UAE - interesting facts about the country. UAE: interesting facts about the country and life in the Emirates UAE interesting facts about the Emirates
The United Emirates is one of the richest countries in the world. An indicator of this is a statistical fact: for 5,000,000 UAE citizens, there are 59,000 dollar millionaires.
Just half a century ago, where the United Arab Emirates is now, there was nothing but desert.
The Emirates are distinguished by high-quality social support. The salary of civil servants (from among the local population) is $10,000. For a wedding, citizens are allocated $9,000 and a villa, and for the birth of a son, the family is given $50,000.
As in most Muslim countries, there are many strict prohibitions in the Emirates: you can’t throw garbage on the street, hitchhike, take pictures of local women, government buildings, and some types of attractions. The consumption and transportation of alcohol is strictly prohibited.
Freedom of speech is limited, which automatically means no yellow press. The media are prohibited from covering details and facts from the private life of sheikhs, as well as other fairly wealthy citizens. Tellingly, the UAE has also imposed a ban on access to social networks, as the Telecommunications Supervision Committee considers them a source of harmful information for citizens.
The Emirates did not accept a moratorium on the death penalty, applied in various forms, according to tradition, from stoning (for example, for an established act of adultery, as in biblical times) to beheading. For drugs, they give a prison sentence of up to 10 years, but a drug addict who has expressed a willingness to undergo treatment will be paid for by the state treasury. Perhaps due to the harsh and radical approach to punishments and generous social support, crime in the state is practically absent: there are not even petty pickpockets and car thieves - cars are even left open.
Violation of traffic rules entails a fine of $ 800.
Bus stops in the Emirates are air-conditioned.
The climate in the United Arab Emirates is very hot with high humidity. Winters, in its European sense, are simply not known here: January and December daytime temperatures are about + 28, night temperatures are within +18, while summer allows the air to heat up to + 50 degrees Celsius.
In the Emirates, due to natural and climatic conditions, there are serious difficulties in providing water (which has to be desalinated) and electricity. There is nothing surprising in the fact that utilities here are extremely expensive.
Instead of gambling horse races in the UAE, camel races are organized (animals are controlled by robots). Also, as an entertainment, jeep safaris in the desert are popular.
It is customary here to acquire gold in huge quantities and by all sectors of society: annually, 1 inhabitant accounts for 38 grams of the purchased precious metal. When offering a hand and heart, as a wedding gift, the groom here is obliged to give his bride from 5 kilograms of gold. However, not everything is so rosy with weddings in the Muslim world, since the choice of the future half for the girl is carried out by her parents. And for extramarital affairs, a fine or 3 months in prison is required (for women, the punishment is more severe, so it can reach stoning to death). Polygamy is allowed, but it is quite expensive, for this reason it is forced to progressively become obsolete in society.
In transport (as in India), a separate passage for men and women has been adopted. They are provided with different carriages if the trip is carried out by metro or train, there are separate sections for these purposes in the interiors of buses, even in taxis.
For the streets, there is also a rule of mock severity, which is reflected in the requirements for the dress code. The contrast of society lies in the fact that next to local Muslim women in a burqa one can see openly dressed ladies. However, the latter almost always turn out to be tourists. Although it is customary to treat the latter with tolerance, however, they can impose a fine for a very frank appearance. Especially if a lady in this form walks alone, without a companion.
Ramadan is a major Muslim holiday during which believers abstain from food and drink during the daytime. For this reason, foreign tourists are forbidden to drink and eat on the street during the festival, so as not to get into the eyes of those who are fasting. In the few public places where eating is allowed, the windows are sealed. For violation of these rules, a fine is imposed. However, you can make up for the lost joys of life (during this Muslim fast) at night, since the ban on eating at night does not apply.
Shopping is available both in stores and in the bazaar. According to Eastern tradition, it is necessary to bargain on the market, this allows you to reduce the price at times.
There are no drivers in the Emirati metro, the trains are controlled automatically. Payment for all transport is possible using a single card. For these purposes, transport units have special sensors that read information and also calculate the cost by mileage.
Despite the monstrous heat, the Emirates has its own ski resort (with slides and snow parks). It is called SkiDubai, and is located in the Arabian Desert. Thanks to him, in no small measure, in 2011 the Emirates managed to become the first of the Arab countries that managed to enter the International Ice Hockey Federation.
The highest skyscraper in the world - Burj Khalifa (828 meters high) was built in the UAE.
The Emirates Palas is the most luxurious of all hotels in the UAE (although high standards are applied to all here). For New Year's festivities, a Christmas tree worth $11.4 million and 13 meters high is installed here. It is characteristic that genuine jewelry with large stones serves as a replacement for ordinary toys. - Hotels in the Emirates truly know how to surprise, so the tree of jewels is not the only exotic innovation that can be found on vacation. - For example, a cake made by culinary specialists of 28 large hotels for the country's Independence Day, could even get into the Guinness Book of Records due to its gigantic size (the length of the product was 2530.8 m).
