United Arab Emirates Country Handbook This handbook provides basic reference information on the United Arab Emirates, including its geography, history, government, military forces, and communications and transportation networks. This information is intended to familiarize military per sonnel with local customs and area knowledge to assist them during their assignment to the United Arab Emirates. The Marine Corps Intel ligence Activity is the community coordinator for the Country Hand book Program. This product reflects the coordinated U.S. Defense Intelligence Community position on the United Arab Emirates. Dissemination and use of this publication is restricted to official military and government personnel from the United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and other countries as required and designated for support of coalition operations. 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CONTENTS KEY FACTS .................................................................... 1 U.S. MISSION ................................................................. 2 U.S. Embassy .............................................................. 2 U.S. Consulate ............................................................ 2 U.S. Military Facilities ................................................ 4 Al Dhafra Air Base ................................................ 5 Mina Jabal Ali ....................................................... 5 Travel Advisories ........................................................ 6 Entry Requirements .................................................... 7 Customs ................................................................ 7 GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE ..................................... 8 Geography ................................................................... 8 Land Statistics ........................................................ 9 Boundaries ............................................................. 9 Border Disputes ..................................................... 10 Bodies of Water ..................................................... 11 Topography ........................................................... 11 Urban Geography ................................................... 13 Climate ........................................................................ 14 Climatic Patterns .................................................... 14 Environment ........................................................... 17 Climatic Phenomena .............................................. 19 Infrastructure ...................................................... 19 Transportation ............................................................. 19 Roads ..................................................................... 20 Rail ......................................................................... 25 iii Contents (Continued) Air .......................................................................... 26 Maritime ................................................................ 28 Communication ........................................................... 36 Radio and Television .............................................. 37 Telecommunications .............................................. 38 Newspapers and Magazines ................................... 40 Postal Service ........................................................ 41 Internet ................................................................... 42 Satellites ................................................................. 43 CULTURE ....................................................................... 44 Statistics ...................................................................... 44 Society ........................................................................ 45 People .................................................................... 47 Ethnic Groups ........................................................ 48 Family .................................................................... 48 Roles of Men and Women ...................................... 49 Customs and Courtesies ............................................. 51 Education and Literacy ............................................... 53 Religion ...................................................................... 56 Recreation ................................................................... 58 Cultural Considerations .............................................. 58 MEDICAL ASSESSMENT ............................................. 60 Disease Risks to Deployed Personnel ......................... 60 Medical Capabilities ................................................... 62 Key Medical Facilities ........................................... 63 History ......................................................................... 64 Chronology of Key Events .......................................... 70 GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS .................................. 72 Government ................................................................. 72 National Level ........................................................ 73 iv Contents (Continued) Local Level ............................................................ 76 Key Government Officials ..................................... 78 Politics ........................................................................ 79 Political Parties ...................................................... 79 Foreign Relations ................................................... 80 International Organizations .................................... 84 ECONOMY ..................................................................... 85 General Description .................................................... 85 Economic Aid ............................................................. 86 Banking Services ........................................................ 86 Economic Statistics ..................................................... 86 Resources ................................................................... 87 Industry .................................................................. 87 Utilities .................................................................. 89 Water ...................................................................... 90 Agriculture ............................................................. 90 Foreign Investment ................................................ 91 Economic Outlook ................................................. 92 THREAT .......................................................................... 93 Crime .......................................................................... 93 Drug Trafficking ......................................................... 95 Major Intelligence Services ........................................ 96 ARMED FORCES ........................................................... 96 Army ........................................................................... 96 Organization ........................................................... 96 Bases ...................................................................... 99 Personnel ................................................................ 100 Deployments .......................................................... 101 Equipment .............................................................. 101 v Contents (Continued) Air Force ..................................................................... 104 Organization ........................................................... 104 Mission .................................................................. 104 Bases ...................................................................... 104 Equipment .............................................................. 105 Navy ............................................................................ 105 Organization ........................................................... 106 Bases ...................................................................... 106 Personnel ................................................................ 106 Equipment .............................................................. 107 Coastal Defense .......................................................... 108 Paramilitary ................................................................. 108 National Police ............................................................ 108 APPENDICES Equipment Recognition ................................................... A-1 Holidays ........................................................................... B-1 Language .......................................................................... C-1 Dangerous Plants and Animals ........................................ D-1 ILLUSTRATIONS United Arab Emirates ....................................................... viii National Flag .................................................................... 1 U.S. Embassy – Abu Dhabi .............................................. 3 Dubai City Map ................................................................ 5 Arabian Peninsula ...........................................................