Often abbreviated to UAE or the Emirates, the United Arab Emirates was set up in 1971 and is located on the Persian Gulf.
The seven emirates that make up the UAE are the capital Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Fujairah, Sharjah, Ras al-Khaimah and Umm al-Quwain.
As well as having vast oil reserves, the UAE is fast gaining a reputation as a hub for culture, sport and leisure.
Expats make up most of the population of the UAE so, although Arabic is the official language, English is widely spoken.
The most populous UAE city is Dubai, home of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. ACS’s Middle East office is in Dubai.