Sheikhs, oil, skyscrapers - we are sure that for most of us it is these three words that come to mind when mentioned.
The Emirates is also on the list of countries where it is warm in winter. But we decided to expand your understanding of this country a little and prepared 25 interesting facts about the UAE.
1. The United Arab Emirates is a unique country, for some 40 years there was only a desert in this territory.
2. The UAE is indeed a rich country. There are 59 thousand dollar millionaires for 5 million people here.
3. The UAE has excellent social security. So, for the birth of a boy, the state makes a gift to the family in the amount of $50,000.
4. Every young family in the UAE receives a comfortable villa from the government and 70,000 dirhams (about $19,000) for a wedding.
5. The average monthly salary of a civil servant is about $10,000
6. All these benefits apply only to local residents. 70% of the UAE population are workers from South and Southeast Asia who receive $200-300 per month.
7. The UAE is a Muslim country, and there are a lot of prohibitions, especially those related to alcohol. So, in the emirate of Sharzha, a complete ban on alcohol, the use and transportation of which is considered a criminal offense.
8. In the UAE, it is forbidden to photograph government buildings, military installations, mansions, palaces, flags, local women; men can only be with their permission.
9 . The Emirates is hell for a hitchhiker, this is an administrative violation.
10. The government restricts freedom of speech. There is no yellow press in the UAE; they do not write about the personal life of sheikhs here.
11. The UAE has blocked Facebook and many other sites. According to the Committee for Supervision of Telecommunications, which controls access to the Internet, it may contain malicious information, from the point of view of the Koran.
12. Non-Muslim tourists in the UAE are not allowed to visit mosques. By the way, for tourists, the Sharjah region is an excellent option for a trip, and you can find out about the cost of a tour there on the websites of specialized travel agencies.
13. By the way, when entering mosques and houses, you should take off your shoes. Prayers cannot be bypassed in front.
14. Littering is strictly prohibited on the streets. The fine for trash thrown on the street is 500 dirhams, even if you just missed the bin.
15. Fines for traffic violations are huge. Passing a red light will cost $800
16. There is no traffic police in the United Arab Emirates. All violations are recorded by cameras, and at the end of the year, when passing a technical inspection, the driver is billed.
17. All bus stops in the same Dubai are air-conditioned.
18. The coldest months in the UAE are December and January. At this time, the air temperature during the day averages +28, at night +18. The question of where it is warm in winter disappears by itself.
19. One of the favorite sports in the UAE is camel racing. Moreover, now camels are controlled by miniature robots.
20. The UAE loves gold very much. According to statistics, each inhabitant of the United Arab Emirates buys 38 grams of gold per year.
21. 5 kilograms of gold jewelry should be presented by an Arab man in case of matchmaking with an Arab woman.
22. Arab men are increasingly marrying foreign women: there is no need to pay relatives for a bride.
23. In the UAE, people often marry not for love, but for the will of their parents - conservatism and religious customs leave no chance for young people to choose a life partner on their own.
24. The UAE has big problems with water. 30% comes from natural sources, the rest is so-called desalinated water.
25. Most of the emirates will run out of oil very soon. The only exception is the state of Abu Dhabi.
What is Emirates
The United Arab Emirates is a state made up of seven smaller emirates, each of which is also a small state with an absolute monarchy. These are the emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah and Sharjah.
The head of state is the Emir of Abu Dhabi, the government is headed by the Emir of Dubai.
Power in the whole state is inherited.
Coat of arms, flag, anthem of the United Arab Emirates
- The coat of arms depicts a falcon - a symbol of autocracy in the country, it has 7 feathers in its tail, feathers symbolize the seven emirates. Falcon yellow is the color of the desert, which occupies most of the country.
The flag with four colors (red, green, white and black) also symbolizes national unity.
And here is the translation of the text of the anthem into Russian (approximately):
Prosper, my country, the union of our Emirates lives,
You exist for the nation
Whose religion is Islam and commandment is the Koran,
I made you stronger in the name of God, oh Motherland,
My country, my country, my country, my country
God always protects you from adversity,
We swore to build and work
Work sincerely, work sincerely
Until the last breath, we will be sincere, sincere,
Security let our flag fly, oh our Emirates,
Symbol of the Arab world
We sacrifice ourselves for you, we support you with our blood
We put our souls into you, oh Motherland!
people as people
Only indigenous people - 11 percent, ethnic Arabs - a third of the 4.8 million population, that is, 1.6 million people. Dollar millionaires (naturally, this number does not include people from South Asia and the Philippines - Pakistanis, Indians, etc.) once counted 59 thousand people. Now the number may be even higher. And what, incomes are growing, there are more and more millionaires ...
The locals speak Arabic, most of them speak English. The hotels have Russian-speaking staff, and in shops and shopping centers there are sellers who speak Russian.
