The state religion is Islam, mostly Sunni. Muslims make up 96% of believers (about 16% of the population are Shiites, living mainly in Dubai); Christians, Hindus, etc. – about 4% (1995). According to the laws, the spread of other religions and the conversion of Muslims to another faith is prohibited, which is punishable by a prison sentence of 5 to 10 years.
Transport in UAE
Buses.
In the UAE, public transport is rather poorly developed – most local residents prefer to travel by car. In Abu Dhabi and Dubai there is a bus service focused on movement between the main retail outlets of the city. The fare on the Dubai bus is 1.5 dirhams, tickets are sold by the driver at stops, entrance is through the front door. Buses are quite modern, equipped with air conditioners; the schedule is strictly observed (from 6.00 to 23.00), although the routes are very confusing. Also, some capitals of the emirates are connected by bus lines. Most hotels have buses that take guests to the city center.
Taxi.
Currently in There are two types of taxis in Dubai – unmetered taxis and Dubai Transport metered taxis. In the latter, you pay for landing and then for each kilometer. In a taxi without a meter, it is better to agree on the cost of the trip in advance.
In the UAE a huge number of car rentals (in English “rent a car”). The choice of cars is also very large – from a small Toyota “Echo” to huge multi-seat buses with a driver. To rent a car, you must present a passport, two photographs and a license. You will need to leave either a passport or an entry visa as a deposit, or deposit some insurance amount from a credit card. The rental rate usually includes unlimited mileage, tax and maintenance. You should not exceed the speed above 100 km per hour – radars are installed everywhere and a fine receipt will be sent directly to the hotel. Those who do not pay the fine are not allowed out of the country. Fines can be up to 200 dirhams.
On the roads of the emirates, you should pay attention to the numbers of passing cars. Usually the numbers are four or five digits. If the number is three-digit, it means that a representative of a local influential family is driving. Two-digit numbers indicate the cars of the sheikh’s relatives, and if a car with a single digit on the number came across on the road, then this is the car of the sheikh himself.
Plant and Animal World in UAE
On the islands, reserves have been created to preserve animals. Millions of palm trees have been planted. Forests are created from trees of local desert species. Several shallow sections of the bay are already covered with mangroves. They were inhabited by birds. Taken under protection of the coast and islands, where rare representatives of the poor live and nest.
Minerals in the United Arab Emirates
Of the minerals in the UAE, mainly oil is extracted.
Banks in UAE
Local and leading foreign banks present in the UAE offer a full range of commercial banking services. Banking hours: from Saturday to Wednesday from 8.00 to 13.00, on Thursday from 8.00 to 12.00. Some banks are open from 16.00 to 17.00. Exchange offices are open from 8.00 to 13.00 and after a day break from 16.00 to 20.30.
Money in UAE
Monetary unit – dirham (Dirham).
In circulation there are banknotes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 5000 dirhams. In addition, there is a metal coin with a denomination of 1 dirham, a jug is depicted on its reverse.
The change currency of the UAE is fils (fils). There are 100 fils in one dirham. The most popular 50 filz coin in circulation, which depicts oil rigs. Coins of smaller denominations are rarely used, as they have too little value. The 25 filz coin depicts a deer, the 5 filz coin depicts a fish.
Most hotels, shopping centers and large stores accept American Express, Master Card, Visa, Dinners Club, and ATMs can be found in any major settlement.
Import and export of foreign and national currency is not limited.
Rate: 10 United Arab Emirates Dirhams (AED) = 2.46 USD
Political State in the United Arab Emirates
Established in 1971, the Federal State of the United Arab Emirates is a young country consisting of seven independent emirates, each of which has the same name with the main city: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Um al-Quwain, Ras al-Khaimah and Fujairah. According to politicsezine, each of the Emirates has its own ruler – the sheikh, and the general state administration is carried out by the Supreme Council.
Population in UAE
About 80% of the population are from other countries. In 2000, ethnic Arabs made up 48.1% of the total population (of which UAE Arabs – 12.2%, Bedouins – 9.4%, Egyptian Arabs – 6.2%, Omani Arabs – 4.1%, Saudi Arabs – 4 %), South Asians – 35.7%, Iranians – 5%, Filipinos – 3.4%, Europeans – 2.4%, others – 5.4%.
Language:
The official language is Arabic. The most spoken languages in immigrant communities are Hindi and Urdu. Most residents speak spoken English.
Cuisine in UAE
In Arabic cuisine, the following dishes are most popular: khomus – a paste of peas and sesame seeds, tabbouleh – finely chopped mint, parsley and crushed wheat, guzi – lamb with rice and nuts, delicious warak nab and kussa mahshi – grape leaves stuffed with rice and stuffed small zucchini (kuzhet). For those who want to try lamb meat, try makbous or haris. Makbus – meat with spices and rice. Haris is meat with specially prepared wheat.
The United Arab Emirates is a maritime country, therefore, in addition to exotic meat dishes, there are a lot of dishes prepared from seafood. Lobsters, crabs, tuna and shrimp are often served with rice and special seasonings.
A traditional Arabic snack – shawarma (lamb or chicken meat with salad wrapped in an Arabic flatbread) – is sold in stalls throughout the city.
Local desserts are very tasty – umm ali (a kind of bread pudding), ash asayaya (sweet cheese cake with a creamy top), mechalabiya (pudding sprinkled with rose water and sprinkled with pistachios).
The preparation of coffee in the country has been elevated to an art. The most popular – Arabian light – it is made from barely roasted grains. And it is worth trying it in some real Arabic cafe, of which there are a great many.
Since the UAE is a Muslim country, alcohol is served only in bars and restaurants of hotels, with the exception of the emirate of Sharjah, where alcohol is prohibited everywhere. The most democratic city in this respect is Dubai. You can not drink alcohol in public places, on the streets and on the beaches, in no case should you drive while intoxicated. For this, a large fine is charged, and may even lead to imprisonment.
Drinking tap water is safe. But you can also drink bottled water.
