The tourism industry in the Emirates, thanks to the oil found in huge quantities in the coastal waters of this state, is developing rapidly. Oil allows the emirs of the UAE to build luxury hotels with excellent infrastructure. Foreign tourists in the UAE are attracted not only by the warm sea with coral reefs and sandy beaches, but also by ancient fortresses, forts, mosques, deserts with oases, palm groves on the banks of reservoirs with waterfalls, camel races and much more.
Geography of the UAE
The United Arab Emirates, sometimes referred to simply as the Emirates or the United Arab Emirates, is located in the southeastern part of the Arabian Peninsula, on the coast of the Persian Gulf. The UAE borders Saudi Arabia to the south and Oman to the east. The total area of the UAE is 83,600 sq. km., and the total length of the state land border is 867 km.
Most of the territory of the UAE is occupied by the Rub al-Khali desert with a few oases. There are mountains in the north and east of the country. The highest point in the country is Mount Jabal Bil Ays (1934 meters).
Capital
According to itypemba.com, the capital of the UAE is Abu Dhabi, which is now home to more than 1.5 million people. The settlement of people on the territory of modern Abu Dhabi existed already 4 thousand years ago. The city itself was formed in the middle of the 18th century.
Official language of the UAE
The official language of the population of the UAE is Arabic, belonging to the Semitic group of the Afroasian language family.
Religion
More than 76% of the population of the UAE are Sunni Muslims, 9% are Christians, and more than 10% are adherents of other religions.
State structure
According to equzhou.net, the UAE is a union of emirates (kingdoms) led by emirs. In other words, the UAE is allied absolute monarchies. The UAE is governed by the Supreme Council of Rulers, which consists of the emirs of Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah, Sharjah, Dubai, Ras al-Khaimah and Umm al-Qaiwain.
The post of President of the UAE is held concurrently by the Emir of Abu Dhabi (this post is hereditary). The Prime Minister of the country (also by inheritance) is the Emir of Dubai.
The parliament in the UAE is also peculiar – it is called the National Council, it includes 40 representatives of all emirates.
The UAE consists of seven emirates – Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah, Sharjah, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Qaiwain.
Climate and weather
The climate in the UAE is subtropical, with hot summers and dry winters. The highest average air temperature in the UAE is observed in July and August – more than +40C, and the lowest – in January and February (from +10 to +14C). The average annual rainfall in coastal areas is 120 mm per year, and in the mountains – 350 mm.
You can relax in the UAE all year round.
Sea in the UAE
In the north of the UAE is the Persian Gulf, and in the east – the Gulf of Oman (both belong to the Pacific Ocean). The total coastline is 734 km, of which 644 km is the coast of the Persian Gulf.
The water temperature in the Persian Gulf in summer exceeds +33C, and in winter it drops to +16C in the north and +22-24C in the south.
UAE culture
The UAE is an Islamic country, and therefore it is natural that religion has left its mark on the culture and traditions of the inhabitants of this country. The traditional entertainment of the inhabitants of the UAE is camel racing. They take place during holidays and festivals (for example, during the Dubai Shopping Festival). All Muslim holidays are celebrated in the UAE – Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, etc.
Integral elements of UAE culture are Arabian horse racing, boat racing and falconry.
Kitchen
Cuisine in the UAE is traditional for Arab countries (very similar to Lebanese cuisine). Daily food – rice, meat (lamb, poultry), dairy products, fish (sea bass, tuna), seafood (lobster, crabs, shrimp).
We recommend that tourists in the UAE try hummus (chicken with peas), kibbe (lamb cutlets), tabbouleh (couscous, tomato, onion, mint and parsley salad), mutabel (pasta or caviar from eggplant), “kusa mashi” (stuffed zucchini), “varak enab” (stuffed cabbage from grape leaves), “felafel”, “kebab”, “shawarmu”, stuffed perch with spices, grilled (or fried).
Desserts in the UAE are very sweet. Try Umm Ali (bread pudding with raisins and nuts), donuts with honey or pistachio pudding.
The traditional non-alcoholic drink in the UAE is coffee. Every year, each UAE resident consumes an average of 3.5 kg of coffee. For comparison: in Saudi Arabia per inhabitant per year there is an average of 1.9 kg of coffee, in the USA – 4.17 kg, in Brazil – 5.6 kg, and in Germany 6.97 kg. UAE residents often add camel milk to their coffee.
