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United Arab Emirates
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Customs and Culture
Customs and Culture
Cultural Attributes
The giving and receiving of hospitality is an important part of Arab and Bedouin culture. Politeness and courtesy to guests, whether friends or business contacts, is a noticeable feature of life in the UAE.
Land of Ancient Pearls and Desert Hospitality
Get More Customs and Culture
6 more cultural topics for members
Social Customs & Etiquette · Diet · Family · Dating Customs · Recreation · Student Life
Holidays
Independence Day
12/2Independence Day
Dates of Interest
- February
Held annually in February, this festival features light installations and projections on various landmarks in Sharjah, transforming the city into a vibrant art gallery.
How do people greet each other in the United Arab Emirates?
Greetings are elaborate and extended, with numerous references to Allah.
Good to know
- Common expressions include Al-hamdu-lilah (all praise is due to Allah)
- Subhan-Allah (glory be to Allah) is also used
What are dining customs like in the United Arab Emirates?
Guests may be invited to share the traditional mansaf of whole lamb and spiced rice, laid out on trays from which people help themselves.
Do
- Help yourself from the shared trays
- Enjoy the mezze appetizers served before the meal, such as hummus and tabbouleh
Good to know
- Arabic coffee, known as ghawah, is served after the meal
- Meals are eaten in reception rooms called majlis, reserved for special occasions or important guests
- Vine leaves stuffed with rice are widely enjoyed
- Spices are sold in paper cones called dukkahs in the spice streets (atarinehs)
What etiquette should I know when visiting a home in the United Arab Emirates?
Hospitality is central to Emirati culture, and homes welcome guests with fragrant incense.
Do
- Take off your shoes before entering a private home
Good to know
- Incense is burned to welcome guests, filling the air with a sweet fragrance
- Rosewater may be sprinkled on guests' head and hands as they leave
- In traditional society, men and women do not socialize or eat together, though modern families may not observe this
How do people dress in the United Arab Emirates?
Men wear an ankle-length robe called a dishdasha or khandura, while women wear a black abaya and headscarf (shayla).
Good to know
- Men's dishdashas are worn with a white or red checkered head cloth (gutra), held by a black coil (agla), over a skull cap (gafir)
- Some women wear a thin black face veil, and some older women wear a fabric mask called a burkha
What is family life like in the United Arab Emirates?
Family life is kept extremely private, forming a tight unit where children respect parents and gender roles are clearly defined.
Good to know
- Traditionally a man asks his prospective bride's father for permission to marry and agrees on a bride-price (mahr)
- A marriage contract is drawn up by a lawyer or religious leader, but the couple lives together only after the wedding ceremony
- Weddings are colorful, with lights, multi-day feasts, and sometimes public entertainment like camel races and dances
What do people do for recreation in the United Arab Emirates?
Traditional pastimes include camel racing, horse racing, and falconry, while soccer is the most popular sport.
Good to know
- Other sports include cricket, rugby, bowling, tennis, and squash
- Traditional children's games include Al Meryeihana (skipping), Hawari (toy palm-leaf ships), and Al Ghomaid (like blind man's bluff)
Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Sources: CountryReports
Photos of United Arab Emirates
Photos of United Arab Emirates
Travel and Tourism
Travel and Tourism
- Travel Alert Status
- Level 3: Reconsider Travel
- Currency
- Emirati dirham (AED)
- Time Difference
- UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
- Climate
- Rainfall is low; but humidity is uncomfortably high. May to October is extremely hot, with shade temperatures of 29°C (85°F) to 50°C (122°F) and frequent 100% humidity. During the cool season (December-February) the weather is damp and seems colder than the 10°C (50°F) the thermometer sometimes indicates. During the rest of the year, the climate is pleasant, except for occasional sandstorms and hot, dry winds, which blow off the Empty Quarter of Arabia.
- Airports
- 35
Read the full travel guide — health, safety, vaccinations, disease risk, sanitation, and transit details.
