UAE map

Facts and Figures

Official Name United Arab Emirates

Population 2,563,200

Population & Density (all countries) here

Capital City Abu Dhabi (528,000)

Currency Emirati Dirham (AED)

Currency Converter here

Languages Arabic (official), English, others

National Day December 2
Religions Muslim (96%), others

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NatGeo goes in Arabic

National Geographic Channel (NGC) will now be free-to-air following a strategic alliance, making it the first international factual entertainment channel to be launched in Arabic language. The newly-formed National Geographic Channel Abu Dhabi, which will be dubbed into Arabic, is a result of the channel's alliance with Abu Dhabi Media Company.

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UAE money

Currency

UAE Dirham (AED) = 100 fils. Notes are in denominations of AED1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of AED1, and 50, 25, 10 and 5 fils (10 and 5 fils coins are rarely used).

The Dirham is tied to the US Dollar.

Currency Exchange

Most hotels will handle the exchange of foreign currency.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted.

Traveller's Cheques

These are widely accepted. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.

Banking Hours

Sat-Wed 0800-1300, Thurs 0800-1200. Some also open Sat-Wed 1630-1830.

Exchange Rate Indicators

Date Apr 09

£1.00= AED5.48

$1.00= AED3.67

                                                       €1.00= AED4.88

UAE attractions

As time goes on, UAE attractions keep growing in number and size. Though there are many natural UAE attractions found throughout the country there are also an amazing number of man-made attractions that have drawn a lot of attention to the region.

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