UAE
Full Country Name: United Arab Emirates
Area: 83,600 sq km
Population: 4.6 million (2005 census estimate)
Capital City: Abu Dhabi
People: Arab (55%), South Asian (28%), Iranian (8%), other expatriates (9%)
Languages: Arabic
Religion(s): Muslim (96%) Hindu (4%)
Currency: 1 UAE Dirham=100 fils
Major political parties: None
Government: Federation
Head of State: Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed al-Nahyan
Prime Minister/Premier: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Foreign Minister: Sheikh Abdallah Bin Zayid Al Nahyan
The UAE is made up of seven Emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Quwain, Ras al-Khaimah and Fujairah.
VISAS
Information regarding visas can be obtained here.
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS
Al Ain English Speaking School, Al Ain
Website: http://www.aaess.com/
Al Nahda National Schools, Abu Dhabi
Website: http://www.alnahdasch.com
Al Shohub School For Girls, Abu Dhabi
Website: http://www.alshohub.ae
Cambridge International School, Dubai
Website: http://www.gemscis-dubai.com/
Deira International School, Dubai
Website: http://www.disdubai.ae/
Dubai British School, Dubai
Website: http://www.dubaibritishschool.ae
Dubai College, Dubai
Website: http://www.dubaicollege.org/
Dubai English Speaking School, Dubai
Website:http://www.dessdxb.com/
Emirates International School, Dubai
Website: http://www.eischool.com
Fujairah Private Academy, Fujairah
Website: http://www.fpa.sch.ae/
Horizon School, Dubai
Website: http://www.horizonschooldubai.com/
Jebel Ali Primary School, Dubai
Website: http://www.jebelalischool.com/
Jumeirah College, Dubai
Website: http://www.gemsjc.com/
Jumeirah English Speaking School, Dubai
Website: http://www.bsme.org.uk/schools/more.asp?id=56&sch=
Jumeirah Primary School, Dubai
Website: http://www.jpsdubai.com
King’s Dubai, Dubai
Website: http://www.kingsdubai.com/
Latifa School for Girls, Dubai
Website: http://www.latifaschool.co.ae/
Pristine Private School, Dubai
Website: http://www.pristineschool.com
Ras Al Khaimah English Speaking School, Ras Al Khaimah
Website: http://www.rakess.net
Rashid School for Boys, Dubai
Website: http://www.rsbdubai.sch.ae/
Safa School, Dubai
Website: http://www.safaschooldubai.com/
Sharjah English School, Sharjah
Website: http://www.seschool.ae
Star International School, Dubai
Website: http://www.sistwar.com/
The British School, Abu Dhabi
Website: http://www.britishschool.sch.ae/
The Cambridge High School Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi
Website: http://www.tchs-auh.sch.ae/
The English College, Dubai
Website: http://www.englishcollege.ac.ae/
The School of Research Science, Dubai
Website: http://www.bsme.org.uk/schools/more.asp?id=63&sch=
The Sheffield Private School, Dubai
Website: http://www.sheffieldprivateschool.com
Victoria English School, Sharjah
Website: http://www.victoriaenglishschool.ae
ECONOMY
The UAE has one of the highest GNP’s per head in the world. While still heavily dependent on revenues from hydrocarbons, the UAE is relatively well insulated from periods of low oil prices due to successful moves towards economic diversification, large foreign exchange reserves and overseas investments. The global economic crisis is being felt in the UAE with a number of projects being either shelved or cancelled. There have been redundancies across all sectors, and particularly in construction. The lack of funds and credit, while mild compared to Europe and the US is beginning to have an effect.
Abu Dhabi has approximately 10% of the world’s proven oil reserves and 5% of the gas. The Emirate also has an impressive investment portfolio financed from oil income. Dubai is different. It has far more limited hydrocarbon reserves and therefore has a more diverse economy based on a vision of making Dubai the region’s business, logistics, media and leisure hub. The Northern Emirates fair less well, although Sharjah has established itself as a base for manufacturing. The Northern Emirates are, to a greater or lesser extent, reliant on Abu Dhabi and funds from the Federal Government.