View full travel guideRecipes
Recipes
History
History
Historical Eras
Ancient & Medieval
4000 BCE – 1500
The coastal and interior regions of present-day UAE have been inhabited since at least the fourth millennium BCE, with evidence of Bronze Age settlements at sites such as Hili. The area participated in ancient Gulf trade networks, and from roughly the 7th century CE Islam transformed the region's society and political organization. Maritime trade, fishing, pearling, and camel caravan routes underpinned the economies of the small tribal polities that gradually coalesced along the coast.
Pearling & Trade Era
1500 – 1820
Portuguese, then later Dutch and British commercial interests competed for influence over the strategically vital Persian Gulf coast. Dubai and other coastal settlements emerged as significant entrepôts on international trading routes, while pearling became the dominant industry. The Al Qasimi confederation's attacks on British and allied shipping in the early 19th century brought British military retaliation and ultimately forced a fundamental reshaping of the region's political order.
Trucial States
1820 – 1971
Britain imposed a series of maritime truces beginning in 1820, culminating in the 1892 Exclusive Agreements by which the seven sheikhdoms—collectively called the Trucial Coast—ceded control of foreign affairs and defense to Britain in exchange for protection. This arrangement froze the internal political map while external trade and pearling continued until the pearl market collapsed in the 1930s. The 1958 discovery of oil in Abu Dhabi, with exports beginning in 1962, transformed the region's economic prospects on the eve of independence.
Independence & Federation
1971 – 1985
Britain's 1968 announcement that it would withdraw from the Gulf by 1971 spurred negotiations among the nine Trucial sheikhdoms; Bahrain and Qatar chose separate independence, while six emirates federated as the UAE on December 2, 1971, with Ras al-Khaimah joining in 1972. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi became the federation's first president, steering oil revenues into infrastructure, education, and social services. Iran's simultaneous seizure of the islands of Greater and Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa created a territorial dispute that persists to the present day.
Oil Boom & Gulf Crisis
1985 – 2000
Sustained oil revenues enabled rapid urbanization, massive infrastructure investment, and the recruitment of a large expatriate labor force that soon outnumbered UAE nationals. The federation joined coalition forces during the 1991 Gulf War to reverse Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, demonstrating both its regional security commitments and its ability to project military force. Dubai began deliberately diversifying its economy away from oil dependency through finance, trade, and real estate, laying the groundwork for its emergence as a global commercial hub.
Modern UAE
2000 – present
The accession of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan as UAE president in 2004 following the death of Sheikh Zayed marked a generational transition, and the first-ever national elections were held in 2006. Dubai's spectacular construction boom—including the Burj Khalifa and Palm Jumeirah—was followed by a significant property crash in 2008–09, prompting Abu Dhabi to underwrite Dubai's debt obligations. The UAE has since pursued ambitious economic diversification, space exploration, and an active foreign policy, including the 2020 Abraham Accords normalization of relations with Israel.
Overview
THE COUNTRIES OF THE PERSIAN GULF
Timeline of Key Events
1400
From about this time Dubai became a major crossing point on international trading routes
From about this time Dubai became a major crossing point on international trading routes in silk, pearls, spices and gold.
1820
The British enforced an end to piracy.
The British enforced an end to piracy.
1892
Seven Emirates ceded right over foreign representation to Britain.
Seven Emirates ceded right over foreign representation to Britain.
1958
Oil discovered in Abu Dhabi.
Oil discovered in Abu Dhabi.
1962
Oil is exported for the first time from Abu Dhabi.
Oil is exported for the first time from Abu Dhabi.
1970
The seven Emirates were released into independence.
The seven Emirates were released into independence.
1971
Iran occupies the islands of Greater and Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa.
Iran occupies the islands of Greater and Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa.
Read the full history profile — narrative overview, defining eras, and the complete timeline in one place.
View expanded historyInteresting Facts
Interesting Facts
Pearls have been harvested by Gulf fisheries for more than 5,000 years.
The earliest evidence of the domestication of the camel has been found in Umm an-Nar and dates back more than 4,000 years.
The UAE has created a Marriage Fund to enable Emirati men to meet the high costs of marrying Emirati women.
