According to eningbo, United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2012 was a sovereign nation located in the Middle East composed of seven emirates, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Quwain. The total area of the UAE is 83,600 km2 and it has a population of around 9 million people with the majority of people living in the Emirate of Dubai. The official language is Arabic although English is also widely spoken. The UAE has a long history dating back to antiquity when it was home to various nomadic tribes who lived in the desert oases. In 1971 the UAE was formed through a union between six emirates and since then it has grown to become one of the wealthiest countries in the world due to its large oil reserves and its flourishing tourism industry. The economy of UAE is largely driven by its oil and gas industry which accounts for around 30% of GDP while services such as tourism are also key sectors. Major exports include crude oil and natural gas which are exported to countries such as India, Japan and China. Despite its strong economic performance there are still areas where poverty remains an issue with some estimates suggesting that around 10% of the population lives below the poverty line. The government has made efforts to reduce poverty through initiatives such as job creation schemes but more needs to be done to ensure that all members of society benefit from economic growth and development. Additionally, due to its location on the Persian Gulf coast UAE is highly vulnerable to climate change with extreme weather patterns leading to droughts and floods which can have devastating impacts on agricultural production as well as causing displacement amongst vulnerable communities. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a Middle Eastern nation located on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the west and south, and Oman to the east and northeast. The UAE is comprised of seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain. It has a population of over 9 million people from over 200 nationalities and cultures. The UAE has a highly advanced economy that is based on its booming oil industry and diversified investments in other sectors such as finance, trade, tourism and hospitality. In 2015 it was ranked 39th in the world for GDP per capita with an estimated $48,000 per person. The government has placed an emphasis on developing renewable energy sources such as solar power to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels. In 2015 the UAE had one of the highest literacy rates in the world with 96% of adults aged 15+ being able to read and write according to UNESCO statistics. Education is compulsory for children aged 6-15 years old with free schooling provided up until secondary level at which point students may choose to go to university or pursue vocational training programs. The UAE has been governed by an absolute monarch since its formation in 1971 with current president Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan assuming power in 2004 following his father’s death. A unicameral parliamentary system exists within the country that consists of members elected through universal suffrage every four years alongside presidential elections held every five years or earlier if needed. The government consists of both federal entities as well as local authorities who are responsible for managing their respective emirates’ affairs such as taxation and healthcare services among other things. Politically speaking, there are no major political parties within the UAE but rather tribal affiliations tend to dominate decision making processes across all levels of government while religious beliefs also play an important role when it comes to matters concerning personal status laws such as marriage or inheritance rights among others. In terms of international relations, the UAE maintains strong ties with countries around the world including Western nations such as the United States and countries within its region like Saudi Arabia which it shares close economic ties with due to their mutual reliance on oil exports for revenue generation purposes among other things. Check computerannals for United Arab Emirates in 2003.