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COUNTRY |
CLIMATE The UAE experiences a moderate climate between October and March when days are sunny and pleasant (average temperature - 26 C/79 F). Nights are cool (average temperature is 15 C/59 F). Summer is between April and September, when temperatures peak at 50 C/122 F with high humidity levels. In the summer, southerly and northerly winds blow over the UAE with occasional sandstorms. POPULATION The population of the United Arab Emirates at the end of 2005 was 4.104 million. It is projected to grow to nearly 4.76 million by the end of 2008. ECONOMY The UAE is a major player in the global oil industry. The emirate of Abu Dhabi alone accounts for 10 percent of the world’s confirmed oil reserves (98 billion barrels). Trade plays an important role in the country’s economy as each emirate has established free zones with no taxes to encourage companies to set up their manufacturing and export units here. According to World Bank figures for 2004, the UAE’s Gross National Income (GNI) per capita was $21,000. The country’s main export partners are Saudi Arabia, Iran, Japan, India, Singapore, South Korea, and Oman. The main import partners are Japan, USA, UK, Italy, Germany and South Korea. |
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MONEY EXCHANGES Money exchanges can be found all over the UAE – in the airport and shopping malls and as standalones in various districts. They offer reasonable exchange rates - often better than the banks. Many hotels will also exchange money and travelers’ cheques at the standard hotel rate. Money Exchange Hours: Saturday - Thursday: 08:30 - 13:00 & 16:30 - 21:00 Friday: 16:30 - 21:00. CREDIT CARDS Most shops, hotels and restaurants accept the major crdit cards (American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and VISA). Smaller retailers are sometimes less keen to accept credit cards and you may have to pay an extra commission – varying from 2.5 to 5 percent - as a processing fee. However, if you are paying in cash, you may sometimes be allowed a discount. DRIVING LICENSE If you want to drive a rental car in the UAE you need to bring an IDP - International Driving Permit and your home country driving licence (from the same country as your passport). However, as the country’s roads are continually undergoing change and Dubai’s Metro is under construction, it is strongly recommended that you use public taxis or employ the services of a hotel taxi. |
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STAYING IN UAE CULTURE Emirati society is firmly rooted in Islamic traditions. Religion plays an important role in the culture and heritage of the UAE. The UAE is extremely tolerant and hospitable. UAE nationals retain their traditions and great emphasis is placed on preserving Arab and Emirati culture through initiatives that encourage art, poetry and restoration of traditional architectural structures. Courtesy and warmth go a long way in building long-standing friendships with the Emiratis. DRESS CODE The vast majority of UAE nationals choose to wear the traditional dress. Men can be seen wearing the “dishdash(a)” or “khandura” – a white full length shirt dress, which is worn with a white or red checked headdress, known as a “gutra.” This is secured with a black cord (“agal”). Sheikhs and prominent businessmen may also wear a thin black or gold robe (“bisht”), over their dishdasha at important events. The “bisht” is comparable to the Western dinner jacket. In public, women wear the black “abaya” – a long, loose black robe over their normal clothes – and a headscarf called the “shayla.” The abaya is often of very sheer, flowing fabric and may be open at the front. Emirati women are known to wear stunning abayas that feature intricate embroidery and beadwork. Shaylas are also worn in different styles and have emerged as a statement of individuality and expression, especially among the younger Emirati women. Some women choose to wear a thin black veil covering their face and/or gloves. It is also not uncommon for older women to wear a leather mask, known as a “burkha,” which covers the nose, brow and cheekbones. Foreigners are advised to dress respectfully, modestly and conscious of Islamic tradition, particularly in the presence of Emiratis. Western attire is perfectly acceptable and foreign women are not expected to cover up, however, it is recommended that they refrain from wearing revealing outfits and cover their shoulders and legs. It is also advisable to carry a light shawl or jacket for evening outings to restaurants or bars, because of the air conditioning. Social Greetings and Behavior Most Emiratis are well-versed with the customs and ways of Western life and are fairly forgiving of any cultural or social faux pas. However, certain basic rules of etiquette are advised. * Always stand when someone enters the room. When you enter a room, smile, shake hands with everyone and introduce yourself. * Men should never offer to shake hands with an Arab woman unless the woman takes the initiative and extends her hand first. * Foreign women may sometimes find that an Arab man may not extend his hand to shake hers. * It is considered impolite to point the soles of your feet at someone. * Never eat, accept or offer things with your left hand. * Many Arabs begin meetings with polite conversation. Do not directly switch to business as this is viewed as offensive. * In the Arab world, it is not uncommon forpeople to attach forms of address to the ndividual’s first name and not the family name. * Only royals in the UAE have the title Sheikh. When in the presence of royalty, use the address “Your Highness.” Emiratis can be greeted with the salutation of As-Salaam Aleikum (Hello in Arabic). The person you have greeted will then reply to As-Salaam Aleikum with Wa-Alaykum E-Salaam, which also means Hello, but is used only as a response greeting. * It is considered inappropriate and impolite to stare at an Emirati woman. * Do not take photos of Emirati women without obtaining their permission. * It is considered impolite to refuse an offer of coffee or tea. Likewise, if you are the host, it is considered equally disrespectful to fail to offer tea or coffee to your guest. TELEPHONE The UAE has an excellent telecommunications system. Etisalat and du are the 2 telecom providers operating in the country and it is possible to connect even from remote areas. The UAE’s country code is +971. To dial out from the UAE dial “00” followed by the international country code and telephone number. Every emirate in the UAE has its own area code. The area code for Abu Dhabi is 02 and Dubai is 04 Mobile phone numbers in the UAE begin with 050, 055 or 056. Local pre-paid mobile phone numbers can be purchased at specific etisalat or du counters at the airport or at most leading supermarkets in the country. |
