United Arab Emirates: Background & Geography

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 - as described in UNCLOS 1982 (see Notes and Definitions):
 territorial sea: 12 NM
continental shelf: 200 NM or to the edge of the continental margin
contiguous zone: 24 NM
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: 0.48%
permanent crops: 0.49%
other: 99.03% (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

See Also: