Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
remained independent. The UAE's first president was Sheikh Zayed, its 'founding father',
who held the position he held until his death in 2004. Still greatly revered by his people,
he also commanded huge respect across the Middle East. After his death, power passed
peacefully to his son Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who's still got the job today.
Today, the UAE remains the region's only federation and is in no danger of breaking
up. In fact, if anything, the financial bailouts by oil-rich Abu Dhabi of Dubai during the
2009 economic crisis tightened the bond and demonstrated the emirates' commitment to -
and interdependence on - each other.
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Government & Politics
The UAE is composed of seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah,
Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah. 'Emirate' comes from the word 'emir' (ruler). In
practice, the seven hereditary emirs of the UAE are called sheikhs. Though there is a fed-
eral government led by one of the sheikhs (the president), each ruler is completely sover-
eign within his emirate.
The seven rulers of the emirates form the Supreme Council, the highest body in the
land, which ratifies federal laws and sets general policy. There is also a Council of Minis-
ters, or cabinet, headed by the prime minister who appoints ministers from all the emir-
ates. Naturally, the more populous and wealthier emirates like Abu Dhabi and Dubai have
greater representation.
The cabinet and Supreme Council are advised, but can't be overruled, by a parliament-
ary body called the Federation National Council (FNC). Half of its 40 members are elec-
ted by the 6689 members of the Electoral College (selected by the ruler of each emirate);
the other 20 are directly appointed by rulers. There are eight representatives each from
Abu Dhabi and Dubai, six from Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah and four from Ajman, Umm
Al Quwain and Fujairah. Nine FNC members are women.
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Economy
The UAE has the world's seventh-largest oil reserves (after Saudi Arabia, Venezuela,
Canada, Iran, Iraq and Kuwait), but the vast majority of it is concentrated in the emirate of
Abu Dhabi. It is thought that at current levels of production, oil and gas will run out in
about a century and, sensibly, the government has been working hard at diversifying the
