In the VII century small sheikhdoms, are located along the southern coast of the Persian Gulf and the northwestern coast of the Gulf of Oman joined the Arab Caliphate, spreading Islam among the locals. During this period arose the city of Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah. The weakening of the Caliphate sheikhdoms getting more autonomy. In the X-XI centuries, the eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula was part of the state Carmathians, and after its collapse came under the influence of Oman. 

 

At the end of the XV century in the region arose European influence. Portugal has managed the first of the Western powers to gain a foothold on the peninsula, to establish control over Bahrain and Dzhulfar as well as over the Strait of Hormuz. Since the XVIII century, the population of coastal Arab principalities, mainly engaged in trade, is drawn into the struggle with Britain, which monopolized the ships cargo between the ports of the Persian Gulf and deprived residents of the main source of livelihood. This led to the ongoing conflict between the "East India Company" and the local Arab population, which the English called pirates, and the area of principalities - "Pirate Coast".

The East India Company continually sent to the Persian Gulf and military expeditions in 1820 forced the emirs and sheikhs of seven Arab principalities to sign a "General Agreement", which initiated the British rule in the territory and the final dismemberment of Oman into three parts - Imamate of Oman, Sultanate of Muscat and the "pirate coast ". Since 1853, these generalized principality called "Trucial Oman". 

 

In the Principality were established British military bases. Political power exercised English political agent. Nevertheless, the establishment of the British protectorate did not lead to the destruction of the traditional patriarchal system of the region. Locals continue to keep ancient traditions. They could not offer serious resistance to the colonialists, because of its small size and constant strife between different tribes. 

The dominant tribe in these areas was and is the tribe of Bani-lang, which originally inhabited the fertile oases of Liwa and Al Ain. In 1833, one of the tribes of Bani-lang - genus Maktoum - migrated from oases and settled in Dubai, proclaiming the independence of the city. Thus was founded the dynasty Maktoum, who ruled the emirate of Dubai today. 

 

In the early 1920s in the Trucial Oman a struggle for independence, which has reached a particular span of Sharjah and Ras al-Khaimah. At the same time there was a watershed event in the history of the Emirates and the Middle East - in the Persian Gulf were discovered rich oil reserves. 

In 1922, the British took control of the sheikhs right to grant concessions for exploration and production of oil. However, in the Trucial Oman oil production was not carried out and the main income principalities brought pearl trade. With the start of oil production in 1950 in the region began attracting foreign investment, oil revenues have significantly raise the standard of living of the local population. But the principality remained under British protectorate, against which in 1964 made ​​the League of Arab States, to declare the rights of the Arab peoples to full independence. In 1968, after the promulgation of the decision of the British Government's intention to withdraw before the end of 1971, British troops from areas east of the Suez Canal, including the Gulf states, principalities signed an agreement on the formation of the Federation of Arab Gulf principalities. In this federation were to enter Bahrain and Qatar, but later they formed an independent state.

December 2, 1971 six of the seven emirates of Trucial Oman announced the creation of the federation under the name of United Arab Emirates. The seventh emirate, Ras al-Khaimah, joined her in 1972. 

Granting independence coincided with a sharp jump in prices for oil and oil products caused by the rigid energy policy of Saudi Arabia, which facilitated the new state independent steps in the field of economy and foreign policy. The oil- and skilful investment in the development of industry, agriculture, education, numerous free economic zones Emirates as soon as possible could achieve relative economic prosperity. Received a significant tourism development and finance. 

In 1990-1991, the United Arab Emirates troops took part in the liberation of Kuwait from Iraqi expansion of Saddam Hussein.

The culture of the UAE - a Muslim country. It is not accepted to be in the street drunk (for this you can go to jail) or provocatively dressed (especially for women). But in recent years because of the large number of tourists limits of decency shift towards European traditions. 

Among the local population in recent years has been valued education, thanks to the UAE established a good higher education institutions world-class scientific and opened training centers largest technologically advanced companies in the world. 

Since 2007, in Abu Dhabi Middle East International Film Festival is held.

Legislative power is vested in the Federal National Council, which is composed of representatives from each of the emirate, the number of which is enshrined in the constitution and is determined by the population, the political and economic situation in this or that emirate. Each emirate has the right to choose its own method of electing representatives to the National Council. Currently, the Board is composed of 40 deputies (8 - from Abu Dhabi and Dubai, 6 - from Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah and 4 - from Fujairah, Al Quwain and Ajman). 

The National Council is the legislative body is not in the full sense of the word, because it does not have legislative initiative. Its mandate is to discuss only the laws that provides the Council of Ministers and at its discretion, make corrections and additions. The Board also has the right to reject any bill. However, in this case, the president still has the right to take the law after the approval of the Supreme Council of the Union. Thus the National Council, despite the fact that the Constitution is described as a legislative body, is more consultative. 

Judicial power is vested in the Supreme Court of the Union, which is the supreme federal court of the United Arab Emirates. It consists of a chairman and four independent judges. Supreme Court regulates the relations between the emirates, members of the Supreme Union, federal and local authorities.

January 1 - New Year. 

Day of Sacrifice 

Islamic New Year 

memorial day 

Prophet's Birthday 

August 6 Entry to the throne of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan 

Changes Ascension of Mohammed 

2 December National Day 

End of Ramadan

Most of the United Arab Emirates - a desert that extends to the south-eastern part of Saudi Arabia. A small area of the state contains in itself all the diversity of nature and the diversity of the landscape of the Middle East. The coastal areas of the United Arab Emirates are the salt marshes. Coral reefs are famous Korfakhana unique flora and fauna of the underwater world, and the Persian Gulf coast famous for its golden sands and exceptional water clarity. 

 

The vegetation is mostly sparse, consisting of dry grass and bushes. 

 

In the oases grow acacia, tamarisk, cultivated date palm and coconut trees, grapes, lemon tree, grain, tobacco. Outside El Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah huge green areas are the result of the government program on gardening. Even natural groves of date palms in the oasis of Buraimi, on the eastern border of the country, were brought here from municipal parks. 

 

Another attraction of the UAE are former nomadic dunes that have been planted and stabilized with great difficulty, to later become a large green oases that are specially designed for relaxation. 

 

Fauna UAE poor. This is mainly hares, jerboas, gazelles, lizards and snakes. The main representatives of the fauna - it's Arabian leopard and the IBEX (Capricorn) and, of course, camels (single-humped dromedary) and wild goats. 

 

In the waters of the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman dwells food fish (tuna, mackerel, sardines, Hamura, barracuda); widely represented squad crustaceans (shrimps, lobsters, crabs), cephalopods (cuttlefish, squid, octopus) and bivalves (oysters, mussels). There are sharks, stingrays, jellyfish, sea urchins, and turtles, as well as large marine mammals - dugongs (sea seals). One-third of all species of whales and dolphins is found in the UAE.

If calling from a street machine, the call will cost 30 to 60 fils. International calling from a hotel in Russia will cost you around 25 dirhams per minute. 

999 - ambulance, police, fire brigade 

180 - reference 

130 - telegram by phone 

140 - Talking Clock 

285000 - Dubai Tourist Information Centre

With him you can bring to the Emirates two thousand cigarettes or 200 cigars or 2 kilograms of tobacco. Every non-Muslim has the right to bring two liters of wine and two liters of spirits. Weapons and drugs are prohibited for import. Faces of non-Muslim religions can bring 2 liters of spirits and 2 liters of wine for personal use. 

Videotapes may be requested for verification. 

Severely punish illegal importation of drugs and firearms.