Saturday 2nd December will mark the 46th National Day of the United Arab Emirates and the whole country will come alive with celebrations from citizens, residents and visitors alike. The date marks the anniversary of the federal unification of the seven emirates that would form this modern metropolis under the leadership of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the federation’s first President. As we all get ready to celebrate this grand occasion, most likely with lots of fireworks, colors and food(!), we wanted to give you a little treat and run down some of the more unusual facts about the UAE. Some you might know, some you might not and some might even surprise you, but not matter what, they showcase some of the very best qualities of the scrappy and inspiring UAE.
- The Dubai police fleet includes a Lamborghini, Ferrari and Bentley. This is to allow them to catch speeders who can outrun other cars
- People living over the 80th floor of Dubai’s tallest building in the world have to wait 2 extra minutes before breaking their fast during the holy month of Ramadan because they will be able to see the sun longer than those on the ground
- The Persian Gulf used to be known as the Pirate Coast. Until 1853, tribes would raid trade ships from India. Those tribes actually gave rise to some of the wealthiest families in the Middle East.
- On a clear day the Burj Khalifa (the world’s tallest building) can be seen from 95km away.
- The United Arab Emirates donated a laptop to every high school student in Joplin, Missouri, after the city had been devastated by a tornado
- The iconic Chrysler Building in Manhattan is owned almost entirely by the Emirate of Abu Dhabi
- 25% of the world’s operational cranes are located in Dubai
- Love Scotland? The Dubai Police have their own band of Emirati pipers (and they aren’t bad!)
- Dubai produces an average of 50,000 barrels of oil per day, that’s enough to fill 4.5 Olympic swimming pools!
- The Shiekh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi houses the world’s largest carpet, which was made in Iran. (It also has the world’s third largest chandelier)
- In 2013 40% of all gold traded in the world occurred in Dubai. It equated to 2,250 tons of gold, which would weigh more than 354 elephants.
- In the early 20th Century there were 300 pearl diving dhows based in the Dubai Creek. They housed over 7,000 sailors who would make an average of 50 ten metre dives a day, which would take around 14 hours.
- The UAE currently holds around 150 world records. So many in fact that it has its own Guinness World Records office right here at home.
- Terminal 3 of Dubai Airport is actually the largest airport terminal in the world. Inside you can explore a 5 star hotel, pick up an iPad at the Apple Store, take a dip in a swimming pool, sneak off for a nap in a snoozecube or mediate good thoughts about your flight in one of its TWO zen gardens!
- The last surviving Ruler to have signed the UAE founding treaty was Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi of Ras Al Khaimah who died in 2010.
- On Sir Bani Yas Island, just west of Abu Dhabi, is a Church that dates back to the 5th Century
- In 1998, Sharjah’s Heritage District was crowned the Cultural Capital of the Arab World. It contains 17 museums.
- 8 million year old crocodile skull fragments where once found in a fossil excavation in the UAE
- In 1968 only 13 cars were registered in Dubai – now it is well over 1.13 million.
- An eye-watering 1,790 sq-mt of 24-carat gold leaf cover the interior of the Burj Al Arab.
- The Capital Gate in Abu Dhabi is the world’s most inclined building (it leans 4 times further than the Leaning Tower of Pisa)
- The UAE has one of the highest representations of women in parliament in the world
- Since records began, there are 2 recordings of snowfall in Ras Al Khaimah
We hoped you enjoyed our list! Did we miss anything? We also hope you have a fantastic National Day of the United Arab Emirates this year and don’t forget if you are looking for the perfect gifts to send to family or take to events, check out our exclusive range right here.
