Some facts about United Arab Emirates

  • The Persian Gulf in the north of the UAE is one of the most travelled water bodies in the world as all the oil tankers from Iran, Iraq etc. travel via it.

  • The Palm, dubbed the "Eight Wonder of the world", is two huge islands built in the shape of Palms arching away from the mainland, stretching for miles into the sea. They are built off the shore of Dubai

  • When completed, the Burj Dubai will become the tallest building and tallest man-made structure in the world. 

  • In the 18th century the Emirate’s coast was known as the Pirate Coast because raiders based there were launching attacks on shipping. 

  • Before 1971, the UAE were known as the Trucial States or Trucial Oman, in reference to a nineteenth-century truce between Britain and several Arab Sheikhs. 

  • Camel-racing, a traditional sport, is extremely popular in the Emirates. It was originally staged in an informal setting, at weddings or special festivals, but now customized tracks have been built throughout the country where race meetings are held in the winter months from October to April, culminating in the annual camel race festival at Al Wathba which attracts entrants from all over the world.