Arab emirates europe or asia. United Arab Emirates (UAE): climate, culture, population and history

Behind the distant seas, behind the high mountains, where there is almost no rain, and the sun creates unbearable heat all year round, there is a small country ruled by wise men from ancient times. And what has been said is not a fairy tale, but the real truth, the truth of which you will see for yourself. We are talking about the state of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), located in the Middle East and is a federation.

Its rulers in matters of domestic policy actually follow the suras of Islam. Sheikhs of the UAE are one of the richest people in the world, they are educated, cultured, prone to oriental luxury and supernova technology and gadgets. The rulers do not put on the mask of the servants of the people, while remaining rich, but their subjects live comfortably, and feel needed by their country, and glorify their emirs.

Geography

First, let's briefly present some statistics for this state. The territory of the UAE is 83.6 thousand km 2, it is approximately equal to the Leningrad region. The state of the United Arab Emirates neighbors Oman and Saudi Arabia. Geography, its geology is characterized by its location on the coast of the Arabian Peninsula.

The country, located on the slope of the tectonic plate, is rich in minerals. The main oil reserves, estimated at 12.3 million tons and gas 5.6 trillion m 3 , lie in the depths of the emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

The gently sloping sedimentary mountain ranges of Khodjar, rising in the east, are rich in mineral springs. Aluminum is mined here.

The geographical space of the country is heterogeneous in terms of relief. The main tourist centers are on the sandy and rocky ground off the coast. The sea near the coast is exceptionally transparent, and the sand is golden. However, going deep into the peninsula, the traveler will find only total saline soils, replaced by sand dunes and stone plateaus, occupying more than 60% of the country's area.

The northern and eastern regions of the country are fertile, but not because of nature, but because they are planted with greenery in accordance with the program outlined by the Council of Emirs.

Thus, the climate of the UAE is mostly desert, only a narrow seaside strip is distinguished by favorable tropical weather.

Ancient and colonial history

There is no harm without good, it was during this period that Islam became the titular religion here, which appealed to the locals. The teaching of the Prophet hardened them spiritually.

Since the 15th century, Portugal has been pursuing its rather unsuccessful colonial policy in what is now the UAE, robbing the people and forcing them to engage in piracy. In the 19th century, it was pushed out of here by the Queen of the Seas - Britain, which has its own civilizational plan and created the rudiments of industrial infrastructure in the UAE.

History of Independence of the Emirates

However, all this time, not foreign colonialists, but local sheikhs remained the leaders of their people. It would seem that for three hundred years the emirates were forced, for three centuries they remained the servants of the colonialists on their land. However, having heard the call of the Bani-Yaz clan of the Maktoum dynasty, they followed the family of the sheikh in 1833, captured Dubai, bringing it independence from foreigners. How can one not recall here the Arabic proverb that a lion at the head of a herd of sheep will defeat a herd of lions led by a ram. By the way, the direct ancestor of the current head of state commanded that army.

The British then frivolously did not attach any importance to this. In the 20s of the 20th century they discovered oil deposits on the peninsula and from the 50s began its mass production. However, by that time the Arab countries had become a world power, and the precedent of the Maktoum dynasty still took effect. In 1964, the League of Arab States opposed the English protectorate, demanding recognition of the independence of the Arab countries, and the British were forced to retreat.

In 1971, six states united to form the United Arab Emirates, the seventh emirate of Ras al-Khaimah joined them the following year. The Emir of the new country was its founder, Sheikh of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, an outstanding personality.

He was a man of clear mind and amazing foresight. He took on the burden of leadership and managed to unite and convince his then impoverished and demoralized people in the prospect of a decent life: “If at least one flowering branch remains in your soul, a songbird will certainly sit on it.” The sheikh appealed to the pride of his people, to their faith, which was confirmed in the flag of the new state.

And he was right, fulfilling his promises in abundance. The children and grandchildren of these people, who are fighting for existence and ending their lives at just 40 years old, today live in the richest country, using all the modern set of benefits. And this is without wars, without revolutions, without the extermination of the "fifth columns".

“The wise will understand as soon as you wink at him, but it’s not enough for a fool when he is pushed,” says an Arabic proverb about the properties of the mind. One of his 19 sons, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, today rules the country as skillfully as his ancestors, and his subjects bless him.

Each of the emirates (Shurja, Fujairah, Umm al-Qaiwain, Ras al-Khaimah, Dubai, Ajman, Abu Dhabi) is solely controlled by its own emir.

The President of the UAE is the emir of the largest of the emirates of Abu Dhabi, the capital of which and, at the same time, of the entire federation, the city of Abu Dhabi. The office of president is passed down from father to son. In the short history of the country, there were actually two presidents. When the first president-sheikh died, and the second only entered the ritual of taking power, the prime minister performed the duties for two days.

The President of the UAE is the head of the Supreme Council of the country, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, the head of the Supreme Council for Petroleum. Seven rulers-emirs make up the supreme body of state power - the Supreme Council of the UAE.

These are amazing rulers who have a lot to learn from the western ones. How do these seven people manage to rule the country without revolutions? Why are their supercars parked in the parking lot with the key in the ignition, and none of the fellow citizens even think about the bad?

And how could it be otherwise in a believing country, whose citizens are given jobs by their rulers, provide a decent life, provide an impressive social package, provide free (but organized far from our model) medicine and education, and even abundantly produce fresh water for them.