Strikes and labour unions are illegal in the Emirates.
See every fact — trivia, oddities, and curious tidbits gathered from across the country.
View all interesting factsGeography and Environment
Geography and Environment
- Terrain
- flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert wasteland; mountains in east
- Climate
- Rainfall is low; but humidity is uncomfortably high. May to October is extremely hot, with shade temperatures of 29 °C (85 °F) to 50 °C (122 °F) and frequent 100% humidity. During the cool season (December-February) the weather is damp and seems colder than the 10 °C (50 °F) the thermometer sometimes indicates. During the rest of the year, the climate is pleasant, except for occasional sandstorms and hot, dry winds, which blow off the Empty Quarter of Arabia.
- Natural Hazards
- frequent sand and dust storms
- Current Environmental Issues
- lack of natural freshwater resources compensated by desalination plants; desertification; beach pollution from oil spills
Read the full geography and environment profile — terrain, climate, natural resources, hazards, land use, and international agreements.
View full geographyPeople & Demographics
People & Demographics
Religion
Languages Spoken
Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu
- Arabic
- Hindi
- Persian
- Urdu
Population
- Population
- 9,770,529
- Population in Major Urban Areas
- ABU DHABI (capital) 942,000; Dubai 1.978 million; Sharjah 983,000
- Nationality Noun
- Emirati(s)
- Ethnic Groups
- Emirati 19%, other Arab and Iranian 23%, South Asian 50%, other expatriates (includes Westerners and East Asians) 8%
Education
- Literacy Definition
- age 15 and over can read and write
Health Information
- Life Expectancy at Birth
- Life expectancy at birth in the United Arab Emirates stands among the highest in the Arab world and compares favorably with many developed nations. Current data places the average life expectancy at birth at approximately 79 to 80 years overall, with women typically living longer than men — around 81 to 82 years for females compared to roughly 78 years for males. This relatively high life expectancy reflects decades of substantial investment in healthcare infrastructure, public health programs, and rising living standards fueled by the country's oil wealth. The UAE has built a modern, well-equipped healthcare system featuring world-class hospitals, specialized medical centers, and a growing network of community clinics accessible to both citizens and residents. Government spending on health has consistently prioritized preventive care, maternal and child health, and the management of chronic diseases. Infant mortality rates have dropped dramatically over the past several decades, contributing significantly to improved overall life expectancy figures. Advances in prenatal care, vaccination programs, and nutrition have all played important roles in this progress, with infant mortality now among the lowest in the Middle East region. The UAE also benefits from a relatively young expatriate population, which statistically influences national averages. The country's large proportion of working-age migrants — who often arrive healthy and employed — can affect how demographic health data is interpreted compared to nations with more uniform age distributions. Despite these achievements, the UAE faces ongoing public health challenges that could affect future life expectancy trends. High rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease remain concerns among both the national and expatriate populations, driven in part by sedentary lifestyles, dietary habits, and extreme heat that limits outdoor physical activity. The government has responded with broad national wellness initiatives, including long-term strategies embedded in the UAE Vision 2031 framework and various emirate-level programs, aimed at promoting healthier lifestyles and reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases. Overall, the UAE's life expectancy trajectory reflects a country that has transformed its public health landscape within a remarkably short period, moving from a developing-nation baseline in the mid-twentieth century to outcomes now comparable to those seen across Western Europe and North America.
