United Arab Emirates (UAE)

The United Arab Emirates were formally established on 2nd December 1971 with the federation of the seven Emirates Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Quwain, Fujaira und Ras al-Khaimah. The UAE are located on the Eastern coast of the Arabic Peninsula, in the South West corner of the Arabian Gulf, bordering Saudi Arabia and Oman.
Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE as well as the largest Emirate. Dubai has the highest population with about 1.5 million inhabitants.
The official language is Arabic, although English is the most commonly used language in all areas that incorporate tourism and commerce.

Climate
Dubai has a sub-tropical, arid climate and the weather is sunny pretty much all year round. Rainfall is infrequent, irregular and usually averages about five days a year. The best time to visit Dubai is between mid-October until the end of May, this is obviously because during the summer month it tends to get very hot with high humidity.

Economy
The UAE is one of the world's wealthiest countries, with a GDP of US 3 billion (2006), and has the third-largest proven oil reserves in the world. While oil and gas production form its foundation, Dubai is increasingly broadening its economic activity to include: real estate, tourism, trading and manufacturing.

Cultural mix
Despite the development and progress of Dubai and Abu Dhabi during the last 30 years into one of the most urbanised and modern cities in the world, the local population remains firmly conscious of their heritage, legacy and culture.
Owing to the resources and foreign enterprises located in Dubai, more than 80% of the population are expatriates from across the globe and the city is home to almost 200 nationalities.

Religion
The official religion is Islam and there are a large number of mosques situated throughout the country. Non-Muslims are not permitted entry into mosques. There is one exception to this which is the beautiful Jumeirah Mosque situated on Jumeirah Beach Road.

Ramadan
Ramadan is the holy month in whish Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Holy Koran. Muslims strictly observe the traditions of Ramadan and it is a time of fasting from sunrise to sunset.
The fast is broken at sunset with the Iftar feast, the timings of which are given in daily papers and broadcast on the radio.
Ramadan may affect your holiday because there is no alcohol served until after 7pm and no live music, disc jockey, dancing or other entertainment at any time. Most hotels will still serve food as normal during the day, but the restaurants will be discreetly screened off from view of the general public.
Please remember if you are out of the hotel to respect the local traditions. Do not eat, chew gum, drink, smoke or swear. It would also be considered disrespectful to wear tight or revealing clothing or play loud music, for example on the beach or in your hired car.

Religious and national holidays
Eid Al Fitr signals the ending of the holy month of Ramadan and lasts for two days.
UAE National Day falls on 2nd December.
Eid Al Adha is part of the Hajj celebrations which lasts for four days and commence on or about 20th December. This holiday is influenced by sightings of the new moon.
New Year’s Day – 1st January
Islamic New Year – 10th January
Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday – 20th March 

Alcohol
Alcohol is widely available at many bars, restaurants, hotels, sports and leisure clubs normally where the license is held by a hotel. However, it is against the law to walk in the street drinking alcohol or to be drunk in a public place. Drinking and driving is also against the law, which literally means that you are not allowed to drive with any quantity of alcohol in your system.

Drugs
Dubai has a very strict policy of zero drugs tolerance. By European standards, penalties and sentences are extremely harsh for possession of the slightest amount of an illegal substance and the death penalty although rarely imposed, is still available to the courts in cases of importation of any form of illegal drug into the country.

Photography
Please bear in mind that local people may take exception to being photographed wearing their national dress without permission. Generally speaking, it is better to steer clear of taking photographs of local people, especially women, wearing national dress.