Such difficult Arab sheikhs
Sheikhs are members of the ruling families of the emirates that are part of the UAE. This title is obtained for life. (Sheikh is like a prince in Ancient Rus'). Each of the emirates has its own ruling dynasty.
- The founder of the UAE - Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan - is a legendary figure. This is the 14th ruler of the Al Nahyan family, who has ruled the territory of the emirate of Abu Dhabi for about 250 years. Sheikh Zayed raised 19 sons who now hold high government positions or run their own businesses. One of the sons, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan since November 3, 2004. holds the position of the ruler (president) of the UAE.
Forbes magazine estimated the fortune of Sheikh Zayed at 20 billion US dollars. Sheikh Zayed passed away in 2004. The cause of his death was not announced.
The Emirate of Dubai began to change for the better under Sheikh Rashin bin Said Al Maktoum (reigned from 1958 to 1990). This remarkable sheikh began to invest oil revenues in the country's infrastructure, strengthening Dubai's reputation as a free enterprise and trade zone. The current ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum continues the outlined line.
Sheikhs, of course, are very rich people - they buy islands, yachts, golden laptops and smartphones, and what are smartphones - golden jacuzzis, which they do something based on such buyers.
These are some of the richest people in the world. They live in the most beautiful, luxuriously furnished palaces that are forbidden to photograph. Like many mere mortals, sheikhs are educated, very smart, love horses, gold and beautiful women (they contain up to 4 wives - the Koran allows), some compose poetry (for example, Sheikh of Dubai Muhammad bin Rashid al Maktoum is a recognized poet) , are fond of sports and care about the well-being of their emirate and its inhabitants.
- One of the sheikhs not so long ago became famous for writing his name in kilometer-long letters in the sand. Of course, he didn’t write it himself - workers worked for several weeks so that the name “HAMAD” could be seen even from space. A huge, hitherto unknown autograph is located on the island of Al - Futaisi, 5 km from Abu Dhabi. Its length is 3 km, the letters are made by drainage trenches that absorb water (so that the inscription on the sand does not wash away the ocean)
Sheikh with the name Hamad bin Hamdan al-Nahyan for 60 years, one of his nicknames is Sheikh Rainbow. According to rumors, the sheikh's fleet contains 200 cars, and is built in the shape of an ancient Egyptian pyramid. There is a car in the fleet, thanks to which the sheikh got his nickname. This is a Mercedes 500 SELs painted in the seven colors of the rainbow.
Sheikhs usually do not waste time on trifles - this is not a royal business, so Sheikh Hamad has the world's largest truck with four bedrooms in the cab in his fleet.
He also has a motor home - a giant car in the shape of a globe. Its dimensions are exactly a millionth of the size of our planet.
But this original sheikh is famous not only for flaunting his wealth, but also for his love for people and care for them. Sheikh Hamad helps doctors with money, even built an entire medical center for nephrology in Morocco with his own money and pays salaries to its staff.
The government takes care of its citizens
This is expressed in various benefits and gifts from the state, which we, ordinary Russians, never dreamed of.
For example, each young family receives from the state a luxurious villa and 70,000 dirhams for a wedding.
For the birth of a boy, the state gives a gift to the family - 50 thousand dollars.
Work and salaries
Arab men are practically all in the public service or running their own business.
The average monthly salary of civil servants is about $10,000, airport workers receive $20,000.
Getting a good job is hard, companies try to select only the best people. Sometimes the competition reaches several dozen people per seat.
During the term of the contract, it is not customary to change its conditions and salary.
In the Emirates, they try to use cheap labor wherever possible, since it is several times cheaper than the labor of Europeans.
Workers from South Asia and the Philippines receive 200 - 300 dollars a month. Hindus, Filipinos, Pakistanis manage to live on this money, eat and send money home.
Dubai does not have to pay taxes, so many wealthy people live and run their businesses here.
Alcohol in the UAE
In the Emirates, you can buy alcohol in hotels and restaurants, but it is highly recommended not to go out drunk outside the hotel so as not to have problems with the police.
- It is allowed to import two liters of hard liquor and 2 liters of wine purchased at the airport, duty-free shop per person, but the person must be an adult and not a Muslim.
You can go to jail for drunken debauchery.
In the emirate of Sharjah, a complete ban on alcohol, its transportation or consumption is considered a criminal offense.
A drop of nicotine kills a horse
And in general, smoking is harmful to health, but no one pays much attention to it. There are no problems with cigarettes, but smoking is not allowed in the premises. Hookah smoking is common.
It is allowed to import 10 blocks of cigarettes, 2 kg of tobacco and 400 cigars.
Purebred Arabian horses
- Many consider this breed the most beautiful in the world. These horses are of pure blood, as the Arabs have always cherished them like the apple of their eye, and are very expensive - some can cost several million dollars.
Pesnyar, an Arabian stallion born in the Stavropol stud, was sold in 1981 for $1 million. Another Arabian stallion, Menes, is leased in the USA for 2.4 million dollars ... this is in Russia, that is, in the USSR.
