United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates is a Middle Eastern federation of seven states: Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain. These are situated along the south-eastern tip of the Arabian peninsula and are bordered by the Persian Gulf to the north, Saudi Arabia to the south and west, and Oman and the Gulf of Oman to the east. This is a strategic location along southern approaches to Strait of Hormuz, through which passes 25 percent of the world’s oil traffic every day. Immense wealth has been invested in numerous development projects, capital improvements, social services all throughout the UAE. It is one of the most developed federations in the world. UAE has successfully positioned itself as a diversified international business center, moreover, the incredible expansion of this multicultural region as a financial and tourism powerhouse continues to fly high.

:: Background of UAE ::

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 on par with 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 of UAE ::

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

Area:
total: 83,600 sq km
land: 83,600 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

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

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: 0.77%
permanent crops: 2.27%
other: 96.96% (2005)

Natural hazards: frequent sand and dust storms.

Environment – current issues: lack of natural freshwater resources compensated by desalination plants; desertification; beach pollution. Environment – international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection. Signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea.

:: People of UAE ::

Population: 4,621,399
Note: estimate is based on the results of the 2005 census that included a significantly higher estimate of net in-migration of non-citizens than previous estimates. (July 2008 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 20.5% (male 484,102/female 462,405)
15-64 years: 78.6% (male 2,663,702/female 970,672)
65 years and over: 0.9% (male 26,244/female 14,274)
note: 73.9% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national (2008 est.)

Median age:
total: 30.1 years
male: 32 years
female: 24.6 years (2008 est.)

Population growth rate: 3.833% (2008 est.)
Birth rate: 16.06 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 2.13 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate : 24.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 2.74 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.84 male(s)/female
total population: 2.19 male(s)/female (2008 est.)

Infant mortality rate:
total: 13.11 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 15.32 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 10.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.89 years
male: 73.35 years
female: 78.56 years (2008 est.)

Total fertility rate: 2.43 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS – adult prévalence rate: 0.18% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS – deaths: NA

Nationality: noun: Emirati(s) adjective: Emirati.
Ethnic groups: Emirati 19%, other Arab and Iranian 23%, South Asian 50%, other expatriates (includes Westerners and East Asians) 8% (1982)
note: less than 20% are UAE citizens (1982).

Religions: Muslim 96% (Shia 16%), other (includes Christian, Hindu) 4%
Languages: Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu.

Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write.
total population: 77.9%
male: 76.1%
female: 81.7% (2003 est.)

Geography of United Arab Emirates: Important Geographical Information about United Arab Emirates

The unique and varied topography is one of the important physical features of the empirates. The federation has a primarily desert landscape. Mountains take up only few percent of the total territory. The magnificent Al Hajar al Gharbi Mountains, rising in places to 2,500 meters, is an impressive mountain range in the Arabia Peninsula and it separates the Al Batinah coast from the rest of the UAE. The climate of the UAE is generally hot and humid along the coast, and hot and dry in the interiors. In the Al Hajar al Gharbi Mountains, temperatures are considerably cooler.

There are more or less 200 offshore islands all along the Persian Gulf Coast, moreover, vast spectacular sand dunes, oases, and wadis (dry river bed). The desert area of Abu Dhabi includes two important oases with adequate underground water for permanent settlements and cultivation: Al Liwa Oasis and Al Buraymi Oasis. Some of the world’s largest sand dunes are located in the oases of Al-Liwa.

The UAE extends for 90 km along the Gulf of Oman. This very populated area is known as the Al Batinah coast. In contrast, the great Rub al Khali is one of the most desolate areas on earth.

The Palm Islands are artificial islands in Dubai on which major commercial and residential area for living, relaxation, and leisure has and will be constructed. The islands are the largest land reclamation projects in the world. Palm Jumeirah island is man-made, entirely constructed from dredged sand and it is a stunning feel of vision, design, engineering, creativity. It is recognized as an international icon of the 21st century that captivated the world’s attention.