Alcohol in the UAE is served in hotel restaurants (except Sharjah), as well as in some golf clubs.
Attractions
When tourists in the UAE get tired (if they get tired) of relaxing on sandy beaches, they can take excursions and see very interesting sights. To begin with, we recommend visiting the emirate of Fujairah, where you will see dried-up estuaries, ancient fortresses and forts, palaces, hot sulfur springs, palm groves and waterfalls.
Of all the emirates, Sharjah pays the most attention to the preservation of its cultural heritage. According to UNESCO, the emirate of Sharjah is the cultural capital of the Arab world.
Travelers in the UAE can visit several archaeological sites. There are especially many archaeological excavations in Jumeirah, which was once a transit point on the ancient caravan route between Oman and Iraq.
Cities and resorts
The largest cities in the UAE are Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman.
Each emirate is a great beach resort. Many tourists claim that the best beaches in the UAE are located in the emirates of Fujairah and Dubai, but apparently it all depends on personal preferences. The beaches in the Emirates are owned by hotels or municipalities. Some public beaches are free, while others charge a small amount of money for entry. Topless sunbathing is not allowed. Tourists can pay for using the beach of any hotel (from 200 to 700 dirhams).
The sea in the UAE is calm, but there are ebbs and flows. Be careful when swimming.
Top 8 public beaches in the emirate of Dubai:
Mamzer Beach (consists of 5 beaches in bays and 2 large pools)
Jumeirah Beach Park (Entry fee is around AED 5)
Russian Beach (also known as Open Beach)
Kite Beach (infrastructure is not developed, you need to take food and drinks with you)
Burj Beach (very popular beach with volleyball and football courts)
Ghantoot Beach (owned by the hotel, entrance fee 10 dirhams)
Jebel Ali Beach (this beach is especially popular among surfers)
JBR Beach (free beach is very popular among tourists and locals, but there is practically no infrastructure, but there is a cafe)
The UAE also has many mineral and hot springs. The most popular local balneological resort is Hatt in the emirate of Ras al-Khaimah, in the vicinity of which there are beautiful lakes and palm groves. Many tourists come to the hot sulfur springs of Ain Al-Ghamur in the Emirate of Fujairah.
Souvenirs/Shopping
From the UAE, tourists usually bring hookahs, jewelry, perfumes, Arabic coffee pots, coffee cups, bed linen, prayer rugs, camel figurines.
Office Hours
Banks:
Sat-Wed: 08:00-13:00 (some banks are open from 16:30 to 18:30) Thu: 08:00-12:00
Shops:
Sat-Thu: 09:00-13:00 and 16:00-21:00
Many supermarkets are open 24 hours a day. Some shops are open on Fridays as well.
Visa
Ukrainians need to apply for a visa to visit the UAE.
Currency
The official currency in the UAE is the dirham (its international designation is AED). One dirham = 100 fils. Credit cards are accepted by most hotels, restaurants and upmarket stores.
Customs restrictions
You can import and export foreign currency and dirhams in the UAE without any restrictions, but the amount of more than 27 thousand dollars must be declared.
It is forbidden to bring Israeli currency into the UAE, food products containing pork, all items made in Israel, and anything that can be considered offensive to Islam.
If you bought jewelry in the UAE, then keep the corresponding receipt. Otherwise, you may have difficulties at customs when leaving the country.
Useful phone numbers and addresses
The interests of the UAE in Ukraine are represented by the UAE Embassy in Russia:
Moscow, st. Olof Palme, 4
Т: (495) 234-40-60
Email. email: [email protected]
Address of the Ukrainian Embassy in the UAE:
Abu Dhabi, UAE, Medinat Zayed area, POBox 45714
T: (8 10 9712)
632-75-86 Email: [email protected]
The difference with time in Kyiv is +2 hours. those. if in Kyiv it is 10:00, then in Abu Dhabi it is 12:00.
Tips
Some restaurants and hotels in the UAE include a service fee on the bill. Usually tips are 10-15%. Messengers are given 5 or 10 dirhams for “tea”. Taxi drivers don’t expect tips.
The medicine
No vaccinations are required to visit the UAE. But doctors recommend that tourists before traveling to this country be vaccinated against typhoid fever, malaria, rabies, diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis A and B for prevention.
Security
It is safe for foreign tourists to rest in the UAE. However, reasonable security measures should not be neglected. It should be remembered that the inhabitants of the UAE are Muslims.
