The United Arab Emirates, perhaps, can be called one of the most interesting and amazing eastern countries. In addition, this state is a popular tourist destination. However, not all travelers can answer a simple question, how many emirates are there in the UAE. To date, the state includes seven emirates, each of which boasts its own unique advantages.

How many emirates are in the UAE?

There are only seven Emirates in the UAE:

• Dubai
• Abu Dhabi
• Sharjah
• Ajaman
• Umm el Quwain
• Ras Al Khaimah
• fujairah

The largest and richest emirate can be called the capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi ( There are as many capitals in the UAE as there are Emirates). It is here that you can see the collision of the ancient traditions of the East and modern, and sometimes even futuristic landscapes. The main attractions of Abu Dhabi are the richly decorated mosques, located right among the business districts. Anyone can also easily find a place where you can take a break from the ever-evolving metropolis, in one of the many parks.

The most populous and popular emirate among tourists is Dubai. The first thing that catches your eye is the abundance of skyscrapers located here. From their breathtaking view just dizzy. There are also many museums in Dubai, the most popular of which is the Falconry Museum. The emirate is bordered by the Persian Gulf in the west. The length of the picturesque coast is 72 km.

Sharjah is called the cultural capital of the UAE. This emirate attracts tourists with an abundance of museums, theaters, galleries, etc. But the strictest rules apply here, which can scare away visitors. Alcohol is prohibited in Sharjah and revealing clothing is not allowed. This is the third largest emirate, which is simultaneously washed by the Persian and Oman Gulfs. Of course, in Sharjah, traditional oriental markets will also be of interest to many.

The smallest emirate of the state is Ajaman. This is the most peaceful and modest corner in the UAE. An indescribable atmosphere of comfort reigns here. A great pastime in Ajaman can be a picnic on the waterfront.

Umm Al Quwain is an emirate that boasts the presence on its territory of the main commercial markets, banks and largest companies. An agricultural district is located here, growing more than 30 varieties of dates - the most popular fruits of the East.

Ras Al Khaimah, the northernmost emirate of the UAE, is an insanely picturesque region where you can see stunning mountain views. This place is also remarkable for the abundance of historical sights. In the old part of Ras al-Khaimah, you can see watchtowers, a dilapidated fort, an ancient mosque, etc.

The beautiful emirate of Fujairah is famous for its historical monuments and all kinds of cultural heritage. It is located on the coast of the Indian Gulf, so another advantage of the region can be called a golden coastline.

Tatyana Solomatina

Country UAE: luxury in the desert

If you are going to visit the country for the first time, you just need to know the initial information, so I recommend that you read the article to the end.

UAE stands for United Arab Emirates. The name speaks for itself, the state consists of seven emirates. Abu Dhabi is the largest of them, its emir is the president of this country, and the city of Abu Dhabi is the capital of the state. The country of the UAE has good oil reserves, which is the main source of income for the country.

The UAE is located in the east of the Arabian Peninsula, partly washed by the waters of the Persian Gulf. The main part of the country is occupied by the largest desert, Rub al-Khale. The northern and eastern regions are dominated by mountainous terrain.

The government of the country has developed a special program for the creation of green oases, which is being successfully implemented. In large cities, there is a lot of green vegetation brought here from municipal parks.

Climate

It is very hot in the UAE, there are often sandstorms. In summer, the air temperature is about +45 degrees, in winter +20 - +22 degrees. Precipitation is rare, mostly in winter. At night, the temperature drops slightly.

Population and religion

The UAE is a Muslim country with a population of 9 million people, while the indigenous population is only 11%. The rest of the residents are immigrants from Pakistan, India, Nepal and other countries who came here to work. Most of the people living here are not citizens of the state.

Language and currency

The official language of the UAE country is Arabic. However, many residents communicate in Hindi, Farsi and English. Due to the abundance of Russian tourists, the employees of some shops and hotels know a little Russian.

Since 1973, the official currency has been the dirham (Dh).

Visa

In order to enter the country, a visa is required and it is expensive. Moreover, the price directly depends on the time of stay in the country. A regular tourist visa for a trip up to 30 days will cost 8,000 rubles. The transit card is valid for 96 hours and costs 5,500 rubles.

Get the coveted stamp at the UAE Embassy (website http://www.uae-embassy.ru/rco01.htm), is possible only for holders of a diplomatic passport. Ordinary citizens draw up documents through visa centers, special services of airlines or use the help of a travel operator.

When processing documents, it should be borne in mind that single girls under 30 years old, unaccompanied by male relatives, will not be given permission to enter the country.

Important addition!

From February 1, 2017 to citizens Russian Federation planning tourist trips to the United Arab Emirates do not need to apply for visas in advance.

Upon arrival at any airport in the UAE, citizens of the Russian Federation issue a visa on arrival for a period of 30 days free of charge. A visa can be extended once for 30 days by contacting the immigration department in the UAE in advance, for an additional fee.

federal supreme court- This supreme body judicial power. As in any modern civilized state, in the UAE the judiciary is separated from the executive.

The Federal Supreme Court is composed of five judges appointed by the Supreme Council. Judges determine constitutionality federal laws and arbitrate disputes between the emirates and disputes between the federal government and the emirates.

