Burj Khalifa in Dubai
United Arab Emirates, or UAE, is one country made out of seven small city-states. The capital, Abu Dhabi, is the largest by far, comprising 87% of the country, and has much more oil than the other emirates. Dubai is perhaps the best example of creative, fanciful building projects. From the uniquely designed skyscrapers, including the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, to the malls with 2-story aquariums (Dubai Mall) and ski lifts (Mall of the Emirates), to the creation of entire neighborhoods out of land that was once underwater (Palm Jumeirah and The World), Dubai is definitely something to behold.
The other five emirates are not quite as ambitious. Sharjah, the next largest, also has its share of towers, but at a more reasonable cost of living. It is also the most conservative emirate and the only one where no alcohol is sold anywhere. Ajman is the smallest emirate; Umm al-Quwain is the least populous with mostly desert; Ras al-Khaimah has the most varied landscape with desert, mountains, beaches, and fertile agricultural land; and Fujairah, the only emirate on the east coast separated from all the others near the border of Oman, is mostly mountains.
Abu Dhabi Photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8dkz0axrcfc31ea/HjFxvXfgEM
Dubai Photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ol5z0qe9iep0xkg/d4zTy6nnrs
Sharjah Photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/9tv0v5tvp35xqit/bfeoHVBZHm
Ajman, Umm al-Quwain, and Ras al-Khaimah Photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/uu7zq0u0pfwbmg9/7BP6hEK4TJ
Fujairah Photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/vt32o02ieis9p8k/Rhb5mOt2wW
Has all this oil wealth been distributed throughout all levels of society or has only the 1% of the population really benefited? Was there much visible poverty or is everyone living the American middle class dream?
The oil wealth is for the natives of the emirates (not the guest workers from other countries). But, yes, in that sense it is distributed–free education, low-cost housing, lots of benefits from the government. It is a great life there if you’re a native.