What comes to mind when you first mention UAE? Probably oil, sheiks and fantastic skyscrapers, right? It's right. But we want to expand your knowledge, and we offer you to learn something else interesting about the state, which just a few decades ago was just a desert. So, some interesting facts about the UAE.

About people

The UAE is a very rich country. A little more than 5 million people live in it, including 59 thousand dollar millionaires. Sheikh rules the state, and power is inherited. The country takes care of its newborns and at birth each child receives a huge social package. Boys are especially lucky: at birth, the family receives 50 thousand dollars. Until they reach adulthood, each child receives $150 a month. The state also takes care of young families. The government allocates from 18 to 30 thousand dollars for the wedding, and the young family receives as a gift comfortable villa. In general, the local population receives free education, free healthcare and has the right to free housing. There are few indigenous people in the UAE, less than 13%. The rest of the country's inhabitants come from South Asia and the Philippines. They basically work (the cheapest labor force). The average Arab earns about $15,000 a year in the UAE and has a $2,000 allowance. And a civil servant earns about $10,000 a month. By the way, women can serve in the UAE army and police.

About oil, money and gold

Thanks to oil revenues and skillful investment in the development of industry and agriculture, the country has become one of the most successful in the world. In the UAE, tourism began to develop rapidly, which is an integral part of the country's economy. And oil in the UAE is much cleaner than in Russia. The country's most a large number of ATMs per capita in the world. There is even an ATM that dispenses gold bars (at the Emirates Palace Hotel). Everyone in the UAE loves gold. You can imagine that every inhabitant of the Emirates annually buys 38 grams of gold. If an Arab wants to marry an Arab woman, then on the day of the matchmaking he is obliged to donate at least 5 kg of gold jewelry. Dubai is the center of the jewelry trade in the Middle East. Jewelers of the country constantly surprise with their products. So, in 1999, a gold chain was made, 4 kilometers long and 22 carats. Confectioners are not far behind. In the UAE, cupcakes are sold for $1,000 each. This is the Golden Phoenix. All the decorations on it are made of edible gold and chocolate, and the top of the cupcake is sprinkled with gold dust. The confection itself is served on a 24 carat gold cake stand.

About buildings

The most phantasmagoric buildings in the world were first built in Dubai. For example, the skyscraper World shopping center in 1979, which remained the highest in the world until 1991. What can we say about the Burj Khalifa tower, which rushed up to 828 meters. And the fountain, which is located near the tower, shoots with jets of water at 130 meters, and the illumination of the fountain is visible at 35 meters in height. It also has its own "leaning tower" - Capital Gate in Abu Dhabi, with the largest slope in the world. The tallest residential building in the world was also built in Dubai - the residence of the Princes Tower (height 414 meters). In the list of the most great mosques The Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi, which can accommodate up to 41 thousand believers, has also entered the world, has the largest chandelier in the world (15 m in height, 10 m in diameter and weighs more than 9 tons) and a carpet listed in the Book of Records Guinness (its length is 133 m, width 48 m, weight 48 tons). And the artificial island of Palm Jumeirah is even visible from space. In the near future, it is planned to open its own Disneyland - Dubailand, which will be twice as large as its counterpart.

About prohibitions and laws

Since the UAE is a Muslim country, prohibitions are strictly observed here and people live according to the laws of the Koran. In three emirates, the sale and consumption of alcohol is prohibited. The country does not allow photographing government institutions, military installations, private buildings and women. If you decide to hitchhike across the country, this may be fraught with an administrative violation. Freedom of speech is tight in the UAE. In no publication you will find anything about the personal life of the sheikhs. And yet, on the Internet, many social networks are blocked, including Facebook. From the Quran's point of view, the Internet can contain harmful information. If you are not a Muslim, you are not allowed to enter the mosque (except those that are public places). When entering the mosque, you must take off your shoes. You will pay fines in the UAE for any reason - for abandoned garbage on the street, a fine of almost $ 136, for running a red light - $ 800, etc. But not only fines cost punishment. It is quite possible punishment in the form of public beatings or throwing stones. For adultery, you can generally lose your head.

