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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of seven independent emirates:
Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, and Al Fujairah.
The UAE has a total geographical area of 83,600 sq km (including an archipelago
with an area around 5900 sq km). Abu Dhabi is the largest emirate of the UAE covering
an area of about 67,340 sq km, while Ajman is the smallest emirate with an area
of just 259 sq km.
The country is located in the southern corner of the Arabian Peninsula between
latitudes 22°-26.5°N and longitudes 51°-56.5°E. The UAE is bordered
by the Persian Gulf to the north, Saudi Arabia to the south and west, Qatar
to the northwest, and Oman and the Gulf of Oman to the east. The UAE has a total
of 700 km coastline of which 100 km are on the Gulf of Oman, connecting the
country to the Arabian Sea. Most of the coast consists of sabhka, or salt marshes
that extend far inland. Dubai has the largest natural harbor in the region.
The unique and varied topography is one of the important geographical features
of the UAE. The country has a primarily desert landscape with vast sand dunes,
oases, and wadis (dry river bed). There are about 200 offshore islands all along
the Persian Gulf Coast, in addition to beautiful coral reefs and extensive salt
marshes. Some of the world's largest sand dunes are located east of Aradah in
the oases of Al-Liwa, including Al Ain about 100 miles east of Abu Dhabi. In
the northern part of the country, the Al Hazar Mountains rises up to 2,000 meters
in some places.
The UAE has an arid subtropical climate with year-round sunny days, and infrequent
and low rainfall. The climate is hot and humid along the coast, and hot and
dry in the interiors. Summers (June to September) are hot and humid, with temperatures
touching 48°C (118°F) and humidity soaring to 80-90%. Dust laden sandstorms
locally known as 'shamal' regularly hit the coast in midwinter and early summer.
Winter months (November to April) are mild and pleasant, with temperatures averaging
at 25°C (77°F) and humidity is lower. Rainfall is infrequent and low
with most precipitation occurring in winter months of December and January.
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