Life Expectancy
- Life Expectancy at Birth
- Life expectancy at birth in the United Arab Emirates stands among the highest in the Arab world and compares favorably with many developed nations. Current data places the average life expectancy at birth at approximately 79 to 80 years overall, with women typically living longer than men — around 81 to 82 years for females compared to roughly 78 years for males. This relatively high life expectancy reflects decades of substantial investment in healthcare infrastructure, public health programs, and rising living standards fueled by the country's oil wealth. The UAE has built a modern, well-equipped healthcare system featuring world-class hospitals, specialized medical centers, and a growing network of community clinics accessible to both citizens and residents. Government spending on health has consistently prioritized preventive care, maternal and child health, and the management of chronic diseases. Infant mortality rates have dropped dramatically over the past several decades, contributing significantly to improved overall life expectancy figures. Advances in prenatal care, vaccination programs, and nutrition have all played important roles in this progress, with infant mortality now among the lowest in the Middle East region. The UAE also benefits from a relatively young expatriate population, which statistically influences national averages. The country's large proportion of working-age migrants — who often arrive healthy and employed — can affect how demographic health data is interpreted compared to nations with more uniform age distributions. Despite these achievements, the UAE faces ongoing public health challenges that could affect future life expectancy trends. High rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease remain concerns among both the national and expatriate populations, driven in part by sedentary lifestyles, dietary habits, and extreme heat that limits outdoor physical activity. The government has responded with broad national wellness initiatives, including long-term strategies embedded in the UAE Vision 2031 framework and various emirate-level programs, aimed at promoting healthier lifestyles and reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases. Overall, the UAE's life expectancy trajectory reflects a country that has transformed its public health landscape within a remarkably short period, moving from a developing-nation baseline in the mid-twentieth century to outcomes now comparable to those seen across Western Europe and North America.
Read the full people and society profile — demographics, health, education, religion, languages, and notable people.
View full people and societyGovernment & Politics
Government & Politics
Country Identity
- Country Name
- UnitedArabEmirates
- Full Country Name
- United Arab Emirates
- Local - Long
- Al Imarat al Arabiyah al Muttahidah
- Former Name
- Trucial Oman, Trucial States
Government Structure
- Government Type
- federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE federal government and other powers reserved to member emirates
- Legal System
- federal court system introduced in 1971; all emirates except Dubayy (Dubai) and Ra's al Khaymah are not fully integrated into the federal system; all emirates have secular and Islamic law for civil, criminal, and high courts
- Executive Branch
- chief of state: President MUHAMMAD bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan (since 14 May 2022), ruler of Abu Dhabi (since 13 May 2022); Vice President and Prime Minister MUHAMMAD bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 5 January 2006), ruler of Dubai head of government: Prime Minister and Vice President MUHAMMAD bin Rashid al-Maktum (since 5 January 2006); Deputy Prime Minister SAIF bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan (since 2009); Deputy Prime Minister MANSUR bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan (since 2009) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president note: there is also a Federal Supreme Council (FSC) composed of the seven emirate rulers; the FSC is the highest constitutional authority in the UAE; establishes general policies and sanctions federal legislation; meets four times a year; the rulers of Abu Dhabi and Dubai hold effective veto power elections: president and vice president are elected by the FSC for five-year terms (no term limits); MUHAMMAD bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan was elected president on 14 May 2022 following the death of President KHALIFA bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan on 13 May 2022; the prime minister and deputy prime ministers are appointed by the president election results: MUHAMMAD bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan elected president by a unanimous vote of the FSC; MUHAMMAD bin Rashid al-Maktum unanimously reaffirmed as vice president and prime minister
- Legislative Branch
- Unicameral Federal National Council (FNC) or Majlis al-Ittihad al-Watani (40 seats; 20 members indirectly elected by an Electoral College whose members are appointed by the rulers of the constituent emirates, and 20 members directly appointed by the rulers; members serve four-year terms). Elections: The UAE introduced limited electoral participation in 2006, when indirect elections were first held for half of the FNC's 40 seats. The Electoral College, whose members are selected by the rulers of the seven emirates, votes for the 20 elected seats, while the remaining 20 seats are filled by direct appointment. Women are eligible to both vote and stand as candidates. The most recent elections were held in October 2023. Note: The FNC serves an advisory and legislative review function. It may examine, propose amendments to, and debate federal legislation and the national budget, but it does not hold full legislative authority and cannot veto laws passed by the Supreme Council or the Cabinet.