About entertainment

Since the United Arab Emirates is located in the desert, one of the most popular entertainments here is the race of "ships of the desert" - camels. Previously, riders participated in the races. Now camels are controlled by robots. As an alternative to camel racing, desert jeep safaris are offered. Popular entertainment in the UAE is falconry - an elite entertainment and the privilege of the nobility. This is because the cost of birds is affordable only for the rich people of the UAE. Arabs love cinema. So, for example, on the island of Sir Bani Yas, you can watch movies just under open sky sitting comfortably on a sun lounger. If you want to plunge into winter, go to Sky Dubai Park. All conditions are created here for ski holidays: trails, lifts, snowboarding, snowballs, snow slides and winter sports equipment rentals. The authorities of the emirates are trying to turn any desert piece of land into an oasis. But apart from shrubs, little grows in the desert. That is why palm trees are planted. Pleasure is not cheap. One palm tree costs about 10 thousand dollars. Since the climate in the country is hot all year round, the state has taken care that the bus stops in the country are closed and equipped with air conditioning.

And that's just part interesting facts about the United Arab Emirates. Going on vacation to the country of green oases and majestic dunes, you will get the most indelible impressions and an unforgettable adventure. The state took care of it. We wish you good luck!

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is an amazing country full of oriental exoticism and ultra-modern sights. Having visited at least one of her cities, you will learn a lot of new things, because life there is very different from our everyday life. But just read about how they live on the banks Persian Gulf, will be curious to everyone.

United Arab Emirates - the most interesting facts

So, we bring to your attention the 20 most interesting facts about the country of the UAE:

1. The first and main thing that a potential tourist should learn is how striking is the contrast between the standard of living in the countries of the Persian Gulf and our native CIS. Thanks to the impressive deposits of oil and gas, as well as a favorable location on the way between Europe and the countries of the East United Arab Emirates ranked 5th in terms of GDP per capita.
2. The main religion of the state is Islam. For this reason, there are quite strict rules regarding appearance. In some emirates (for example, in), this is treated more loyally, in others (such as) - on the contrary, with all severity. These requirements apply not only to local residents, but also to tourists.
3. During Ramadan no one, including foreign guests, out of respect for the local religion, can not eat during the day - the only exception is a few tourist restaurants with tightly curtained windows. And those people who live on top of the highest skyscraper (it is located in Dubai) have to wait 2 minutes longer before they see that the sun has disappeared below the horizon, and you can start eating.
4. Production and export of hydrocarbons form the backbone of the UAE economy, and despite this, the country invests a lot in the development and use of solar energy.
5. Most high building in the world is right here. It is 828 m high. It has 163 floors. In addition to it, there is built great amount others - most of them in Dubai, along.


6. Retinal scan is waiting for everyone who enters the country as tourists. The state-of-the-art equipment of the country allows this procedure to be carried out, and thanks to it, security in the country is at high level. There are practically no illegal immigrants here.
7. Refusal of entry awaits those who have an Israeli visa in their passport, confirming that they have previously visited this country.
8. Climate in the UAE characterized by high temperature and humidity. In summer, 50-degree heat and 90% humidity make being outside almost unbearable. Because of this, absolutely all rooms, up to bus stops, are equipped with air conditioners.
9. Beach lovers It will be interesting to know such an interesting fact about the UAE: in each emirate, the sand on the coast is of a different color. For example, in it is snow-white, and in Dubai it has an orange tint.
10. Indigenous people of the UAE is a privileged class. Only 13% of the Arabs live here (the rest of the UAE residents are Indians, Pakistanis, etc.). Many of the aborigines do not work: they simply do not need it, since they receive an allowance from the state in the amount of about $ 2 thousand. Arabs can study at the expense of the state at any university in the world, they have many social guarantees. For example, young families from indigenous people receive 70 thousand dirhams (a wedding gift from the state) and a luxurious villa in addition. And for the birth of their first child, each family receives $50,000. Wealthy Arabs can afford to keep the most unusual pets, such as leopards.


