1. General Situation

Few countries have undergone the dramatic changes experienced by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the last quarter of the 20th century. Located between Saudi Arabia and Oman on the northeast part of the Arabian Peninsula, its seven constituent emirates (Arab. emir, “prince”), or states, are Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain. They have undergone remarkable economic and social development, being transformed from a populatio…