Professional Translation Organizations & Associations in United Arab Emirates

Below is a list of the major translation organizations and associations of UAE. Day Translations seeks to be involved with translation organizations to improve the knowledge and awareness of the importance of translation and interpretation in our constantly changing, global world.

:: List of Organizations ::

United Arab Emirates University

Arab Organization for Translations

The Arab Society of Certified Accountants

“The Association of the Arab Society of Certified Accountants” published the translation of the International Standards of Auditing. It is the only
approved translation by the International Accounting Standards Comitee. (IASC).

Information about the Emirati Flag: Colors and Meaning of the Flag of United Arab Emirates

The flag of United Arab Emirates was officially adopted on 2nd December, 1971 and it consists of four colors: red, green, white, and black. The Emirati flag is rectangular in shape, its length double its width, and it is divided into four rectangular bands. On the hoist side of the flag there is a vertical red band. The top stripe is green, the middle one is white and the bottom dash is black. It looks similar to the letter E.

The colors of Emirati flag stand for the Arabian unification of the seven self-governing sheik-ruled emirates: Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Qaiwain and each of the colors is representative for the Arabic world. Therefore, green is a symbol of fertility, white represents peace and neutrality. Black stands for the oil wealth of the country. It is the color of the flag of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. The red dash is meant to remember the former flags of the Kharijite Muslims. The flag is considered one of the most important national symbols and it represents the people and their pride.

The coat of arms of the United Arab Emirates, officially adopted in 1973, consists of a golden falcon with a disk which contains the national flag, a symbol of unity. The seven stars represent the seven self-governing sheik-ruled emirates. The falcon holds with its claws a red parchment bearing the name of the federation. Throughout history the falcon has been the symbol of high birth and luxury. The falcon is also a commanding symbol of boldness.

Extensive List of Languages of United Arab Emirates: Spoken Languages

Ittihad al-Imarat al-Arabiyah, UAE. Formerly called Trucial States. 2,523,915. National or official language: Standard Arabic. Literacy rate: 68% to 78%. Also includes Bengali (70,000), Danish (156), Eastern Panjabi, Egyptian Spoken Arabic (100,000), English (100), French (250), Goanese Konkani, Greek (100), Hindi, Italian (400), Japanese (1,300), Malay, Malayalam (300,000), Omani Spoken Arabic (80,000), Polish (100), Serbian (100), Sinhala (25,000), Somali (46,412), Soqotri (7,000), Standard German (1,300), Swahili (2,500), Swedish (113), Tagalog (80,000), Tamil, Telugu, Thai (3,000), Turkish (750), Urdu, Western Panjabi. Information mainly from T. Sebeok 1970. Deaf population: 109,218. The number of languages listed for United Arab Emirates is 7. Of those, all are living languages.

:: List of Languages ::

Arabic, Gulf Spoken

[afb] 744,000 in United Arab Emirates. Gulf Bedu or village peoples. Alternate names: Khaliji, Gulf Arabic. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic.

Arabic, Shihhi Spoken

[ssh] 5,000 in United Arab Emirates (1995). Population total all countries: 27,000. In the Musandam Peninsula in United Arab Emirates. Also spoken in Oman. Alternate names: Shihhi, Shihu, Shihuh, Al-Shihuh. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic.

Arabic, Standard

[arb] Middle East, North Africa. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic.

Balochi, Southern

[bcc] 100,000 in United Arab Emirates. Alternate names: Baluchi, Baluci, Baloci. Dialects: Makrani (Lotuni). Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Balochi.

Farsi, Western

[pes] 80,000 in United Arab Emirates (1986). Alternate names: Persian. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Persian.

Pashto, Northern

[pbu] 100,000 in United Arab Emirates (1986). Alternate names: Pusto, Pashtu, Passtoo, Pakhtoo, Pushto. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Eastern, Southeastern, Pashto.