Arabian horses are also in the stable of Vladimir Putin - these are gifts from the King of Jordan and the former head of Pakistan - Musharraf, and in the stables of many heads of state.
At one time, the Arabian stallion Marengo rode under the saddle of Napoleon, and Smetanka, bought from the Turkish Sultan for a huge sum at that time, was used by Count Orlov to breed the famous Orlov trotting breed of horses.
Arabian horses are distinguished not only by their recognized grace and beauty, but also by their extremely docile nature and good-natured temperament, as well as soft and smooth gaits. These are horses worthy of being carried in the saddle by persons of royal blood.
Desert ships
Camels are one of the symbols of the country and part of the local culture. However, young people prefer to drive around in air-conditioned super-expensive cars, and so that traditions do not fade away, the country began to hold an annual Camel Festival in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
The nine-day holiday program, which attracts thousands of guests, includes camel races (by the way, mini-robots often control animals on the races), an auction with fabulous prices, a beauty contest for camels of different breeds - dark and light colors. The main sponsor of the festival is the president of the United Arab Emirates, therefore the prizes are appropriate - large sums of money and luxury cars.
Buying a fur coat is a responsible business
And it requires some knowledge. Fur coats are sold here almost everywhere, but the concentration of fur shops is Nasser Square in Dubai.
Fur coats of different styles, furs and manufacturers (from American to Greek and Italian). Light and heat do not affect the fur, as fur coats are stored in special ventilated warehouses with air conditioners, with dim lighting. Prices are 20-50% lower than in Russia, depending on the fur and product model.
Gold can be edible
At least in the Emirates, it is sometimes used in the preparation of cupcakes - they are wrapped in edible thin golden plates. This pleasure costs about 40,000 rubles. per piece, and is not served at the sheikh's table, as you might have thought, but is sold in pastry shops.
- On average, consumption of gold in the Emirates is 15 kg per person per year. This is how much it is bought, not eaten.
Jewelry, household items, clothes - blouses and vests, cars covered with gold, and even a plane, one prince also dreamed of covering with gold, are sold and bought from precious metal.
In Abu Dhabi, there is a vending machine for the sale of gold bars, the weight of which is from 1.5 to 10g.
Gold in the Emirates is sold in shops and malls, but the Gold Souk in Dubai is especially famous. The Gold Souk is one of the largest gold markets in the world.
The Burj Al Arab hotel (Dubai) makes tattoos of gold or platinum for everyone, but this is an expensive pleasure.
UAE reference pearl
Because of its qualities and unique brilliance.
Not so long ago, in the emirate of Umm al-Quwain, they found the world's oldest pearl, whose age is about 7.5 thousand years.
Pearls are currently grown on special farms, and tourists can get on an interesting excursion to one of these farms in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.
Also Jumeirah Group since March 2, 2012. organized adventure boat trips for tourists. The tour starts from the island of Palm Jebel Ali on a special Arab dhow boat, and you yourself (albeit under the guidance of experienced instructors) get pearl shells from the bottom.
White and black
These are the colors of the national dress. The men here wear white (sometimes of a different color) tunics called dishdash, and they wear suits only for European business meetings. Women wear a long black abaya, under it - anything, up to branded European things.
Army
Both men and women can serve in the UAE army from the age of 18. No service life has been set. A lot of hired soldiers and ultra-modern military equipment - it is necessary to protect unthinkable wealth and skyscrapers. The armed forces are the National Coast Guard, the Navy (+ Marines), the Air Force and the Air Defense.
Police
There is no traffic police here. All violations are recorded by special cameras, and at the end of the year, the driver is billed during the inspection.
The police are strict, but calm and courteous. Many walk in civilian clothes, there are a lot of policemen in the Gold Market.
With the police, in case of some jambs on your part and violations, you cannot try to “negotiate” - it is fraught with even greater problems.
The equipment of the police is the most modern, cars are mostly BMWs, many SUVs.
In the UAE, it is customary to “knock” on the police for any reason. The Hindus are especially guilty of this, it is encouraged in every possible way.
Sports are here too.
Gambling people live in the UAE, although gambling and sports betting are prohibited here. One of my favorite sports is camel racing. They are held at specially equipped hippodromes.
Camels are controlled by special miniature robots. Camels are not at all such sedate animals as we are used to seeing them - in competitions they reach speeds of up to 60 km per hour.
Dubai also hosts international horse races, the most expensive horse races in the world. Horses of the Head of the Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadyrov, horses of sheikhs and leaders of other countries often participate in them.
May 2001 The UAE became the first Arab country to be admitted to the International Ice Hockey Federation.
Dubai hosts 24-hour endurance car races.
Football is one of the most popular sports in the UAE.
Every year the UAE organizes world boat races.
For tourists, water sports and entertainment, horseback riding, bowling, tennis, diving, golf, skating, sailing, etc. are provided.
