United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates, or UAE, is a country in the Middle East on the Persian Gulf. It is made up of seven small states called emirates. The UAE has gone from a desert land to a place of record-breaking skyscrapers and luxury in just a few decades.

Land and People

About 10 million people live in the UAE. The capital is Abu Dhabi, but Dubai is the most famous city. The country is mostly flat desert with a coast along the Persian Gulf. Summers are extremely hot.

Old clay pitcher found at an ancient desert site.
Old clay pitcher found at an ancient desert site. (Ángel M. Felicísimo from Mérida, España / Wikimedia Commons)

Culture and Fun Facts

Dubai has the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa, at 2,717 feet. There is an indoor ski slope in the desert! People eat shawarma, hummus, and dates. The UAE was once known for pearl diving and fishing before oil was discovered.

Fun Facts

  • The Burj Khalifa in Dubai is the tallest building in the world.
  • Dubai has an indoor ski slope with real snow in the middle of the desert.
  • The UAE's population has grown from about 86,000 in 1960 to over 10 million today.

Did You Know?

The Burj Khalifa in Dubai is so tall that if you stand at the top, you can see the sun set, take an elevator down, and watch the sun set again from the bottom. The building is over half a mile tall with 163 floors.