Why Is The UAE Called "United"? The Interesting Story Behind the 7 Emirates

Have you ever wondered why the United Arab Emirates is called "United"? It's a simple question, but the answer reveals an interesting story of geography, history, and tribal politics. In Bengali, the country is called (United Arab Emirates) The name isn't just a label; it reflects that this country isn't a single entity. It's a union of seven separate emirates, each with its own history, ruler, and identity.

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Photo Credit: Gemini AI

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What Is an Emirate?

Before we dive into the story, let's understand what an emirate is. An emirate is a territory governed by an emir (ruler). Think of it like a small kingdom or a semi-autonomous region. The UAE has seven such emirates, each with its own ruler. These rulers handle local affairs like municipal services, police, and land distribution in their own territories. But they also come together to form the Federal Supreme Council, which governs the country as a whole. This council handles national and international affairs.

The seven emirates are:

1. Abu Dhabi
2. Dubai
3. Sharjah
4. Ras Al Khaimah
5. Fujairah
6. Umm Al Quwain
7. Ajman

1. The "Big Brother" of Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is often called the "big brother" of the UAE. Why? Because it covers about 87% of the country's total land area. It also has the largest oil and gas reserves. This makes Abu Dhabi the wealthiest emirate. But its importance doesn't stop there. Abu Dhabi is also the capital of the UAE, and its ruler serves as the President of the country. At the time of writing this post, the current President is Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

2. Dubai :: The Business Hub

Dubai is the second most famous emirate, but it's actually smaller than Abu Dhabi in both size and oil reserves. So how did Dubai become so successful? The answer is trade and business. Dubai is a global hub for international trade and finance. It's home to the Jebel Ali Port, the largest container port in the Middle East. The Jebel Ali Free Zone hosts thousands of international companies, offering tax-free business opportunities. And of course, who can forget the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world? Dubai has also built the Palm Islands, artificial islands shaped like palm trees. Tourism has become a massive industry for Dubai.

3. The Cultural Capital :: Sharjah

Sharjah is known as the cultural capital of the Middle East. The UAE's education system relies heavily on Sharjah. The emirate is also famous for its museums and cultural institutions. If you love history and art, Sharjah is the place to visit.

4. The "Rebel" Emirate :: Ras Al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah has a unique story. When the UAE was being formed in 1971, Ras Al Khaimah initially refused to join. It only joined the union a few months later, on February 10, 1972. This is why some people jokingly call it the "Rebel Emirate." Ras Al Khaimah is also home to Jebel Jais, the highest mountain in the UAE.

5. Fujairah :: The Strategic Port

Fujairah is strategically located before the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipping. This location makes it an important hub for international shipping and refueling. Countries around the Persian Gulf often worry about Iran's influence over the Strait of Hormuz, but Fujairah's position outside the strait gives the UAE some relief.

6. Umm Al Quwain :: The Green Escape

Umm Al Quwain is famous for its mangrove forests. It's hard to imagine lush greenery in the Middle East, but Umm Al Quwain's coastal location supports these unique ecosystems. It's a peaceful emirate with a strong connection to nature.

7. Ajman: Small but Mighty

Ajman is the smallest emirate by area, but it punches above its weight. It's known for manufacturing and shipbuilding. Despite its size, Ajman plays an important role in the UAE's economy.

The Strange Borders :: Enclaves and Exclaves

If you look at a map of the UAE, you'll notice something odd. The emirates aren't neatly packed together. There are enclaves (a territory inside another territory) and exclaves (a territory separated from its main region). For example, the Madha enclave is a small piece of Oman inside the UAE. And inside Madha, there's a tiny piece of the UAE called Nahwa. It's like a nesting doll of territories.

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How Did The UAE Come Together?

The story of how the UAE was formed is rooted in British colonial history. In the 1800s, Britain's ships traveled through the Persian Gulf on their way to India, which was the crown jewel of the British Empire. The emirates had their own navies and patrolled the same waters. Conflict was inevitable. Britain launched military campaigns in 1809 and 1819, defeating the emirates and destroying their fleets. The British then forced the emirates to sign a series of agreements, culminating in the Exclusive Agreement of 1892. This agreement gave Britain control over the emirates' foreign affairs and defense in exchange for protection.

This arrangement lasted for decades. But in 1971, Britain withdrew from the region. On December 2, 1971, six emirates came together to form the United Arab Emirates. Ras Al Khaimah joined a few months later.

Interestingly, Bahrain and Qatar were also supposed to join the UAE. But negotiations fell through, and they became independent countries instead. If they had joined, the UAE would have been a nine-emirate union.

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