How can sheikhs under such circumstances not be leaders of their people? After all, as the Arabs say, with the help of kindness and affection, even an elephant can be led by a thread.

language, flag

The official language in the UAE is Arabic. It shows films, prints newspapers, books, and publishes legal acts. This language is quite flexible. Having a primordially Arabic core, it is modified in accordance with the progress of society.

At the same time, local businesses widely use English for business correspondence and communication with contractors. In the country, British is the lingua franca. Also, among labor emigrants, their native languages ​​are used.

The flag of the UAE, as a state symbol, was adopted on December 2, 2017, the day the emirates were united into one state. Its four-color panel has a rectangular shape with an aspect ratio of 2 to 1.

A single vertical (others are horizontal) red stripe runs along the pole. To the right of it are green, white, black stripes. Each color carries a symbolic meaning. The red stripe, as it were, consolidates the flag of the UAE, it means the pride, strength and freedom of civil society. Green top - Islam, the state religion. White - morality and purity of the inhabitants of the country and, finally, black - its natural resources, in particular - oil.

Capital

The capital of the UAE - the millionth city of Abu Dhabi - is the economic (56% of GDP), political, religious and cultural center of the state. It is built on an island connected to the mainland by three highways. The business district of the metropolis is located in its northern part, adjacent to the ultra-modern Corniche. The city is landscaped, it has more than two dozen parks, the greenery of which is fed with desalinated sea water. Abu Dhabi is built up mainly with modern low-rise buildings and villas.

The largest petrochemical, pipe-rolling, shipbuilding, cement production is located in the suburbs of the capital.

Economy

Words in the countries of Islam (unlike domestic politicians) are not just thrown into the wind. Once upon a time, the Supreme Council of the country, where there are no rivers, and instead of fertile lands - salt marshes, sands and rocks, announced that it would gradually turn it into an oasis. And the sheikhs, never tired of surprising the world with ambitious infrastructure facilities, are gradually fulfilling their promises. The advice of the wise emirs is really effective, adequate to the present. Speaking figuratively, the dynamic Eastern monarchs understood the time, because it can only be comprehended by being in motion.

In the UAE, there are no fewer representations of international corporations than in New York, London or Tokyo. According to the rating of countries, the economy of the UAE, a tiny country, ranks 31st in the world in terms of GDP produced, which in 2016 amounted to $ 375 billion, the value of goods and services produced in a year in this state.

The amount per capita per year is 67.7 thousand dollars, this is the ninth figure in the world. According to IMF experts, the country will maintain its growth dynamics until 2020.

The national currency of the UAE is called the Arab Dirham (AED). 100 fils equals one dirham. Until 1978, the dirham was pegged to the US dollar and is 0.27 of it. It is noteworthy that this rate has been maintained since the date of the introduction of the Emirati currency, that is, since 1973. And is it surprising? After all, Arabic wisdom from time immemorial says that good money should be like birds: fly away and fly in, which means that the country's exchange rate should be stable.

Industry

In the UAE, the industry has a pronounced oil and gas focus. However, state programs for its diversification still have their effect: 67% of the country's GDP is other goods and services, and not black gold or its products.

The UAE has developed aluminum production, light industry, the manufacture of metal structures and building materials, the energy industry, water desalination, dairy, meat, and fish industries.

The traditional (pre-oil) crafts of this country are the cultivation of date palms, pearl fishing, breeding of horses and camels, and fishing.

Since 2004, the Emirates has been a country of free trade with the United States, the domestic market is full of good, branded goods. The law of sheikhs forbids merchants from buying fakes. How can one not recall the words of the oldest Persian poet and scholar Abu Rudaki: "A wise man is drawn to good and peace, a fool is drawn to war and strife."

Tourism

The high tourist season here lasts from May to September. The air at this time warms up to 50 0 C in the shade. However, through the efforts of cunning sheikhs, an amazing infrastructure for tourism has been created here. The sages consistently fulfill their own task - to transform the climate, to make an oasis out of the desert.

Note that it is preferable for people who are sensitive to heat to visit the Land of the Sheikhs from October to April. At this time, the average monthly temperature is 21 0 C. The UAE is dynamically developing tourism as a branch of its economy. Arriving guests seem to plunge into a fairy tale on the land of the emirs. The largest cities and at the same time beach centers are Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman and Sharjah. The best public beaches in the UAE, according to tourists, are Jumeirah Beach Park, Mamzer Beach, Burj Beach, Ghantoot Beach.

Guests of the country are amazed at how organically the traditions of Islam flow into the form of high-tech here, and how high-tech is filled with its content. This small country has the largest mosques in the world and the largest skyscrapers.

The majestic, domed marble Sheikh Zayed Mosque, built in honor of the first president of the UAE, amazes with its marble purity and whiteness. In ancient times, it would certainly be called a wonder of the world. Also surprising with its architecture is the largest temple in the Middle East - the mosque of King Faisal.

Younger tourists are attracted by other wonders of the world: skyscrapers exclusively built by the world's best architects, as well as the most picturesque islands artificially created according to intricate designs. East and through the millennium faithful to the tradition: to build new wonders of the world. Here you can see the largest artificial stalagmite in the world - the Burj Khalifa skyscraper, which has risen 800 meters high. Also unique is the Arabic analogy of the Leaning Tower of Pisa - the “falling” Capital Gate skyscraper. Famous in the world as the most expensive and most luxurious hotel "Sail" (Burj Al Arab Jumeirah), built by the brilliant British Thomas Wright.

