United Arab Emirates (UAE): Map, Population, Language, Flag & Quick Facts 2026
UAE – The United Arab Emirates (الإمارات العربية المتحدة), or simply the Emirates, is a country in West Asia, in the Middle East, at the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula.
United Arab Emirates Flag
The United Arab Emirates flag has three horizontal bands of green, white, and black, with a vertical red band on the hoist side. Green (representing fertility), white (representing neutrality), black (representing petroleum resources), and red (representing unity).
UAE Languages
The official language of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is Arabic, and other Widely Spoken Languages are:
Arabic
Natives & Official Language
English
Widely used in business, education, tourism, and daily communication
Hindi
Indian community
Urdu
Pakistani community
Tagalog
Filipino community
Bengali
Bangladeshi community
Persian (Farsi)
Some Iranian residents
Malayalm
South Indian (mainly Keralites)
UAE Emirates & Map
There are Seven Emirates in UAE, and ABU Dhabi is the Capital Among them. The names of 7 Emirates are
Abu Dhabi
(Capital of UAE)
UAE Population
As of 2026, the estimated population of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is around 9.5 to 10 million people.
- About 88–90% of the population are expatriates (foreign nationals)
- Only around 10–12% are Emirati citizens
- The largest populations are in Dubai and Abu Dhabi
| Emirate | Estimated Population |
|---|---|
| Dubai | ~3.6 million |
| Abu Dhabi | ~3.2 million |
| Sharjah | ~1.8 million |
| Ajman | ~600,000 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | ~450,000 |
| Fujairah | ~290,000 |
| Umm Al Quwain | ~80,000 |
Note: These are estimated numbers and may vary slightly due to frequent population shifts, especially among expats.
| Nationality | % of Total Population | Approx. People |
|---|---|---|
| Indians | ~27–30% | ~2.7–3.0 million |
| Pakistanis | ~12–13% | ~1.2–1.3 million |
| Bangladeshis | ~7–8% | ~700,000–800,000 |
| Filipinos | ~5–6% | ~500,000–600,000 |
| Egyptians | ~4–5% | ~400,000–500,000 |
| Other Arabs | ~10% | ~1.0 million |
| Western expats | ~5% | ~500,000 |
| Emirati Citizens | ~11–12% | ~1.0–1.2 million |
UAE Area By Emirates (in km² and mi²)
The total area of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is approximately 83,600 square kilometers (32,278 square miles) This includes both land and a small portion of water bodies. Among the seven emirates, Abu Dhabi is the largest by area, covering nearly 87% of the total landmass.
| Emirate | Area (km²) | Area (mi²) | % of UAE’s Total Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi | 67,340 | 25,978 | ~87% |
| Dubai | 4,114 | 1,588 | ~4.9% |
| Sharjah | 2,590 | 1,000 | ~3.1% |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 2,486 | 960 | ~3% |
| Fujairah | 1,166 | 450 | ~1.4% |
| Umm Al Quwain | 777 | 300 | ~0.9% |
| Ajman | 259 | 100 | ~0.3% |
Today's Date in UAE Across World Calendars
From Islamic to Hebrew, Buddhist to Western calendars — see how today’s date appears around the world. A helpful daily reference for people living in or visiting the UAE.
Quick Facts & Overview
Official Time Zone
The official time zone in the United Arab Emirates is Gulf Standard Time (GST), which is GMT/UTC +4 hours. The UAE does not observe Daylight Saving Time.
Official Currency
The official currency of the United Arab Emirates is the Dirham (AED), also written as د.إ. While AED is the primary medium of exchange, US Dollars (USD) are also widely accepted in tourist-friendly areas and major businesses.
Country Code & Internet
The international dialing code for the United Arab Emirates is +971. The UAE offers high-speed internet through major providers like Etisalat and du. The country’s official top-level domain is .ae.
Airports
The United Arab Emirates is home to three major international airports located in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah.
- Dubai International Airport (DXB) – Busiest
- Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
- Sharjah International Airport (SHJ)
Official Religion
The United Arab Emirates is an Islamic country with a Sunni Muslim majority and a Shia minority. The UAE promotes religious tolerance and is home to various places of worship for other faiths, including churches, Hindu temples, and Gurudwaras.
