The Name Origin
Did you know that the United Arab Emirates, often simply called the UAE, was founded in 1971 through a special agreement that brought together seven separate emirates into one unified nation? These seven emirates are Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.
Gone Gold Fishing
Gold is so popular in the UAE that you can actually purchase it from a vending machine. The world’s first ever gold vending machine is located in the luxurious Emirates Palace hotel in Abu Dhabi. Not your average vending machine right?
Dubai AI Police
Artificial Intelligence is a fundamental part of Dubai police force. About 25% of Dubai's police force will be composed of robotic officers by 2030 according to officials. In fact, the world's first robot policeman has already joined Dubai's police force.
The Burj Khalifa Spectacle
The Burj Khalifa is known worldwide as the tallest building, but do you know just how tall it is? Reaching an astonishing 828 meters (or 2,716.5 feet), the Burj Khalifa is so tall that you could observe the sunset from the base of the building, take the elevator to the top, and watch it again.
Billionaire Lifestyle
The United Arab Emirates is home to the greatest concentration of billionaires in the Middle East. As of 2021, there were nine billionaires living in the UAE. They make up the majority of the country's wealth.
Friday Weekend Start
In the UAE, the weekend starts on a Friday. Due to Islamic religious practices, Friday is regarded as a day of rest and worship, and is therefore considered part of the weekend. Moreover, the work week in UAE goes from Sunday to Thursday.
National Animal: The Arabian Oryx
The Arabian Oryx, which was once extinct in the wild, is the UAE's national animal. Thanks to a number of conservation efforts, this majestic animal has since been reintroduced into the wild and it is making a recovery.
Female Empowerment
The United Arab Emirates is known for its commitment to gender equality. The UAE currently has the second highest number of women in parliament in the Arab world. Also, about 70% of university graduates in the UAE are women according to recent reports.
Desert Rain
To combat its hot and dry climate, the UAE is one of the few countries in the world to use cloud-seeding technology, which creates artificial rain. They launch salt flares into clouds which helps stimulate rainfall.
A Country of Expatriates
Only about 11% of the UAE's population are Emirati nationals. The rest, about 88.5%, are expatriates, largely from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, with smaller numbers from the Western and other Arab countries.
The Oldest Mosque
Al Badiyah is the oldest mosque in the United Arab Emirates, dating back to the 15th century. It is located in Fujairah, one of the seven emirates, and it's still in use today.
The Palm Jumeirah
This man-made marvel is the world's largest artificial island and is even visible from space! The Palm Jumeirah took over six years to create, and increased Dubai's shoreline by 166%.
No Income Tax
One of the most enticing aspects of working in the UAE is that there is zero income tax charged on personal earnings.
Millionaire's Playground
Dubai has the largest population of any city across the UAE, and is well known for its opulent, high-end lifestyle, with luxury cars seen everywhere on its roads.
Don’t forget your Falcons!
Did you know that falcons in the UAE have their own passports? The UAE government issues passports for falcons to tackle smuggling. Falcons are revered in Emirati culture and used for hunting.
Speeding Fines
The world's most expensive speeding ticket was issued in the UAE, costing the driver over $1 million. This happened when a driver left his $3.4 million Ferrari Enzo illegally parked.
Camel Beauty Contest
In the UAE, there's a camel beauty contest known as 'Al Dhafra Festival', with total cash prizes of about $15 million. It celebrates the Bedouin lifestyle, and includes a traditional market, camel races, and dates packaging contest.
The Green Desert
Believe it or not, the UAE is home to one of the largest man-made forests in the world. The forest, located in the Ras Al Khaimah emirate, contains around 60,000 Ghaf trees.
Crane Capital
Dubai has more active construction cranes than any other city in the world – about 24% of all cranes on Earth are located here.
One of the Safest Countries
The UAE is ranked as one of the safest countries in the world. Both violent crime and theft are extremely rare, and it's safe to walk around at any time of day or night. It's frequently mentioned as one of the top five safest countries globally.