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History United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates

Our expert United Arab Emirates

Rooksana Hossenally Section editor

Travel is my driving force in life, and although I have had the privilege of visiting 30 countries so far, my heart will always remain in India...

map of United Arab Emirates

map of United Arab Emirates

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United Arab Emirates : Discover the country's history

 Historical dates

632: After the victory of Dibba in the Sharjah Emirate, Islam becomes the regional religion.
1761: The city of Abu Dhabi is founded by the al-Bou Falasahs Bedouins, of the al-Nahyan tribe.
1835: A truce is signed between the sheikhs of the ?Pirate Coast' and the United Kingdom.
1930: Pearl fishing, the main source of income of the UAE collapses in the face of Japanese pearl cultures.
1957: The first oil fields are discovered at sea, close to Abu Dhabi, and a year later on land.
1971: The British leave the Persian Gulf, enabling, on the 2nd December of the same year, the official creation of the United Arab Emirates as one country.
1981: The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (CCASG) comprises Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar, that is to say 44% of the world oil reserves. A common defence and an economic integration of those countries in a free-trade zone is advocated.
2001: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan is re-elected for the seventh time.
2003: Dubai finishes the construction of an artificial island in the shape of a palm tree that adds 74 miles to the Emirate beaches.
2004: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan dies, and his son, sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, takes his place as president of the Emirates.