47 Interesting facts about the United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates is an enchanting land located in the far land of southeast end Arabian Peninsula. This magical country is pinpointed in the lands of the Middle East, on the Persian Gulf. The country wedged between Oman and Saudi Arabia has endless rocky desert, waterless mountain and the coast that is spread along the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf. This country has no river in its land.
The UAE is a federation made up of seven emirates, named as, Abu Dhabi (capital of the UAE), Dubai, Fujairah, Sharjah, Ajman, Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain. These seven emirates build up culturally colorful country and are full of wonders. The numerous lists of world records are held by this country which makes the place even more intriguing.
Juxtaposed to the discovery of oil in the mid twentieth century, the UAE’s economy rapidly increased into huge number. Before that main source of income was fishing and pearl industry. But after the oil experts begin, the UAE’s per capita gross competed with those leading nations of Western Europe and North America. This kaleidoscopic ethnic diversity country has many various fascinating facts about UAE which will blow your mind.
Unable to decide where to go in this vacation? Well, its clear now! We bring you 60 heart taking facts about UAE that will make you to pack bag and travel right now.
The following are the 47 interestingly surprising facts about the United Arab Emirates.
About the Emirates
The UAE is comprised of seven different emirates. Each emirate has different cultures and tradition.
Form of Government Rule
The UAE is neither a Constitutional Monarchy nor Republic country. The country’s main form of government is a federal presidential elected monarchy. Each emirate of the UAE has separate ruler, each belonging to royal family.
The President and the Prime Minister
The emir (ruler) of Abu Dhabi serves as the nation’s president. And the emir (ruler) of Dubai is the country’s prime minister. The president is also known as the Supreme Commander in Chief of the UAE Armed Forces and Chairman of the Supreme Petroleum Council. These titles are hereditary. The president of the UAE is Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, emir of Abu Dhabi. Mohmmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the prime minister of the UAE, emir of Dubai.
The Smallest Emirate
Ajman is taken into account as the smallest emirate within the United Arab Emirates. This emirate is spread over an area of about 260 square kilometers. It is home to beautiful beaches and museums. Nothing can beat the cultural heritage of this emirate. Don’t forget to visit the Ajman Museum, present on the eighteenth-century fort.
The Largest Emirate
Abu Dhabi is the largest emirate of UAE. Plus, it is the capital city of the UAE. It accounts 87% of the land of the total UAE area.
The Richest Emirate
Abu Dhabi is the richest emirate with holding 87% of the total UAE land and maximum part of the nation’s oil reserve. That is 95 % of the oil and 92% of the gas.
The Poorest Emirate
Ajman is the poorest emirate of the UAE. There is no oil pit mining present there. Many of the residents still live in the modest one storied house which are scattered over the sands. These lands are topped with the traditional gulf wind towers.
The Most Populated Emirate
Dubai is the most populated emirates of the United Arab Emirates. It has population of 3,386,941 people.
The Least Populated Emirate
Umm Al Quwain is the least populated emirate from the seven emirates. It has the most abundant water themed park with winding water slides, named as Dreamland Aqua Park. This emirate also has Emirates Motorplex where you can have thrilling racing activities.
The Mountainous Emirate
The fifth largest emirate, Fujairah is the only emirate with mountainous terrain. In this emirate, you will find the oldest mosque dating back to 1400s, in the UAE. Not only that, Fujairah is the only emirate with a coastline only present in the Gulf of Oman, not on the Persian Gulf. This place is home to famous Hajjar Mountain Range (popularly known as the Oman Mountains) and many forts.
The Fertile Emirate
Al Khaimah or Ras Al Khaimah situated on the northernmost part of the UAE. It is the most fertile emirate. This emirate receives maximum rainfall.
Not one royal family but many
Each emirate is being ruled by a royal family in the UAE. Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi and Al Maktoum of Dubai is the most famous and influential royal family among all the others.
Freedom without any struggle
If we see back to the history of our country, we struggle hard enough for our freedom. But that’s not what happened with UAE. Unlike other countries who went through violence and warfare for the sake of their independence from the colonial rule, the UAE gained their freedom and liberty through peaceful agreements. The discovery of oil in the UAE made the process easy. The father of nation, late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, brought all the seven emirates under one banner, giving a shape of the country.
Rivers
There are no permanent flowing rivers in the UAE.
National Symbol and Animal
The United Arab Emirates’ national symbol is the falcon. While the country’s national animal is medium-sized antelope.
Governance for Artificial Intelligence
According to the World Economic Forum, the small Gulf nation, UAE has created the world’s first government ministry for artificial intelligence.
High Economic Freedom Score
The United Arab Emirates stands on the ninth position in the list of highest economic freedom score in the world. As said by World Economic Freedom Index, the UAE has 76.2 economic freedom score. Economic freedom or financial freedom is a phrase that helps a person to attain control over finances, rather, being under its control.
The Population
The UAE’s population has 12% of the Emiratis. The rest is comprised of fellow highest number of expats.
Human Rights
The UAE receives criticism from Human Right Organizations for the hospitality of the country’s migrant and laborer’s.