Such a system of government may seem authoritarian, but it is natural for the Emiratis, has developed as a result of the history of the country.

Story

Even 8,000 years ago, an ancient civilization arose on the territory of the modern UAE - the culture of Umm an-Nar. The climate then was much milder, which made it possible to fully develop Agriculture. Over time, desertification occurred, and the ancient culture died out.

Until the 12th century, there were no large settlements here, the area was inhabited by nomads, fishermen from the coast and a few inhabitants of the oases. In 632, on the territory of the modern emirate of Ras al-Khaimah, one of the most important battles of the “War against the Apostates” took place - the Battle of Daba.

Since the 12th century, port cities have been flourishing, the emirates have been participating in the developed trade network of the Indian Ocean, cultural and commodity exchange is flourishing. In the 16th century in Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf come the Portuguese, capturing part of the ports.

In the 17th century, Portugal loses its power, the Dutch take control of the Persian Gulf. In the 18th century they were replaced by the British. For a long time, the emirates fall under British influence and partial control.

Read a detailed story in our large and interesting article “”.

Who lives in the UAE

Now (note: the article was written in 2017), only 10% of the population are indigenous Arabs (citizens). The rest are temporary workers from India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Iran, Egypt and other countries.

Their relationships are complex, which we wrote about in detail in the article “”.

The laws

The UAE has a very complex legal system, but also very interesting, it is a unique fusion of Islamic and Anglo-Saxon legal traditions.

Each emirate chooses for itself whether to have its own judicial system or join the federal one. At the moment (note: the article was written in 2017), only Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah have their own judicial system.

Sharia does not have the status of law in the UAE, but the country's legislation is largely based on Sharia law. There are Sharia courts in the country that deal with cases of divorce, guardianship, and family disputes. Secular courts handle criminal and administrative cases.

The UAE uses Islamic forms of punishment. For example, lashing is used, several dozen people a year receive similar sentences. stone throwing as a species death penalty legalized, although now almost never used.

Much that we are already accustomed to is prohibited and punishable in the UAE:

Verbal abuse with sexual overtones can be punished with imprisonment or 80 lashes;

Abortions are punishable, up to 1 year in prison and up to AED 10,000 fine;

Apostasy from Islam is punishable by death;

Homosexuality is punishable by imprisonment - up to 12 years in prison;

You can go to jail for drunk driving or even drinking in a public place, which we talked about in the article "".

An interesting fact is that crime in the UAE is very “young”. According to statistics in 2015, about 40% of all offenses were committed by minors (persons under 18).

Behind the distant seas, behind the high mountains, where there is almost no rain, and the sun creates unbearable heat all year round, there is a small country ruled by wise men from ancient times. And what has been said is not a fairy tale, but the real truth, the truth of which you will see for yourself. We are talking about the state of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), located in the Middle East and is a federation.

Its rulers in matters of domestic policy actually follow the suras of Islam. Sheikhs of the UAE are one of the richest people in the world, they are educated, cultured, prone to oriental luxury and supernova technology and gadgets. The rulers do not put on the mask of the servants of the people, while remaining rich, but their subjects live comfortably, and feel needed by their country, and glorify their emirs.

Geography

First, let's briefly present some statistics for this state. The territory of the UAE is 83.6 thousand km 2, it is approximately equal to the Leningrad region. The state of the United Arab Emirates neighbors Oman and Saudi Arabia. Geography, its geology is characterized by its location on the coast of the Arabian Peninsula.

The country, located on the slope of the tectonic plate, is rich in minerals. The main oil reserves, estimated at 12.3 million tons and gas 5.6 trillion m 3 , lie in the depths of the emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

The gently sloping sedimentary mountain ranges of Khodjar, rising in the east, are rich in mineral springs. Aluminum is mined here.

The geographical space of the country is heterogeneous in terms of relief. The main tourist centers are on the sandy and rocky ground off the coast. The sea near the coast is exceptionally transparent, and the sand is golden. However, going deep into the peninsula, the traveler will find only total saline soils, replaced by sand dunes and stone plateaus, occupying more than 60% of the country's area.

The northern and eastern regions of the country are fertile, but not because of nature, but because they are planted with greenery in accordance with the program outlined by the Council of Emirs.

Thus, the climate of the UAE is mostly desert, only a narrow seaside strip is distinguished by favorable tropical weather.

Ancient and colonial history

There is no harm without good, it was during this period that Islam became the titular religion here, which appealed to the locals. The teaching of the Prophet hardened them spiritually.

Since the 15th century, Portugal has been pursuing its rather unsuccessful colonial policy in what is now the UAE, having robbed the people and forced them to engage in piracy. In the 19th century, it was pushed out of here by the Queen of the Seas - Britain, which has its own civilizational plan and created the rudiments of industrial infrastructure on the territory of the UAE.

