UAE General Info
UAE General Information
Area: 77,700 sq km or 30,000 square miles.
Population: 2,724,000 (1998).
Population Density: 35.1 per sq km.
Capital: Abu Dhabi. Population: 398,695 (1995).
UAE General Information
Area: 77,700 sq km or 30,000 square miles.
Population: 2,724,000 (1998).
Population Density: 35.1 per sq km.
Capital: Abu Dhabi. Population: 398,695 (1995).
Geography: The Emirates are bordered to the north by the Gulf and the Musandam Peninsula. To the east by Oman and to the south and west by Saudi Arabia and to the northwest by Qatar. They are comprised by a federation of seven small former sheikhdoms. Abu Dhabi being the largest Emirate and followed by Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Umm al Qaiwain and Ras al- Khaimah are known collectively as the Northern States. The land is mountainous and largely desert. Abu Dhabi is sandy and flat and inside its border is the Buraimi Oasis. Dubai with its 16km (10-mile) deep-water creek, gives it the popular name of ‘Pearl of the Gulf’. Sharjah has a deep water port on coast of Batinah at Khor Fakkan, on the Indian Ocean. Ras al-Khaimah is the fourth in size. Fujairah, one of the three smaller sheikhdoms is located on the Batinah coast and has agricultural potential. Ajman and Umm al Qaiwain were once small coastal fishing villages.
Government: Federation of seven autonomous Emirates.
Head of State: Sheikh Zâyid Bin Sultân An-Nahyân (Emir of Abu Dhabi) since 1971.
Head of Government: Vice President Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al-Maktoum (Emir of Dubai) since 1979.
Language: Arabic is the official language and English is widely spoken.
Religion: Majority Muslim, 16 per cent are Shiite and the remainder Sunni.
Time: GMT + 4 hours.
Electricity: 220/240 volts AC, 50Hz. Square three-pin plugs are widespread.
Banking hours
- Saturday - Wednesday 07:30-13:00.
- Thursdays 07:30-12:00.
- Some open Saturday - Wednesday 16:30-18:00
The UAE currency is the Dirham (Dh) = 100 fils. Notes are in denominations of Dh1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of Dh1, and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 fils.
Note: The UAE Dirham is tied to the US Dollar.
Money exchange service in UAE
Most hotels can provide foreign currency exchange.
Credit and debit cards in UAE
Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Diners Club are widely accepted in the UAE. Check with your credit or debit card company for acceptability details and other services that may be available.
Traveler’s cheques: Also widely accepted in the UAE. In order to avoid exchange fees, tourists are advised to use traveler’s cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.
UAE Currency restrictions: The import and export of foreign and local are unrestricted.
- Saturday - Wednesday 07:30-13:00.
- Thursdays 07:30-12:00.
Health Advice
1: Vaccinations against polio is advised. Typhoid occurs in rural areas.
2: Malaria is not considered a risk in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi nor in the cities of Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman or Umm al Qaiwain. There is a risk of contracting the benign vivax form in the valleys and on the lower slopes of mountainous areas of the Northern States. In these regions chloroquine or proguanil is recommended as well as protection against mosquito bites
Normally tap water in major cities is safe to drink, but in small villages bottled water should be used. Water used for drinking, making ice or brushing teeth should first be boiled or otherwise sterilized. Milk is usually sold un-pasteurized and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and recommended Be sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products made from un boiled milk. Eat well cooked meat and fish and preferably served hot. Salad and mayonnaise may be risky. Vegetables should be not be eaten raw and fruit peeled
Visceral leishmaniasis and tick-borne typhus does occur. Avoid mosquito, sand fly and tick bites by using repellents. Wear shoes to prevent soil borne parasites. Drink plenty of water to avoid heat exhaustion and sunstroke. Immunizations against hepatitis A is advised Hepatitis B is endemic.
Rabies has been documented close to the border with Oman. For those at high risk, vaccinations before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical assistance. For more information, see the Health appendix
Medical facilities are of high quality and are extremely expensive. Private health insurance is essential.
Useful travel links
Lonely Planet Health lists health precautions and tips for travellers
No jet lag : all about jet lag. What is it and who gets it
WHO the official site of the World Health Organization
Lonly Planet : Health lists health precautions and tips for travellers
The ideal time to visit UAE is between October and May. The hottest months are from June to September with little rainfall. Recommended clothing:
Light weight with medium weights from November to March and warmer clothes for evening. |