11. Arab sheikhs are the richest people in the world. They buy golden laptops and hot tubs, keep huge fleets of vehicles and have up to 4 wives. The title of sheikh is given for life.
12. Founder of the UAE- Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who raised 19 sons. His fortune was estimated at $20 billion.
13. For women in the Emirates special conditions. They are given separate wagon in, a special, "women's" section on the bus and even a special taxi.
14. Bribery in the UAE- taboo. If you have any problems with the local police, you should not even try to offer a bribe - this will only increase your problems.
15. police cars here - these are the same Bentleys, Ferraris and Lamborghinis, which are driven by local residents, most of them very wealthy. It is believed that such cars help the police in the fight against criminals driving the same expensive cars.


16. Metro in Dubai- automatic, there is no driver in it. In the world, this is the first such experience in the history of the subway.
17. Address system very different from what we are used to. Each house here has not a number, but its own name.
18. Some free economic zones located in Dubai, Jebel Ali. There is no need to pay taxes. For this reason, many global companies do business here.
19. Unusual ATMs can be seen on the streets and in the shops of the UAE - they give out not only paper bills, but also gold bars.
20. The festival. In the 21st century, the inhabitants of the UAE prefer to ride not on camels, as before, but on modern expensive cars. In order not to forget the traditions, the President of the country established the Camel Festival, which is held in the emirate

Arab astronomers

Do you know, for example, that the word “algebra” is of Arabic origin (al-jabar)? It was introduced into scientific circulation by the Arab geographer, mathematician and astronomer al-Khwarizmi. By the way, the name of this scientist (in a Latinized form) has been preserved in modern mathematics - “algorithm”. The Arabs are credited with the development of trigonometry and other areas of mathematics.

Do you know that the word “chemistry” (al-kimiya) is also directly related to the scientific achievements of the Arabs? By the way, and “alchemy”, of course, from here. Ironically, it was the Arab alchemists, whom the Muslim faith did not allow to use intoxicating drinks, who were lucky enough to invent a chemical compound, which they called al-kuhul - i.e. alcohol, alcohol! Many of the names of chemicals and compounds have Arabic names - for example, "potassium", "alkaloids", etc.

Do you know that the merits of the Arabs in the field of astronomy can hardly be overestimated? Look at the map of the starry sky, and you will see the star Altair (al-tair - bird), the star Aldebaran, other "Arabic" stars and constellations there. Arab astronomers made extensive use of the achievements of Iranian, Indian and ancient Greek sciences. It is under the Arabic name “Almagest” that the work of the famous astronomer Claudius Ptolemy, written in the 2nd century AD, has been preserved in history. In 827, under Caliph Ma'mun, Arab scientists measured the geographical degree. The error per 111 kilometers was only one kilometer, i.e. less than 1%! The next measurement with such accuracy could be repeated in Europe only in the 16th-17th centuries!

Do you know what great geographers the Arabs were? While even the most enlightened Europeans believed in all sorts of fables about seas and continents unknown to them, Arab merchants and travelers knew Africa very well, visited Central Asia, India and China. There were even permanent colonies of Arab traders in China. Many are of Arabic origin. geographical names- for example, Trafalgar (taraf al-gar - “edge of the cave”), Gibraltar (jabal tarik - “mountain of Tarik”), etc.

By the way, the Arabs, with whom we strongly associate the image of the inhabitants of the desert, were excellent sailors. The Arab pilot Ahmad Ibn Majid, who left to posterity the “Book of Useful Chapters on the Fundamentals and Rules of Marine Science”, in 1498 led the vessels of the Vasco da Gama flotilla to the shores of India. It was from the Arabs that the Europeans learned to use the compass invented by the Chinese (as well as gunpowder!). Numerous maritime terms and names of Arabic origin testify to the role of the Arabs in the development of maritime affairs - “barge” (from barij - a pirate ship), “galley” ( from gurab - raven, the name of an Arab warship), as well as “admiral”, “cable”, “monsoon”, “mizzen”, “arsenal” ...

20 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE UAE

1. Just 40 years ago, there was nothing on the site of the UAE, that is, there was a continuous desert.

2. This is one of the richest countries in the world. There are 59 thousand dollar millionaires for 5 million people here.

