According to historical records available all these states were founded in between the 7th and the 8th century AD and as per a treaty signed with the United Kingdom in the 19th century the responsibility of defense and foreign affairs was given to the UK. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was formed in 1971 with the merger of the six Trucial states namely Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Al Fujairah, Sharjah, Dubai and Umm Al Quwain. The seventh state Ras Al Khaimah joined this group in 1972.



The UAE has a rapidly growing GDP and oil fields on the map of uae play a big role in Middle East affairs. Abu Dhabi is the capital of UAE and both Dubai and Abu Dhabi being modern cities are famous for their high-rise buildings and stylish hotels.

The population is about 5 mn [2008E] and Arabic is the official language. However English and other languages are also sparingly used. Ninety percent of the population are Muslims and the official currency is the Emirati Dirham. The map of uae is shaped like a dhow and is centrally positioned in the Middle East for both business and travel between East and West.

The map of uae shows that it is bordered by the Persian Gulf along with Oman and Saudi Arabia and falls in an important geographical area of southwestern Asia.

The map of uae shows 1,310 kms of coastline and 82,000 sq kms of land area. Most of the land area on the map of uae is desert wasteland with sand dunes, and the coastal areas are flat. The Hajar Mountains dominate its landscape.

Though no significant lakes or rivers are there, there are small Islands and inlets located offshore in the Persian Gulf. Man made island developments e.g. Palm islands and The World have increased the beach front just in Dubai to more than 1,000 kms.

The climate is very hot and dry throughout the year. The amount of rainfall is very insignificant. Winter is brief and falls between December and February and mild cooling can be experienced in the hills and mountains towards the northeast on the map of uae. However summer is scorching, with heat intensity reaching its peak during July and August.

Rapidly growing tourist destinations dot the map of uae with its pristine beaches, deserts and oasis tours. Camel and horse racing are also equally popular with foreign tourists.

UAE boasts of some of the best duty free shopping arcades of the world with well developed tourist facilities. The Diwan Amiri Fort in Abu Dhabi, the mosques, museums and ancient burial mounds in Um Al Nar, the stone tombs at Hili, the world famous markets of Dubai, the Al Fahidi fort, Dubai museum and the Sheikh Saeed palace are some of the popular tourist circuits of the UAE.

There are also other sites popular with tourists such as the Al Ain (an oasis and former caravan stop), the Khor Kalba beach which is one of famous shell beaches of the world. Of all the emirates dotting the map of uae, Abu Dhabi which is its capital city, and Dubai offer tourists business, shopping and sporting activities. Other than that its cultural events, tourists places and exciting marine life also attracts visitors from far and wide.

Thess bustling modern cities have fabulous shopping centers, a vibrant night life, mind expanding real estate developments, and museums. Abu Dhabi has signed up to bring the Louvre and the Sorbonne University from Paris, as also the Guggenheim and Museum of Modern Art from New York to its shores. Dubai on the other hand, has Harvard Medical college opening facilities in the Dubai Healthcare City along with well known universities from the UK, Australia and the US to its shores. The Dubailand development boasts of theme parks of Legoland, Busch Gardens, Seaworld, Dreamworks, Universal Studios, Bollywood, and an Arabic one!

You can also experience its traditional Bedouin culture of which this city of Abu Dhabi is very proud. Abu Dhabi on the UAE maps is actually a natural archipelago comprising of 200 Islands situated off its coast. The picture on the left is of Sheikh Zayed, the founder of UAE.

Off late these Islands are being developed into tourist resorts and property developments. You would be surprised to know that these Islands are preserved ecologically and house natural water reserves specializing in watersports. Also considered as the sporting capital, Abu Dhabi has facilities for a formula one race track, golf courses, and equestrian sporting arenas.

In fact a number of sporting activities take place in Abu Dhabi throughout the year with patronage from its rulers. Equestrian sports has been the mainstay of this city since ancient times and still is with the Abu Dhabi equestrian club located just a few kilometers from the city. Golf, cricket, watersports and four wheel driving are the other favorite sports in recent times.

Wandering across Abu Dhabi on the uae maps you would also experience the varied ecology of the region in its parks, gardens and zoos. There are 20 small parks in and around Abu Dhabi catering to children and young families. You can lose yourself among the cascading fountains and beautiful plants inside the Sheikh Khalifa Park which is constructed with traditional Arabian architecture and landscaped garden.

The 200 year old Al Maqtaa fort is another historical place of interest and here you can see the traditional Bedouin culture and way of life from close quarters. Equally popular is the Emirate of Ajman which is the smallest of the seven emirates on the UAE maps. You can shop here both in the modern shopping malls and the traditional shops. The modern ones display the latest luxury items and you can get traditional exquisite pottery items in the local traditional shops.

The Dhow yard in Ajman attracts tourists where one can see Dhows being built in the same traditional manner as in the days of yore. Even modern speed boats competing in the Dubai speed boat races are built here. You can see a large collection of artifacts discovered in the Mowaihat archeological site in the Ajman museum.

If you are interested in marine life, you can spot dolphins off the coast of Ajman and the climate of Ajman is best suited for beach life with its beaches being famous tourist attractions. Apart from Abu Dhabi and Ajman each of the other emirates on the uae maps offer tourists something unique.