- Judicial Branch
- Union Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president)
- Suffrage
- none
- Constitution
- 2 December 1971 (made permanent in 1996)
- Independence
- 2 December 1971 (from UK)
- National Holiday
- Independence Day, 2 December (1971)
Capital City
- Capital Name
- Abu Dhabi
- Capital - geographic coordinate
- 24 28 N, 54 22 E
- Capital Time Difference
- UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
in Arabic, abu means "father" and dhabi refers to "gazelle"; the name may derive from an abundance of gazelles that used to live in the area, as well as a folk tale involving the "Father of the Gazelle," Shakhbut BIN DHIYAB AL NAHYAN, whose hunting party tracked a gazelle to a spring on the island where Abu Dhabi was founded
Military
Branches: United Arab Emirates Armed Forces: Critical Infrastructure Coastal Patrol Agency (CNIA), Land Forces, Navy, Air Force and Air Defense, Border and Coast Guard Directorate (BCGD)
Embassy / Diplomatic Mission
U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi
Physical Address: Embassies District, Plot 38, Sector W59-02, Street No. 4.
Mailing Address: US Embassy in Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 4009, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Telephone: (971) (2) 414-2200
Emergency after-hours telephone: (971) (2) 414-2200
Facsimile: (971) (2) 414-2241
U.S. Consulate General in Dubai
Physical address: At the corner of Al Seef Rd. and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Rd, Dubai, U.A.E. Mailing address: U.S. Consulate General Dubai, P.O. Box 121777, Dubai, UAE
Telephone: (971) (4) 309-4000
Emergency after-hours telephone: (971) (4) 309-4000
Facsimile (971) (4) 311-6213
The work week for both the Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai is Sunday through Thursday.
Read the full government profile — flag symbolism, national anthem, and other national symbols.
View full government detailsEconomy
Economy
The UAE has an open economy with a high per capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus.
Snapshot
- Currency Name and Code
- UAE Dirham (AED)
- GDP — official exchange rate
- $98,100,000,000 (USD)
- GDP Real Growth Rate
- 4.4%
News & Weather
News & Weather
Current Weather
Latest News
CENTCOM announces US-UAE task force on AI - Breaking Defense
Breaking Defense · 15h ago
CENTCOM, UAE Launch First Task Force Over Military AI Use - Forbes
Forbes · 17h ago
CENTCOM to Launch 1st Bilateral AI Task Force with UAE - centcom.mil
centcom.mil · 18h ago
The UAE’s bold gambit on Iran - Financial Times
Financial Times · 1d ago
Targeted by Iran, this Gulf nation emerges stronger - The Christian Science Monitor
The Christian Science Monitor · 1d ago
How the Iran war has deepened Saudi-UAE rivalry - DW.com
DW.com · 13h ago
"Serious Challenge": Pakistan's Business Community Claims Silent Visa Ban By UAE - NDTV
NDTV · 5h ago
UAE Bond Sales Running at Record Pace Against War Backdrop - Bloomberg.com
Bloomberg.com · 18h ago
News via Google News
Climate Overview
Rainfall is low; but humidity is uncomfortably high. May to October is extremely hot, with shade temperatures of 29°C (85°F) to 50°C (122°F) and frequent 100% humidity. During the cool season (December-February) the weather is damp and seems colder than the 10°C (50°F) the thermometer sometimes indicates. During the rest of the year, the climate is pleasant, except for occasional sandstorms and hot, dry winds, which blow off the Empty Quarter of Arabia.
Videos
Videos
2 curated YouTube videos.
Source: YouTube
Source: YouTube
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of United Arab Emirates?
How do people greet each other in the United Arab Emirates?
What are dining customs like in the United Arab Emirates?
What etiquette should I know when visiting a home in the United Arab Emirates?
How do people dress in the United Arab Emirates?
What is family life like in the United Arab Emirates?
What do people do for recreation in the United Arab Emirates?
What is the capital of the United Arab Emirates?
Where is the United Arab Emirates located?
What countries border the United Arab Emirates?
What is the predominant religion in the United Arab Emirates?
What currency is used in the United Arab Emirates?
What languages are spoken in the United Arab Emirates?
What is the United Arab Emirates known for?
What is the government structure of the United Arab Emirates?
Last reviewed 2026