Learn more about the United Arab Emirates from these additional web resources.

Unlike Abu Dhabi, Dubai boasts no vast oil reserves or territory. The emirate's plans to diversify its economy and fashion itself into a global center for trade and tourism led to an unprecedented construction boom in the area.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a loose federation of seven states formed in 1971, following independence from Britain, each with its own ruler. Local Sheikhs retain considerable power over their own regions, including control over oil and gas reserves.