LIVING IN THE UAE
Overview
The country has an estimated population of just over 2.6 million,
nearly half of whom live in Dubai and Sharjah. The official
language of the UAE is Arabic, although most people are fluent in
English. Other languages spoken are Hindi and Farsi as well as
Tagalog and Russian.
The formation of the UAE is celebrated on National Day, 2nd December, when Sharjah and the other leading cities are decorated in multi-coloured lights and there is much partying and celebrating. The UAE currency is the Dirham, often appearing as Dhs or AED.
Based on oil and natural gas, the UAE economy is one of the strongest in the world, with the country enjoying a per capita GDP comparable to leading Western nations. This allied to the very low level of crime has made the UAE a very attractive place to live and work.
Climate
Temperatures run from a mean
daily maximum of around 106 degrees Fahrenheit in July to a mean
daily maximum of 75 degrees Fahrenheit in January. The climate in
Dubai is classed as sub-tropical and arid. But if you are expecting
predictable weather, then you are in for something of a surprise.
Although the weather in Sharjah is fairly regular, the city does
have its fair share of wind, storms and even rain, but sunny, blue
skies can be expected most of the year. Rainfall is infrequent and
irregular, falling mainly in winter.
Nightlife, Shopping, Entertainment and
Sports
Nightlife in Sharjah is a more sedate affair,
with a focus on traditional culture and family. Restaurants in the
busier areas such as the Corniche and Al Qasba can stay open tiil
midnight. Closing times in Dubai for Clubs pubs and restaurants can
be later than midnight.
Dubai is an international city and it offers a lively nightlife. Bars, pubs and lounges are plentiful and most serve food and offer entertainment. It increasingly attracts popular singers and entertainers from both the West and the East. Stage plays from London routinely make the Dubai circuit, as do major dance groups from Europe and Asia. Ballet and opera companies from around the world are regular visitors, as is the Cirque Du Soleil.
Sharjah and Dubai also has some of the best shopping in the world. From clothes to jewellery to electronics and traditional items, Dubai has great products and most things can be found for sale. Dubai has the major fashion brands from around the world with prices often below their European counterparts due to the lack of tax. The key in most instances is to bargain, which is almost a way of life for Arabic traders, particularly in the souk. Vendors will usually drop the price - and often quite substantially - especially for a cash sale.
Sharjah stores stock many well known brands which can be sold more cheaply in Sharjah than Dubai as shop rentals in Sharjah are considerably less than those in Dubai and this impacts the price of goods.
Sharjah and Dubai's restaurants and hotels offer an incredibly diverse range of food and beverages. Some of the types of food you will easily find besides Gulf, Middle Eastern and Arabian are Chinese, Indian, Italian, French, Spanish, and Swiss.
Most expatriates join a ‘club' soon after they arrive. These clubs tend to be part of a hotel and offer swimming pools and other sporting facilities. There are many spectator sports, many of them putting on world-class events; while there is great scope for active participation, with a wide variety of land and water sports that include golf, bowling, ice-skating, archery, horse riding, scuba diving, snorkelling, sailing, water-skiing, jet-skiing, deep sea fishing and windsurfing.
Abu Dhabi
It is the federal capital of the United Arab Emirates and is the
largest Emirate in the UAE. The name Abu Dhabi means ‘Father of the
Gazelle'. The central part of the emirate is found on an Island
known as Abu Dhabi City, and the island was connected to the
mainland by two bridges. The Ruler of Abu Dhabi is Sheikh Khalifa
II bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (born 1948) has ruled from
November 3, 2004 - Present.
Ajman
This is the smallest Emirate of the United Arab Emirates and lies
between Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain. The central area of Ajman is
developed, while the rural area has many farms. The Ruler is Sheikh
Humaid V bin Rashid Al Nuaim who has ruled since 1981 and is still
in power.
Fujairah
This Emirate has beautiful and very scenic mountain scenery and the
winding roads are part of its beauty. It has waterfalls and
beautiful untouched beaches which are a major to tourist attraction
.The beaches are a great attraction to divers who enjoy discovering
the amazing marine paradise of the UAE coasts. The Ruler is Sheikh
Hamad ibn Mohammad Al-Sharqi who has ruled since 18 September 1974
till the present time.
Umm Al Quwain
This is an Emirate where people like to go sailing and bird
watching. It has a multi-million dirham "Dreamland" Aqua park. Umm
Al Qaiwain's also has a popular archaeological site known as Ad
Door and a busy port. Tell Abraq is a fortified settlement dating
back from around 2,500 BC. It is also famous for Falaj Al Mu'ala a
natural oasis and an important agricultural area. The ruler is
Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla (born 1 October 1952) is the
current ruler of Umm Al Quwain and also a member of Supreme Council
of the United Arab Emirates. He is the son of Rashid bin Ahmed Al
Mu'alla. He became the ruler of Umm Al Quwain very recently on 2
January 2009 after his father died.
