The seven
Seven emirates, one federation
Six emirates federated on 2 December 1971 and Ras Al Khaimah joined on 10 February 1972. Compare them side by side, then open any one for its guide.
01أبوظبيAbu Dhabi
The Capital Emirate
67,340 km²≈ 3.8 million
02دبيDubai
The City of the Future
4,114 km²≈ 3.9 million
03الشارقةSharjah
The Cultural Capital
2,590 km²≈ 1.9 million
04عجمانAjman
The Compact Coastal Gem
259 km²≈ 550,000
05أم القيوينUmm Al Quwain
The Quiet Lagoon Emirate
777 km²≈ 90,000
06رأس الخيمةRas Al Khaimah
The Adventure Emirate
1,684 km²≈ 400,000
07الفجيرةFujairah
The East-Coast Escape
1,165 km²≈ 290,000Side by side
Compare the emirates
Select any column heading to sort. Areas are official figures; population figures are rounded estimates.
| Emirate | Capital | Area km² | Population | Coastline | Joined the union | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi City (also Al Ain & Al Dhafra regions) | 67,340 | ≈ 3.8 million | Arabian Gulf | 2 December 1971 | Open → |
| Dubai | Dubai City | 4,114 | ≈ 3.9 million | Arabian Gulf | 2 December 1971 | Open → |
| Sharjah | Sharjah City (with Khor Fakkan, Kalba & Dibba Al Hisn on the east coast) | 2,590 | ≈ 1.9 million | Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman | 2 December 1971 | Open → |
| Ras Al Khaimah | Ras Al Khaimah City | 1,684 | ≈ 400,000 | Arabian Gulf | 10 February 1972 | Open → |
| Fujairah | Fujairah City (with Dibba Al Fujairah in the north) | 1,165 | ≈ 290,000 | Gulf of Oman | 2 December 1971 | Open → |
| Umm Al Quwain | Umm Al Quwain City | 777 | ≈ 90,000 | Arabian Gulf | 2 December 1971 | Open → |
| Ajman | Ajman City (exclaves: Manama & Masfout) | 259 | ≈ 550,000 | Arabian Gulf | 2 December 1971 | Open → |
017emirates in the federation
0283,600km² of land, from the Gulf to the Hajar mountains
03200+nationalities call the UAE home
041971the union was founded, on 2 December
Six emirates federated on 2 December 1971. Ras Al Khaimah joined on 10 February 1972, completing the union.