United Arab Emirates
The Burj al Arab hotel in Dubai
The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven states or kingdoms on the Arabian Peninsula. Rich in oil and natural gas, this prosperous and stable nation has a relatively high standard of living and the mix of traditional culture and modernity make the emirates a fascinating place to visit, as well as a good jumping off point for travels in the Middle East.
Dubai in particular has developed an impressive tourism industry and is home to the world's tallest freestanding hotel – the Burj Al Arab – as well as other architectural and engineering wonders such as the Palm and World islands.
Whether you want to shop til you drop in the huge shopping malls, enjoy the year-round sunshine, or catch a glimpse of Arabian culture in the traditional souks, the United Arab Emirates has something for every holidaymaker.
United Arab Emirates: Essential information
Capital - Abu Dhabi
Major cities - Dubai and Sharjah
Time Zone – GMT +4
Language – Arabic is the official language, with Persian, English, Hindi and Urdu also spoken
United Arab Emirates currency - UAE use the dirham. One AED will buy around 13p. For up-to-date exchange rates see:
www.xe.com/ucc