(1994 est.)
Nationality:
noun:
Emirian(s)
adjective:
Emirian
Ethnic divisions:
Emirian 19%, other Arab 23%, South Asian 50%, other expatriates
(includes Westerners and East Asians) 8% (1982)
note:
less than 20% are UAE citizens (1982)
Religions:
Muslim 96% (Shi'a 16%), Christian, Hindu, and other 4%
Languages:
Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu
Literacy:
age 10 and over but definition of literacy not available (1980)
total population:
68%
male:
70%
female:
63%
Labor force:
580,000 (1986 est.)
by occupation:
industry and commerce 85%, agriculture 5%, services 5%, government 5%
note:
80% of labor force is foreign (est.)

@United Arab Emirates, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
United Arab Emirates
conventional short form:
none
local long form:
Al Imarata al Arabiyah al Muttahidah
local short form:
none
former:
Trucial States
Abbreviation:
UAE
Digraph:
TC
Type:
federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE central
government and other powers reserved to member emirates
Capital:
Abu Dhabi
Administrative divisions:
7 emirates (imarat, singular - imarah); Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi), 'Ajman,
Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah (Sharjah), Dubayy, Ra's al Khaymah, Umm al
Qaywayn
Independence:
2 December 1971 (from UK)
National holiday:
National Day, 2 December (1971)
Constitution:
2 December 1971 (provisional)
Legal system:
secular codes are being introduced by the UAE Government and in
several member emirates; Islamic law remains influential
Suffrage:
none
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President ZAYID bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan, (since 2 December 1971), ruler
of Abu Dhabi; Vice President Shaykh Maktum bin Rashid al-MAKTUM (since
8 October 1990), ruler of Dubayy
head of government:
Prime Minister Shaykh MAKTUM bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 8 October
1990), ruler of Dubayy; Deputy Prime Minister Sultan bin Zayid Al
NUHAYYAN (since 20 November 1990)
Supreme Council of Rulers:
composed of the seven emirate rulers, the council is the highest
constitutional authority in the UAE; establishes general policies and
sanctions federal legislation, Abu Dhabi and Dubayy rulers have veto
power; council meets four times a year
cabinet:
Council of Ministers; appointed by the president
Legislative branch:
unicameral Federal National Council (Majlis Watani Itihad); no
elections
Judicial branch: