General Information:
Area: 77,700 sq km (30,000 sq miles).
Population: 2,724,000 (official estimate 1998).
Population Density: 35.1 per sq km.
Capital: Abu Dhabi.
Population: 398,695 (1995).

Geography: The Emirates are bordered to the north by the Gulf and the Musandam Peninsula, to the east by Oman, to the south and west by Saudi Arabia and to the northwest by Qatar. They comprise a federation of seven small former sheikhdoms. Abu Dhabi is the largest Emirate, and the remainder (Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Umm al Qaiwain and Ras al- Khaimah) are known collectively as the Northern States. The land is mountainous and mostly desert. Abu Dhabi is flat and sandy, and within its boundaries is the Buraimi Oasis. Dubai has a 16km (10-mile) deep-water creek, giving it the popular name of ‘Pearl of the Gulf’. Sharjah has a deep-water port on the Batinah coast at Khor Fakkan, facing the Indian Ocean. Ras al-Khaimah is the fourth emirate in size. Fujairah, one of the three smaller sheikhdoms located on the Batinah coast, has agricultural potential, while Ajman and Umm al Qaiwain were once small coastal fishing villages.

Language: Arabic is the official language. English is widely spoken and used as a second language in commerce.

Religion: Mostly Muslim, of which 16 per cent are Shiite and the remainder Sunni.

Time: GMT + 4.

Electricity: 220/240 volts AC, 50Hz. Square three-pin plugs are widespread.

Communications:
Telephone: IDD is available both to and from all states. Country code: 971. Outgoing international code (Abu Dhabi): 00. Main area codes: Abu Dhabi 2; Ajman, Sharjah and Umm al Qaiwain 6; Al Ain 3; Dubai 4; Fujairah 9; Jebel Ali 4 and Ras al-Khaimah 7. There is a good local telephone network. Telephone calls within each state are free.

Mobile telephone: GSM 900 network. Network operators include ETISALAT (website: www.etisalat.co.ae).

Fax: ETISALAT offices at main centres provide a service. All hotels have facilities.

Internet: Internet cafes provide public access to Internet and e-mail services. ISPs include Emirates Telecommunication (website: www.emirates.net.ae).

Telegram: Services are run by ETISALAT, which has offices throughout the Emirates and are also available through main post offices.

Post: Airmail letters and parcels take about five days to reach Europe.

Press: English-language daily newspapers include Gulf News, Khaleej Times and Emirates News. Foreign newspapers are available in hotel bookshops and supermarkets.

Money:
Currency: UAE Dirham (Dh) = 100 fils. Notes are in denominations of Dh1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of Dh1, and 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 fils.

Note: The Dirham is tied to the US Dollar.

Currency exchange: Most hotels will handle the exchange of foreign currency.

Credit & debit cards: American Express, Diners Club, Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travellers cheques: These are widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.

Currency restrictions: The import and export of both local and foreign currency are unrestricted.

Banking hours: Sat-Wed 0730-1300 and Thurs 0730-1200. Some also open Sat-Wed 1630-1800.

Public Holidays: Dec 2 2002 National Day. Dec 6-8 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Jan 1 2003 New Year’s Day. Feb 12 Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). Mar 5 Al-Hijra (Islamic New Year). May 14 Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet). Aug 6 Accession of HH Sheikh Zayed. Sep 24 Leilat al-Meiraj (Ascension of the Prophet). Nov 26-28 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Dec 2 National Day. Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Feb 2 Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). Feb 22 Al-Hijra (Islamic New Year). May 2 Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet). Aug 6 Accession of HH Sheikh Zayed. Sep 12 Leilat al-Meiraj (Ascension of the Prophet). Nov 14-16 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Dec 2 National Day.

Note: Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last anything from two to ten days, depending on the region.

Health:
Special Precautions/Certificate Required:
Yellow Fever No/No
Cholera No/No
Typhoid and Polio 1/N/A
Malaria 2/N/A

1: Immunisation against polio is advised; typhoid occurs in rural areas.