Creates New World Record Every Year
Well, everyone knows this that UAE surprises the world with its record-breaking world records. The total number of world records held by UAE till now is 190. Amazing, isn’t it? Be it the biggest, the largest, the tallest – the UAE holds the tag of these all. To surprise you more, Dubai has got the Guinness World Records office.
The Record of World’s longest driverless metro
Dubai holds the record for “world’s longest driverless metro train system, with more than 46 track miles.
The Record of World’s Tallest Building
The UAE facts isn’t complete without talking about this massive skyscraper. The Burj Khalifa skyscraper, the world’s tallest building with 828 meters (2717 feet) high, as declared by Guinness Book of World Records, dominates the night view of downtown Dubai. This building is equivalent to about three Eiffel Towers standing on top of each other. This superstructure just doesn’t hold one record of tallest building, rather it has many. Such as the highest number of stories, most towering elevator service, most upper outdoor observation deck and many more. Another fact about this architecture is, it requires more than 40 workers and three months to clean its shining outer glass façade.
Largest Airport Terminal in the World
Ever heard of Terminal 3 of the Dubai International Airport? Definitely, you have heard! After all it is the largest airport terminal in the world. This terminal features a shopping mall, a five-star hotel (Dubai International Hotel), many apple stores, Snooze cubes, a swimming pool, jacuzzi, a gym and two zen gardens. This makes your stay quite unique. Not only that the Dubai International Airport is the second busiest airport in Asia. This airport also has the fastest Wi-Fi speed in the entire globe.
The World’s Most Inclined Building
The Capital Gate is the world’s farthest leaning man-made building with an inclination of 18 degrees to the west. This is 14 degree more inclined than Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy. It is inclined four times greater than the Pisa tower in Italy. It’s also referred as “the leaning tower of Abu Dhabi”. The building has 35 floors and offers panoramic view of the capital city of the UAE.
The World’s First 7 Star Hotel
Remember the Dubai hotel scenes of Sahoo movie? Yes, that’s the World’s first seven star hotel, the Burj Al Arab. The luxurious fact of the UAE is that this seven star hotel’s interior are embellished with twenty four carat gold leaves that covers around 1790 square meters. The hotel even has a pillow menu, that offers nine type of pillow! How luxurious is that!
The Largest Mall in the World
Shoutout to all the shopaholics! The Dubai mall is the largest malls in the world. It has a square meter of over 12 million square meters. The Dubai mall has over 1200 stores, 120 cafes, 26 cinema screens and many more.
The Green City
The Masdar City is a planned city project in Abu Dhabi, initiated in 2006 aims to being the world’s first green city with zero carbon, zero waste and petrol free city. The prime source of energy is the solar energy and wind energy. With the help of photovoltaic panels, the electricity is generated. This is much needed measures to protect our mother Earth. How cool is that!
The World of Adventure
Located in Dubai, IMG Worlds of Adventure is that the largest indoor themed entertainment destination of the world within the world It has touch of an limitless area of 1.5 million square feet and welcome over 20,000 peoples in an exceedingly day! The park features 17 themed rides supported popular Cartoon Network characters, Marvel Super Heroes and animatronic Dinosaurs. Say hi to Iron Man!
The Miracle Garden
The miracle garden is a garden within the Middle of a Desert. Present in Dubai, this is the most extensive garden within the world! A miracle, indeed. With over 72,000 square meters, the Miracle Garden is roofed with floral sculptures, flower bedding and floral themes. It features quite 50 million flowers and 250 million plants. Visit the heaven while staying in the earth.
First Ferrari Branded amusement park
This fact about UAE is for all the auto enthusiasts. The Ferrari World is that the first Ferrari branded amusement park within the world. The world’s fastest roller coaster Formula Rosso is additionally located here. The Formula Rosso could speed up to 239 kilometers per hour in about just 4 seconds.
Largest Suspended Aquarium
The Dubai Aquarium Tank, with a capacity of 10 million liters, is that the largest suspended aquarium within the world! it’s situated at the bottom level of the Dubai Mall. it’s the foremost extensive collection of Odontaspis taurus Sharks within the world. The aquarium houses over 33,000 aquatic animals from over 200 species.
Ski in Snow within the middle of a desert
Ski Dubai is that the first indoor resort within the Middle East, equipped with skiing slopes complete with ski lifts. About 22,500 square meters of the realm is roofed with REAL SNOW! additionally to the present, it also shelters penguins as a component of the conservation program.
World’s Biggest Picture Frame
Dubai boasts of getting the most important frame within the world. The Dubai Frame, which is 492 feet tall, towers above the city’s skyline and could be a famous tourist hotspot.
The Dubai Dino
A 155-million-year-old fossil of Diplodocus Longus – famously called the ‘Dubai Dino’ is permanently on display within the Dubai Mall. it’s one amongst the few fossils within the world excavated with the majority bones intact!
World’s Tallest Chocolate Sculpture
To celebrate the 43rd National Day of United Arab Emirates, a duplicate of the Burj Khalifa was made using the rich Belgian chocolate. The peak of the sculpture was about 13.52 meters, thus making it the tallest chocolate structure within the world.
