United Arab Emirates

Federation of 7 internally self-governing emirates on east Arabian Peninsula; region had important Sumerian trading sites by 3000 BCE; conversion to Islam 7th century; Portuguese arrived 16th century; treaties with Britain 1820-1971; Ra's al-Khaymah joined in 1972; official language is Arabic, though English is widely understood.

Quick Facts on United Arab Emirates

Go Historic ID
36783
Names
United Arab Emirates
Location
Categories
Population
9,856,612 (#92 in world) (2021 est.)
Languages
Arabic (official), English, Hindi, Malayam, Urdu, Pashto, Tagalog, Persian
Ethnic Groups
Emirati 11.6%, South Asian 59.4% (includes Indian 38.2%, Bangladeshi 9.5%, Pakistani 9.4%, other 2.3%), Egyptian 10.2%, Filipino 6.1%, other 12.8% (2015 est.)
Religions
Islam (official) 75%, Christian 12.9%, Hindu 7.7%, Buddhist 2.4%, other (Parsi, Baha'i, Druze, Sikh, Ahmadi, Ismaili, Dawoodi Bohra Muslim, and Jewish) 1% (2020 est.)