The Government of the United Arab Emirates
Overview
- Capital: Abu Dhabi
- Administrative regions: 7 emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah
- Government & legal system: Federal elective monarchy — a federation of seven hereditary emirates, each ruled by its own Emir. The Federal Supreme Council, composed of the seven rulers, elects the UAE’s President and Vice President; by strong convention these posts go to the rulers of Abu Dhabi and Dubai respectively. Civil law system, with Sharia law governing family and personal-status matters. (government site)
- Head of state / government: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President (head of state, since 2022; also Ruler of Abu Dhabi); Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister (head of government; also Ruler of Dubai) (official page)
- Official language(s): Arabic (official); English is widely used in government, business, and daily life
- National Day: December 2 (National Day, marking the 1971 formation of the federation)
- Independence: December 2, 1971 (from Britain, as the Trucial States federated into the UAE)
- Other official holidays: Commemoration Day (Nov 30), Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (official site)
- Regional / international memberships: United Nations/ UN, Gulf Cooperation Council, Arab League, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries/ OPEC
- Visa / entry requirements: Most nationalities receive visa-free entry or a visa on arrival for tourism. Visa and residency services are split by authority: the federal ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security) handles most emirates, while Dubai runs its own separate system (GDRFA). (visa info)
- Currency: UAE dirham (AED) — notes depict national landmarks and cultural motifs, including falcons, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, and oil-industry imagery, rather than portraits of individuals.
- Flag symbolism: Horizontal green-white-black bands with a broader red vertical band at the hoist — the Pan-Arab colors — green represents fertility, white represents peace, black represents the region’s history and resources, and red represents unity and courage.