Photo for memory
In the UAE, it is forbidden to photograph sheikhs' palaces, mansions, government buildings, military installations, women (purposefully. If an Arab woman is not the main subject of photography, but gets into the frame as a "background", it's okay). Before photographing a man, you need to ask his permission.
Transport
For lovers of hitchhiking - disappointing news - in the UAE you can not hitchhike, this is an administrative offense.
There are very large fines for violating traffic rules - for example, driving through a red light will cost $ 800.
- In Dubai, bus stops are air-conditioned.
There is a separate women's taxi for women, and buses have a separate section, as well as a separate car in the subway. In general, it is not forbidden to travel, but then the women themselves refuse because of the large number of Indians, Pakistanis and other public who “devour” women with their eyes - a long life without wives affects.
The metro is not underground, but on the surface, a train without a driver.
Since 2013 In Dubai, it was planned to introduce an innovation - on car numbers to post photos of Dubai attractions. Each car owner will be able to choose a photo from the proposed list. Proceeds from the sale of exclusive numbers will go to help victims of road accidents and to improve traffic conditions. But at the time of publication of the article, this has not been implemented.
The most expensive car number "1" was sold for $14 million at an auction in the UAE in 2008.
What color is the press in the UAE
There is no "yellow" press in the UAE. The freedom of speech is limited, many sites containing information unacceptable from the point of view of the Koran are blocked.
Press coverage of the personal life of sheikhs and the ruling family in general is prohibited.
Media in Russian: "Russian Radio in the UAE" 96.3 FM (since 2012, radio "Europe Plus" has been broadcasting on this frequency in the UAE) Magazine "Russian Emirates" Magazine "Business Emirates", Guide "Keys of the East".
I missed the urn - no excuse
Emirates is very clean. Littering on the street is prohibited, and even if you miss the urn, you will have to pay a fine of 500 dirhams. Better, of course, not to litter, and therefore not to pay.
About the weather
The coldest months are December and January. Temperature during the day + 28, at night - +18.
In the emirate of Abu Dhabi, a unique experiment was conducted to create artificial rain. The experiment was successful, but cost $11 million. The Emir of Abu Dhabi and the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, one of the richest people in the world, was the customer for the project.
Now the sheikhs of the UAE can change the weather at will.
People meet, people fall in love, get married...
An Arab man can have up to four wives. Each equally gets both material goods (one - a house, and the other - a house, also with cars, and with gold, etc.) and the attention of her husband. Gradually, polygamy is moving away - it is expensive.
In the case of matchmaking with an Arab woman, a man must give her 5 kg of new gold jewelry. They also marry foreign women, but an Arab woman can only marry an Arab man.
Often they marry not for love, but for the will of their parents. There are no "civil" marriages, cohabitation is prohibited.
About water
Despite the fact that the Emirates are located on the Arabian Peninsula, and there is plenty of sea water, you can’t drink it. Everyone must have read in childhood about travelers who were shipwrecked and drifting on some kind of raft in the hope of being saved. Surely someone alone could not stand it and got drunk on salty sea water, well, and died in terrible agony.
Fresh water is extracted here from natural sources - about 30 percent, and 70 percent - artificially desalinated water (the process is laborious and expensive). Although fresh water is pure, it is better to boil it rather than drink it raw from the tap.
About oil
The discovery of oil deposits gave impetus to the development and prosperity of the country. The oil here is cleaner and of better quality than in Russia.
Capital
Abu Dhabi is the most beautiful city in which various compositions in parks are created from bright and multi-colored natural flowers. Exotic plants from all over the world have been brought to this amazing city.
The translation of the name of the emirate and the capital of the UAE is "father of the gazelle". There is a legend - a hunter wounded a gazelle, and, getting lost in the heat of the chase, died of thirst. Not far from his body and the body of a dead gazelle, a spring was found, which they called "Abu Dhabi".
Dubai
The largest city in the UAE. The largest shopping centers in the world are concentrated here, the areas of which are larger than the size of football fields, famous markets:
Fish, fruit and vegetable, where you can also buy small real pipes of sailors and strong tobacco for them,
Spice market - you can also buy incense, rose water, natural cosmetics from India, Iran, Pakistan, Zanzibar, Sri Lanka
gold market,
Incense market - here they sell perfumes, Arabic aromatic oils with fabulously beautiful and mysterious names - "Secret of the Harem", "Desert Bride", etc. In this market, you can buy the rarest perfumes and oils that exist almost in one copy. Oriental fragrances are persistent and rich, spicy and sensual.
Dubai is the fastest growing city in the world, but the translation of its name does not sound so beautiful, approximately “locust”, only in an affectionate version, such as “locust”.
palm trees
These are artificial bulk islands in the form of palm trees - Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali, Palm Deira. So far, only Jumeirah has a developed urban infrastructure, hotels, shops, restaurants, etc. are located.
