United Arab Emirates

At a Glance

The United Arab Emirates is a federation of Gulf states where the ancient desert culture of the Arabian Peninsula coexists with some of the most ambitious modern architecture and infrastructure on earth, most dramatically in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The country is a global crossroads, and the cultural experience reflects this, with a Bedouin hospitality tradition sitting alongside extraordinary museums, food markets, and desert landscapes. Those who engage beyond the malls and skyscrapers will find a more nuanced culture worth discovering.

• 90% of residents are foreign nationals — citizens are a minority in their own country.
• Internet speeds rank among the world's top 5.
• Went from no paved roads to a space programme in 50 years.