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UAE history can be traced back to 6000 B.C. The area and the surrounding region were referred to as Arabian Peninsula. Islam arrived after the opening of Mecca, after which envoys from Prophet Mohammed arrived in the UAE in 630 A.D. and introduced Islam. The Islamic civilization grew in the Gulf region between 661-1258 as sea trade expanded in this region in South East Asia and West Africa coast.
 
Several European countries arrived in the Arabian Peninsula to seek control of the coasts. The Portuguese were amongst the first Europeans to arrive in 1498.  By 1515, they fought their way into the Indian Ocean and the Gulf and by 1560, they established a monopoly of the pepper and spice trade. In 1623, the Dutch began successful silk trade and by the 17th century became the dominant naval power in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf until 1750 when the British took control to maintain their links to India.
 
After the defeat of the Qawasims, the British signed a series of agreements from 1820 to 1853 with the sheikhs of the individual emirates to protect the waters in this area in exchange for none of the territories being offered to anyone but the British. As per these agreements, the sheikhs had to ensure peace at sea and refrain from building large ships and erecting fortifications along the coast. However, regular warfare at sea between Arab tribes was prevalent.
 
In 1968, the British declared their intention to withdraw from the Gulf by the end of 1971. Wow, that was a bad decision, which was based on the decline of the British pound and pressure to spend less on defense and their inability to invest in infrastructure (short sighted).
 
In 1966, the Ruler of Abu Dhabi, H. H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan underscored the importance of a united country and remarked. Rulers of Dubai and Abu Dhabi agreed to merge their respective emirates into a union to jointly conduct foreign affairs, build common defense, security and social services and adopt a common immigration policy. However, each emirate would retain responsibility for judicial and other internal affairs. After meeting with a total of 11 emirates they agreed to high level principles of independence and support and that a Supreme Council would be responsible for issuing the necessary federal laws and that it would be the supreme authority in deciding on issues of reference and shall take its decisions by a unanimous vote. Note: in August 1971, Bahrain declared its independence and Qatar followed in September.
 
In 1971 a provisional Constitution was adopted, and Abu Dhabi was approved as the provisional capital. Sheikh Zayed of Abu Dhabi was elected as the first President of the United Arab Emirates, while Sheikh Rashid of Dubai was elected Vice-President; to serve a five-year term. The national assembly, which was given the name of Federal National Council, was to comprise 34 members; 8 each from Abu Dhabi and Dubai, 6 from Sharjah and 4 each from the three smaller emirates of Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah (plus 6 to be allocated to Ras Al Khaimah, when they joined the following year). Decisions are made by a majority vote (but both Abu Dhabi and Dubai had to be part of the majority). The new UAE Government unified the armed forces in the mid-1970s.

The UAE is a constitutional federation. On December 2, 1971, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was declared as an independent, sovereign and federal state. The UAE comprises seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah (1972). The UAE has its own flag, coat of arms and national anthem and belongs to the UN Security Council. All UAE citizens carry the unified nationality of the United Arab Emirates, which is recognized internationally. Synergies that have made them successful are common language, religion, customs and traditions as well as complementing topography, resources and aspirations.
 
Nowadays, millions of people know the UAE as a country with many luxury hotels and a symbol of industrial progress. The UAE is 32,278 sq mi and has 10.2 Million people (Abu Dhabi is 1.6 million). They speak Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu. The Burj Khalifa, in Dubai, was completed in January 2010 and became the world's tallest building at 2,716 feet and 160 stories.

A mere 70 years ago it was a landscape of sand and mud-flat dotted in some parts with bushes and trees. The UAE population had depended on the sea and the results of pearl diving and fishing seasons and was a very underdeveloped country. Once oil was discovered in 1970 near the coast of Abu Dhabi improvements quickly happened in the 60’s with increased trade and tourism. As soon as Abu Dhabi discovered oil and began its production and exportation to achieve positive results and freedoms, thoughtful cooperation between seven emirates began. In 1966, Dubai was the emirate where oil was discovered. In 1969, oil export from Dubai was launched, and new trade relationships were developed in a short period of time due to the already defined prospects of the industry. In several years, many oil departments were opened through the UAE and then merged in the UAE Petroleum Ministry. All the emirates had access to oil. In the 21st century, the UAE continues increasing its oil reserves up to 98.7 billion barrels at the beginning of the 2000s

The UAE and US are close friends and strong allies. With shared interests and common values, the UAE and US work together to promote regional security, create economic prosperity and address pressing global challenges. From security and trade to climate action, healthcare, sports and the arts, together the UAE and the US are united for a better future. The UAE is a critical US ally, providing essential support for US troops, aircraft and naval vessels in the Middle East region. The UAE and the US work together to counter violent extremism and block the flow of funds and foreign fighters to terrorist groups.

The US’ $11.68 billion trade surplus with the UAE in 2020 was its fourth largest globally. UAE-US bilateral trade exceeded $17.8 billion in 2020, supporting over 88,000 jobs in the US, across sectors like aviation, health care and infrastructure. The UAE and the US share a future-oriented vision based on climate action, inclusion, gender equality, diversity, educational advancement and the promotion of arts and culture. Cultural, educational and medical exchanges between the UAE and the US are spurring innovation and inspiring creativity while connecting the people of both countries.Read more