The legendary gardens of Babylon would obviously pale in front of the greenery planted on the artificial Isles of Palms and lavishly watered with desalinated water.

Even the most charismatic fashionistas in the world do not consider it shameful to look at the most unique gold market located in Dubai. By the way, here, even in the hotel machine, you can exchange currency for gold.

Here are truly collected wonders of the world. Those who wish can go skiing in an indoor complex designed for the rest of 1,500 people, and the megamall in Sharjah is rightfully considered one of the largest in the world. Don't believe? Here, even an aquarium with five-meter sharks, stingrays and other marine life is not striking.

Labor migrants

It would seem: the richest people are these sheikhs. How do they manage to live in such a way that their subjects love them? Most likely, this is the royal oriental nobility and wisdom is really in their blood: do not neglect small people, because they help to rise.

The demographic policy of the UAE is of interest. The population of the country with an area of ​​83.6 thousand km 2 is 8.5 million people. If in 1975 a little more than half a million people lived here, then a 16-fold dynamics of social development is evident. The moral foundations of the country of emirs prevent Arab citizens from doing menial work.

Almost 89% of the population are foreigners who have come for employment, they are happy to take on the poorly paid work here. They have a status that does not allow them to become citizens of this country, but they can pursue a career in the non-state sector. The UAE is considered one of the most liberal Arab powers. The population of the country, in proof of this thesis, is actively increasing.

Thus, less than every ninth person you meet in the Land of Sheikhs is its citizen. People from South Asia (Pakistan, India, Bangladesh) make up more than half of the inhabitants of the UAE. The population of the state is also represented by:

• other immigrants from Asia (Arab countries, Thailand, China, Philippines);
• Europeans, Americans, Australians;
• Africans.

Not all Arabs in this country are its citizens. After all, many of them are labor emigrants in the UAE. The Arab population of the Country of Emirs, in addition to the indigenous people, is represented by people from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, and Bedouins.

Note: labor emigrants are grateful to the sheikhs for human conditions at work and for a decent amount of wages.

Indigenous people

There are about 950 thousand indigenous people, i.e. citizens, in the country, they work in the public sector, and many of them have their own business. Thus, the sheikhs implemented the fundamental formula: the citizens of the country dispose of its wealth as civil servants. And they get a very decent salary.

An Arab citizen of the Land of Sheikhs is guaranteed to receive at least 4,000 dollars in his first job. He, if he graduates from high school, is already paid 10 thousand greens a month. This amount is not yet the limit. What our civil servants call categories and ranks, which, interspersed with diplomas, are awarded for diligent work, in the UAE translates into a significant increase in the salaries of civil servants.

The most successful powers in the performance of power functions receive (for comparison) salaries of the same order as the heads of major structural divisions of Gazprom.

The economic and political power of the sheikhs is based on the well-being of the subjects, generated by the fair distribution of the GDP of this country. The richest reserves of oil are in its bowels, and the wise rulers are able to reasonably share with their fellow citizens the proceeds from its sale, stimulate their progress.

society

For us, this would be a paradox: the activities of political parties and trade unions are prohibited in the state. However, in this aspect, there is also wisdom that says, "Do not open a door that you cannot close." After all, often parties (and in the West - trade unions) initiate destructive consequences in society. Slogans like "What to do?" and "Who's to blame?" sometimes a killer is released from a bottle of bloody gin. Sheikhs initially ruled out such a possibility. However, they did this, initially ensuring the steady progress of the state. This scheme is ideal if the monarch manages to create a socially responsible society. And it works in the UAE.

In the Emirates, social policy is paid directly by the sheikhs, and not with the help of "gray funds", from which dishonest intermediaries draw money. This shows the strategic wisdom of their rulers. Petrodollars are directly poured into health care, into education, which are free for the indigenous citizens of this country.

The local army is also financed from a separate fund, without prejudice to the welfare of the people.

Religion

The religion of Islam determines the legal system and way of public life in the UAE. For the inhabitants of the Country of Emirs, the suras of the Koran leave a significant imprint on the state structure, social and cultural life. The five commandments of Islam are sacredly observed by Muslims.

Wherever there is an Arab - five times a day at the set time, the loudspeakers on the minarets call him to prayer. Business Muslims even install prayer applications on smartphones. Prayer rooms are equipped here and in supermarkets.

The laws of this Islamic state are based on the principles set forth in the Koran, and the Sharia court in the Land of Sheikhs also follows non-western classics - Roman law.

Citizens of this country celebrate the holidays of the UAE of two types: secular and related to religious tradition. The first few are:

• January 1 - New Year.
• August 6 - Throne Day of Zayed Al Nahyan.
• December 12 is the day of the formation of the state.

Some religious holidays are associated with certain events in the life of the Prophet Mohammed:

• migration from Mecca;
• birth;
• ascension.

Others are defined by other Muslim traditions:

• associated with the holy month of Ramadan, with its fasting and pacification of passions;
• spring (navruz);
• sacrifices (Eid-al-Adha);
• sorrow (Ashura).

The most significant holidays for Muslims in the UAE are the day of breaking the fast after Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr), the day of sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) and, of course, the holy month of Ramadan itself.

Conclusion

Worthy of respect is the wisdom of the rulers of the UAE, which led their people to prosperity. The emirs do not seek to strengthen the country in order to conquer foreign lands and expand power. They do not dream of a "nuclear club". The rulers simply seek the well-being of their people, rationally using natural resources. They are connected with the Western world mainly by economics.