3. The UAE has very good social support. For the birth of a son, the state allocates $50,000 to the family. $19,000 and a villa are allotted for a wedding, and the salary of a civil servant is $10,000, but only for locals.

4. There are many prohibitions in this Muslim country. It is forbidden to drink and transport alcohol, take pictures of government buildings and even some sights, as well as women, you can’t throw garbage on the streets and hitchhike.

5. Freedom of speech is also limited here, but not the yellow press, since the media cannot talk about personal life sheikhs, and in general about the life of the rich, access to social networks is prohibited, since, according to the Committee for Supervision of Telecommunications, they contain harmful information.

6. The death penalty is used here - from beheading to stoning. For drugs in the UAE, they will be imprisoned for at least 10 years, but a drug addict who is ready to be treated will be paid for a clinic. Maybe because of such rigidity there are almost no crimes here, even pickpockets and car thefts - they are left open.

7. For violation traffic there is a $800 fine.

8. Bus stops in the UAE have air conditioning.

9. There is no winter here in the European sense. The temperature in January and December during the day is + 28, at night +18, and in summer it is generally about + 50 degrees. The climate is very hot and humid.

10. Instead of races, camel races are arranged here, and robots control the camels. Jeep safaris in the desert are also popular.

11. Gold is bought here by everyone and in large quantities. For a year, each resident acquires a minimum of 38 grams. And as a gift during the marriage proposal, the man is obliged to give the bride 5 kilos of gold. By the way, the choice of the future half is made by the parents. But for extramarital affairs, you can get a fine or even 3 months in prison. Polygamy is allowed, but because it is expensive, it is gradually becoming obsolete.

12. There are problems with water and electricity in the UAE. The water here is forced to desalinate, and utilities are very expensive.

13. People on the streets are dressed very contrastingly. Openly dressed ladies meet next to women in a burqa. Usually they are tourists. They are tolerated, but they can be fined for being too frank. Especially if a woman in this form walks alone, without a companion.

14. In transport, women and men travel separately. They have different subway cars, sections in buses and even taxis.

15. There is no driver in the UAE metro, it is controlled automatically. You can pay for all transport with a single card. To do this, the vehicles are equipped with special sensors that read information and make calculations based on mileage.

16. Shopping here can be done in shops or in the bazaar. You should definitely bargain on the market, this will help to significantly reduce the price.

17. During Ramadan - a great Muslim holiday - you can not drink and eat on the streets. In some public places, where this is allowed, windows are sealed. For violation of the rules - a fine. During this fast, life wakes up at night, as then the prohibitions are lifted.

18. In the hot Arab Emirates there are ski resort SkiDubai in the Arabian Desert. Everything for skiers has been created here - slides, snow parks. And in 2011, the UAE became the first Arab country, which is part of the International Ice Hockey Federation.

19. The most luxurious hotel in the UAE Emirates Palas on New Year installed a Christmas tree worth $ 11.4 million, 13 meters high. And instead of toys, she was decorated with real jewelry. UAE hotels generally know how to surprise. So, the cake, prepared by chefs from 28 major hotels for the country's Independence Day, got into the Guinness Book of Records because of its size - a length of 2530.8 meters.

20. The UAE has the most tall skyscraper in the world - Burj Khalifa (828 meters).

Employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs can have a rest in 13 countries

The leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation approved the list of countries that law enforcement officers can visit in 2018. The corresponding document appeared on the website of the Association of Tour Operators of the Russian Federation.
Employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs have the right to rest in Abkhazia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Cuba, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and South Ossetia.

It is believed that holidays in the above countries are safe from political, criminogenic and epidemiological points of view. We will answer that earlier law enforcement officers could also rest in Egypt, Turkey, Tunisia, Morocco, Myanmar and Nicaragua.

A country that surprisingly harmoniously combines the exotic of the East and ultra-modern sights. You can visit any of the seven independent monarchies united under one flag and find something unique and attractive for tourists in each. In the Emirates, everything is done at a high level, from the airport to the water park. Rest on the shores of the Persian Gulf will be the most unforgettable and exciting. But just read and learn Interesting Facts everyone will be curious about the UAE.