2: Malaria is not considered to be a risk in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi nor in the cities of Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman or Umm al Qaiwain. There is, however, a risk of contracting the disease (predominantly the benign vivax form) in the valleys and on the lower slopes of mountainous areas of the Northern States. In these areas chloroquine or proguanil are recommended, plus protection against mosquito bites.

Food & drink: Tap water in major cities is safe to drink, but in small villages it should be filtered, or bottled water should be used. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Other risks: Cutaneous leishmaniasis and tick-borne typhus may occur; avoid mosquito, sandfly and tick bites. Wear shoes to avoid soil-borne parasites. Take precautions against heat exhaustion and sunstroke. Immunisation against hepatitis A is recommended. Hepatitis B is endemic.

Rabies is present close to the border with Oman. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.

Health care: Medical facilities are of a very high quality, but are extremely expensive. Private health insurance is essential.

Travel - Internal:
Air: A daily flight now links Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Flights can also be chartered and there are small landing fields throughout the United Arab Emirates.

Sea: Commercial and passenger services serve all coastal ports. A water taxi travels between Dubai and Deira across the creek.

Road: There are good tarmac roads running along the west coast between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah; between Sharjah and Dhaid; and linking Dubai with other Northern States and the interior. Traffic drives on the right and the speed limit in built-up areas is 60kph (38mph) and 80-100kph (50-63mph) elsewhere.

Bus: Limited services link most towns. However, most hotels run their own scheduled bus services to the airport, city centre and beach resorts.

Taxi: Available in all towns. In Abu Dhabi and Al-Ain, urban journey fares are metered, whilst fares for longer journeys should be agreed in advance. There is a surcharge for air-conditioned taxis. Many travellers find taxis to be the quickest and most convenient method of travel from Abu Dhabi to Dubai.

Car hire: Most international car hire companies have offices at airports or hotels. A passport and either a valid international or national licence are necessary.

Documentation: An International Driving Permit is recommended, although it is not legally required. A local driving licence can be issued on presentation of a valid national driving licence, two photos and a passport.

Travel - International:
Air: The national airlines are Emirates (EK) and Gulf Air (GF). Emirates operates international flights to and from Dubai; Gulf Air serves all UAE airports. Emirates is expanding services to the Far East. Many other airlines operate scheduled services to Dubai.

Approximate flight times: From London to Abu Dhabi is 6 hours 35 minutes and to Dubai is 7 hours; from Frankfurt/M to Dubai is 6 hours; from Hong Kong to Dubai is 8 hours and from Nairobi to Dubai is 4 hours.

International airports: Abu Dhabi (AUH) is 32km (20 miles) east of the city (travel time – 40 minutes). Bus and taxis are available at the airport. Airport facilities include duty-free shop, 24-hour bank, bar, snack bar, bureau de change, post office and car hire.

Dubai (DXB) (website: www.dubaiairport.com) is 5km (3 miles) southeast of the city (travel time – 10 minutes). Taxis are available at the airport. Airport facilities include duty-free shop, bank, post office, shops, car hire, restaurant, snack bar and bar. The airport consists of two terminals and a new concourse.

Sharjah (SHJ) is 10km (6 miles) from the city. Taxis are available at the airport. Airport facilities include duty-free shop, car hire, bar, restaurant, snack bar and bank (only open restricted hours).

Ras al-Khaimah (RKT) is 15km (9 miles) from the city. Taxis are available at the airport. Airport facilities include a duty-free shop and restaurant/snack bar.

There is also an airport at Fujairah with duty-free facilities, and one is being constructed at Al Ain.

Departure tax: None.

Sea: The main international ports are Jebel Ali, Rashid and Zayed (Abu Dhabi), Khalid (Sharjah), Saqr (Ras al-Khaimah) and Fujairah. Cruises call at Abu Dhabi and the newly opened cruise terminal in Dubai, and there are passenger/cargo services to the USA, the Far East, Australia and Europe. There are regular sailings between Sharjah and Bandar-é-Abbas (Iran).

Road: There is a good road into Oman and a fair one into Qatar which connects with the Trans-Arabian Highway on the overland route to Europe. Buses run daily between Dubai and Muscat (Oman) and also between Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Saudi Arabia.