Marine life
As a trophy, if you're lucky, you can bring a barracuda, a small shark, a stingray, tuna, royal fish from fishing
Medicine
With the discovery of oil fields, huge investments were made in the development of medicine, modern medical centers, hospitals and clinics were opened.
Both public and private medical services are flourishing, hospitals and clinics have modern equipment and a sufficient number of qualified personnel.
Education
Local residents can receive higher education for free at any university in the world, but in order to avoid the outflow of young people, branches of the most famous and prestigious foreign universities have been opened in the UAE.
Holidays and other joys of life
The most important holiday is religious, fasting is observed during it. It is called Ramadan, and during it, everyone, both foreigners and non-Muslims, is forbidden to eat and drink on the streets until sunset. You can do this in a hotel, or in a very few restaurants, the windows of which are tightly curtained so as not to offend the feelings of the fasting. For violation - a fine, and malicious violators will be deported.
January 1 - New Year, December 2 is the day of the formation of the state (the event took place in 1971)
There are also religious holidays, the dates of which are determined by the phases of the moon by a special committee and may differ in different territories.
For local residents, entertainment is monotonous, mainly as entertainment, women and families go to malls (huge shopping centers), restaurants. Arab women do not have fun in discos and nightclubs.
Emirates Airlines
- Emirates is considered one of the best airlines in the world.
In 2012, the Emirates Airline brand was recognized as the most valuable brand in aviation ($3.2 billion).
The company's aircraft fly to 72 countries on all continents.
Rules of conduct in society
Prayers are not customary to bypass in front.
When entering a mosque or a house, it is customary to take off your shoes.
Do not point your feet towards the other person.
On the street you can not kiss, and somehow express your feelings
For a public obscene gesture or swearing, you can be fined or even imprisoned. Fights are also prohibited. Therefore, everyone tries to be as polite as possible, and in the event of a conflict, the one who first turned to the police is usually right.
The shops
There are few people working around the clock, basically everything closes at 11 pm.
Pharmacies are not all open 24 hours.
In the Emirates, you can buy any goods and medicines.
I have collected 35 interesting facts about Dubai and the Emirates for you.
Dubai is not the capital of the UAE, the capital is Abu Dhabi!
Dubai leans like the month of May, so if in doubt about the end, feel free to "Dubai in May"!
Jumeirah Island is one of three artificial islands that have been able to extend the city's coastline by 520 kilometers. This island is the smallest, and is considered the most densely populated. Here is the most popular hotel in Dubai -.
The most cosmopolitan area of Dubai -. On the streets you can meet Americans, Europeans, Asians, as well as Russians. Each of them brings a piece of their culture, creating an amazing interweaving of traditions and religions.
Dubai has its own Venice. The resort is just a city within a city, connected by a network of water channels through which small abra boats periodically scurry. Madinat is Arab houses, a sea of picturesque vegetation and many cafes and souvenir shops.
The seven-star Burj Al Arab (321 m) is not the tallest hotel in the world. So it was until recently, until a new Dubai hotel was built - the Rose Tower, 333 meters high.
Burj Al Arab is not free to enter. The hotel is located on a small guarded island, and you can get there only by booking a room in advance or as part of an excursion, where a dinner reservation is a prerequisite.
Dubai is the best. It even has the largest flower park -. He really is a miracle!
Miracle Garden got into the Guinness Book of Records thanks to the largest flower wall, which is 10 meters high and 800 meters long. There is also the world's largest flower clock.
The Dubai metro and buses are designed in such a way that separate zones are reserved for women. They can be recognized by their pink color.
The tallest building in the world is the Burj Khalifa, with a height of 163 floors. The building is occupied by offices, residential apartments, the Armani Hotel, restaurants and observation decks.
The sail is the main feature of Dubai, its heart. The hotel in the form of a sailboat rises 321 meters above the ground, and is located on a small artificial island off the coast of Jumeirah Beach.
All metro trains are fully automated, there are no drivers, you can ride in the first car and look out the window.
To keep the beaches clean, sweepers sift the sand every morning.
Dubai is not a city for pedestrians. This is a city of sand, concrete, asphalt, cars, but not pedestrians. Freeways everywhere, cars roaring at breakneck speed.
Subway cars pass not only past buildings, but through and through.
The Arabic word "diba" is translated as "locust", Dubai is a diminutive of "diba" and means "locust".
It costs $50 a day to water just one tree. Each palm tree has a faucet through which watering is carried out!
Parus became the first man-made island, then Jumeirah appeared, the Mir Islands complex and a couple more Jabel Ali and Deira palms became the next ones.
Sheikh Mohammed has a one-digit car number - one.
Only native Emiratis are allowed to tint windows.
When a new citizen is born, he receives $40,000 as a gift. While he grows up, the interest will increase the amount to 100 thousand, although under the terms of the gift he can spend on real estate or open his own business.
The population of Abu Dhabi, like the Emirates, consists of about 20% of the indigenous population, which does not bother to work, as the state provides them with everything: a gift for a wedding - a villa for free; treatment in any clinic in the world; free education, housing and money. That is why the remaining 80% of the inhabitants, mostly visitors from Asia and Europe, do all the work for them.