History of Independence of the Emirates

However, all this time, not foreign colonialists, but local sheikhs remained the leaders of their people. It would seem that for three hundred years the emirates were forced, for three centuries they remained the servants of the colonialists on their land. However, having heard the call of the Bani-Yaz clan of the Maktoum dynasty, they followed the clan of the sheikh in 1833, captured Dubai, bringing it independence from foreigners. How can one not recall here the Arabic proverb that a lion at the head of a herd of sheep will defeat a herd of lions led by a ram. By the way, the direct ancestor of the current head of state commanded that army.

The British then frivolously did not attach any importance to this. In the 20s of the 20th century they discovered oil deposits on the peninsula and from the 50s began its mass production. However, by that time the Arab countries had become a world power, and the precedent of the Maktoum dynasty still took effect. In 1964, the League of Arab States opposed the English protectorate, demanding recognition of the independence of the Arab countries, and the British were forced to retreat.

In 1971, six states united to form the United Arab Emirates, the seventh emirate of Ras al-Khaimah joined them in next year. The Emir of the new country was its founder, Sheikh of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, an outstanding personality.

He was a man of clear mind and amazing foresight. He took on the burden of a leader and managed to unite and convince his then impoverished and demoralized people in the prospect of a decent life: “If at least one flowering branch remains in your soul, a songbird will certainly sit on it.” The sheikh appealed to the pride of his people, to their faith, which was confirmed in the flag of the new state.

And he was right, fulfilling his promises in abundance. The children and grandchildren of these people, who are fighting for existence and ending their lives at only 40 years old, today live in the richest state, using all the modern set of benefits. And this is without wars, without revolutions, without the extermination of the "fifth columns".

“The wise will understand as soon as you wink at him, but it’s not enough for a fool when he is pushed,” says an Arabic proverb about the properties of the mind. One of his 19 sons, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, today rules the country as skillfully as his ancestors, and his subjects bless him.

Each of the emirates (Shurja, Fujairah, Umm al-Qaiwain, Ras al-Khaimah, Dubai, Ajman, Abu Dhabi) is solely controlled by its own emir.

The President of the UAE is the emir of the largest of the emirates of Abu Dhabi, the capital of which and, at the same time, of the entire federation, the city of Abu Dhabi. The office of president is passed down from father to son. In the short history of the country, there were actually two presidents. When the first president-sheikh died, and the second only entered the ritual of taking power, the prime minister performed the duties for two days.

The President of the UAE is the head of the Supreme Council of the country, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, the head Supreme Council for oil. Seven rulers-emirs make up the supreme body of state power - the Supreme Council of the UAE.

These are amazing rulers who have a lot to learn from the western ones. How do these seven people manage to rule the country without revolutions? Why are their supercars parked in the parking lot with the key in the ignition, and none of the fellow citizens even think about the bad?

And how could it be otherwise in a believing country, whose citizens are given jobs by their rulers, provide a decent life, provide an impressive social package, provide free (but organized far from our model) medicine and education, and even abundantly produce fresh water for them.

How can sheikhs under such circumstances not be leaders of their people? After all, as the Arabs say, with the help of kindness and affection, even an elephant can be led by a thread.

language, flag

The official language in the UAE is Arabic. It shows films, prints newspapers, books, and publishes legal acts. This language is quite flexible. Having a primordially Arabic core, it is modified in accordance with the progress of society.

At the same time, English is widely used by local businesses for business correspondence and communication with contractors. In the country, British is the lingua franca. Also, among labor emigrants, their native languages ​​are used.

The flag of the UAE, as a state symbol, was adopted on December 2, 2017, the day the emirates were united into one state. Its four-color panel has rectangular shape with an aspect ratio of 2 to 1.

A single vertical (others are horizontal) red stripe runs along the pole. To the right of it are green, white, black stripes. Each color carries a symbolic meaning. The red stripe, as it were, consolidates the flag of the UAE, it means the pride, strength and freedom of civil society. Green top - Islam, the state religion. White - morality and purity of the inhabitants of the country and, finally, black - its natural resources, in particular - oil.

Capital

The capital of the UAE - the millionth city of Abu Dhabi - is the economic (56% of GDP), political, religious and cultural center of the state. It is built on an island connected to the mainland by three highways. The business district of the metropolis is located in its northern part, adjacent to the ultra-modern Corniche. The city is landscaped, it has more than two dozen parks, the greenery of which is fed with desalinated sea water. Abu Dhabi is built up mainly with modern low-rise buildings and villas.

The largest petrochemical, pipe-rolling, shipbuilding, cement production is located in the suburbs of the capital.

Economy

Words in the countries of Islam (unlike domestic politicians) are not just thrown into the wind. Once upon a time, the Supreme Council of the country, where there are no rivers, and instead of fertile lands - salt marshes, sands and rocks, announced that it would gradually turn it into an oasis. And the sheikhs, never tired of surprising the world with ambitious infrastructure facilities, are gradually fulfilling their promises. The advice of the wise emirs is really effective, adequate to the present. Speaking figuratively, the dynamic Eastern monarchs understood the time, because it can only be comprehended by being in motion.

In the UAE, there are no fewer representations of international corporations than in New York, London or Tokyo. According to the rating of countries, the economy of the UAE, a tiny country, ranks 31st in the world in terms of GDP produced, which in 2016 amounted to $375 billion, which is the value of goods and services produced in a year in this state.

