Geography of United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates is a union of seven emirates on the Arabian Peninsula's eastern coast. Abu Dhabi (Ababy), the largest of these emirates, makes up more than three-fourths of the federation's total geographical area, is the hub of its oil sector, and has borders with Saudi Arabia on the southern and eastern sides of the federation.

The port city of Dubai, which is the capital of the emirate of Dubai (Dubayy) and is situated at the foot of the mountainous Musandam Peninsula, is one of the most important economic and financial hubs in the area, and it is home to hundreds of international enterprises amid a forest of skyscrapers.

Physical Features

The United Arab Emirates is somewhat smaller in area than Portugal. Oman and Saudi Arabia both about it on the east and northeast and west and south, respectively. The exact location of the nation's borders is still up for debate. Its borders with Qatar are 19 km (12 km) away on the northwest, Saudi Arabia is 530 km (330 mi) away on the west, south, and southeast, and Oman is 450 km (280 mi) away on the southeast and northeast.

The largest emirate, Abu Dhabi, covers 72,732 km2 (28,082 sq mi), or 87 percent of the UAE's total land area. Ajman, the smallest emirate, is only 259 km2 (100 sq mi) in size. The majority of the country is made up of desert with huge sand dunes. East of Arādah, in the oases of Līwā, are some of the biggest sand dunes in the world. Al-Ain, which is 100 miles (160 km) east of Abu Dhabi, is home to significant oasis. The only other significant relief feature may be found along the eastern side of the Musandam Peninsula in the northern extension of the ajar Mountains, which are also shared with Oman.

Elevations in this area reach a maximum of roughly 6,500 feet (2,000 meters). Small boats can find cover on the islands and shoals that dot the Persian Gulf coast. Although there are no naturally occurring Deepwater harbors, significant ports in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ras al-Khaimah, as well as Port Rāshid in Dubai and the enormous Port Jebel Ali, both of which are located 20 miles (32 km) southwest of Dubai City, are all man-made. Dibba, Khor Fakkan, and Kalbā are three natural harbors on the more regular Gulf of Oman coast.

Climate

Along the coast, the weather is hot and muggy, while inland, the weather is even hotter but drier. The annual average rainfall is only 4 to 6 inches (100 to 150 mm), yet there are large seasonal variations. While the average temperature in January is 64 °F (18 °C), the average temperature in July is 91 °F (33 °C).

On the coast, summertime highs can reach 115 °F (46 °C), while in the desert, they can reach 120 °F (49 °C) or more. The shamāl (Arabic for "norther") winds, which blow from the north and northwest in midwinter and early summer, bring sand and dust with them.

Flora and Fauna

Due to the arid climate, Abu Dhabi's vegetation is sparse and primarily made up of low shrubs that provide foraging for nomadic herds. However, millions of trees, particularly mangroves, have been planted there, creating habitat for a variety of species. Date palms and alfalfa are grown together in the oases. Fruits are farmed, and the mangoes from the Al-Ayn oasis to the east of Abu Dhabi are famous. Domesticated goats, sheep, and camels are among the animal life, along with cattle and poultry that were more recently imported.

Predators like the caracal, sand cat, Ruppell's and red foxes, as well as larger species like Arabian oryx and Arabian and Persian gazelles, smaller mammals like the cape hare, lesser jerboa, and numerous varieties of gerbils, as well as a wide range of snakes and reptiles, make up wildlife. Schools of mackerel, grouper, tuna, and porgies, as well as sharks and even whales, can be found in the gulf waters.

Drainage

There are no perennial streams or recurrent sources of surface water in the United Arab Emirates. The country's continually shifting dunes regularly obstruct the drainage of the country's interior salt flats, or sabkhahs, where the little precipitation that does fall is drained from the mountains in the form of seasonal wadis. The Ma Salt Flat extends southward into Saudi Arabia in the far west, and coastal sabkhahs, which periodically experience flooding from the seas of the Persian Gulf, are found near Abu Dhabi.

Resources

Abu Dhabi's government, through the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), has a majority stake in every oil-producing company in the federation since the discovery of oil there in 1958. Even though the oil and gas industry only employ a small portion of the workforce, it is responsible for roughly 95% of the nation's oil output, and production of petroleum and natural gas contributes to around one-third of the country's GDP. ADNOC subsidiary Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company (ADMA-OPCO), which is partially owned by British, French, and Japanese interests, is in possession of the largest petroleum concessions.

In Umm al-Shāʾif, one of the major offshore fields is situated. Al-Bunduq offshore field is operated by ADMA-OPCO and is shared with neighboring Qatar. At Al-Mubarraz, an offshore rig is run by a Japanese consortium, and American businesses are the owners of additional offshore concessions. Another ADNOC entity, the Abu Dhabi entity for Onshore Oil Operations, which is also partially owned by American, French, Japanese, and British interests, is in charge of holding onshore oil concessions. Japanese corporations also hold other privileges.

Dubai started producing oil in 1969. Offshore oil fields can be found in Ḥaql Fatḥ, Fallah, and Rāshid. Long maintaining a controlling stake in its oil reserves, the emirate fully assumed control of oil production in 2007. At its height, Dubai contributed almost one-sixth of the nation's total petroleum output. However, when the emirate diversified its economy, production decreased to a very small level. In 1974, Sharjah started producing oil; six years later, a second well was found that mostly produced natural gas. In the Persian Gulf, oil production started in 1984 off the coast of Ras al-Khaimah.

The majority of the federation's natural gas resources are in Abu Dhabi, which has some of the greatest natural gas reserves in the world. The United Arab Emirates started making significant investments in the late 1990s to grow its natural gas industry, both for export and to fuel domestic thermal power plants. Dubai and Abu Dhabi have also started to invest in renewable energy. In 2013, Abu Dhabi constructed a 100-megawatt facility that could power up to 20,000 houses, making it one of the largest solar power plants in the world at the time.

Conclusion

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), a federation of seven emirates, is located on the eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. The UAE, with Abu Dhabi as its largest emirate, is known for its extensive desert vistas, sand dunes, and oases. The emergence of significant ports and economic centers like Dubai is a result of the nation's coastlines along the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. There are seasonal shamāl winds and temperature changes in the hot and dry climate.

Shrubs and planted mangroves make up the UAE's scant vegetation, and domesticated animals and diverse species, including Arabian oryx, gazelles, and marine life in the Gulf seas, make up its wildlife. The UAE has substantial oil and gas reserves, which are mostly managed by state-owned companies like the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. The nation is also making investments in clean energy sources like solar energy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the UAE located?

The UAE is located on the eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula.

How many emirates are part of the UAE?

The UAE is a federation of seven emirates, with Abu Dhabi being the largest and most influential.

What is the climate in the UAE like?

The UAE has a hot and arid climate with muggy conditions along the coast and even hotter temperatures inland.

What kind of wildlife can be found in the UAE?

The UAE's wildlife includes domesticated animals, desert species like Arabian oryx and gazelles, and marine life in the Gulf waters.

What are the major natural resources of the UAE?

The UAE is rich in oil and natural gas reserves.