The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the Middle East's version of the United States of America (USA). Also a salad bowl of various nationalities, UAE is one of the Filipinos' employment haven not only because of the good pay but also because of the amazing fusion of the traditional values of the East and the modern technologies of the West. It is where people of different cultures work and live together in harmony, in a standard of living that is comparable to the world's most advanced nations. What's more, UAE is literally crime-free.

UAE's Emirates

UAE is a federation of seven emirates or states namely: Abu Dhabi (UAE's capital), Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al-Qaiwain, Ras Al-Khaimah and Fujairah. UAE celebrates its National Day on the 2nd day of December. It was on this day in 1971 when the Federation of the United Arab Emirates was formed. The celebration runs from December 2 to 4. During the occasion, the major cities of the emirates are decorated with lights brightly lit-up.

Government and Legal System

UAE's backbone is of federation type with specified powers delegated to the UAE federal government and other powers reserved to member emirates. Laws and policies are implemented through the federal court system which was introduced in 1971. The emirates have secular and Islamic law for civil, criminal and high courts.

Population and Religion

One UAE website states that the country's population is estimated to be 2.94 million, with a growth rate of around 6.5 percent a year. This, accordingly, is expected to slow down to 2.9 percent by the year 2005 when the population will number around 3.48 million. UAE citizens account for a little over 20 percent of UAE's population. Believe it, roughly 80 percent comes from the Far East, Europe, the Indian sub-continent and rest of the Arab world! The main population is concentrated in the cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The prevailing religion is Islam.

Climate

A peaceful haven in the Arabian peninsula by the Arabian sea, UAE in itself is a tourist's paradise as the sun shines all year round and thus making it an ideal summer resort. Moderate climate is found between October and March, where days are usually pleasant averaging 26 degrees Celcius in temperature. Nights during the bracket are cool, averaging 15 degrees Celcius. Summer formally unfolds between April and September with temperatures peaking at 50 degrees Celcius. Occasional sand storms are also experienced due the Southerly and Northerly winds.