The amount per capita per year is 67.7 thousand dollars, this is the ninth figure in the world. According to IMF experts, the country will maintain its growth dynamics until 2020.

The national currency of the UAE is called the Arab Dirham (AED). 100 fils equals one dirham. Until 1978, the dirham was pegged to the US dollar and is 0.27 of it. It is noteworthy that this rate has been maintained since the date of the introduction of the Emirati currency, that is, since 1973. And is it surprising? After all, Arabic wisdom from time immemorial says that good money should be like birds: fly and fly, and hence the country's exchange rate must be stable.

Industry

In the UAE, the industry has a pronounced oil and gas focus. However, state programs for its diversification still have their effect: 67% of the country's GDP is other goods and services, and not black gold or its products.

The UAE has developed aluminum production, light industry, fabrication of metal structures and building materials, energy industry, water desalination, dairy, meat, fish industries.

The traditional (pre-oil) crafts of this country are the cultivation of date palms, pearl fishing, breeding of horses and camels, and fishing.

Since 2004, the Emirates has been a country of free trade with the United States, the domestic market is full of good, branded goods. The law of sheikhs forbids merchants from buying fakes. How can one not recall the words of the oldest Persian poet and scholar Abu Rudaki: "A wise man is drawn to good and peace, a fool is drawn to war and strife."

Tourism

The high tourist season here lasts from May to September. The air at this time warms up to 50 0 C in the shade. However, through the efforts of cunning sheikhs, an amazing infrastructure for tourism has been created here. The sages consistently fulfill their own task - to transform the climate, to make an oasis out of the desert.

Note that it is preferable for people who are sensitive to heat to visit the Land of the Sheikhs from October to April. At this time, the average monthly temperature is 21 0 C. The UAE is dynamically developing tourism as a branch of its economy. Arriving guests seem to plunge into a fairy tale on the land of the emirs. The largest cities and at the same time beach centers are Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman and Sharjah. The best public beaches in the UAE, according to tourists, are Jumeirah Beach Park, Mamzer Beach, Burj Beach, Ghantoot Beach.

Guests of the country are amazed at how organically the traditions of Islam flow into the form of high-tech here, and how high-tech is filled with its content. This small country has the largest mosques in the world and the largest skyscrapers.

The majestic, domed marble Sheikh Zayed Mosque, built in honor of the first president of the UAE, amazes with its marble purity and whiteness. In ancient times, it would certainly be called a wonder of the world. Also surprising with its architecture is the largest temple in the Middle East - the mosque of King Faisal.

Younger tourists are attracted by other wonders of the world: skyscrapers exclusively built by the world's best architects, as well as the most picturesque islands artificially created according to intricate designs. East and through the millennium faithful to the tradition: to build new wonders of the world. Here you can see the largest artificial stalagmite in the world - the Burj Khalifa skyscraper, which has risen 800 meters high. Also unique is the Arabic analogy of the Leaning Tower of Pisa - the “falling” Capital Gate skyscraper. Famous in the world as the most expensive and most luxurious hotel "Sail" (Burj Al Arab Jumeirah), built by the brilliant British Thomas Wright.

The legendary gardens of Babylon would obviously pale in front of the greenery planted on the artificial Isles of Palms and lavishly watered with desalinated water.

Even the most charismatic fashionistas in the world do not consider it shameful to look at the most unique gold market located in Dubai. By the way, here, even in the hotel machine, you can exchange currency for gold.

Here are truly collected wonders of the world. Those who wish can go skiing in an indoor complex designed for the rest of 1,500 people, and the megamall in Sharjah is rightfully considered one of the largest in the world. Don't believe? Here, even an aquarium with five-meter sharks, stingrays and other marine life is not striking.

Labor migrants

Seemingly: the richest people- these sheikhs. How do they manage to live in such a way that their subjects love them? Most likely, this is the royal oriental nobility and wisdom is really in their blood: do not neglect small people, because they help to rise.

Of interest population policy UAE. The population of the country with an area of ​​83.6 thousand km 2 is 8.5 million people. If in 1975 a little more than half a million people lived here, then a 16-fold dynamics of social development is evident. The moral foundations of the country of emirs prevent Arab citizens from doing menial work.

Almost 89% of the population are foreigners who have come for employment, they are happy to take on the poorly paid work here. They have a status that does not allow them to become citizens of this country, but they can pursue a career in the non-state sector. The UAE is considered one of the most liberal Arab powers. The population of the country, in proof of this thesis, is actively increasing.

Thus, less than every ninth person you meet in the Land of Sheikhs is its citizen. People from South Asia (Pakistan, India, Bangladesh) make up more than half of the inhabitants of the UAE. The population of the state is also represented by:

• other immigrants from Asia (Arab countries, Thailand, China, Philippines);
• Europeans, Americans, Australians;
• Africans.

Not all Arabs in this country are its citizens. After all, many of them are labor emigrants in the UAE. The Arab population of the Country of Emirs, in addition to the indigenous people, is represented by people from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, and Bedouins.

Note: labor emigrants are grateful to the sheikhs for human conditions at work and for a decent amount of wages.

