FACTS

Location: Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia

Area (only Total) total: 83,600 sq km

Climate: desert; cooler in eastern mountains

Terrain: flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert wasteland; mountains in east

Population: 4,621,399

Main Language (only first): Arabic

Government type: federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE federal government and other powers reserved to member emirates

Capital (Name): Abu Dhabi

Capital (Time Difference): UTC+4

Independence: 2 December 1971 (from UK)

National holiday: Independence Day, 2 December (1971)