Land area

83,600 sq km; 77,700 sq km excluding islands, of which 97% is desert

Population

5.6m (at end-2008; Economist Intelligence Unit estimate)

Member states

Percentage of population in each emirate (2008; Economist Intelligence Unit estimates)

Dubai: 34 Ajman: 5

Abu Dhabi: 33 Fujairah: 3

Sharjah: 19 Umm al-Qaiwain: 1

Ras al-Khaimah: 5

Capital

Abu Dhabi city

Climate

Coastal areas: home to the bulk of the population; very hot and humid in summer (May-October) with temperatures of up to 46°C and humidity of up to 100%; mild winter (December-March) with temperatures of between 14°C and 23°C. Interior: desert climate, with cool winter and hot arid summer. Average annual rainfall is 42 mm, but Ras al-Khaimah is more temperate, with 150 mm average annual rainfall

Language

Arabic; English is widely understood and Hindi and Urdu are common among immigrants

Measures

Metric and UK (imperial); local measures are also in use

Currency

UAE dirham (Dh) = 100 fils. The dirham is pegged to the US dollar at a rate of Dh3.67:US$1

Time

4 hours ahead of GMT

Public holidays

All Islamic holidays are observed in accordance with the lunar calendar, and so the following dates are approximate: Mawlid al-Nabi (the birthday of the Prophet, February 15th 2011); Eid al-Fitr (end of Ramadan, August 30th 2011); Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice, November 6th 2011); Al Hijra (Islamic New Year, November 26th 2011)

Fixed secular holidays include January 1st (New Year's Day); August 6th (Accession of Sheikh Zayed, the late ruler of Abu Dhabi-Abu Dhabi only); December 2nd (UAE National Day)