country for
and consumer of South American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin

This page was last updated on 1 January 2002

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United Arab Emirates

Introduction

United Arab Emirates

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 not far below 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.

Geography United Arab Emirates

Location: Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf,
between Oman and Saudi Arabia

Geographic coordinates: 24 00 N, 54 00 E

Map references: Middle East

Area: total: 82,880 sq km land: 82,880 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maine

Land boundaries: total: 867 km border countries: Oman 410 km, Saudi
Arabia 457 km

Coastline: 1,318 km

Maritime claims: contiguous zone: 24 NM territorial sea: 12 NM
continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM

Climate: desert; cooler in eastern mountains

Terrain: flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of
vast desert wasteland; mountains in east

Elevation extremes: lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m highest point:
Jabal Yibir 1,527 m

Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 1% other: 99% (1998 est.)

Irrigated land: 720 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards: frequent sand and dust storms

Environment - current issues: lack of natural freshwater resources
compensated by desalination plants; desertification; beach pollution
from oil spills

Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate
Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine
Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Geography - note: strategic location along southern approaches to Strait
of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil

People United Arab Emirates

Population: 2,445,989