The United Arab Emirates meaning United Country in the Middle East and sharing borders with Oman and Saudi Arabia, the U.A.E. is a federation consisting of seven emirates: Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, Umm al-Quwain and the largest Abu Dhabi which contains the capital city and accounts for 87% of the total U.A.E. landmass.
One of the most famous geographical features of the federation is the Palm Islands in Dubai.
They are the largest land reclamation projects in the world and are being created from sand dredged from the bottom of the Persian Gulf. Palm Jumeriah was the first to have residents located on the peninsula.
Palm Jebel Ali will likely become a large draw for the tourist industry in 2012 when Busch Entertainment Corporation opens the first of four theme parks including a SeaWorld and Busch Gardens.
United Arab Emirates
About United Arab Emirates
National Olympic Committee
Climate
The U.A.E. has short torrential rain burst during the summer months often resulting in flooding of dry riverbeds called Wadi. Temperatures during the summer can reach 48 °C in some places and during the winter go as low as 10 °C.
A dry and dusty wind known as the Sharqi blows from the southeast with gusts up to 80 km/h and can make living on the coast unpleasant during the late summer months.
With sand storms reaching up to a thousand meters high it often shuts down airports for short periods of time.
Culture
The UAE is blessed with a rich heritage that encompasses architecture, sports, occupations, traditions, arts, crafts, food, places of historical and archaeological importance, lifestyle and values imbibed in Islam.
Camel racing is one of the historical tradional sport. Arabian horse breeding is also highly prized.
UAE has become of the major tourist and trade destinations in the world.
Sports
Football is a most popular sport, followed by shooting. UAE won the first Olympic gold medal in Athens 2004 in shooting by Ahmed al-Maktoum.