United Arab Emirates

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

Capital : Abu Dhabi

Climate : desert; cooler in eastern mountains

Currency : Emirati Dirham (AED)

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

Natural Resources : petroleum, natural gas

Population : 2,563,212
note: includes an estimated 1,606,079 non-nationals; the 17 December 1995 census presents a total population figure of 2,377,453, and there are estimates of 3.44 million for 2002 (July 2005 est.)

Languages : Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu

Industries : petroleum, fishing, aluminum, cement, fertilizers, commercial ship repair, petrochemicals, construction materials, some boat building, handicrafts, textiles

Government type : federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE federal government and other powers reserved to member emirates