Religion

The main religion in the UAE is Islam. Therefore, the emirates have strict rules regarding appearance, behavior and alcohol consumption. The rules are the same for everyone - both for the indigenous population and for tourists. In some emirates, strict adherence to the rules is more loyal, for example, in Dubai.

During the holy month of Ramadan, even vacationers are not allowed to eat during the day. But in some cities, tourist restaurants still work, where guests of the country can retire and dine behind tightly curtained windows.

Economy

One of the world is the United Arab Interesting facts statistics say that for 5 million citizens of the country there are 60 thousand dollar millionaires. The basis of the economy in the Emirates is the extraction and export of hydrocarbons. Many wealthy citizens live in Dubai, as in this city you can freely conduct your business and not pay taxes. The average monthly salary of a civil servant is about $10,000. Each emirate has its own autonomy, which is so wide that it allows them to independently determine the amount of deductions to the country's budget.

Wealthy sheikhs

Members of the ruling dynasties of the emirates are called sheikhs. They "wear" this title until the end of their lives. called the most gods by people on the planet. They purchase yachts and islands in the UAE. Other interesting facts about life in the country of sheikhs:

• They have golden laptops, smartphones, hot tubs and other incredibly expensive things.
• The palaces where sheikhs live with their families are strictly forbidden to be photographed.
• Sheikhs are educated and intelligent.
• Their main hobbies are women, expensive cars, gold and horses.
• The Quran allows sheikhs to have up to four wives.

Arab women

In the Emirates, the representatives of the weaker sex have a special position. Even in the heat, they go out in a black abaya and a black scarf. Until 1996, they wore all the jewelry under their clothes, because at any moment an angry husband could publicly divorce his wife. Then she would have to leave him immediately in what she was wearing. For a divorce in the United Arab Emirates, it is enough to say the word "talaq" 3 times (which means "I'm divorcing you"). But in 1996, a law appeared that protects the rights of a divorced woman. Now a man must leave the house of his rejected wife and provide for the rest of his days former family everything necessary.

Some more interesting facts about the life of women in the UAE:

• in all educational institutions, girls study separately from boys;
• in public transport special places are reserved for women: in the metro - a carriage, in a bus - a section.
• Arab women cannot be photographed (you can get into the police for this);
• an unmarried girl should not kiss or even hold hands with her lover before marriage is registered.

camel racing

In the emirate of Abu Dhabi, the Camel Festival is held, which encourages residents not to forget their traditions. Previously, instead of expensive cars, residents of the Emirates traveled on this beast of burden. In addition to the Festival, annual beauty contests for camels and camel races are held.

Camel racing is a traditional sport of Arab sheikhs. Instead of a rider, the camel is driven by a mechanical jockey.

Dubai

This is the most famous and richest city in the UAE. Interesting facts about the world capital of luxury, entertainment, business and fashion are as follows:

• Half a century ago, there was a desert plain on the site of the modern metropolis, and today, at the speed of light, there are majestic skyscrapers.
• In 2009, the construction of the tallest tower in the world, the Burj Khalifa, was completed; it is visible from a distance of 80 km.
• The indigenous population in Dubai is only 20%. It turns out that practically every passer-by in the city is a foreigner.
• Despite the fact that the metropolis is one of the hottest places in the world, a ski resort operates on its territory. It is located under the roof. The area of ​​the snow attraction is 22 thousand square meters. An additional positive bonus for tourists is the March of the Penguins. These touching creatures are released several times a day to walk on the snow cover of the complex.

• In summer, the streets of the city are extremely hot. Even at night the temperature rarely drops below 30 degrees. Therefore, at noon, the streets of Dubai are empty. Residents and guests of the metropolis hide in indoor air-conditioned rooms, of which there are a huge number. Even public transport stops are air conditioned.
• Dubai is a shopper's paradise. This is where those who want to make bargain shopping. Mall of the Emirates - unique place in the city, where 400 stores are located at once.

artificial islands

Cities in the UAE are rapidly developing and growing, and there are more and more people who want to move to this paradise. Housing prices are constantly creeping up, especially for real estate near the Persian Gulf. But the earth is not rubber and cannot accommodate everyone. Entrepreneurs of the United Emirates have found a unique way out: they began to import land and build artificial islands on which 5-star hotels and residential buildings are being built. This project was called "Palm Islands".