The GDP of the UAE is really wisely distributed. The indigenous population is stimulated by him in all spheres of their life, and labor migrants are grateful to the sheikhs for the grateful work and its conditions. There are no state-level thieves in the Land of Sheikhs. The seven wise emirs will not allow a cunning oligarch to appear thanks to their money.

This is an extremely interesting experience of Muslim rule, giving the population promising jobs and free social benefits.

Geography of the UAE

The United Arab Emirates are located in the southwest of Asia between the states of Oman and Saudi Arabia, washed by the waters of the Persian Gulf. The outskirts of Dubai are occupied by deserts, mountains are located in the north of the country. The highest point in the country is Mount Jabal Yibir with a height of 1,527 km. The coastline of the country is 650 km. Most of the coast is covered with salt marshes.

The southern and western part of the largest emirate, Abu Dhabi, is occupied by sand dunes; in the desert where the emirate is located, there are two main oases with fresh water.

State structure of the UAE

The policy of the UAE is carried out within the framework of the republican system and absolute monarchy. The state consists of 7 emirates, which are monarchies: Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah, Sharjah, Dubai, Ras al-Khaimah and Umm al-Quwain. The head of state is the Emir of Abu Dhabi, and the head of government is the Emir of Dubai.

Weather in the UAE

The country has a subtropical climate with hot summers and cool winters. It is best to come to the Emirates in October, November and February, March, when the air temperature does not exceed + 25C°. In the first winter months, the weather can be unpredictable - it often rains and there is high cloud cover.

UAE language

The official language of the country is Arabic. English is widely spoken among the local population.

Religion UAE

Islam is the state religion of the Emirate, but the government of the country gives residents freedom of religion. 76% of UAE residents are Muslims, 9% are Christians and 15% are followers of other faiths (mainly Hinduism).

UAE currency

The country's monetary unit is the UAE dirham (Dh). 1 dirham = 100 fils. Banknotes of 5, 10, 20.50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 dirhams are common. Coins - 1 dirham, 50, 25, 10 and 5 fils.

Often, currency exchange offices offer better rates than banks. Not all banks exchange traveller's checks. On the main streets of the cities there are ATMs that accept international bank cards.

Customs restrictions

Allowed duty-free import into the country:

• alcoholic beverages (strong alcohol - 2 l / 2 l. Wine)
• tobacco products (cigarettes - 1,000 pcs. / cigars - 200 pcs. / tobacco - 1 kg.)

It is forbidden to import into the country, weapons, narcotic substances.

Without declaring, you can import any amount of money.

Tips

It is customary to tip up to 10% of the bill if the tip is not already included in the bill.

Purchases

The traditional UAE souvenirs include camel figurines, coffee pots, and dates. Fans of ancient weapons will find khanjar daggers, safe arabi sabers, and guns here. Interior decorations are popular among tourists: caskets made of wood with turquoise, figurines of steatite, marble goblets, rosaries, bottles with multi-colored sand.

On the streets of cities you can find copies of watches of famous brands. Hookahs, essential oils, aromatic balls are brought as gifts.

A lot of jewelry made of gold and other precious metals can be found at the Gold Souk in Dubai. People come to the Emirates for inexpensive cars, household appliances and electronics, the prices of these goods are lower here due to low duties on imported goods.

Office Hours

Banks of the country work from 8 am to 1 pm (Sat. - Wed.). On Thursdays, banks are open from 6:00 to 12:00, Friday is a day off.

Most shops are open from 9 am to 1 pm, then from 4:30 pm to 10 pm seven days a week. Restaurants are open until 1 am, nightclubs - until 3 am.

Photo and video shooting

It is forbidden to take photos and videos of strategically important objects - bridges, airports, as well as government agencies, sheikhs' palaces and police stations. Residents of the UAE do not like to be photographed without permission, it is offensive to photograph local women.

National features of the UAE.

Traditions

As in many Muslim countries, open clothes are not recommended to appear on the streets of the UAE. It is forbidden to drink alcohol in public places, although tourists are not treated so strictly, but you need to remember that in Sharjah alcohol is prohibited even for visitors.

In the emirates, only certain shops under a special license can sell alcoholic beverages.

For showing excessive attention to the residents of the Emirate, as well as for foul language in public places, violators face a fine or imprisonment.

Mains voltage:

Code of the country:

First level geographic domain name:

Emergency Phones:

Ambulance - 999, 998
Police - 999
Fire - 997

- a federation consisting of several emirates. Each of them is actually a separate country - an absolute monarchy. All emirates differ from each other in size (some can be classified as dwarf states), natural and climatic conditions, the level of tourist popularity and many other factors. Our article will tell you which emirates are part of the UAE, what are their names and features of each of them that are important for.

How many emirates are in the UAE?

When going on vacation to the mysterious eastern country of the UAE, it would be useful to know that there are exactly 7 items on the list of the Arab Emirates, their names are as follows:

On the map below you can see how they are located and what is the approximate distance between the emirates of the UAE. It is noteworthy that the administrative center of each of the emirates has the same name as the emirate itself. The Emirates are not regions, not states, not provinces, but full-fledged small countries. Each of them has its own emir. The emirates united into one state relatively recently, in 1972. The head of the United Arab Emirates is the Emir of Abu Dhabi.

