United Arab Emirates

The Dawlat Al-Imārāt al-â€˜Arabīyah al-Muttaḥidah is a federation of seven emirates on the Persian Gulf.

Formerly known as the Trucial States (up until 1971), the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the 5th wealthiest per capita state in the world.

A country with twice as many men as women due to the influx of exploited guest workers, it is a major oil producing state and acquiring further wealth all the time. It provided troops to the UN coalition in the 1991 Gulf War. A lot of economic migrants go there.

Not a democracy, although slight moves to that system have been made. It is close to the US and bought F-16s from them in 1999, and many ships of the United States Fifth Fleet are based in the UAE.

Camel racing is popular and the place is attracting motorsport too. Tourism brings in big money. This has resulted in a bit of a culture clash between the covered-up, teetotal locals and the scantily-clad, beer-drinking tourists. Homosexuality and adultery are against the law.

Population is about 4.5 million. 85% of this population consists of guest workers who in most cases are de facto slaves.

Like the other Gulf emirates, citizens experience a highly luxurious life. This includes a very cushy welfare state, free healthcare, guaranteed employment and free education up to the Doctorate level. Even the large welfare states of northern Europe seem threadbare and stingy in comparison to that provided in the UAE.

The Emirates
 * Abu Dhabi- A city state.
 * Ajman
 * Dubai -- A city state. Home to the world's tallest skyscraper, with a lot of modern buildings.
 * Fujairah
 * Ras al-Khaimah
 * Sharjah
 * Umm al-Quwain

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are well-enough known in the UK that people referring to them without country descriptor.

The UAE and its residents in fiction

Abu Dhabi was popularized in the comic strip Garfield and the subsequent television show being the place where Garfield was always trying to mail Nermal. One episode featured a musical number about the city.

"Abu Dhabi, it's far away

Abu Dhabi, that's where you'll stay

Abu Dhabi, the place to be

For any kitten who's annoying me, yeah!"

Jim Davis dicusses the reason for his choice in this article.

The second Sex and The City movie is partly set in Abu Dhabi, but filmed in Morocco, as the government didn't like the script.