Weekends & Holidays
In the United Arab Emirates, the official weekend is Saturday and Sunday (in effect since January 1, 2022). Friday is considered a holy day, with Friday prayers held at noon. However, work schedules in the private sector may vary depending on job requirements.
Driving Side
Similar to the United States, vehicles in the UAE drive on the right side of the road, with the driver’s seat on the left side of the vehicle.
President & Government
The United Arab Emirates is governed as a federal absolute monarchy.
- President: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
- Prime Minister: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
(also the Ruler of Dubai)
Electricity & Plugs
The standard voltage in the UAE is 220–240V with a frequency of 50Hz. The commonly used plug type is G, which is the UK-style three-pin plug.
National Animal
The Arabian Oryx is the national animal of the UAE, symbolizing resilience, strength, and grace in the desert environment.
National Bird
The Peregrine Falcon holds cultural significance in the UAE, representing force, heritage, and the deep-rooted tradition of falconry in Emirati culture.
National Tree
The Ghaf Tree is a symbol of stability and heritage in the UAE, revered for its resilience in harsh desert climates and its cultural importance in Bedouin life.
National Flower
The Tribulus Omanense is the national flower of the UAE, known for thriving in desert landscapes. It represents the nation’s natural beauty and resilience.
National Day
December 2nd marks the formation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971, celebrated annually as the UAE National Day with nationwide festivities and patriotic displays.
Main Industries
The UAE’s economy is driven by major sectors such as Oil & Gas, Tourism, Real Estate, Trade, and Financial Services, contributing to its position as a global business hub.
UAE Today Weather Updates | Live, Accurate & Timely Forecasts
Looking for live weather updates in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, or other Emirates? Our UAE Today Weather section gives you real-time conditions for all seven emirates — including temperature, wind gusts, humidity, cloud cover, sunrise/sunset times, and visibility. Whether you’re planning your day in Fujairah, or wondering about rain in Sharjah or Ras Al Khaimah — you’ll find accurate, up-to-date info here.
AED Today Rates in Popular Currencies
USD Dollar
1 AED = 0.27 USD
European Euro
1 AED = 0.24 Euro
Pound Sterling
1 AED = 0.20 Pound
Japanese Yen
1 AED = 39.58 YEN
Emirates Public Transport & Airports
| Emirate | Bus | Metro | Tram | Airport |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (DXB, DWC) |
| Abu Dhabi | Yes | No | No | Yes (AUH) |
| Sharjah | Yes | No | No | Yes (SHJ) |
| Ajman | Yes | No | No | No |
| Umm Al Quwain | Limited | No | No | No |
| Fujairah | Yes | No | No | Yes (FJR – limited ops) |
| Ras Al Khaimah | Yes | No | No | Yes (RKT) |
Note: Transport availability varies by emirate. Some airports like FJR and RKT operate limited international flights. Only Dubai currently offers metro and tram services.
Dubai
Only emirate with a Tram system (Dubai Tram in Marina/JBR area), two Metro lines, and extensive bus routes. It also has two airports:DXB (Dubai International Airport) DWC (Al Maktoum International Airport)
Abu Dhabi
Operates a wide bus network and AUH (Abu Dhabi International Airport). No metro or tram yet.
Sharjah
Mowasalat buses and SHJ (Sharjah International Airport). No metro or tram.
Ajman
Connected by buses but lacks metro, tram, and an airport.
Umm Al Quwain
Only very limited intercity bus links, no internal network, and no metro, tram, or airport.
Fujairah
Offers buses and Fujairah International Airport (FJR), but airport has very limited commercial service.
Ras Al Khaimah
Has local and intercity buses, and RAK International Airport (RKT) with some international flights.
Frequently Asked Questions
what language is spoken in dubai ?
Arabic is official and most speaken language in Dubai, But English is also widely speaken by people.
What are the 7 UAE states?
The seven Emirates in United Arab Emirates (UAE) are: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah
Is the UAE part of the UK?
UAE gained its independence from Great Britain on December 2, 1971
Which is the richest Emirate?
Which is the poorest Emirate?
Ajman is the poorest among all emirates.
Who is the king of the UAE?
The current leader of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is the President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi.
Where can I check accurate prayer times in the UAE?
We have covered a detailed article on the UAE Islamic prayer timing by Emirates