Indigenous people

There are about 950 thousand indigenous people, i.e. citizens, in the country, they work in the public sector, and many of them have their own business. Thus, the sheikhs implemented the fundamental formula: the citizens of the country dispose of its wealth as civil servants. And they get a very decent salary.

An Arab citizen of the Land of Sheikhs is guaranteed to receive at least 4,000 dollars in his first job. He, if he graduates from high school, is already paid 10 thousand greens a month. This amount is not yet the limit. What our civil servants call categories and ranks, which, interspersed with diplomas, are awarded for diligent work, in the UAE translates into a significant increase in the salaries of civil servants.

The most successful powers in the performance of power functions receive (for comparison) salaries of the same order as the heads of large structural divisions of Gazprom.

The economic and political power of the sheikhs is based on the well-being of the subjects, generated by the fair distribution of the GDP of this country. The richest reserves of oil are in its bowels, and the wise rulers are able to reasonably share with their fellow citizens the proceeds from its sale, stimulate their progress.

society

For us, this would be a paradox: the activities of political parties and trade unions are prohibited in the state. However, in this aspect, there is also wisdom that says, "Do not open a door that you cannot close." After all, often parties (and in the West - trade unions) initiate destructive consequences in society. Slogans like "What to do?" and "Who's to blame?" sometimes a killer is released from a bottle of bloody gin. Sheikhs initially ruled out such a possibility. However, they did this, initially ensuring the steady progress of the state. This scheme is ideal if the monarch manages to create a socially responsible society. And it works in the UAE.

In the Emirates, social policy is paid directly by the sheikhs, and not with the help of "gray funds", from which dishonest intermediaries draw money. This shows the strategic wisdom of their rulers. Petrodollars are directly poured into health care, into education, which are free for the indigenous citizens of this country.

The local army is also financed from a separate fund, without prejudice to the welfare of the people.

Religion

The religion of Islam determines the legal system and way of public life in the UAE. For the inhabitants of the Country of Emirs, the suras of the Koran leave a significant imprint on the state structure, social and cultural life. The five commandments of Islam are sacredly observed by Muslims.

Wherever there is an Arab - five times a day at the set time, the loudspeakers on the minarets call him to prayer. Business Muslims even install prayer applications on smartphones. Prayer rooms are equipped here and in supermarkets.

The laws of this Islamic state are based on the principles set forth in the Koran, and the Sharia court in the Land of Sheikhs also follows non-western classics - Roman law.

Citizens of this country celebrate the holidays of the UAE of two types: secular and related to religious tradition. The first few are:

• January 1 - New Year.
• August 6 - Throne Day of Zayed Al Nahyan.
• December 12 is the day of the formation of the state.

Some religious holidays are associated with certain events in the life of the Prophet Mohammed:

• migration from Mecca;
• birth;
• ascension.

Others are defined by other Muslim traditions:

• associated with the holy month of Ramadan, with its fasting and pacification of passions;
• spring (navruz);
• sacrifices (Eid-al-Adha);
• sorrow (Ashura).

The most significant holidays for Muslims in the UAE are the day of breaking the fast after Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr), the day of sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) and, of course, the holy month of Ramadan itself.

Conclusion

Worthy of respect is the wisdom of the rulers of the UAE, which led their people to prosperity. The emirs do not seek to strengthen the country in order to conquer foreign lands and expand power. They do not dream of a "nuclear club". The rulers simply seek the well-being of their people, rationally using natural resources. They are connected with the Western world mainly by economics.

The GDP of the UAE is really wisely distributed. The indigenous population is stimulated by him in all spheres of their life, and labor migrants are grateful to the sheikhs for the grateful work and its conditions. There are no state-level thieves in the Land of Sheikhs. The seven wise emirs will not allow a cunning oligarch to appear thanks to their money.

This is extremely interesting experience Muslim rule, giving the population promising jobs and free social benefits.

DYNASTY OF SHEIKH UAE

All emirates are absolute monarchies. The only exception is Abu Dhabi, whose structure is close to a constitutional monarchy. The country, which is a federal union of monarchies, has been a member of the UN and the League of Arab States, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the Non-Aligned Movement, etc. since 1971.

As follows from the very name of this amazing state, its structure is very original. The territory of the UAE is divided into seven emirates, each of which is ruled by its own dynasty of monarchs. One of them receives the post of President of the United Arab Emirates during the next elections. And although theoretically any of the seven sheikhs can be in the place of a political leader, and therefore it is never possible to predict exactly who will become the next head of state, most often the ruler of the emirate of Abu Dhabi becomes the president of the UAE.

The ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi until recently was the President, His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who belonged to the Abu Falah dynasty. Representatives of this family have ruled Abu Dhabi since the founding of the emirate, that is, since 1761.

Sheikh Zayed, the 14th Nahyan ruler, was born in Jahili (Treaty Oman) in 1916 or 1918. These data are obtained from different sources; the exact date of birth of the head of Abu Dhabi is not known at all, because at that time the Bedouins simply did not record the time of birth of their children. The ruler of the emirate is the youngest of the four sons of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan, who was the head of the emirate in 1922-1926 (the father of the future president of the UAE was killed by his own brother Saqr). After the death of Zayed bin Sultan, his sons had to hide with their relatives for two years, wandering from oasis to oasis. The brothers were able to "come out of the underground" only after Sakr himself repeated the fate of Zaid bin Sultan, dying a violent death. Then Zayed's older brother, Sheikh Shakhbut (reigned until 1966) came to power.