In Dubai, there is the Minestery of Happiness, which monitors the level of happiness of the population, makes surveys, you can even write a letter to them and report a problem.
Despite the fact that everything in Dubai is saturated with luxury and millions of dollars, Dubai is a city of contrasts. Everything here is either very rich or very poor. Walk around the corner of a 5-star hotel and you can see a construction site where grubby guest workers will eat shawarma.
You can become a citizen of the Emirates only by inheritance.
Only 3 of the 7 Emirates have oil, and most of it is in the capital.
Previously, instead of first-class asphalt, there were dirty sands, it stank of donkey urine and intestines. Instead of villas, there were shabby tents. When they found oil, the city began to grow rich rapidly, but the nomads did not seek to move to the city. Then Sheikh Zayed distributed free identical houses to everyone in the city, the entire communal apartment at the expense of the state. The Bedouins packed up and moved quickly. Although there are still people who refuse to move to the city.
The Emirates is a country of prohibitions: it is forbidden to take pictures here, flags, Arab men and Muslim women, government agencies, sheikhs' houses; alcohol is prohibited (it is not even in cafes, not to mention supermarkets).
Women don't have to wear all black. They wear a black veil only because they love. It seems to be some kind of fashion statement. Their clothes can be any color - brown, pink, beige. They are the same fashionista as all the women of our world.
Camel in the Emirates is a cult. The Arabs even measure what kind of camel someone has. The prices for these animals are higher than space - $ 3 million, and the value is simply aesthetic.
I will dispel the misconception about the color of oil - it is brown, green and colorless.
In Dubai, there is a dry law, alcohol is sold only in hotels.
There are no streets in Dubai and everyone is guided by the names of buildings. In fact, there are streets, but no one knows them.
At Christmas, the Arabs lay hundreds of charges and arrange a grandiose salute. Burj Khalifa becomes a fire tree.
The Middle East is getting richer every day. Oil and gold are bearing fruit in the economy of the region, one of the leaders of which is the UAE. The country is actively developing tourism and this is already a very important part of the economy. What do we know about this country? about the Emirates, this is an article that can bring the traveler closer to the Middle Eastern country.
What is emirates? Such an involuntary question appears when people hear the full name of the country - the United Arab Emirates. In fact, everything is simple here, the emirate is the region headed by the emir. In total, there are seven such areas in the country, where the capital is Abu Dhabi, and the main tourist center is Dubai. It is these two regions that make the cash desk from tourism, other emirates bring much less income from tourism.
Until the middle of the twentieth century, the country was quite poor, it was under British control, and its main industry was pearling. Everything changed when large oil deposits were discovered in these lands. The correct approach to black gold ensured the growth of the country's economy, which is developing at a tremendous pace even today.
With alcohol in the country, not everything is simple. It is worth remembering that the main religion of the country is Islam, and its rules are treated strictly here. You should not expect that in every store you will find shelves with alcohol, many do not sell it at all. It is worth noting that alcohol is very expensive here, the price of many drinks can be ten times higher than in Russia. Almost every hotel has its own bar. Drinking in public places is prohibited, for this a fine of almost ten thousand rubles is imposed. The Emirate of Sharjah adheres to the ban on alcohol and it is quite difficult to buy even a bottle of beer there. - the strictest area, there are no skyscrapers, the emirate is considered the spiritual center of the UAE.
Emirate fujairah considered the most beautiful in the country. Tourism is developing rapidly, but in Russia tours to fujairah don't leave as well as in Dubai. But in vain. Fujairah is a beautiful place with amazing views. The emirate goes to the Indian Ocean, and in some places the mountains collide with water. The climate is comfortable, because of the mountains and the ocean there is no sultry heat, and if the thermometer shows a high temperature, then the heat is easier to bear. There are no environmental problems in the emirate, there are many natural attractions and thermal springs. Holidays in Fujairah for many, it is a health resort, in fact, the region is developing in this direction of tourism.
It's interesting that are one of the leaders in the development of solar energy. It is clear that oil is not eternal and it will end sooner or later. The Emirates are making a serious bet on solar energy, investing a lot of money and realizing that it will pay for itself. The UAE with its climate, the place is ideal for the development of solar energy. In ten years, they want to install solar panels on every home in the country.
Girls and men travel separately in transport. In each salon there is a separating barrier, and there are very few places allocated for women, they often stand, while two or three men can sit in a spacious salon on the other side of the barrier. If you see a pink taxi, it is for women and children under 10 years old. The rights were completely given to women. Accordingly, a man should not catch a pink taxi.
United Arab Emirates facilities are being built so quickly, they are investing in them so powerfully that a quarter of all cranes in the world are located in this country. Of course, these are not the most official figures, yet China, which also does not stand still. However, there is a lot of construction here, in the same Dubai on some streets it seems that there is only construction everywhere and where is that city from the picture?
