United Arab Emirates

How could you not like a country that hosts an international shopping festival every spring? Yes, every spring! Held in the coastal city of Dubai, the Dubai Shopping Festival is a month+-long extravaganza of price discounts, promotions, shows, and raffles.

Formerly under British rule, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was once known as the Trucial States. Indeed, the UAE is a very young country and was formed in the early 1970s by the union of the emirates of Abu Dhabi (the largest and richest emirate, which accounts for approximately 87% of the country), Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Qaiwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah.

Like most of its Middle Eastern neighbors, the majority of the UAE's money comes from oil and natural gas, though, more recently, tourism has begun to flourish. The UAE is a mix of ancient Bedouin culture and tradition and the modern world: camel riding and sports cars; traditional dhow fishing boats alongside motorboats; desert hiking and ice skating; haggling in the souk (market) and arguing over golf strokes.

Abu Dhabi is both the name of an emirate and the name of the UAE's capital city within that emirate. In the last 30 to 40 years, this former fishing village, which is located on an island, has become a glistening, modern city and the center of UAE government and business. Its corniche is now popular for strolling, jogging, cycling, and inline skating.

Dubai is also the name of an emirate and the major city within its namesake. The emirate of Dubai is located about 100 miles (160 kilometers) northeast along the coast from the emirate of Abu Dhabi. Like the city of Abu Dhabi, the city of Dubai was once a small fishing village. That identity is a thing of the past. Dubai is now a modern, cosmopolitan city of skyscrapers, hotels, malls, and beaches. The city is the host for many international sporting tournaments (especially golf and rugby) and for the aforementioned shopping festival!

Al-Ain is located along the border of Oman, in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, and is very historically interesting. The oasis in which Al-Ain is located has been inhabited for approximately 4,500 years, and its former strategic importance is seen in the fact that the city contains the remains of 18 fortresses. Al-Ain is also attractive because it is less humid than the coastal cities.

The UAE welcomes and encourages tourists to visit its cities, beaches, oases, and shops. The UAE even has bars for non-Muslim visitors and expatriate workers. Like its neighbor, Saudi Arabia, the UAE has a very large population of expatriate workers. Of the approximately 3,341,900 people in the country, it is estimated that 1.6 million are foreigner workers.

The UAE has much more to offer than desert – but surfing the dunes is really enjoyable, too! And for the truly adventurous, leave the camel at the souk and try a 21-hour, 323 mile (520 kilometer) cycling trip from Muscat, Oman, to Abu Dhabi, UAE, like orthopedic surgeon Dr. Chris Whately and friends did in spring 2002. (Read Letter From Abu Dhabi: Chris & Per's Excellent Adventure to learn more.)

See our 16 Jobs in United Arab Emirates