United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates is sometimes abbreviated as the Emirates. It is a federation consisting of seven constituent emirates, together forming a constitutional monarchy. Each emirate has its own ruler, the emir, from whose center the president of all emirates is elected. The capital is Abu Dhabi, but the most populous city is Dubai. In 2020, the total population of the country was 9.89 million, of which only 1.4 million are citizens, the rest are immigrants without citizenship.
Emirates - Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Ras al-Khaimah, Umm al-Quwain and Sharjah. Each of the emirates has a capital of the same name.
Visa - with a valid passport, travelers can stay in the country without a visa for up to 90 days. Exceeding the deadline is subject to a fine of 50 AED/day. However, this does not apply to trips for the purpose of earning money. After the end of the stay, the passport must be valid for another 6 months. The import of pork products, pornographic or erotic materials (e.g. videos, books and magazines) and materials that could be considered aids for the propagation of a religion other than Islam is prohibited. It is possible to import duty-free cigarettes worth up to 2000 AED/400 pcs, cigars worth up to 3000 AED, 2 kg of tobacco, 4 liters of alcohol/24 cans of beer (non-Muslims only and only by air), and gifts, including perfumes, worth up to 3000 AED. When entering the country through Dubai Airport, you can import 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 500g of tobacco, 4 litres of alcohol or 2x24 cans of beer and gifts worth up to AED 3,000 duty-free. The import of alcohol is completely prohibited into the Emirate of Sharjah. Narcotics are completely prohibited.
Covid - no vaccination is mandatory, only wearing masks in hospital areas. Language - the official language is Arabic, but you can communicate in complete simplicity in English for beginners, the labels are also in English on all important signs.
Religion - the national religion is Islam. Only immigrants, mainly from the Philippines, practice Christianity. There is only 1 synagogue in the entire territory.
State symbol and flag - the national emblem of the UAE consists of a golden falcon (with white armor and two rows of wings), standing on a red panel with the white name of the state. On its chest it has a circular emblem with the image of the UAE flag (the red stripe is heraldically on the right). The individual stripes of the flag are not straight, but in an arc, so they give a plastic impression, in addition, the individual fields of the flag have reflections. The field is bordered by a white or silver annulus, on the outer edge of which seven white stars are placed. The UAE flag is a 1:2 sheet with three horizontal stripes of green, white, and black. At the flagpole is a vertical stripe of red (its width is equal to a quarter of the flag's length).
Currency - The Emirati dirham is equivalent to approximately 5.85 CZK, over the years the exchange rate has varied from 5 to 7 CZK per dirham. 1 AED is divided into 100 fils. Coins are minted in denominations of 5, 10, 25, 50 fils and 1 dirham. Banknotes are issued in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 dirhams. The original paper banknotes will be exchanged for polymers from 2022. There is even a transparent window.
Transport - the main road is the eight- to twelve-lane Sheikh Zayed Road, which runs through the entire United Arab Emirates.
Industry and economy - until the mid-19th century, pearl fishing, fishing and the spice trade were the main sources of livelihood here. The economy changed after the first oil company was established in Abu Dhabi around 1930. Oil exports began in 1962. Thanks to oil exports, a new era of massive construction of buildings and an overall improvement in the standard of living began. Now the country's economy is based on 85% of the extraction and processing of oil and natural gas. Agriculture is negligible. About 0.5% of the area is cultivated, either in oases or in areas with artificial irrigation. The main crop is the date palm, 80% of food and consumer goods must be imported. Tourism accounts for a large share of the annual turnover. The United Arab Emirates also has the Baraka nuclear power plant since 2020. It is the first nuclear power plant in the entire Arab world built together with the South Koreans.
Discrimination and modern slavery - the country is criticized for its approach to women, sexual minorities and foreign workers, who have no rights, often having their documents taken away upon arrival in the country.
Pork - Muslims do not eat pork, if you find a place with it somewhere, it is not Arabic, as even the preparation is prohibited.
