EGL%; meadows and pastures 2%; forest
and woodland NEGL%; other 98%; includes irrigated NEGL%
Environment:
frequent dust and sand storms; lack of natural freshwater resources being
overcome by desalination plants; desertification
Note:
strategic location along southern approaches to Strait of Hormuz, a vital
transit point for world crude oil

:United Arab Emirates People

Population:
2,522,315 (July 1992), growth rate 5.4% (1992)
Birth rate:
29 births/1,000 population (1992)
Death rate:
3 deaths/1,000 population (1992)
Net migration rate:
27 migrants/1,000 population (1992)
Infant mortality rate:
23 deaths/1,000 live births (1992)
Life expectancy at birth:
70 years male, 74 years female (1992)
Total fertility rate:
4.7 children born/woman (1992)
Nationality:
noun - Emirian(s), adjective - Emirian
Ethnic divisions:
Emirian 19%, other Arab 23%, South Asian (fluctuating) 50%, other
expatriates (includes Westerners and East Asians) 8%; less than 20% of the
population are UAE citizens (1982)
Religions:
Muslim 96% (Shi`a 16%); Christian, Hindu, and other 4%
Languages:
Arabic (official); Persian and English widely spoken in major cities; Hindi,
Urdu
Literacy:
68% (male 70%, female 63%) age 10 and over but definition of literacy not
available (1980)
Labor force:
580,000 (1986 est.); industry and commerce 85%, agriculture 5%, services 5%,
government 5%; 80% of labor force is foreign
Organized labor:
trade unions are illegal

:United Arab Emirates Government

Long-form name:
United Arab Emirates (no short-form name); abbreviated UAE
Type:
federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE central government and
other powers reserved to member emirates
Capital:
Abu Dhabi
Administrative divisions:
7 emirates (imarat, singular - imarah); Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi), `Ajman, Al
Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah, Dubayy, Ra's al Khaymah, Umm al Qaywayn
Independence:
2 December 1971 (from UK; formerly Trucial States)
Constitution:
2 December 1971 (provisional)
Legal system:
secular codes are being introduced by the UAE Government and in several
member shaykhdoms; Islamic law remains influential
National holiday:
National Day, 2 December (1971)
Executive branch:
president, vice president, Supreme Council of Rulers, prime minister, deputy
prime minister, Council of Ministers