by Stefanina Hill

Created on: November 22, 2011   Last Updated: November 30, 2011

The United Arab Emirates, shortened to “the Emirates” and abbreviated to UAE is a federation of the seven emirates of Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Quwain. UAE grew around the economies of fishing and pearling but in the 1960s oil began to be exported from the country and this provided the funding which enabled a great transformation in the economic and social make up of the country.

The official language is Arabic but English is widely spoken. The dominant religion is Islam and the laws of the country are a combination of Sharia law and civil courts. The largest state and capital city is Abu Dhabi.

Ancient History.

Archaeological evidence indicates that human settlement of the UAE area was established as early as 5000 BC. Ubaid pottery has been found in Ras al-Khaimah dating back to this time. Historical evidence points to these early settlers being nomadic cattle herders and farmers. In the first century AD trade was established in this coastal area.

In 630 AD followers of the prophet Muhammad brought Islam to the region. In the 16th Century the Portuguese gained control of the area in order to exert influence over the Indian Ocean trade routes. Portuguese hegemony in the Arabian Gulf continued for the next one hundred and fifty years but had a detrimental impact upon local trade and commerce. This led to uprisings against them and a gradual expulsion of their forces.

Modern History.

In the 18th and 19th centuries British and Indian ships were regularly accosted by pirates in the lower Persian Gulf which eventually led to the British referring to the region as the “Pirate Coast”. In 1853 a maritime peace treaty was agreed by the “Trucial Sheikhdoms”.  In 1892 the United Kingdom and the Trucial Sheikhdoms entered into another treaty establishing a relationship wherein Britain provided protection and received considerations in terms of receiving territories and controlling certain political decisions made within the country.

In the years that followed the pearling industry boomed in the peaceful maritime environment. Then came the First World War, the economic depression of the 1920s and 30s and the industry went into decline. The decline had a severe effect on the economy which was not helped when the Japanese invented the cultured pearl. In the 1960s however oil was discovered and the fortunes of the region began to shift dramatically. Profits from oil were put into infrastructure,

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