Pashto, Southern

[pbt] 26,060 in United Arab Emirates (2000 WCD). Alternate names: Paktu, Pakhtu, Pakhtoo, Afghan. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Eastern, Southeastern, Pashto.

:: Reference ::

Courtesy of Gordon, Raymond G., Jr. (ed.), 2005. Ethnologue: Languages of the World, Fifteenth edition. Dallas, Tex.: SIL International. Online version: http://www.ethnologue.com/.

Famous Emirati People: Emirati Artists, Scientists, Leaders, Musicians, Politicians and Athletes

The following Emiratis have one thing in common: are not easy to stereotype. These people of purpose made a difference in our world. Their remarkable stories inspired the world.

:: List of Famous People from UAE ::

H.E. Sheikha Lubna Khalid Sultan al Qasimi

Successful women executives are about as common in the Persian Gulf as alpine lakes. Sheikha Lubna Khalid Sultan al Qasimi, born a princess of the royal family of Sharjah in the UAE, is a pioneering woman, because she holds the distinction of being the first woman to occupy a ministerial post in the United Arab Emirates. She was appointed Minister for Economy and Planning of the United Arab Emirates in November 2004.
Sheikha Lubna is a role model for all young Emirati women hoping to become successful businesswomen, by inspiring and encouraging them to fulfil important professional roles beyond the family.

Abdul Qader Al Rais

Born in Dubai, Abdul Qader Al Rais has risen from humble beginnings to become one of UAE’s most accomplished artist. Many of his pieces have been awarded. He is rightly regarded as a leading light in the art world, both regionally and internationally. He developed his own style through experimentation. Abdul Qader Al Rais copied, revised and interpreted the work of prominent painters like: Monet, Renoir and Pissaro.

He paints in two different styles. His style is photorealistic for the landscapes and architectural scenes. His very famous also for the abstract works. Abdul Qader Al Rais has participated in many exhibitions around the world since 1965. He held successful exhibitions in Germany with German artist Fred Falk, in the Czech Republic, Beirut, Washington DC and many others.

Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan

According to Forbes, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the world’s second wealthiest King, with an estimated wealth of 23 billion Dollars.
Sheikh Nahyan or Sheikh Khalifa is the current President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and ruler of Abu Dhabi, the largest emirate among the seven. He succeeded to the post on 3 November 2004. He succeeded his father, the late HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, UAE President from 1971 to 2004, from whom, he has said, he learned ‘the need for patience and prudence in all things’. He also heads the Supreme Petroleum Council, which enjoys wide powers in energy matters.

Ahmed bin Majid

Ahmed bin Majid, born in 1421 in Julphar, was known as the first Arab seaman and cartographer. His fame reached the West, because the navigator helped Vasco da Gama find his way from Africa to India.

He was the author of nearly forty works of poetry and prose. His most important work is the navigation encyclopedia “Book of Useful Information on the Principles and Rules of Navigation”, written in 1490. The book starts by describing the history of navigation and by explaining basic principles of sailing. There are described also the locations of ports from East Africa to Indonesia, star positions, accounts of the monsoon and other seasonal winds, typhoons etc. Called also Shihan Al Dein (Sea’s Lion), he was known for his fearlessness, strength and experience as a sailor who excelled in the art of navigation.

Hussain Al Jasmi

Emirati singer Hussein al-Jasmi is one of the most appreciated artists in the UAE. He just received the Murex D’or award for “best Arabic male singer” during the annual Murex d’or Award Ceremony held in Casino du Liban, June 20, 2008. His songs reflect the real Emirati culture. The lyrics are rich in its wording and full of wisdom. Hussein al-Jasmi is the most successful singer on the pan-Arab arena.

Ahlam

Ahlam is a leading female singer from Bahrain. She is very popular throughout the Middle East, particularly in the Gulf region. Ahlam became a UAE citizen in 1996 and is credited to as many as 9 music albums. This talented and appreciated singer, one of the most well known in the Arab world, is so much popular that a journalist stated: “if you want to be famous just publicly insult or offense Ahlam.”