World’s Longest Handmade Gold Chain
The ‘Dubai Celebration Chain’ is the longest handmade gold chain ever crafted. It was built to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Dubai shopping festival. The chain weighted nearby 240 kg while measured about 5 km longs. It took around 45 days and hundred craftsmen to create this astounding gold chain. After that it was broken into pieces and was sold away.
The World’s Largest Hand-woven Carpet
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi has the world’s largest hand-woven carpet. It was manufactured by the Iran Carpet Company. The 5630 square-meter carpet was created in 9 parts and assembled within the mosque. The mosque also has the world’s third-largest chandelier made up of stainless-steel, brass and 24-carat gold. the development of the mosque itself took 11 years to end.
Man-made Islands
We humans have got so advanced in the field of science and architecture that we build an island. Dubai has four human-made islands, named as The Palm Jumeirah, the Palm Jebel Ali, Deira Island and therefore the Worlds. The Palm Jumeirah is one in every of the most important and biggest human-made islands within the world! This island is intended within the shape of a tree with fronds and branches spreading out. it’s more sort of a mini-city. The Palm Jumeirah has many five star hotels, lavishing homes and a monorail.
Drugs
Drugs is a serious illegal thing to do in Dubai. The government shows zero tolerance policy towards the consumers. Although there is some sort of relaxation but try not to get involved in the illegal smuggling case. If you have urgent need of some medicine, carry your prescription with you.
Hand Gestures
Any sort of obscene hand gestures will land you in serious trouble. Speaking bad languages or showing disrespect to its religion and leaders is absolutely forbidden. You should never use left hand as mode of gestures. Left hand is considered unhygienic and unclean, due to some old traditions in Muslim culture. And you definitely shouldn’t use for eating. Try not to point your finger to show something. Instead used the whole hand while gesturing or pointing.
PDAs
PDA means public displays of affection. Holding hands is the tolerated only for married couple. PDA is a big no-no in Dubai. Many youngsters, even elder tourist get arrested due to merely kissing in public. Try to be safe!
Dress Code
Dubai is a Muslim oriented city, that doesn’t mean that you’ve to wear a full burqa during your trip. Certain shopping malls will have dress code needed to follow. Other than that, women should dress modestly. Swimwear is acceptable only in private beaches and private swimming pools. And while visiting a religious place, you should cover your head. Men shouldn’t walk shirtless accept in the beach. Cross dressing is frowned and wearing short dresses or t-shirts are suitable only in certain places and strictly prohibited in the older parts of the city.
Ramadan
Ramadan is one of the most important festivals of Dubai. If you travel during Ramadan, be on your best behaviour. Be respectful and humble. During Ramadan, non residents and visitors are expected to follow some attributes. Eating, drinking, drug consumption and smoking in public will be strictly forbidden during these days. You know well what happens next!
Alcohol Consumption
Although there are many licenced bars and pubs where you can go have your drink but drinking in public place isn’t allowed at any cost. If you do, you may get in trouble with some undercover agents. Take it easy folks. Being drunk in public and behaving disorderly is a serious issue and unacceptable in Dubai. Drunk driving will lend you directly in the prison.
Photography
Photography should do with real caution. You need to ask first before taking any pictures of a national resident of the UAE, especially the subject is women. Never take any picture of any local resident of the city.
Invitations and Interaction
If you got an invitation to masjids or any religious place, remove your shoe at the entrance and then enter the place. Male and females must be escorted in different section. If you are invited for a meal, first accept the food and refreshment then move to the matter of any business. It is considered respectful for standing up for guests (both new and older generation) or any high-ranking people. Men are must stand when a woman enters the room. It is customary to accept food and drink with your right hand and should eat with right hand too. While greeting any Muslim member, never offer the handshake first, unless they extend first. Mostly avoid shaking hand, if the member is a woman, cause due to religious reasons. Try to avoid showing the soles of your feet or pointing feet. Never cross your legs while sitting in front of an important guest. Never offer your Muslim guests’ alcoholic beverages or meat.
Relationships and Marriages
The UAE is a conservative country. Only married couples are permitted to live inside a private room together. Living in relationship is a big no there. It is okay for married couples to hold hand and light peck over the cheek. But the deep kissing isn’t allowed in public places. Cohabitation, sex out of marriage, adultery, having a baby out of wedlock and homosexuality are consider crime there. Yes! Homosexuality and gay relationship haven’t been legalised yet. Display of affection may lend you into unpredictable consequences.
Islam Religion
Islam is a religion based on respect and love. If you act in a humble and respectful manner, you’ll receive the love and great hospitability of the people there. If you insult Islam in any way, that’s the worst thing you will do in an Islamic country. Keep your opinion on the Islamic religion up to you. Do not say it aloud as it might deemed as highly disrespectful. Blasphemy carries serious consequences, so keep your personal opinion up to yourself.
Conclusion:
Here were the 47 most interesting facts about the United Arabs Emirates. Hope that these will make you fall in love with UAE.