PHYSICAL FEATURES
United Arab Emirates, established on 2nd December 1971, is a federation of seven Emirates. These are Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah & Fujairah. It comprises an area of 83, 600 sq. kms. UAE is bordered by The Arabian Gulf in the North, by the Gulf of Oman & the Sultanate of Oman in the East, by the Sultanate of Oman & Saudi Arabia in the south & in the west by Qatar & Saudi Arabia.

The UAE has some 700 kms of coastline, including 100 kms on the Gulf of Oman. Along the Arabian Gulf Coast are offshore islands, coral reefs & salt marshes, whilst stretches of gravel, plains & barren deserts characterize the inland region. To the East lie the Hajar Mountains, which reach, north into Musandam Peninsula at the mouth of Arabian Gulf. The Western interior of the federation, most of which is Abu Dhabi territory, consists mainly of desert interspersed with Al-Liwa Oasis, beyond which is the vast Rub al Khali Desert or The Empty Quarter.

POPULATION
The population of UAE is approximately 3 million.

LANGUAGE
Arabic is the country's official Language. However, English is widely used.

RELIGION
Islam is the state religion.

CLIMATE
UAE lies in the arid tropical zone extending across Asia & North Africa. Climatic conditions are influenced by the Indian Ocean. The Temperatures in summer are always accompanied by high humidity. During November & March a moderate climate prevails with an average temperature in the day of 26°C & at night temperatures are around 15°C. Average rainfall is less than 6.5 cm annually, & summer temperatures range between 30°C - 48°C.

CURRENCY
The United Arab Emirates currency is called dirhams, abbreviated a Dh. Or AED.
Exchange rate: Dh. 3.671 = US$ 1.00

ECONOMY
The UAE economy by far is the fastest growing economy among the GCC countries. The impressive economic performance underpinned by sustained strength in oil prices & by the UAE's successful policy of diversification has continued in the year 2000. Recent estimates suggest that GDP in 2000 reached Dhs. 217 billion.

The non-oil sectors' portion of GDP in 1999 was Dhs. 141.7 billion against 4.7 billion (25.6%) for the oil sector.

Manufacturing showed a growth rate of 6.9% (with a total output of Dhs. 24 billion continuing to play the most significant role in the non-oil sector). However, the unprecedented economic transformation, which has taken place in the UAE since the creation of the state, is largely funded by the judicious use of oil revenues.

However, although oil & gas production remain the primary source of public revenue, the secret of the country's current economic success has been a resolute government strategy of economic diversification, leading to the creation of new productive sectors.

BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
UAE government continued to take action to strengthen the private sector, focusing on steps to improve both the efficiency & transparency of procedures associated with business. The remarkable success of UAE's incentive strategy is due in part to its creation of First Class industrial facilities & business support services, the reduction of red tape & streamlining of administrative procedures, as well as the updating of commercial laws & regulations. Political stability & relatively low crime rate also assist in making the UAE a prime business location.