In which emirate is better to relax in the UAE, everyone decides for himself. For some, the most important is the quality of a beach holiday, someone likes active entertainment, and others come to the UAE for shopping. Only one thing is for sure: the seven emirates contain all the best that one can wish for:

• – both ultra-modern and ancient, with a touch of oriental exoticism;
• first-class beaches;
• ample opportunities for, and even, surprisingly, ski holidays;
• the world's largest shopping centers and malls.

So, let's figure out what the name of each of the seven emirates that make up the UAE means for tourists.

Abu Dhabi is the main emirate

It is the largest and richest emirate in the country. It occupies 66% of the territory of the UAE, with an area of ​​67,340 sq. km and a population of more than 2 million people. The basis of the local economy is oil production. Description of the main emirate of the UAE:

Dubai is the most popular emirate

Mostly lovers of shopping and active entertainment rest here, since there are plenty of them here. Uninformed tourists sometimes mistakenly call Dubai the capital of the emirates, and it is not surprising: despite its modest size, this emirate of the UAE is the busiest, this can be seen even from the photo. Here's what makes it different from others:

Sharjah is the strictest emirate in the UAE

The third largest emirate of the country, it is the only one that is washed by both the waters of both the Oman and the Persian Gulf. This is a very popular tourist place where people come for impressions of the exotic of the East. The main features of the emirate are:

Fujairah is the most picturesque emirate

Its pride is the golden sandy beaches of the Indian Ocean, where wealthy tourists from the West love to relax. Fujairah differs from other emirates in many ways:

Ajman is the smallest emirate

It occupies about 0.3% of the country's territory. Of all the emirates, only Ajman has no oil deposits. The nature of the emirate is very picturesque: tourists are surrounded by snow-white beaches and tall palm trees. In Ajman, they are engaged in the production of pearls and sea vessels. Basic information about this small and cozy emirate:

Ras Al Khaimah is the northernmost emirate

And also the most fertile: lush vegetation strikingly distinguishes it from the desert landscapes of other emirates. The mountains here come close to the shore, which looks very picturesque. So, what is this emirate famous for:

Umm Al Quwain is the poorest emirate in the UAE

This part of the country is underdeveloped and sparsely populated. Here they are mainly engaged in agriculture - they grow dates. This is a quiet and perhaps the least popular emirate:

Recently, more and more Russian tourists prefer the fabulous United Arab Emirates (UAE), located in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula, to the familiar Turkey and Egypt. "Tourist paradise" has grown in just a few decades on the site of a barren desert. An important impetus to the rapid development of the country was the active oil production in the region, which began in the late 1960s. The realization that this valuable natural resource is exhaustible formed such an economic model that would allow the Emirates to actively develop even after the depletion of black gold reserves. In addition to oil, the UAE had two more important economic advantages: firstly, a favorable geographical position at the crossroads of routes coming from Europe, Africa and South Asia, and secondly, a warm sea coast with magnificent gently sloping sandy beaches. The country's authorities decided to make the most of each of the advantages: to create free trade zones, the largest financial and business centers in the entire Middle East, and to form ultra-modern resorts of the highest class.

The official language in the UAE is Arabic, but due to the huge influx of employees from India, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Egypt, Iraq, Ethiopia and other countries, dozens of languages ​​and dialects can be heard in the markets and outside the resort areas . Almost all hotel and restaurant staff are fluent in English, and in some places, especially in Dubai, even Russian. Due to the high level of labor migration, about 85% of the country's population are not its citizens. In addition to Islam, the inhabitants of the UAE also profess Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity.

The largest cities are the capitals of all seven emirates into which the country is divided:

• Abu Dhabi,
• dubai,
• Sharjah,
• fujairah,
• Ajaman,
• Umm al Quwain,
• ras al khaimah,
• as well as the oasis city of Al Ain in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Climate and weather

Like the rest of the Arabian Peninsula, the UAE enjoys a tropical desert climate characterized by ultra-high summer temperatures reaching +50°C and virtually no precipitation. In winter, the air temperature is kept at a comfortable +20 ... +23 ° С. Going inland, it should be remembered that in the desert it is always a few degrees hotter during the day, and much colder at night than on the coast. Nighttime winter temperatures in the desert can drop to 0°C.

The average water temperature almost all year round is +24 ... +27 °С, dropping in January - February to +18 °С and rising to +35 °С in August. During the winter months, the water in the pools warms up to +26…+28 °С.

It rains occasionally in winter and early spring, and the average number of sunny days per year is about 350-355 days. The average rainfall does not exceed 100 mm per year. Fog occurs along the coast in spring.

Of, to put it mildly, unpleasant natural phenomena in the UAE, dust storms should be mentioned, which, however, go unnoticed in large resort cities. An important feature of the climate of the Emirates is the low content of oxygen in the air, which makes this climate unsuitable for recreation for people with heart and lung diseases. August and September are considered the most difficult to endure months, when there is a 40-degree heat, and air humidity exceeds all conceivable limits. Therefore, the tourist season in the UAE is the period from late September - early October to May.

Nature

Most of the country is occupied by the desert Rub al Khali, which turns into clay plains, and those, in turn, crash into the Persian Gulf. The east of the UAE is occupied by rocky mountains Al-Hajar located on the coast Gulf of Oman with a rich underwater fauna, the most beautiful representatives of which live in coastal coral reefs. The abundance of commercial species of fish, crustaceans and mollusks in the waters of the Persian and Oman Gulfs explains why for many centuries the main occupation of local residents was fishing and pearling.