Sheikh Zayed began to engage in state affairs in 1946, when he received the post of governor of Al Ayin district. And 20 years later, on August 6, he replaced his brother as ruler of the emirate. On December 2, 1971, this representative of the Abu Falah dynasty was elected president of the federal state; Sheikh Zayed has been re-elected every five years since then. The permanent head of the Emirates enjoyed great popularity among the population. Only in one capital there were about a thousand of his portraits! The largest image of the President had an area of ​​just under 500 square meters. November 3, 2004 Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan passed away.

The ruler of the emirate of Abu Dhabi had four wives. True, according to Western sources, Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan was married nine times, but in accordance with the requirements of Islam, he never had more than four spouses at the same time. The most prominent role in the life of the United Arab Emirates is played by one of them - Fatima bint Mubarak, president of the UAE Women's Society. Sheikh Zayed raised 19 (!) sons who currently occupy high government positions or lead own business. Interestingly, the president of the Emirates, himself left without education, forced members of his large family to graduate from the best universities in the world.

In 1833, territories owned by two representatives of the Abu Falah dynasty separated from Abu Dhabi. It was then that the emirate of Dubai was born; the formed new dynasty, which headed this state, began to bear the name of al-Maktoum. Head today ruling family Dubai is His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum. He is also "part-time" Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates. The duties of the Minister of Defense of the UAE are performed by the Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. By the way, the monarch of Dubai traditionally becomes the head of the government of the UAE.

As for the emirate of Sharjah, the al-Hasimi dynasty ruling in it builds its family straight to ... the prophet Muhammad! At the moment, the head of this clan is His Highness Sheikh Sultan III bin Muhammad al-Hasimi.

The heads of the emirate of Ajman are representatives of the Abu Hurayban and al-Nuaimi dynasties; today, His Highness Sheikh Huamid bin Rashid al-Nuaimi is in charge of the country.

Ras al-Khaimah is ruled by representatives of the same family as the rulers of the emirate of Sharjah, namely the al-Hasimi dynasty. This is not surprising, especially considering that in the past this emirate was repeatedly part of Sharjah. The current representative of the ruling dynasty of Ras Al Khaimah is His Highness Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Hasimi.

Umm al-Qaiwain is ruled by the al-Ali (also called al-Mualla) dynasty. head ruling house today is His Highness Sheikh Rashid III bin Ahmed al-Mualla.

And finally, the emirate of Fujairah. Actually, its territory until 1952 was part of the emirate of Sharjah and only then gained independence and its own ruling surname - al-Sharqi. Today, Fujairah is led by His Highness Hamad bin Mohammed al-Sharqi.

And the tradition of electing the ruler of Abu Dhabi to the presidency was not interrupted. On the day of the death of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan, the Council of the Arab Emirates proclaimed the most likely candidate for this position as the new president of the federation of monarchies: the eldest son and heir of the deceased. The new President of the UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi, 56-year-old Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, served as Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the country before his election as head of state. In addition, Sheikh Khalifa has been in charge of defense and finance in Abu Dhabi and has served in the emirate as chairman of the Investment Council, the Arab economic development and the Supreme Council for Oil.

In ancient times, the emirates that are part of the UAE were part of Oman, but at the same time they all enjoyed considerable independence. Both during the reign of the Achaemenids (VI century BC), and during the existence of the Sassanid state (III-VI centuries AD), and later, when the Arab Caliphate was formed, these territories were under the control of the local nobility. In the middle of the VIII - the middle of the IX centuries AD. e. the emirates of Sharjah and Dubai managed to achieve some independence, but the Abbasids quickly returned everything to normal, again taking the lands of both emirates under their hand. At a later time, the interests of Iran, Turkey, Portugal, other states, and Wahhabis clashed on the territory of Sharjah and Dubai.

Under the rule of Portugal, in particular, the Persian and Omani Gulfs fell in the years 1500-1650. Actually, none other than the famous Vasco da Gama paved the way for this country to “happy Arabia”. But later, the Portuguese were ousted from the territory of the modern emirates: in 1600-1773, the region had to go through the era of the trade and colonial expansion of the British East India Company.

By that time, relatively independent sheikhdoms had already emerged on the coast of the Persian Gulf, and Oman had become a large and influential state. Then, in the middle of the 18th century, Yemeni tribes appeared on the territory of the modern emirate of Abu Dhabi, which were members of the Bani Yas confederation. "Aliens" populated the oases of Silva and Liva, and then occupied the coastal zone. The tribes were headed by a sheikh from the Nahyan family - a direct ancestor of the current head of the emirate. The rate of this ruler was the island of Abu Dhabi, on which in 1761 a town with the same name was built. Since then, the Nahyan dynasty has not been interrupted for more than two and a half centuries; its representatives succeed each other on the throne of the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Since the end of the 18th century, the political life of the emirates has become very tense and intense, although the range of problems did not please with its diversity. The fact is that the local population began to conflict with the English East India Company; each side fought for a leading role in the transportation of goods in the Persian Gulf. Especially strong resistance to the attempts of the British to establish control over maritime trade was put up by the Arab tribes who settled the north coast of the Persian Gulf. Since at that time there were almost regular attacks on the company's ships, the entire area of ​​​​the emirates with light hand dissatisfied with this situation, the British received an unflattering name - the Pirate Coast. It became the official name of the entire region and appeared in this form on English maps.

