parties.

Language
Arabic is the official language. English is widely spoken and used as a second language in commerce.

Religion
Mostly Muslim, of which 16% are Shiite and the remainder Sunni.

Time
GMT + 4.

Electricity
220/240 volts AC, 50Hz. Square three-pin plugs are widespread.

Head of Government
Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum since 2006.

Head of State
President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan since 2004.

Recent History
Following the sudden death of Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid al-Maktoum, who had been prime minister and Emir of Dubai since 1990, Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, his brother, succeeded him in January 2006. Sheikh Mohammed had been the UAE Defence Minister since 1971 and heir apparent to the throne of Dubai since 1995. People of the United Arab Emirates voted for the first time in December 2006 to choose half of the country’s Federal National Council. However, only around 7,000 people (less than 1% of Emirati citizens) were eligible to vote.

Telephone
Country code: 971. Main area codes: Abu Dhabi 2; Ajman, Sharjah and Umm al-Quwain 6; Al-Ain 3; Dubai 4; Fujairah 9; Jebel Ali 4; and Ras al-Khaimah 7. There is a good local telephone network. Telephone calls within each state are free.

Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone operators. Coverage is excellent.

Internet
There are numerous Internet cafes in the UAE but VoIP telephone systems, such as Skype, are officially blocked by the monopoly telecoms provider.

Media
The UAE, and in particular Dubai, is trying to establish itself as a regional media hub. A number of pan-Arab broadcasters operate from the UAE and major media organizations such as Reuters and Sony have moved in, drawn by tax incentives and freedom of speech. Although the constitution provides for freedom of speech, media content is controlled to some extent. There are some restrictions as to what are considered acceptable subjects of reporting. Foreign publications may be censored before distribution.

Post
Airmail letters and parcels take about five days to reach Europe.

Press
• English-language daily newspapers include Emirates Business 24/7, Gulf News and Khaleej Times.
• Foreign newspapers are available in hotel bookshops and supermarkets.
• Numerous specialist English-language magazines are published in the UAE, including Time Out.

Radio
• Stations include Radio Asia, Abu Dhabi Radio, Ras al-Khaimah Radio, Al-Arabiya FM, City 1016 with shows in English and Urdu, English-language Dubai 92 and Arabic-language Noor Dubai 93.9.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period:

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day. 
7 Jan Ashoura.
9 Mar Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet).
20 Jul Leilat al-Meiraj (Ascension of the Prophet). 
21 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
28 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
2 Dec National Day.
18 Dec Al-Hijra (Islamic New Year).
27 Dec Ashoura.

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day. 
26 Feb Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet).
9 Jul Leilat al-Meiraj (Ascension of the Prophet). 
11 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
17 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
2 Dec National Day.
7 Dec Al-Hijra (Islamic New Year).
16 Dec Ashoura.

Note
Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region.

Contact Information:

Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the UK
30 Princes Gate, London SW7 1PT, UK
Tel: (020) 7581 1281.
Website: www.uaeembassyuk.net
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1500.

Consulate of the United Arab Emirates in the UK
48 Princes Gate, London SW7 2QA, UK
Tel: (020) 7581 1281 or 7808 8307 (visa information).
Website: www.uaeembassyuk.net
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1300 (visa applications); 1330-1430 (visa collection).

Government of Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing in the UK
1st Floor, 125 Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5EA, UK
Tel: (020) 7839 0580.
Website: www.dubaitourism.ae

Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority
1 Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7LY, UK
Tel: (020) 7201 6400.
Website: www.visitabudhabi.ae

Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the USA
3522 International Court, Suite 400, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 363 2009 or 1 800 823 6911.
Website:www.uae-embassy.org

National Media Council (UAE Interact)
PO Box 3790, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Tel: (02) 404 4333.
Website: www.uaeinteract.com


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