Known as the “Land of Sun and Sand”, the UAE is located on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula and is bordered by the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
The country has a long history, with settlements from Africa dating back more than 100,000 years, but the modern UAE is a relatively young country, established in 1966 and composed of seven emirates, each with its own Sheikh ruler. The political system is a constitutional monarchy, with the Sheikhs being the royal offspring of the first leader, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who founded the UAE.
Despite the authoritative nature of the political system, the strong tribal traditions, and the prevalent Muslim religion, the country has a powerful mix of traditional culture and modernity. This is also given by the large percentage of expats in the country, which compose 85% of the population.
The UAE is a popular tourist destination thanks to its safety and strategic position in central Asia, making it only a few hours flight from most countries on the Eurasian continent.
What strikes visitors to the UAE the most is its grandeur, as cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi boast some of the most impressive, lavished, and largest modern structures. The UAE offers a plethora of attractions, from bustling souks to luxurious shopping malls, majestic skyscrapers, ancient archaeological sites, desert expeditions, world-renowned museums, and some of the most luxurious venues in the entire world.
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UAE Info & Stats
9 million
83,600 km2
121/km2
$952 billion
دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة
al-ʾImārāt al-ʿArabīyah al-Muttaḥidah
At a Glance
- Language: Arabic is the official language. English is widely spoken and is the lingua franca of the country due to its many expats.
- Population: 9.8 million (est. 2020)
- Timezone: UTC +4
- Political System: Constitutional monarchy
- Ethnic Groups: 85% expats from various countries, such as India, Bangladesh, and the Philippines. 15% Emirati
- Religions: The UAE is primarily Muslim, with Islam being the state religion. The high number of expats, though, means that Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism are also present.
- Currency: United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED).
- Credit Cards: Credit Cards are widely accepted in cities and ATMs are evenly distributed
- Electricity: Europlug, British and related types, BS 1363, 220 volt / 50 hertz
- Tipping Customs: 10-15% in restaurants and taxis
- Haggling Culture: Common in markets and souks
Climate & Seasons
The climate in the UAE varies greatly because of its desertic landscape. As in other regions with an arid climate, there are only two seasons, namely summer and winter.
In winter (December to March), the average temperatures are between 16.4°C and 24°C. During the transitional season towards summer, temperatures range from 26°C to 33.5 °C.
In summer, temperatures can easily exceed 50 °C, but the average temperature ranges from 32°C to 37.2°C.
Entry Requirements
Most visitors from countries in Asia, Europe, and America can enter visa-free, with the notable exception of the USA and UK, which require a visa on entry.
Click the map to see details on visa requirements for each country
Alternatively, input your passport citizenship and quickly see the requirements that apply to you:
Safety
Safety: The UAE is considered to be among the safest countries in the world and major city hubs such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi are extremely safe for visitors. Because of the high presence of expats and the prosperous nature of the country, there are minimal risks when it comes to mugging, kidnapping, or scams. The biggest risks amount to pickpocketing and car breakdowns when traversing the desert. There is, however, an ongoing threat of potential terrorist attacks.
Natural risks: There are no major risks in the region except those brought by the high temperatures and desert, such as sandstorms (locally known as shamal winds).
Emergencies number: 112, 997 (fire department), 998 (emergency medical services), 999 (police)
Safety Indices
Learn more on the data source and the methodologies of ranking in the Global Safety Indices page.