AT early XIX century the territory of the emirates on a short time managed to capture the Wahhabis; the new owners of the coast declared a holy war against the British. Between 1804 and 1808, the subjects of the British crown and their allies, the Muscats, constantly fought against the tribes that inhabited the Pirate Coast. In 1809, the British managed to emerge victorious in a clash with the Wahhabist fleet and bombard the city of Ras al-Khaimah from the sea. But five years later, the Wahhabis regained their advantage in this region, after which they blocked all approaches to the Persian Gulf for another two years.

Finally, in 1820, the East India Company still managed to find mutual language with sheikhs of local tribes. This happened after England, taking advantage of the fact that the forces of the Wahhabis were concentrated against the Egyptian army, leading a land offensive, in 1819 destroyed the enemy fleet and still burned Ras al-Khaimah. A year later, the parties came to an agreement and signed the "General Treaty of Peace", according to which the British got the opportunity to control this problem area. New agreements of 1835, 1838-1839, 1847 only strengthened the position of the British in the Persian Gulf. At the same time, it was decided to divide ancient Oman into the Imamat of Oman, the Sultanate of Muscat and the Pirate Coast, which in 1853, after the sheikhs of Ras al-Khaimah, Umm al-Qaiwain, Ajman, Dubai and Abu Dhabi signed the “Treaty on Permanent Maritime world”, was named Oman Negotiated.

During the Second World War, the sheikhs did not take part in the hostilities. However, they provided significant military benefits to Great Britain, for which the latter, after the end of the war, raised the status of these territories, making them emirates (principalities). True, one of the emirates, Kalba, which became part of Sharjah, was abolished at the same time. At the same time, in fact, the process of integrating the emirates into the federation began. At the meetings of 1945, 1950-1951, the heads of the emirates discussed the issues of unification of the police forces, the monetary system and the customs administration. Local armed forces to protect the personnel of oil companies were created in 1951. A year later, the Council of the Trucial States, headed by a British political agent, and the Development Fund of the Trucial States began to function in Dubai. The creation of these two institutions laid the foundation for the future federation of monarchies.

However, the internal political situation in the region could not be called problem-free. Between the emirates, border conflicts broke out every now and then. Abu Dhabi and Dubai were especially distinguished in this sense, between which serious clashes took place in 1947-1949. External border conflicts, often caused by the economic interests of Western monopolies, did not stop either. So, the stumbling block was the oasis of El-Bureimi, to which the heads of Abu Dhabi, Oman and Saudi Arabia claimed their rights since the 19th century. The question was that the lands of the ill-fated oasis turned out to be oil-bearing. As a result, until 1955, control over El Bureimi belonged to Saudi Arabia, and only then, after the failure of negotiations, the armed forces of Abu Dhabi and Oman, supported by the British, took possession of the oasis.

In the late 50s of the last century, large oil reserves were discovered in Abu Dhabi. In 1962, the extraction of “black gold” was organized in the emirate and the export of raw materials to Europe and America was established. As a result, in a few years, a very modest emirate turned into a great oil-producing state in the Middle East. In 1966, oil fields were discovered in Dubai, and in 1973 - in Sharjah and other emirates.

The discovery of oil only exacerbated the already unfavorable political situation in the country. An anti-imperialist movement unfolded in the emirates; in 1962, the emir of Sharjah gave a concession for the extraction of "black gold" American company which, of course, did not please the British. The Sheikh of Ras al-Khaimah also followed the example of his colleague. In October 1964, both monarchs, bypassing the British authorities, agreed to accept an Arab League commission. The British could not ignore such a move and ordered the arrest of the ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Saqr ibn Sultan al-Qasimi (1925-1993). The Emir was declared deposed, and an attempt was made on the life of the monarch of Ras al-Khaimah. But the British themselves were forced to think about how to prevent further interference of the League of Arab States in the affairs of the emirates.

In 1965, at the initiative of London, Dubai hosted the first meeting of the seven emirates that were part of Trucial Oman. The participants considered 15 major economic projects aimed at the development of territories. In 1968, Great Britain officially announced that in the near future it intended to withdraw from the zones east of the Suez Canal, transferring power in the emirates to local rulers. Already in the same year, the heads of nine British mandated territories (the seven emirates of Trucial Oman, Qatar and Bahrain) gathered for a meeting in Abu Dhabi. Participants discussed the possibility of creating a federation of monarchies after the British actually left the region. But Qatar and Bahrain subsequently decided to declare independence and refuse to join the union.

