Government of United Arab Emirates
Long Conventional Name
United Arab Emirates
Short Conventional Name
none
Long Local Name
Al Imarat al Arabiyah al Muttahidah
Short Local Name
none
Government Type
Federation
Capital City
Abu Dhabi City
Administrative Divisions
7 emirates (imarat, singular - imarah); Abu Zaby (Abu Dhabi), 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah (Sharjah), Dubayy (Dubai), Ra's al Khaymah, Umm al Qaywayn (Quwayn).
Independence Day
Thursday, 2nd December 1971
Constitutional History
2 December 1971; made permanent in 1996.
Legal System
Based on a dual system of shari'a and civil courts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction.
Suffrage
None.
Executive Branch
Chief of State
Head of Government
Cabinet
Elections
Legislative Branch
Unicameral Federal National Council (FNC) or Majlis al-Ittihad al-Watani (40 seats; 20 members appointed by the rulers of the constituent states, 20 members elected to serve two-year terms).
Judical Branch
Union Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the President).
Flag Description
Three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and black with a wider vertical red band on the hoist side.
