United Arab Emirates Travel Guide

Country Facts

Location

Middle East.

Language

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

Area

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

Time Zone

GMT + 4.

Electricity

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

Population

4.6 million (2009).

Population Density

59 per sq km.

Capital City

Abu Dhabi. Population: 1.7 million (2010).

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.

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.

Religion

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

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.

Communications

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. Tourists can purchase pre-paid mobile SIM cards.

Internet

There are numerous Internet cafés in the UAE and wireless networks abound, but VoIP telephone systems, such as Skype, are officially blocked. The Skype website is blocked, but if you already have the software on your laptop you will be able to make calls. Websites deemed culturally or religiously insensitive are blocked.

Media

The UAE, and in particular Dubai, is trying to establish itself as a regional media hub, with newswires like Reuters and major news stations like CNN International taking up residency, along with numerous English television and radio stations. There is a broad range of English-language newspapers including The National, Gulf News, Emirates Today, Khaleej Times and 7days, along with local versions of international broadsheets and numerous specialist English-language magazines including Time Out Dubai, Time Out Abu Dhabi, What’s On, OK Middle East, Grazia, Harpers Bazaar and Esquire. However, media content is controlled and the government will block or restrict what would elsewhere be considered acceptable subjects or styles of reporting. Foreign publications may also be censored before distribution with the notorious black marker.

Post

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

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2011
1 Jan New Year’s Day
15 Feb Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet)
28 Jun Leilat al-Meiraj (Ascension of the Prophet)
30 Aug - 31 Aug Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
6 Nov - 7 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
26 Nov Al-Hijra (Islamic New Year)
2 Dec National Day

2012
1 Jan New Year’s Day
4 Feb Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet)
17 Jun Leilat al-Meiraj (Ascension of the Prophet)
19 Aug Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
25 Oct Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
15 Nov Al-Hijra (Islamic New Year)
2 Dec National Day
Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given here 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

Suites 201-206, 1 Northumberland Avenue, London WC2N 5BW, UK
Tel: (020) 7321 6110.
Website: www.definitelydubai.com

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