The Emirates finally got rid of British rule on December 1, 1971, when Great Britain announced the renunciation of its rights to the territories located on the coast of the Persian Gulf. After the British protectorate over Treaty Oman became a thing of the past, these lands finally gained full independence. And the very next day, on December 2, the six newly formed states united to form the UAE. The seventh emirate, Ras al-Khaimah, became part of the new entity a year later - on February 16, 1972.

Central to the unification of the emirates was the head of the largest and richest of the seven members of the UAE, Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan, who came to power on 6 August 1966 in a bloodless coup. He took the place of the previously ruling emir - Sheikh Shakhbut, his elder brother, who was deposed as a result of the decision of the sheikhs of the Nahyan clan. Shahbut, who managed to raise the economy of the state, in matters foreign policy turned out to be an extremely intractable person and implacable proud man. He managed to spoil relations with the government of Dubai, because of which a real internecine war began between the emirates; quarreled with the British, violating the agreement on oil development; handed over part of the fishing grounds to the Americans. In addition, the sheikh cared little for the impoverished existence that his subjects still dragged out: he did not know how to properly use the oil wealth and feared that improving the living conditions of the people would undermine the foundations of the monarchy. In addition, this representative of the Abu Fala family, constantly at war with a neighbor, kept most of his funds not in the bank, but in the palace at hand - in case of buying weapons and hiring soldiers. But one day, far from perfect, it turned out that rats had profited from the banknotes. Whether this is true is unknown. But the family council really removed the sheikh from his high post and solemnly retired him, leaving Zayd al-Nahyan to correct the mistakes of his predecessor.

Having come to power, Sheikh Zayed made a policy statement: “If Allah has blessed us with his gifts, then the first thing we should do to please and thank him is to direct wealth to transform the country and create good for the people. We will build a society with housing, food, health care and education." And the president kept his promise, turning the impoverished outskirts of the British Empire into a modern prosperous state, the standard of living of which is one of the highest in the world. Moreover, al-Nahyan did it in record time.

The rulers of Abu Dhabi and Dubai became the initiators of the unification of the emirates and the creation of an independent federation of monarchies. On February 18, 1968, Zayed ibn Sultan al-Nahyan and Rashid ibn Said al-Maktoum signed an agreement to that effect. Seven days later, the heads of the mandated territories discussed the possibility of creating a federal state, and on March 1, 1968, the creation of the Federation of the Arab Emirates was announced. But the monarchs were never able to agree on the definition of the role of their emirates in the new state. As a result, two groups emerged. One of the groups included the rulers of the emirates of Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, Sharjah, Umm al-Qaiwain, Ajman and Bahrain. They were opposed by the rulers of Dubai, Ras al-Khaimah and Qatar. At the same time, the rulers of Qatar and Bahrain, having a more developed economy and surpassing the rest of the emirates in terms of population, refused to recognize the equality of all members of the federation. So by the end of 1969, the FAE broke up. And two years later, Qatar and Bahrain declared themselves independent powers.

The heads of the emirates once again gathered for a meeting on July 18, 1971; then six of them voted for the creation of a new federation. Ras al-Khaimah initially refused to join the UAE because it did not receive the coveted veto power over nationwide decisions. In addition, this emirate was in conflict with Iran over the oil-rich islands of Greater and Lesser Tomb. The rest of the sheikhs did not want to commit themselves to Ras al-Khaimah, foreseeing that the confrontation with Iran could escalate into a military clash.

Assessing the activities of Zayed al-Nahyan, the heads of the monarchies that made up Supreme Council The UAE elected the Sheikh of Abu Dhabi as the country's first president. In 2001, this man was re-elected for the seventh (!) 5-year term of the presidency. This “political elder of the planet,” as the press called the president of the UAE, was inferior in political longevity only to Fidel Castro, but in age he really was a patriarch among the heads of state of the world. Zayed al-Nahyan really did a lot for his country, managing to boost its economy, developing international tourism and other areas of the economy, investing heavily in construction. The capital and many other cities were ennobled by order of the head of state: they brought fertile soil, planted palm trees and flowers (by the way, every bush and tree is irrigated with the help of special desalination plants!). In addition, the president was able to find compromises in resolving issues that are important for each of the emirates that were part of the federation.

Unfortunately, over the years, the health of the UAE leader began to deteriorate. Back in 1996, he underwent a complex neurosurgical operation on his spine (the president's problems began at the age of 10, when he unsuccessfully fell off a horse). Four years later, the emir had to go under the surgeon's knife again - now he needed an urgent kidney transplant. However, the mighty body of the monarch coped with such a shake-up and allowed Zayd al-Nahyan to again take the post of president of the country. But in 2004, the 86-year-old leader fell ill completely. Before his death, he did not appear in public for several weeks. It seems that the people of the UAE have not yet recovered from the shock they experienced after hearing the news of the death of the “father of the people”. After all, the sheikh, who actually made the Emirates the way they are today, was simply idolized during his lifetime. Accepting the legacy of such a person is simple and difficult at the same time. Simply - because things are left to them in exemplary order. It is hard - because it is impossible to compete with a person who has managed to do so much for the country. But new president The UAE is not without reason the son of the "legend" of the Emirates. And if Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan inherited at least some of the abilities and longevity from his parent, a great future awaits him ...

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