The UAE enjoys a strategic location at the southern approaches to the Strait of Hormuz, situated on the northeastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula.
It shares land borders with Saudi Arabia to the west and south, and with the Sultanate of Oman to the southeast. It also shares maritime boundaries with Qatar, Oman, and Iran.
The UAE was established in 1971 as a constitutional federation of seven emirates with a single national president.
While hydrocarbons formed the backbone of the UAE’s early economic development, the country is now relatively well-insulated from oil price volatility due to robust diversification, strong foreign reserves, and strategic overseas investments.
In addition to petroleum, the UAE has a thriving construction, manufacturing, logistics, tourism, financial services, and renewable energy sector. Its infrastructure is among the most advanced globally, with extensive highway networks, smart communications, and world-class airports and ports.
The UAE is also emerging as a global leader in clean energy and carbon management, with flagship initiatives such as Masdar, the Ghasha sour gas development, and a national hydrogen strategy driving its transition toward a sustainable future.