United Arab Emirates By: Caleb Wooden & Rashane Peart 3rd period
Geographical Location -The United Arab Emirates is a small country in the middle east. It borders the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Iran. The total land area is 32,278 miles and it ranks 116 in world comparison. The coastline is 711 miles and the capital city is Abu Dhabi.
Climate And Landscape -The UAE has a desert type climate but is cooler in the eastern mountain area. The landscape of the country can be very complex. It has flat barren coastal plains merging into rolling into sand dunes of a vast and hot desert lands. The coastal areas fronting the Persian Gulf are flat, while the Hajar Mountains dominate the landscape in the east. Al-Hajar is a mountain chain that is located in the northeastern tip of the country.
Lay of the Land -Like other countries the UAE has natural resources. The main ones are oil and natural gas. The country has little agricultural land with 4.6% of it. 3.8% of the land is forest. Less than 1% of the land is arable. The population is mostly in the northeast on the Musandam peninsula. The three most populated Emirates are Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah home to nearly 85% of the population. The lack of freshwater resources, Desertification, Oil spills and beach pollution are major environmental issues.
United Arab Emirates History -The country was settled by numerous tribes in the early nineteenth century. Before it was UAE they were called Trucial States. They were under British rule until December 2, 1971 the day they got their independence and became their own country.
By the Numbers -The total population is 6,072,475 and it ranks 110 in world comparison to other countries. The country is 90% urban and 10% rural. The five most populated cities are Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Al Ain and Ajman. The dominant ethnic groups are South Asian 59.4%, Indian 38.2%, Pakistani 9.4% and Philippine 6.1%. The official language is arabic and others include Persian and English. The official religion is Muslim 76% followed by christianity 9% and others 15%.
Statistics - A Typical Emirati -There are many people with different ages in the country. But the median age is 30.3 years old. The total life expectancy is 76.7 years old. For males it is 75 years old and females are 80.4 years old. The infant mortality rate happens to be 10 deaths/1,000 live births, while the fertility rate is 2.32 children born/women.
Education in UAE -The UAE may be a rather small country but has a very proficient literacy rate among its people. 93.8% of the people over the age of 15yrs old cand read and write at a successful level. 93.1% of males can read and write while females a bit higher, read at a 95.8% while over the age of 15yrs of age. Children start school at age six in the seventh grade. Boys and girls are separated in middle school. The government try to prioritize education for their youth. Unlike other muslims countries all boys and girls are able to attend school.-
Education of the UAE -Like almost any other schools in the world the children have a very normal school. Many parents and students value their education like gold. Parents need their sons and daughters to be intelligent, sometimes even to take over family businesses. In the higher levels of education, there are community colleges that are paid for by the government. Also along with that private colleges are also available for families to pay for themselves. Also any person whether gender or race is able to attend any schools.
General Attitudes -Well most people in the United Arab Emirates are happy and content. Family obligations and relationships are at the forefront when considering social, education a career choices. The more degree one has the more respected they are. Family stability and success in business are are the primary goals in life.
Personal Appearance -The people of United Arab Emirates wear clothes like everyone else. In the city or the urbanized part of the country many people dress like the western civilization. The usual attire is a shirt, shorts or jeans, socks and shoes. However most cover their head especially women and have a matching robe like object to go with it.
Greeting in the UAE -The UAE there can be many types of greetings. Two men who are friends may greet each other by the shaking of the hand and the one kiss on each cheek. Women may shake hands if not friends and strangers just meeting or kiss repeatedly if they re friends. Men if not friends might just shake hands(with the right hand only no matter what).
Common Gestures -In the middle east especially in UAE respect is demanded. Common gestures are shaking hands, and being polite to elders. Never should you point your finger or the sole of your shoe. Finally women are offered a spot in line as a sign of respect.
Visiting Etiquette -In the United Arab Emirates there is some manners that aren t the same in the western world. When having dinner with no guest, many families sit on the floor with no table. While if a guest is present there might be a chance they use a table. Or if a guest of honor is there in the home they eat dinner from one big plate and only use their right hand to eat as a sign of respect.
