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A Country of Contrasts
 The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is comprised of seven emirates, of which Dubai is the most well known, although the other emirates also offer many attractions and places worth seeing. It is a country that is on the one hand traditional and rather old fashioned, but on the other, very modern and international at the same time. The towns and cities are filled with life, and contrast strongly with the beautiful, sparsely populated desert regions, where desolate swathes of land alternate with majestic mountains. The coastline offers powder-soft sand and azure waters. In the towns and cities, modern shopping malls sit side by side with traditional souks and futuristic office buildings tower over traditional mosques. On the lively streets you encounter people of many different races and nationalities. Luxury cars attest to the prosperity of the residents of the UAE. Travelling through the extensive desert region, camel farms can be found situated not far from modern high-tech businesses of the oil-producing industry. Some of the desert regions are criss-crossed by excellent motorways while other regions are impassable. Traditional dhows, boats made out of wood, share the waterways and seas with modern luxury yachts and container ships.
History
Abu Dhabi is both the name of the capital of the UAE and at the same time the biggest of the seven emirates. The UAE was founded in 1971 as an independent, sovereign federation. In addition to Abu Dhabi, which is the biggest and most populated emirate, the UAE also includes the emirates of Dubai, Sharja, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. In earlier times people settled in the parts of this barren country where the water was to be found. Small groups eked out their lives next to the widely dispersed oases. In addition to these groups, many Arabs also lived as nomads, travelling across the deserts with their camel, sheep and goat herds. By the 1930s, along the coastline, fishing had gained in importance in addition to trading with neighbouring countries and pearl harvesting. After the British finally left the Arabian Gulf region in 1971, the seven leaders of the different sheikdoms of the southern Gulf region formed the UAE.
Geography
 The United Arab Emirates covers an area of 83,600 square kilometres and has a coastline which is 1,318 km in length and stretches along the Arabian Gulf and the Arabian Sea. The Hajjar Mountains form a mountain ridge which stretches from the east of the country to the coast. This area is known for its sandy beaches, salt flats, gravel plains and its wide expanses of sand dunes.
Climate
The best time to visit the region is during the cooler months from November to March during which the average temperatures are 24°C during the day and 13°C at night. It occasionally rains during this period as well. In the summer months from April to October, temperatures of up to 45°C are considered to be normal. Bathing in the sea offers little respite from the heat during the summer, as even the Gulf warms up considerably during this time. High levels of air humidity can also be expected in the high summer, although modern air conditioning systems mean that life indoors is bearable. At night, temperatures rarely fall below 28°C. The sun shines almost all year around, and the hottest months of July and August can be a little hazy sometimes.
Population
The population of the UAE has increased quite considerably in recent decades. More than 4 million people now live in the Emirates, of whom many are immigrants and guest workers from a wide range of differing nations, living and working here.
Language
Arabic is the official language, but English is also widely spoken, especially in the world of business and commerce and in hotels and shops.
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