UAE Travel Vacation

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a modern and prosperous nation and one of the world major leisure and business travel destinations with rich petroleum resource, historical attractions, arts and museums, and well-preservation of culture and heritage.

The United Arab Emirates is located in Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia. With strategic location along southern approaches to Strait of Hormuz, the UAE is a vital transit point for world crude oil. The United Arab Emirates has land area about 82,880 square kilometers, slightly smaller than Maine of the United States.

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.

Today, the UAE has an open economy with a high per capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus. Its per capita GDP is not far below those of leading West European nations. Its oil and gas resource and moderate foreign policy have allowed the UAE to become a modern nation with high standard of living since 1970s.

The United Arab Emirates uses Emirati dirham (AED) as currency. In 2005, Emirati dirhams per US dollar exchange rate is about 3.6725. The UAE has modern telephone systems. Based on 2005 estimate, the UAE has about 1,384,800 Internet users.

The United Arab Emirates has 2,602,713 (July 2006 estimate) population, including Emirati 19%, other Arab and Iranian 23%, South Asian 50%, other expatriates (includes Westerners and East Asians) 8%. Arabic is the official language, but Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu are widely spoken in the UAE.

Abu Dhabi, the capital and a major travel destination of the UAE, is a fascinating place where the domes and minarets of traditional mosques sit comfortably in the shade of gleaming futuristic skyscrapers. Tree-lined boulevards, manicured roundabouts, dazzling fountains and extensive parks soften the modern cityscape. A short distance from the city centre the wonderfully engineered Abu Dhabi Corniche runs for 10 kilometres along the island’s mangrove-fringed and white sandy shores. Many world-class hotels and restaurants are located along the downtown section of this scenic stretch.

Abu Dhabi is also a major business, manufacturing and trading center, and the location of the headquarters of many oil companies.

Dubai City, one of the world top travel destinations, is built along the edge of a narrow 10-kilometre winding creek that divides the southern section of Bur Dubai, the city’s traditional heart, from the northern area, Deira, a bustling commercial centre containing a range of retail outlets, souqs and hotels. Al Maktoum and Al Garhoud Bridges and Al Shindagha Tunnel link Bur Dubai and Deira.

Jumeirah Beach, about 20 minutes from Dubai city, is a major UAE tourism area with several award-winning luxury hotels and a delightful sandy beach.

Fujairah, with a breathtaking coastline of more than 90 kilometres, is the only emirate situated along the Gulf of Oman. Fujairah is a place of considerable natural beauty where rugged mountains and valleys sweep down to the settled palm-fringed coastal plain. There are some stunning beaches and good diving locations along the coast, whilst both the coastal strip and the hinterland contain many cultural and historic sites. Agriculture and fishing, two traditional mainstays of the economy, still feature prominently.

Fujairah City is an attractive town and a rapidly developing commercial and tourist centre. Its strategic location outside the Straits of Hormuz, which provides easy access to international shipping routes, has played a key role in its development as one of the world’s top oil-bunkering ports.