United Arab Emirates

Gilbert Charley
10/21/14

Luxury is what the United Arab Emirates is known for, but allow me to elaborate on their
history, economics, and geography. The United Arab Emirates is a small country within south
west Asia, the country was established in 1971. The country has established itself as an oil
exporter and tourist destination. It is also a unique country that is misconceived by a lot of
people. Oh, it also has the tallest building in the world (Burj Khalifa).
The United Arab Emirates was established as a country in 1971, by six states within the
region after gaining independence from the United Kingdom. The six states were Abu Dhabi,
Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah, Dubayy, and Umm al Qaywayn, this is where the united
originated. Although the UAE is known for its oil, oil was not found until 1950, before oil the
economic driving factors included fishing and the pearl industry. Following the discovery of oil
was an economic boom, which included massive expansion with infrastructure and a massive
influx of people who saw economic potential. The population of the UAE is pretty unique, only

thirteen percent of the 9.5 million people are UAE nationals, the majority of the population is
made up of expatriates. The largest expatriate group is made up of Asian descent people then the
other expatriate population is made up of Europeans. The vast majority of people who live in the
country reside in cities, the main cities include Dubai (which is often misconceived as a city state
or country) and Abu Dhabi.
The United Arab Emirates is located in Western Asia (Middle East), it is bordered by
Saudi Arabia, and Oman, 24.4667 N, 54.3667 E are the coordinates. The region is oil rich
because it includes Saudi Arabia which is a chief exporter of oil, as is the UAE. The UAE is
known mainly for its oil, because the country is in OPEC, but the country does have natural gas
reserves. Natural Gas is the main source of fuel that powers the country. The country however is
not landlocked, this provides an excellent way to transport all the exports and imports the
country receives.
As mentioned before the population within the UAE is very diverse and unique, the
whole fiasco with expatriates is the reason. oddly the population is 70% male and only 30%
female, this again is due to the immigration for work, because poor people come to work.
Unemployment is a huge factor in many countries, but in the UAE it is 2.4% which is
astoundingly low compared to some of the countries in the region. Saudi Arabia has a 12.1%
rate, Yemen has a 35% rate, and Iran with a 16% rate. So apparently the UAE is doing pretty
well.
Money plays a huge factor in every countrys success, usually the rise from rags to
riches takes a while. For example the United States had to gain independence then go through a
whole industrial revolution and this took a couple centuries. The UAE is a odd specimen, the
country like the US gained independence then had to make themselves. The main difference here

is petroleum and natural gas, industrialization went way faster, about 200 years faster. The GDP
of the United Arab Emirates is approximately $380 billion, now this may seem like a
substantially smaller amount than most larger economies, but the UAEs GDP is growing well
every year. Saudi Arabia has a GDP of approximately $900 billion, Oman has a GDP of
approximately $ 80 billion, and Qatar has a GDP of $180 billion. Relating to countries in the
region the UAE is doing well. The UAEs GNP is approximately $540 billion, compared to Qatar
the GNP is double the amount.
The UAE has a wide variety of imports and exports that it receives and exports, the
country is mostly a net importer. The UAE is a net importer, because the land is not very rich in
resources, they main resources that they have is petroleum and natural gas. The United Arab
Emirates is a part of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) so they do
export most of their petroleum. According to OPEC they produce approximately 3 million
barrels of oil a day. Imports that the UAE receive include everyday things including cars,
jewelry, and a wide assortment of electronics. They also have to receive a lot of their food
because, obviously they cannot grow food, because the region is mostly compiled of desert. So
the United Arab Emirates does import and export, but I would consider them a net importer due
to their need for food, water, and mechanics.
The UAE does seem like a pretty awesome country, but like all other things you have to
delve deeper to reveal all the problems that a country faces. Problems that the UAE faces are of
the social and environmental nature. The United Arab Emirates faces environmental issues
including the limited amount of energy, although the UAE sits in top of massive oil fuels, it lacks
the resources to manufacture usable oil. Another problem that the country faces is equality. The

people there cannot freely express themselves, unlike the US. Also, people who migrate to the
UAE for work dont receive rightful treatment and workers rights.
The United Arab Emirates is a country that lies in Western Asia, the country does have a
brief history, because it was established in 1970. The culture is rich and diverse with expatriates
from all over the world. It is home to lavish cities with luxurious life styles. The UAE does play
its part with imports and exports in the world.

Bibliography
"United Arab Emirates." Economy: Population, GDP, Inflation, Business, Trade, FDI,
Corruption. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2014.
"United Arab Emirates Profile." BBC News. N.p., 1 July 2014. Web. 19 Oct. 2014.
Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency, n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2014.
"World Report 2013: United Arab Emirates." Human Rights Watch. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2014.
"U.S. Relations With United Arab Emirates." U.S. Department of State. U.S. Department of
State, 11 June 2013. Web. 20 Oct. 2014.
"UAE Cultural Division." United Arab Emirates Cultural Division. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2014.
"United Arab Emirates." OPEC :. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2014.
"U.S. Energy Information Administration - EIA - Independent Statistics and Analysis." United
Arab Emirates. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2014.
"WPR." United Arab Emirates Population 2014. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2014.
Alderman, Liz. "Dubai Faces Environmental Problems After Growth." The New York Times. The
New York Times, 27 Oct. 2010. Web. 20 Oct. 2014.