Key Facts about the UAE
At a glance
| Item | Fact |
|---|---|
| Government | A constitutional federation of seven emirates |
| The emirates | Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah |
| Capital | Abu Dhabi city |
| Founded | 2 December 1971 (National Day) |
| President | Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, since 14 May 2022 |
| Official language | Arabic |
| Official religion | Islam |
| Currency | UAE dirham (AED), pegged at AED 3.6725 per US dollar since February 2002 |
| Time zone | GMT+4 |
| Country calling code | +971 |
| Internet domain | .ae |
| Driving | On the right |
| Fiscal year | 1 January to 31 December |
Source: UAE Government Portal: Fact sheet; UAE Government Portal: Founders of the Union1,4
Land and climate
The UAE lies on the south-eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It faces the Arabian Gulf to the north and north-west, borders Saudi Arabia to the west and south, and Oman to the south-east. The coastline was about 1,318 km before land reclamation projects such as the Dubai Palms, and the highest point is Jebel Jais at 1,934 metres.1
The climate is desert: warm and sunny in winter, hot and humid in summer, and generally cooler in the eastern mountains.1
People and economy
The population rose 5.7% in 2024 to 11,294,243. Expatriates outnumber UAE nationals, and Indians are the biggest foreign community, followed by Pakistanis and Bangladeshis.2,1
Real GDP reached AED 1.9 trillion in 2025, up 6.2%, and non-oil GDP grew 6.8% to AED 1.5 trillion. There is no income tax on individuals; VAT is 5%.3,1
Arabic is the official language. The courts also work in Chinese, English, French, Hindi and Russian, and road and shop signs are in Arabic and English.1
The working week
- Government and semi-government offices work Monday to Friday.
- Sharjah government entities work Monday to Thursday.
- Most private companies close only on Sunday; others close on Saturday and Sunday.
Source: UAE Government Portal: Fact sheet1
Phone codes
| Code | Area |
|---|---|
| 02 | Abu Dhabi |
| 03 | Al Ain |
| 04 | Dubai |
| 06 | Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain |
| 07 | Ras Al Khaimah |
| 09 | Fujairah and Khor Fakkan |
Source: UAE Government Portal: Fact sheet1
Emergency numbers
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Police | 999 |
| Ambulance | 998 |
| Civil Defence | 997 |
| Electricity emergencies | 991 |
Source: UAE Government Portal: Fact sheet1
Main airports
- Zayed International, Abu Dhabi (AUH)
- Al Ain International (AAN)
- Dubai International (DXB)
- Al Maktoum International, Dubai (DWC)
- Sharjah International (SHJ)
- Ras Al Khaimah International (RKT)
- Fujairah International (FJR)
Source: UAE Government Portal: Fact sheet1
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the capital of the UAE?
Abu Dhabi city is the capital of the United Arab Emirates, a federation of seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.
What time zone is the UAE in?
The UAE is 4 hours ahead of GMT (GMT+4), and its country calling code is +971.
Sources
- UAE Government Portal: Fact sheet
- Gulf News: UAE population hits 11.3 million in 2024, FCSC figures
- Emirates News Agency (WAM): UAE GDP reaches AED 1.9 trillion, grows 6.2% in 2025
- UAE Government Portal: Founders of the Union
Facts checked 21 October 2026. Prepared by Invest-Emirates.ae for general information.