The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is actually a federation made up of seven UAE, which comprises of seven individual states that are termed as emirates. The seven states are Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras al-Khaimah, Umm al-Quwain, Ajman, Sharjah, and Fujairah. The capital of UAE is Abu Dhabi and is the second largest city of it. Well, it is also a hub of the country with industrial, political, as well as cultural activities. Prior to 1971, the UAE was recognized as the Trucial States or the Trucial Oman that has been structured in reference to a 19th century truce located between the United Kingdom and many Arab Sheikhs.
Being a desert country, the United Arab Emirates boasts good landscape, dry deserts, and many mind-blowing attractions. What is more fascinated in this is that the emirates are a mix of old and new that could be seen through its high rising structures and the magnificent ancient structures. Right from the eternal harmony of the desert to the lively hustle and bustle of the open-air markets, the federation offers a kaleidoscope of breathtaking attractions. With the phenomenal investment of Dubai in the opulent hotels as well as in infrastructure, UAE has become a renowned tourist destination that offers a wide spectrum of opportunities.
While visiting the country, you must visit the world famous Dubai and see what it has to offer to you. No doubt, it will make you enticed completely with its amazing, sky touching, and great architectural works, with the opening of the tallest sky scraper in the world named as the Burj Dubai. The Burj Dubai was opened on January 2010, making the state to raise its pride. Dubai is in short period developed enormously and also established itself as a tourist hotspot by offering beautiful beach, various designer stores, great nightlife, big shopping malls, and many other wonderful sights to see.
Besides Dubai, Abu Dhabi – the capital city of United Arab Emirates, is also bustling on its high heels with the modern as well as sleek city where you can experience outstanding maze of skyscrapers, five-star spas, and gourmet restaurants. Being a capital, Abu Dhabi flourishes its culture and so is set to become the cultural heart of the country by opening up Louvre Abu Dhabi, which is the contemporary art museum. It is scheduled to finish the construction work until the year 2011.
Some of the best things that you must see in the UAE are:
- Beautiful beaches located on the east coast
- Few of the largest sand dunes in the world and could be found in the south of Abu Dhabi in the Liwa Oasis area
- Explore the rugged and remote wadis that lies in the northern emirates
The United Arab Emirates is a very big federation that includes total seven different states. So a month vacation will not be enough to explore every corner of it. However, you can first visit Dubai and Abu Dhabi and get captivated with its magnificent beauty.
Emirati culture mainly revolves around the religion of Islam and traditional Arab, and Bedouin culture.
Being a highly cosmopolitan society, the UAE has a diverse and vibrant culture.
The influence of Islamic and Arab culture on its architecture, music, attire, cuisine and lifestyle are very prominent as well.
Five times every day, Muslims are called to prayer from the minarets of mosques which are scattered around the country.
Since 2006, the weekend has been Friday-Saturday, as a compromise between Friday’s holiness to Muslims and the Western weekend of Saturday-Sunday.