UAE history The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of seven states.

The Federation was formed in 1971 by the then Trucial States. The formation of a new state had a place after the Trucial Stat got their independence from Britain. Since then, the state started to develop in a very speedy way what finally resulted into states further growth from a quiet port to one of the Middle East's most important economic centers. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is composed of the following states: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al Qaiwain. Each state maintains a large degree of independence. Each state of this region is very developed. However, situation in the country was not always like this. Before the discovery of oil in the 1950s the UAE's economy developed in a very slow way. Mostly, the state got its profits from fishing and a declining pearling industry. Major changes had a place since 1962 when Abu Dhabi became of the biggest exporters of oil. Oil export launched the beginning of a through transformation of the region. Both country's society and economy have been transformed. HISTORY & TRADITIONS The UAE has a long history. This history stretches back over 100,000 years. It was the time when people were using stone tools and had little means to govern their state. Historical data prove that ancient people lived on the territory of Emirates starting from the Neolithic period. It was about 5500 BC or 7500 years ago. It was the time when the climate was wet and people had abundant food resources at their disposal. Historical research indentified that people who lived on the territory of The UAE actively interacted with the outside world. There is a proof that these group of people actively cooperated with the north. With time, these contacts persisted and became wide-ranging finally leading southern people to trade with northern counterparts. Historians state that the contacts between these two groups resulted in copper trade. The trading center was the area surrounding Hajar Mountains. With time the climate has changed, and became more arid and fortified. These changed also brought changed into the life of oasis communities who became more focused on the development of local agriculture. Foreign trade became a recurring motive in the history of this strategic region. There are some proofs that trade have flourished also in later periods. Trade development was mostly facilitated by domestication of the camel. The domestication had a place at the end of the second millennium.

Irrigation techniques also became more sophisticated. In fact, the development of new irrigation techniques slowly led to a very speedy development of agriculture. For example, the discovery of new irrigation techniques called falaj irrigation made possible to water some of very dry regions. This fact resulted in an explosion of settlement in the region. Trade was conducted by means of caravan groups. By the first century AD overland caravan traffic between Syria and cities in southern Iraq became very strong. The same thing could be told about seaborne travel that also became a very important part of trading. The alternative way was the way to India. Ocean voyage to India was an alternative to the Red Sea route used by the Romans. Pearls trade is one more feature of this region. This kind of trade had been exploited in the area for millennia. During this period of time trade has reached new heights of development. Seafaring became a mainstay of local economy. The first major fairs were held at Dibba. Due to these fairs a big amount of merchants from all over the world came to the present territory of UAE. The arrival of envoys from the Prophet Muhammad in 630 AD heralded new changes in the region. A major change was a religious one. This change was associated with the conversion of the region to Islam with Dibba. Conversion of the region to Islam also symbolized the begging of rivalry with Iran who was the main competitor of Islamic states in trade. By 637 AD Islamic armies were using Julfar (Ras al-Khaimah). This place was used as a staging post for the conquest of Iran. Over many centuries, Julfar became a wealthy port and pearling centre. It is from that place great wooden dhows floated far and wide across the Indian Ocean. The 1900s was the time when the Middle East went through tremendous turmoil. To some extent, economic turmoil halted a further successful development of the region. The main problem of the region was the fight for political power rather than economic one. Fight for political power covered such states as Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Egypt and Kuwait. For a long time economies of these region remained stagnant. Political tension in the region was soon followed by the Arab-Israel War in 1943, the Lebanese Civil War in 1975, the Libya-Egypt conflict in 1977. The final point was the Gulf War in 1990. This war resulted in devastating human losses and a further stagnation of local economies. (Middle East)

The United Arab Emirates was one of the few economies which have managed to conduct a successful transition from a developing region to a regional economic miracle. The success was achieved by shifting the government's political focus to an economical one. This transition started from investments in education, workers, real estate, and tourism sectors. The investment in sustainable growth rather than political stability launched a new period in UAE's development. The main steroid of this development was UAE's oil. At present, Dubai tries to change its focus from being an oil exporter to becoming a leading hub in commerce, tourism and trading. (Abu Dhabi History www.uaeinteract.com/uaehistory)

Some Facts about UAE c. 5500 BC - first evidence proving that the territory of UAE was initially inhabited by people. 55003000 BC - Occupation by skilled groups of herders. This group of people mainly used stone tools. The phenomenon was called Arabian bifacial tradition 30002500 BC Hafit period this era was marked by the presence of collective burials. It was mentioned that the first collective burial places were found on the territory of Jebel Hafit in the interior of Abu Dhabi. 25002000 BC Umm al-Nar period it was the time when the first first oasis towns appeared in the region. The list includes Hili, Tell Abraq, Bidiya, Kalba. 2000l300 BC Wadi Suq period and Late Bronze Age during this time the territory mainly developed as a rueral area. 1300300 BC Iron Age introduction of new irrigation technology.

References: Abu Dhabi Islands Archaeological Survey www.adias-uae.com Abu Dhabi History www.uaeinteract.com/uaehistory United Arab Emirates profile. Retreaved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east14703998. 15 June 2012 Last updated at 09:43 GMT