Of the animals in the UAE, there are still wild goats, camels, mountain goats (ibexes), Arabian leopards and some other desert dwellers.

During the migration period, many birds stop to rest in the northern regions of the country.

In the largest resort cities, greening work is constantly carried out both in the cities themselves and in the immediate vicinity, but this initiative has not yet been crowned with significant success, as severe weather conditions kill the planted plants (and they are constantly replaced, spending huge amounts of money on this). Desalination of water for irrigation, in turn, leads to such an environmental problem as soil salinization.

Attractions

Any person who has not yet visited the UAE or who has visited the country only once, at the mention of this state, unimaginable ultra-modern high-rise buildings in high-tech style, created over the past few decades in Abu Dhabi and the largest city of the Emirates Dubai.

Among them is a skyscraper Burj Khalifa("Khalifa tower"), hotel Burj Al Arab(Burj Al Arab) in the form of a sail and many others. Magnificent in the bright sun, modern skyscrapers become simply fantastic in the light of night spotlights and highlights.

But a few ancient buildings and winding streets in the cities of the UAE will help you plunge into the amazing and subtle world of the Ancient East. The most famous historical sights of the country are:

• Al Hosn Palace, or White Fort, in Abu Dhabi,
• Al-Kheil Fort near Fujairah,
• fujairah fort,
• Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi,
• Jumeirah in Dubai
• Al-Bidiya between Fujairah and Dibba, etc.

Food

Speaking about the national cuisine of the UAE, it should be noted that all Arab countries are characterized by pan-Arab cuisine with some regional features. Thus, the cuisine of Iran, Lebanon, Egypt and other African and Asian countries influenced the culinary traditions of the UAE. The unconditional rule of Arabic dishes is the complete absence of pork and the presence of a huge amount of spices.

It is best to start your acquaintance with the local cuisine in the UAE from small shops and street cafes, where literally all dishes will be wrapped in pita bread or served with a round pita bun. Try it once manakish(melted local cheese with olives and aromatic herbs), falafel(delicious chickpea balls fried in olive oil) and, of course, shawarma- and you will always salivate at the mere memory of such a yummy.

In UAE restaurants, appetizers are mandatory before serving the main course. meze served on a large platter divided into cells. Among meze most often there are vegetable salads, walnut-garlic pastes, eggplant caviar, wheat and corn porridge, as well as pies with meat and cheese.

Among the main dishes, seafood dishes delivered to the table almost from a fishing boat, and meat dishes from chicken, veal and lamb are very popular among tourists. Worth ordering at least once for lunch bricks- triangular envelopes made of the thinnest dough stuffed with fish, shrimp or minced meat. Of the gastronomic "celebrities" of the UAE, there are Al Madrubu(boiled salted fish with sauce), fish and meat kebabs, biryani(basmati rice with meat or fish with vegetables, spices and sauce), etc.

Oriental sweets are a separate subject of conversation. In the UAE, the variety of desserts is so great that you can't count them all. Turkish delight, date honey, halva, Umm Ali pudding and much more are best bought at the bazaar or in specialized shops.

Among the drinks, tea and coffee of various varieties are most often consumed. Freshly squeezed juices are sold everywhere. It is better to refuse alcoholic beverages during a holiday in the UAE, since for possession of alcohol or being in public places while intoxicated, you can be prosecuted and deported from the country.

Restaurants in the UAE are all establishments, ranging from tiny street cafes to huge chic restaurants at 5-star hotels.

Tips are always included in the bill.

Accommodation

The quality of 1-2 star hotels in the UAE is very relative, that is, you can easily face the lack of a working air conditioner or water in the shower, roofs and windows leak during spring rain showers, water in the hotel yard. Often in the rooms of such hotels inexpensive noisy window air conditioners are installed.

3-4-star hotels offer a completely different level of service, but the price almost doubles: if a room in the first ones costs $50-60 for two, then in hotels with 3-4 stars the average cost of living in a double room is about $100 .

There are chic 5-star hotels in every resort in the UAE. The cost of living in double rooms of such hotels varies from $150 to $4,000. The best, but also the most expensive hotels are located in Dubai. The cost of a room depends, as a rule, on the class of the hotel, the distance of the hotel from the coast, the view from the window, the season (cheaper in summer), the availability of a private beach, heated pools in winter, etc.

Furnished rooms and villas are also available to tourists in the UAE. The average cost of private apartments with one bedroom is about $1,000 per week, villas with a small pool and a tropical garden - $8,000-9,000 per week.

Entertainment and recreation

The main type of recreation in the UAE is a beach holiday. On the shores of the Persian (in the UAE it is called the Arabian) and the Gulf of Oman, all the beaches are sandy.

Here you can rent sun loungers, sunbeds and umbrellas, you can go in for water sports (windsurfing, water skiing, scooters, etc.), have a bite to eat in numerous cafes and eateries. Hotels located on the seafront have their own beaches. Guests of 2-3 star hotels visit paid and free city beaches. Expensive hotels located in the city center, as a rule, have an agreement with coastal hotels on free access to private beaches for their guests, where regular buses run from the hotel.

Tourists who prefer outdoor activities are offered unique camel, quad bike or off-road safaris along the sand dunes in the desert, a walk along the coastal waters under the snow-white sail of the national dhow boat, diving, playing golf or tennis, visiting one of the largest water parks in the world Wild Wadi in Dubai, acquaintance with the fauna of the oceans in the Aquarium in the shopping and entertainment center "Dubai" and much, much more.

