Brief history of UAE

During the Middle Ages local Arab tribes in the Gulf region of the kingdom of Hormuz controlled the trade between Europe, Africa and India. The Europeans did not like it, so they worked hard to cut out the middleman: In 1498, the Portuguese started their war against these Arabs and by 1515 occupied Julfar near Ras al-Khaimah.

By 1633 the Portuguese were eventually pushed out by the energetic new masters – the British which were working their way out of India from the Indian Office. Once they subdued the Arabs the British forced them to sport white band on their flags as a sign of a total surrender to British and allowed them to change their name to that of “the Trucial Coast”.

The modern United Arab Emirates federation was created by the British out of the seven original sovereign (Trucial) sheikhdoms (emirates) including: Abu Dhabi (Abu Zaby), Dubai (Dubayy), Ajman (‘Ajman), Fujairah (Al Fujayrah), Sharjah (Ash Shariqah), Ras-Al-Kaimah (Ra’s al Khaymah), Umm Al Qaiwain (Umm al Qaywayn).

Abu Dhabi is the current capital city of the USAE Federation.

Who’s the Current Owner: US
Who’s here in USAE: Al Dhatra Air Base, Recon aircraft

Who were the Previous Owners: Portuguese rule, 1515 – 1633, British rule, 1633 – 1971.

Previous Names: The Kingdom of Hormuz, The Pirate Coast (until 1811), The Trucial Coast, Trucial (peaceful, sporting white flag!) States of Oman (as of 1811)

Current Names: UAE, The United Arab Emirates, Al Imarat al Arabiyah al Muttahidah
Located Where: Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia

Border countries: Oman 410 km, Saudi Arabia 457 km

Coastline: 1,318 km

Climate: Scorching desert, but much cooler in eastern mountains

Highest point: Jabal Yibir 1,527 m

Natural resources: Petroleum, natural gas

Population: 2,445,989, out of which appx. 1,576,472 non-locals, immigrants, slaves and guest-workers

Ethnic groups: Emirati Arabs 19%, other Arab and Iranian 23%, South Asian 50%, other expats 8% (1982)

Languages: Arabic, Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu

Capital: Abu Dhabi