United Arab Emirates: A Country Profile

Capital: Abu Dhabi City. ¿ ¿ ¿
Major Cities: Al Ayn, capital of the Eastern Region, and Madinat Zayid, capital of the Western
Region, are located in Abu Dhabi Emirate, the largest and most populous emirate. Dubai City is
located in Dubai Emirate, the second largest emirate. Sharjah City and Khawr Fakkan are the
major cities of the third largest emirate-Sharjah.
Independence: The United Kingdom announced in 1968 and reaffirmed in 1971 that it would
end its treaty relationships with the seven Trucial Coast states, which had been under British
protection since 1892. Following the termination of all existing treaties with Britain, on
December 2, 1971, six of the seven sheikhdoms formed the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The
seventh sheikhdom, Ras al Khaymah, joined the UAE in 1972.