The undisputed leader in all kinds of entertainment, including nightlife, is the emirate of Dubai, but you can find good modern nightclubs in every major city in the country.

Purchases

Going to the UAE, many tourists are still looking forward to the best shopping in their lives, and most often such expectations are 100% justified, especially for cities such as Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. There are two types of shopping in the Emirates: the first, traditional for all countries of the East, is on shopping streets and bazaars, where it is customary to bargain even when the price seems more than attractive to you; the second - in shopping centers, which are entire streets and even cities under one roof, consisting of boutiques and shops of world famous brands and brands. In the markets, high-quality fakes for goods of famous brands are most often sold.

Shops and shops located on shopping streets are usually open from 9:00 to 13:00, then they close and resume work only after 16:00, working until 20:00-21:00. During the month of Ramadan, shops are open from 16:00 to midnight. The day off, unlike European countries, in the UAE is not on Sunday, but on Friday, which is due to the peculiarities of religion. It is Friday (Juma) in the Islamic calendar that is the day of worship of Allah. Many large supermarkets are open on Friday after 16:00.

In addition to fashionable clothes, shoes and accessories, it is customary in the UAE to purchase various primordially oriental items: products made of gold and copper, silk fabrics, oriental carpets, camel wool products, all kinds of coffee pots and hookahs, painted jewelry boxes, khanjara daggers and, of course, "delicious" souvenirs - oriental sweets and spices.

Transport

Direct flights to Abu Dhabi and Dubai are made from many of the largest cities in Europe, America, North Africa and Asia. Several direct flights depart daily from Moscow to the UAE. Charter flights are regularly carried out during the season. The flight duration is about 5 hours. The cost of an economy class flight in both directions will be from $425 to $750, depending on the airline and the date of the trip.

You can get to the UAE using the ferry that runs between the Iranian city Bandar Abbas and Sharjah(Port of Mina Khaled) or Dubai(port Rashid). The Port of Zayed in Abu Dhabi serves mainly cargo ships. The cost of a trip across the bay is about $55-60 one way.

You can travel between the emirates by bus. Urban public transport is not well developed - it is used, as a rule, only by visiting employees, so it is better to travel around the cities by taxi or rented car. Taxis in the UAE are the main mode of transportation for tourists, so many taxi drivers speak some English. Taxis come in private and private companies. The first ones are a little cheaper, the second ones are more often equipped with counters. The fare in a taxi without meters should be negotiated before the start of the trip, and be sure to bargain, as prices are specially inflated. A taxi caught on the street will cost less than one taken from the parking lot near the hotel. Local taxi drivers are not familiar with street names, so it is better to indicate the name of the place where you are going or a significant object located nearby.

Dubai has the only subway in the country, consisting of two lines.

You can rent a car in the UAE with or without a driver. To drive a car, you need an international driver's license (driver's licenses of the CIS countries are not valid in the UAE) and insurance. The age of the driver cannot be less than 21 years.

In the UAE, those who violate the rules of the road are punished to the fullest extent. The fine for running a red light is about $800, for not using seat belts - $150, for drunk driving - deportation from the country or imprisonment, for damaging government property - $10,000. The speed limit in cities is 60 km/h, on highways 100 km/h. Parking in cities is almost always paid, except for the time from 13:00 to 16:00. The quality of roads in cities and between the country's major tourist centers is excellent, but local residents, especially rich young people, behave extremely boorishly on the roads.

Almost all hotels with categories of 3 stars and above take their clients to the beach and back on their own buses for free.

Connection

Mobile communications in the UAE are provided by the following operators: Etisalat and du (Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company PJSC), operating in the GSM 900 format. To buy SIM cards from local operators, you must present your passport. Etisalat has developed the Ahlan tariff plan especially for a short stay in the country. The cost of a call abroad is about $0.7, the cost of SMS is $0.25.

You can call abroad from pay phones that provide excellent communication quality.

You can get access to the Internet by connecting to the mobile operator Etisalat, using the services of Internet cafes or free or paid Wi-Fi in many cafes, restaurants and hotels in cities.

Safety

The UAE is the safest Muslim country in the world. There is practically no crime here, not even pickpockets. You can walk at any time of the day, but in the evening and at night it is better to bypass the areas where the settlements of visiting hired workers are located.

For thrown garbage or crossing the road in the wrong place, you will be asked to pay $ 135, and for foul language you will be taken into custody.

It is better not to use tap water, as it is obtained by desalination of salty sea water.

There are many strong coastal currents in the Persian Gulf, so always soberly assess your strength and do not let your children go into the water alone, even if they are excellent swimmers. Scuba diving is best done under the supervision of a local instructor who is well acquainted with the characteristic features of the area.

Business climate

One of the main goals facing the Government of the UAE is to turn the country into the most important financial and commercial center of the Middle East. To achieve this goal, a number of free economic zones have been created in the country, the banking and transport infrastructure is constantly developing, taxes are eased (corporate, income, VAT, from the wage fund), the currency (UAE dirham) is freely convertible, the free movement of capital is guaranteed, etc. .

All the best hotels are equipped with superb state-of-the-art conference rooms suitable for both inter-corporate negotiations and for organizing major international symposiums and congresses. Annually business centers Dubai and Abu Dhabi conduct business seminars and exhibitions of products of world-famous companies.

