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| United Arab Emirates (UAE) |
Federal state (includes 7 principalities of the former. Treaty Oman: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras al-Khaimah, Al-Fud-genre, Ajman, Umm al-Qaiwain) in the eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula, on the Persian and Omani coasts bays. Territory - approx. 86 thousand sq. km. Population - 910 thousand (1979), mostly Arabs (about 90%). The indigenous population is only 160 thousand. The rest are immigrants from Yemen, Iran, India, Pakistan and African countries. The capital is Abu Dhabi (300 thousand inhabitants.). The state language is Arabic. The dominant religion is Islam (mostly Sunnis). Under the pretext of fighting pirates, England forced the rulers of the principalities to sign in 1820 an agreement on the protection of British sea-going ships, which gave her unlimited rights in the area. Subsequent treaties, especially the treaty of 1892, England secured her protectorate over this territory, taking on "responsibility" for the defense and foreign policy of the principalities. At the end of World War II, the British ruling circles tried to create a federation of 9 Arab principalities under their control (including Bahrain and Qatar). However, the growth of the national liberation movement thwarted these plans of British imperialism. 2.XII 1971 the rulers of the 6 principalities of Treaty Oman announced the creation of a sovereign federal state - the United Arab Emirates (UAE); in February 1972, this state also included the principality of Ras al-Khaimah. Announcing the cancellation of bilateral agreements with each principality, England signed a "Treaty of Friendship" with the UAE, according to which both sides pledged to hold, if necessary, mutual consultations on all issues of interest to them. However, in recent years, the UAE has increasingly begun to coordinate its foreign policy with Saudi Arabia and the United States. The UAE shows solidarity with the struggle of the Arab peoples against the Israeli aggression. The UAE government advocated the use of political and economic sanctions against the Sadat regime in Egypt, which concluded a separate "peace" treaty with Israel, and severed diplomatic relations with Egypt. The UAE is a member of the League of Arab States. The dominant position in the federation is occupied by two principalities - Abu Dhabi and Dubai (give 85% of the federation's income and concentrate more than half of the population), which continue to separately belong to a number of inter-Arab and international organizations. Feudal and tribal relations dominate in the UAE. Secular and spiritual power is concentrated in the hands of the sheikhs, who are at the head of the principalities. The activities of political parties and organizations are prohibited. Public life is subject to the laws of the Qur'an. The main legislative body is the Supreme Council of Emirs. Instead of parliament, there is a Federal National Council of 40 members with an advisory vote. The head of state is the president, who is elected by the Supreme Council of Emirs for 5 years (since 1976 - Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan - Emir of Abu Dhabi). Prime Minister Sheikh Rashid bin Said al-Maktoum (ruler of Dubai). The representation of the principalities in the central authorities of the UAE is determined, according to the interim constitution, by their population and economic weight. The most important natural wealth of the country is oil (proven reserves - over 5 billion tons - are concentrated mainly in Abu Dhabi and Dubai). Production in 1979 - 80 million tons. Exploration and production of oil is carried out by foreign companies (English, American, French, Danish, Japanese, West German and Italian capital). More than 25% of the oil produced is exported to the United States. Since 1.1 1974, the government of Abu Dhabi has acquired from 3 major foreign concession companies, and the government of Dubai - from the company "Dubai Petroleum" 60% of their capital. The State Oil National Company was established in Abu Dhabi. In 1979, the UAE's revenues from crude oil sales amounted to over $ 12 billion. Oasis agriculture (cultivation of dates, grapes, fruits, as well as vegetables, grains, tobacco and cotton) and nomadic cattle breeding (camel breeding) are well developed. The area of cultivated land does not exceed 10% of the country's territory. Agriculture does not meet the needs of the population for food. The industry is represented by a petrochemical complex, gas liquefaction plants, as well as a number of small enterprises (a metalwork plant, a woodworking plant, a tobacco factory, etc.) and handicraft workshops. Copper, lead, salt, ocher, and sulfur are mined in small quantities. Traditional fishing in coastal areas is fishing (fish catch in 1979 - about 60 thousand g). Coastal shipping and pack transport until the end of the 60s. were the only means of communication. In the early 70s. the construction of paved roads began (their length in 1979 was over 1,000 km). The largest seaports are Rashid and Zayed, airports are Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. There is a tanker fleet. The monetary unit is the federal dirham. About 4 fed. dirch. = = $ 1 (1979). Exported: crude oil, liquefied gas, dried fish, pearls, tobacco and hides; imported: consumer goods, food, machinery, equipment, building materials. Main trading partners: Japan, USA, England, Iran, India, Kuwait. 75% of the population is illiterate. Recently, schools, hospitals and clinics are being built with the help of Kuwait.
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