Planning a trip to the Emirates

Anyone who wants to relax in this amazing country it is recommended to learn interesting facts about the UAE related to weather conditions:

• The heat here is year-round, but the hottest is three summer months.
• In summer, the temperature rises to +50 ° C, even air conditioners do not save you from the heat. In September, the temperature drops a little, but you can’t call it comfortable for rest (+45 ° С).
• The most favorable months for a trip to the country of sheikhs are October and November. The temperature stays around +30 °C. But at this time, prices rise, as the flow of tourists increases significantly. Therefore, it is better to worry and pre-purchase tours in the UAE.

What to see in the Emirates

You can go sightseeing on your own, or you can book a tour and learn a lot of interesting facts about the country of the UAE. There are many stunning places here that will impress vacationers. Let's talk about some of them.

• The world's largest flower park - Al Ain Paradise. It covers an area of ​​more than 20,000 m 2 . The design of the park was developed by the best designers and florists of the country. Here you can see hundreds and thousands of luxurious flower beds and baskets with rare and beautiful flowers.
• And this fact about the UAE is interesting for children. We are talking about the presence in the Emirates of one of the best water parks in the world - Aquaventure. There are pristine blue pools, exciting rides, a variety of water and roller coasters. And in Abu Dhabi you can visit the most large park attractions in the world - Ferrari Park.
• The sail-shaped hotel Burj Al Arab is calling card countries. Gold leaf is included in the interior of the hotel, huge aquariums are located in the halls, high-speed elevators transport guests. This is the most luxurious and expensive hotel on our planet.
• Artificial archipelago in shape date palm, the national plant of the UAE, always attracts the attention of vacationers.

And now some interesting facts about the UAE for tourists:

• For the quiet family vacation Better choose Sharjah. There is a ban on alcoholic drinks, and tours here are much cheaper than other resorts in the emirates.
• Diving enthusiasts and those who prefer beach holiday better to go to Fujairah. Here great beaches, wonderful weather and excellent conditions for viewing underwater world.
• Tourists who want to feel more free and not catch the looks of others are better off choosing the emirate of Ajman as their holiday destination. Here they are loyal to strict Muslim traditions.

What else should a tourist know?

Here are some more interesting facts about life in the country of the UAE, which must be considered when visiting the country:

• The Emirates are one of the cleanest countries in the world, so for throwing garbage on the street (even if it's just a piece of paper that got past the urn) there is a fine of 500 dirhams (a little more than 8.5 thousand rubles).
• At the airport, all visitors undergo a retinal scan.
• In the emirates there is a problem with drinking water. In 70% of cases, this is artificially desalinated water, so it is better to boil it.
• On the streets of any city in the UAE, you cannot kiss or otherwise show your feelings (even to tourists). Otherwise, you can get a fine. There are even special signs that indicate the prohibition of kissing.
• Some ATMs in the Emirates give out not only banknotes, but also gold bars.
• The Emirates have the death penalty. For the distribution and use of drugs can be imprisoned for more than 10 years. But if the addict is ready to improve and agree to treatment, the latter will be paid.
• There are also heavy fines for violating traffic rules. Accounts come to the violator at the end of the year. The largest fine (from 10 thousand dollars, or 631,592 rubles) is due for a camel knocked down on a highway.
• Married couples and those wishing to marry are provided with powerful social support. So, the couple is entitled to a villa and 19,000 dollars (1 million 200 thousand rubles), and for the birth of a son, the family receives 50,000 dollars (almost 3 million 158 thousand rubles).
• Both men and women can enter the army from the age of 18. There are many mercenaries in the Emirates troops and the most modern military equipment.
• Education and treatment in any country of the world citizens of the UAE are free of charge at the expense of the state. It also pays utility bills, residents of Arab cities do not even know what it is.

The article contains the most interesting facts about the UAE. But of course, it is better to come to this incredible country and see everything with your own eyes.