INTERNET ACCESS All top-end hotels have internet access for their guests at their business centres, rooms or through a Wi-Fi facility. LOCAL TIME AND BUSINESS HOURS The UAE is 4 hours ahead of GMT (+4 GMT). Business hours vary in the UAE. Some people work a straight shift (08:00 to 17:00 or 09:00 to 18:00, with an hour for lunch). Others work a split shift (09:00 to 13:00 and 16:00 to 19:00). Most shops are open throughout the day – particularly in the shopping malls - with most closing at 22:00 on weeknights and 01:00 on weekend nights. Smaller street traders continue to follow the old practice of shutting down 4 hours in the afternoon. The UAE weekend is Friday, (the Islamic holy day) and Saturday. Offices and schools are closed during the weekend, however, shopping malls and hotels work throughout the year. Government offices are generally open from 07:30 to 14:00, Saturday to Wednesday. PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AND EVENTS The UAE observes all Islamic holidays. Additionally August 6 is a public holiday commemorating the accession of the first President, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The UAE also celebrates December 2 as the UAE National Day. FESTIVALS The UAE – Dubai in particular – hosts a number of tourist-oriented events on an annual basis. The most famous are Dubai Shopping Festival and Dubai Summer Surprises. The UAE is also now a successful and important venue for sport, cultural and entertainment events in the region. ACTIVITIES In addition to the most popular activity in the UAE – shopping - , the country offers a wide range of activities such as water sports, diving, golf and off-road safaris in the desert. Explorer Publishing produces comprehensive guidebooks with complete listings of activities and sites to visit in the UAE. Explorer guides are available in most high-end hotels or in any leading UAE bookstore such as Magrudy’s, Jashanmal’s and Borders. FOOD AND DRINK Arabic cuisine in the UAE often refers to Lebanese food. Most dishes are meat-based, however, the excellent selection of ‘mezze’ or appetisers are very vegetarian-friendly. ‘Mezze’ although known as appetisers, can often be a meal in itself. It includes a wonderful diversity of appetisers served with warm Arabic bread ranging from numerous green salads, pickles, ‘hummous’ (ground chickpeas, oil and garlic), ‘tabouleh’ (parsley and cracked wheat salad with tomato), ‘fatoush’ (lettuce, tomatoes with grilled Arabic bread), and ‘fattayer’ (small, usually hot, pastries filled with cottage cheese, spinach or minced meat). For the main courses, Arabic cuisine leans heavily towards charcoal grilling of meat and fish. ‘Khouzi’ is a specialty dish served during Ramadan, the holy month of fasting for Muslims, and comprises a whole lamb served on a bed of rice, mixed with nuts. Other typical dishes include ‘kibbeh’ (deep fried mince, pine nuts and bulgur) or a variety of kebabs. Desserts include Lebanese sweets. Popular sweets are ‘baklava’ (filo pastry layered with honey and pistachio nuts) and ‘umm Ali’ (‘mother of Ali’ in English), a dessert with layers of milk, bread, raisins and nuts. Apart from Arabic food, you will get all sorts of cuisins including Indian, Egyptian, Russian, Chineese, Thai, Westers, Mexican, French, Italian, Iranian, Turkish, Japaneese etc. Pork: Pork is not included on the Arabic menu. Food containing pork is found in five-star hotels. All meat served in the UAE is in accordance with the Islamic code known as “halal.” ALCHOHOL Alcohol is only served in licensed outlets that are associated with hotels (i.e., restaurants and bars), a few clubs (such as golf clubs) and associations. Stand-alone restaurants and food outlets, which are not part of a hotel, club or association, are not permitted to serve alcohol. Permanent residents who are non-Muslims can obtain alcohol for consumption at home without any difficulty, provided they have a permit. The UAE has a zero-tolerance policy towards alcohol-related offences. Under no circumstances should you consider driving after consuming alcohol. Guilty offenders face instant imprisonment and deportation after serving the prison sentence. |
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BRIEF HISTORY OF UAE The region of the United Arab Emirates has historically been traced back as a key trading centre as far back as the Kingdom of Sumer (in present-day Iraq) in 3,000 B.C. In 1971, 7 emirates, part of The Trucial States, came together and formed the federation of the United Arab Emirates. The new state comprised the emirates of capital Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, which joined in 1972. Oil was discovered in the UAE in 1958. Abu Dhabi is said to have 10 percent of the world’s known oil reserves. In 1966, Dubai, which had established itself as a wealthy trading centre in the region, also discovered oil. The UAE has achieved remarkable progress and rapidly developed into an important international hub for trade, commerce and leisure. It remains rooted in strong Arab and Islamic tradition, while working towards reaching its goal of becoming a leading player in the international arena. |
Emiratis credit the country’s success to their first President, the late His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who was also the Ruler of Abu Dhabi and the first Prime Minister, the late His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who was the Ruler of Dubai. Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid were much-loved and widely respected leaders, who set the foundation for the country’s emergence as a leading international centre in the 21st century. His Highness Sheikh Zayed passed away in 2004 and the current President of the UAE is his son, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi. His Highness Sheikh Rashid passed away in 1990 and was succeeded by his eldest son His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The extraordinary progress of Dubai began in the 1990s with His Highness Sheikh Maktoum and his brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who was the Crown Prince, setting the pace for the rapid development that the world has watched with amazement. Upon His Highness Sheikh Maktoum’s passing away in 2006, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed became the Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. |
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| * Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is taken from the other resources. Maharashtra Mandal Dubai does not hold the responcibility for the content. |
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