Embassy of the United Arab Emirates - Gallery
move left
move right
slide left
slide right
Historic UAE
The UAE’s rich history is rooted in trade and tied to Islam, which came to the region in AD 630. For centuries, the region was home to small fishing towns and a nomadic Bedouin people. Eventually, its location between Europe and the Far East attracted merchants from India and China and was prized by Europeans. And over time, cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai became large trading hubs. In the 19th and early 20th century many inhabitants were semi-nomadic, pearling in the summer and tending date gardens in the winter for trade. Today, the seven Emirates have forged a distinct national identity combining the traditional with the modern.
The Corniche, 1954
The Corniche is a four-mile strip of land along the Northwest coast of Abu Dhabi. In 1954 the Corniche was a busy shipping port.
The Corniche, 2008
Today the Corniche is a main thoroughfare and tourist attraction. Lined with gardens and fountains, office buildings stand on one side and sandy beaches dot the other.
Trucial Coast
This is an aerial view of Abu Dhabi, Trucial Coast in 1955. In just over 50 years Abu Dhabi has developed into an international city.
A New Federation
The UAE was founded in 1971 with six Emirates. Here, the rulers of each Emirate welcome Ra’s al-Khaimah into the Federation in 1972.
International Relations
HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder and President of the UAE with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain in 1989. The relationship between Great Britain and the UAE stretches back to 1820.
Tradition
HH Sheikh Zayed leads a group in a traditional celebratory dance.
Historic UAE >
Image of