United Arab Emirates: Introduction

United Arab Emirates is a country located in the Middle East bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf. Neighboring countries include Oman and Saudi Arabia. It has a strategic location along southern approaches to the Strait of Hormuz, a transit point for world crude oil. The geography of United Arab Emirates is rolling sand dunes of desert and mountains in the east. The government system is a federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE federal government and other powers reserved to member emirates; the chief of state is the president, and the head of government is the prime minister. United Arab Emirates has an open market economy in which the prices of goods and services are determined by a free price system. United Arab Emirates is a member of the League of Arab States (Arab League) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).