Countries

United Arab Emirates

The capital is Abu Dhabi, not Dubai: a common mix-up, since Dubai's skyline is the more famous one. The United Arab Emirates formed in 1971 as a federation of seven emirates, turning oil wealth into one of the world's great trade and finance hubs within a generation.

The Burj Khalifa and Dubai skyline, the tallest building in the world

The Burj Khalifa, Dubai

Photo: Tim Reckmann, CC BY 2.0

Adopted in 1971 upon federation, using the pan-Arab colors (red, green, white, black) shared with several other Arab states, arranged to distinguish the UAE from its neighbors.

How it has changed

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