Real estate

Foreign citizens have the right to purchase real estate in the UAE - this is even welcome. Since 2006, foreigners have received the right to purchase land plots for new facilities, the rest can be taken on a long-term lease. The cost of 1 m 2 of housing ranges from $2,000 to $6,000. From residential real estate, mainly new buildings come to the market, the secondary housing market is not developed.

Residential buildings in the UAE are always being built at an accelerated pace and most often with the use of low-paid labor, so even the so-called "elite" complexes actually offer housing of poor quality. Dense buildings, especially on the “palm trees” in the coastal waters of Dubai, lead to the absence of picturesque views from the window, and one can only dream of peace and tranquility here.

As a commercial real estate, Russian citizens are most interested in the premises of offices, shops, hotels and restaurants. The average cost of 1 m 2 of an office is $1,700, a hotel is about $7,000.

Muslim traditions are strictly observed in the UAE, so there are a number of prohibitions that apply to tourists as well.

So, you can not appear in beachwear outside the beaches and pools, and sunbathing without a swimsuit or its upper part is strictly prohibited. Women are only allowed to sit in the back seat of the car and in no case should they get into the car without a taxi badge (you may be mistaken for a woman of easy virtue). It is forbidden to be in public places in a state of intoxication. You can not kiss and hug, show obscene gestures. Gambling and unmarried sexual relations are prohibited. You can’t talk to local women on the street, so you can only take pictures of men, after asking their permission. The country also has a strict ban on photographing the palaces of sheikhs, military installations, banks and government institutions.

When entering a house or a mosque, it is customary to take off your shoes.

Money, food and things are taken only with the right hand. While visiting the locals, do not give up a few cups of coffee. When shaking hands, do not look into the eyes of the interlocutor.

Customs restrictions, in addition to the standard importation of weapons, pornography and drugs, apply to a number of drugs, so it is best to get a prescription with a Latin name and dosage for the necessary drug.

When traveling to the UAE during the holy month of Ramadan, remember that many establishments, including shops and restaurants, may change their opening hours. That is, during the day there are practically no places where you can dine, since during Ramadan a strict fast is observed between dawn and sunset. Even tourists are condemned here and can officially complain to the police if they eat, drink, smoke or dress obscenely (from the point of view of the local population).

Visa information

To visit the UAE, citizens of all CIS countries require a visa. A tourist visa is issued by the Dubai Visa Application Center, the Abu Dhabi Visa Application Center, the Asian Visa Application Center in Moscow and tour operators.

The main requirements for obtaining a visa through the Dubai and Abu Dhabi Visa Application Centers are:

• availability of air tickets to the respective airports of the country;
• traveling or holding a valid visa to the Schengen countries, the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or Japan;
• the absence of marks indicating that you visited Israel.

Documents for obtaining a visa (copy of the international passport, photograph, questionnaire, copy of the birth certificate of children) are submitted electronically. The consular fee for Russian citizens is $60, for citizens of other CIS countries - $75.

The UAE Embassy in Moscow is located at: st. Olof Palme, 4, tel. (+495) 147 62 86, 147 00 66.

Tatyana Solomatina

Country UAE: luxury in the desert

If you are going to visit the country for the first time, you just need to know the initial information, so I recommend that you read the article to the end.

UAE stands for United Arab Emirates. The name speaks for itself, the state consists of seven emirates. Abu Dhabi is the largest of them, its emir is the president of this country, and the city of Abu Dhabi is the capital of the state. The country of the UAE has good oil reserves, which is the main source of income for the country.

The UAE is located in the east of the Arabian Peninsula, partly washed by the waters of the Persian Gulf. The main part of the country is occupied by the largest desert, Rub al-Khale. The northern and eastern regions are dominated by mountainous terrain.

The government of the country has developed a special program for the creation of green oases, which is being successfully implemented. In large cities, there is a lot of green vegetation brought here from municipal parks.

Climate

It is very hot in the UAE, there are often sandstorms. In summer, the air temperature is about +45 degrees, in winter +20 - +22 degrees. Precipitation is rare, mostly in winter. At night, the temperature drops slightly.

Population and religion

The UAE is a Muslim country with a population of 9 million people, while the indigenous population is only 11%. The rest of the residents are immigrants from Pakistan, India, Nepal and other countries who came here to work. Most of the people living here are not citizens of the state.

Language and currency

The official language of the UAE country is Arabic. However, many residents communicate in Hindi, Farsi and English. Due to the abundance of Russian tourists, the employees of some shops and hotels know a little Russian.

Since 1973, the official currency has been the dirham (Dh).

Visa

In order to enter the country, a visa is required and it is expensive. Moreover, the price directly depends on the time of stay in the country. A regular tourist visa for a trip up to 30 days will cost 8,000 rubles. The transit card is valid for 96 hours and costs 5,500 rubles.

Get the coveted stamp at the UAE Embassy (website http://www.uae-embassy.ru/rco01.htm), is possible only for holders of a diplomatic passport. Ordinary citizens draw up documents through visa centers, special services of airlines or use the help of a travel operator.

When processing documents, it should be borne in mind that single girls under 30 years old, unaccompanied by male relatives, will not be given permission to enter the country.

Important addition!

From February 1, 2017 to citizens Russian Federation planning tourist trips to the United Arab Emirates do not need to apply for visas in advance.

Upon arrival at any airport in the UAE, citizens of the Russian Federation issue a visa on arrival for a period of 30 days free of charge. A visa can be extended once for 30 days by contacting the immigration department in the UAE in advance, for an additional fee.