Each emirate has its own direction of tourism. Everyone can be compared, but Abu Dhabi and Dubai are more similar than others. If we are talking about a tourist streak, and not about how Abu Dhabi can be similar to Dubai, because it is 85% of the entire country territorially. They are similar in that both cities are huge cities, where innovative buildings, sports facilities, parks and much more are being actively built. These cities are loved by tourists, but for a beach holiday more people come to Dubai, Abu Dhabi these are more business trips, but still relaxing on the beach, of course, is good here. Sharjah- the spiritual center of the country, the strictest region where the laws of Islam are strictly observed. fujairah- a great place where you can improve your health, where there are mountains and fresh air. Ras Al Khaimah tries to focus on eco-tourism, there is a lot of hiking and since this emirate is covered with vegetation, not sand, the business is gaining popularity: interesting campsites and routes of all this are becoming more and more in the emirate. Umm el Qawwain And Ajman- emirates that do not develop tourism at all, slightly different accents are made here.
Dubai
Dubai city is ideal for shopping. Shopping centers, branded clothing stores, jewelry and more are presented here in a huge volume. Interestingly, the city lives in a duty-free zone, which means that no taxes are withheld from entrepreneurs. Worth going to gold market is a famous place in Dubai. There is a lot of gold and pearls here, you can lose your mind from its brilliance. Gold prices will pleasantly surprise you, they are quite loyal. It is worth following the sales news, in general, these periods are similar to ours, at the end of the same August, local shopping centers noticeably drop prices.
Dubai is the most loyal emirate. Everything is more accessible here, and the laws are not so strict with foreigners. Here the dress code is softer, there is more beer and freedom in your actions. That's why Russians like to choose more Dubai. Of course, it is worth remembering which country you are in, that you are a guest and you need to follow the rules. The fines are very large, and no one will look at the fact that you are a foreigner. The logic is that by drinking the same beer in a public place, you are setting a bad example and contrary to generally accepted norms.
Dress code is an important part. There are beliefs that only girls need to observe decency in choosing clothes. And if Dubai forgives something else, then in the same Sharjah for open bare shoulders, or shorts, you can get a substantial fine. The same rules apply to men, but what about? Men must also comply with dress code. From that, pack your bags more responsibly.
The local metro is considered the longest railway network in the world, while it is also almost completely automated. Yes, the drivers here do not sit in the cabs, the computer is responsible for everything, which at the moment has never made a mistake. The metro even runs from the airport, for example, the same Dubai, it is very convenient. One train of the subway, capable of carrying 640 people, only five long cars, each 75 meters long. All stations are equipped with elevators, escalators and other necessary things that bring convenience.
The state takes care of its citizens, there are a number of subsidies and benefits for those who have a passport of a UAE citizen. So, for the birth of a son, citizens receive 50 thousand dollars, 10 is put into the account of the child, so that after reaching a certain age he could use these funds. The state also helps to organize a wedding, the newlyweds are transferred 20 thousand dollars for the holiday, plus the state buys a house.
On the streets of the largest cities in the country - Dubai and Abu Dhabi, you can find closed stops that are equipped with air conditioning. The fact is that the UAE is a country with a very hot climate, and these stops are designed to save people from the heat of the sun. There are many parks in the cities, and in general, landscaping. Thus, the air becomes fresher and the heat is easier to bear.
Going to the UAE, it is worth visiting the famous Arab markets. Where bargaining is appropriate. The Arabs are very enterprising, they know the price of their goods, and are willing to bid. Market relations are built, as elsewhere. It is better to come for shopping in the morning, when the sun is still not so hot, and there are fewer people.
For locals, it's par for the course to leave your car unlocked. wildly? Not at all, civilized. Crime in the Emirates at a very low level, here many are in abundance, and the fines for offenses are substantial. For example, for crossing a continuous road - 800 dollars. On the streets of cities you can often see, say, an unclosed Ferrari.
It is curious, but it is only 10% of the indigenous people in the country, they are also citizens of the UAE. Others are workers who are working on the construction of a new country, high skyscrapers, innovative facilities. Basically, Indians, Filipinos, Pakistanis come here to work. The authorities immediately make it clear to the workers that they will not tolerate offenses, and if you come here to work, be kind to work, you will break the law, at best we will deport you. Visitors obediently follow the rules, they pay quite well here, so people hold on to their places.
With the internet, it's not that easy. Most of the social networks we know are banned here, the same youtube is blocked. There is a lot of censorship and, in fact, even though the Internet exists, it is used in the usual way: chatting with someone, watching a video on youtube, there is no such thing. There is also no freedom of speech in the media in the country. All publications are subordinate to the authorities and are strictly controlled.
We recommend the reader an article - where we reveal a lot of useful information, where there is something to learn new about this direction. The UAE is an amazing world that looks simply futuristic in places, and this country certainly deserves to get to know it.