Food and Drink -When eating you must have table manners. When dining never use your left hand. When finished using your utensils leave them facing upward in the middle of the plate. If you are going to tip the waiter it is always ten percent and above the service charge. A typical diet consists of meat, fish and rice.
Family life Slide -Most families have at least two children in an urban area, while in more rural areas there may tend to have more children. Most men have more than one wife. He must treat all of his wives and children equally. Most men are the providers of the family.the women usually stay home and take care of the house and children.but now more women try to go out and work just like their male counter parts. Children just almost like any other country mostly help where they can around the house and go to school.
Gender Roles -Men and women in The UAE are almost completely equal. Men are more in the work force and tend to get more leniency towards education and climbing the work food chain such as promotions.women don't get the same treatment all the time but surely still highly respected. Women most of the time keep the house clean and care for the children. Yet some women still are in the workforce alongside men.
Housing -In the UAE there s many skyscrapers that are occupied by many professionals and high ranking office workers. The big city homes will consists of expensive furniture and appliances. But a more traditional some live in small homes or apartments with not as costly but not less pleasing to the eye furniture.
Dating and Engagement -Love it s an interesting topic and it you ever find hold on to it. Here in the UAE it is is very different. Public display of affection is considered inappropriate. Unlike the western culture, it s illegal to have sex without being married. However dating is encouraged. The night life is exceptional. With clubs, bars and restaurants finding your match is a date away. Engagement must be cordial and must be agreed on by both parties.
Marriage and Weddings Manny men around the age of 27 yrs of age begin to marry they have finished their education and obtain a steady income. Women around 26 yrs old also marry after they finish school and get a degree. When about to be married the two can not intersect with each other in any way, shape, fashion, or form. Also the two aren t considered married until after the party after the wedding.
Recreation Slide -Out of the many sports in the world soccer is the favorite among many. Many enjoy watching TV and movies on the couch. A Lot of the citizens stay in and go to Dubai.
The Arts -Many emiratis go to museums and libraries. Some purchase ridiculous painting to go as a collection or in their house.
Holidays One of the major holidays in the UAE is independence days. The Country was set free on December 2, 1971. Another holiday is Ramadan. This holiday is when muslims reform from eating and drinking also smoking from dusk till dawn.edi al-fitr is at the end of Ramadan is a great feast, visiting, and buying clothes.
Healthcare -In the UAE healthcare is available to all citizens of the country, but small fees is added on if going to a government hospital. Infectious diseases are not very prevalent in the UAE.
Government -The country of UAE has a federation of Monarchs. The country received its independence on December 2, 1971. The voting age is selected by each Emirate. The leader of the country is called the prime minister and the current one is Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The UAE is dominated by the federal government. Political Parties are illegal and formal opposition groups are non-exsistant. The citizens in the country hold their government leaders to a high esteem. The constitution guarantees the freedom of expression, press, assembly, and religion.
United Arab Emirates s Flag The UAE flag has three horizontal lines which are Green, White, and Black. With only one vertical line which is red.green stands for fertility, White stands for neutrality, black is for petroleum resources, and red is for unity.
Economy -As of 2017 the GDP of the UAE is a strong $691.9 billion which is ranked 33 in the entire world. Also the GDP per capita is $68,200 as of 2017 and compared to the rest of the world is number 14. With the great success of the country the unemployment rate is 3.6% as of 2014. Only 19.5% of the country is below the poverty which not good nor bad. One of the most exported things in the UAE is crude oil which is $314.7 billion. Also the most mainly imported goods is Machinery which is $241.3 billion.
Energy and Communication -About 98% of the entire population has electricity. The amount who don t is 177,824 people. In the entire country of the UAE 19,905,093 people have cell phones and are ranked 59th in the world. Also 5,370,299 people use the internet which is 90.6% of the population and is ranked 74th in the world.
Transportation -The country of UAE has 43 airports. They rank 100 in the world. It has 3,047 miles of railways. It ranks 78 in the world. It has a total of 2,535 miles of paved and total roads and is ranked 157th in the world. They also have 10 seaports which are Mubarraz island, Al Fujayrah, and many more. Most get around in their own cars and some take busses and taxis.