United Arab Emirates

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Dubai International Airport
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http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Dubai_International_Airport#mediaviewer/File:Dubai_-_International_(DXB_-_OMDB)_AN1204297.jpg
authorship

Konstantin von Wedelstaedt
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The United Arab Emirates or UAE is a federation of seven emirates located on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula. The states forming UAE are Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Quwain, Ras al-Khaimah and Fujairah. Abu Dhabi is the capital as well as the country's political, industrial and cultural center.

Despite its relatively small size, the United Arab Emirates has the world's seventh largest oil reserve and one of the most developed economies in the Middle East. Its Gross Domestic Product stands at US$46,584 and the 14th highest purchasing power per capita. The country is classified as a high income developing economy by the International Monetary Fund.

Desert landscape, UAE
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http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Landscapes_of_the_United_Arab_Emirates#mediaviewer/File:Hatta_west_UAE_1401200712872.jpg
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Bjoertvedt
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Visitors to the United Arab Emirates will find an ultra modern country justaposed against a traditionally Arab lifestyle. As of 2010, there are probably more modern skyscrapers, in the boldest architectural styles, in the United Arab Emirates - particularly in Dubai - than in anywhere else on earth. Familiar Western brands from McDonald's to Ikea and Carrefour are familiar sights in the country. As the society transforms, so too the people's aspirations. The souks - traditional bazaar - of Abu Dhabi was demolished in 2006. If you want to catch a glimpse of this traditional market in UAE, you can still visit one in Dubai.

Planning your trip to the UAE

The UAE is famously stringent in checking, not only for drugs, but certain medicine and painkillers are regarded as drugs. Medicine containing codeine, diazepam (Valium) or dextromethorphan (Robitussin) are banned and cannot be brought in unless you have a notorized and authenticated doctor's prescription - those breaking the rule risk deportation or worse, imprisonment.

Flying In

Dubai International Airport is the main airport for the United Arab Emirates. It is the base for Emirates. The airport receives international flights from all over the world. Second to Dubai is the Abu Dhabi International Airport, also receiving flights from across the world.

Budget travelers can fly the low-cost carrier Air Arabia to its hub at Sharjah Airport, which is quite near to Dubai. It has connections with cities in the Middle East and India.

Planning your travel within United Arab Emirates

Going from city to city means taking the Intercity Bus, which are fast and comfortable. Within the cities themselves, your choice is limited to the taxi, which is quite plentiful in the bigger cities of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.