United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of seven independent states located in the southeastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula.  It is bordered by the Arabian Gulf to the north, Saudi Arabia to the south and west, and the Sultanate of Oman and the Gulf of Oman to the east.

Before the discovery of oil in the 1950s, the UAE was a group of emirates under the protection of the British. Oil facilitated a process of rapid growth and modernization to the area, and the emirates became independent as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 1971. Its seven member states are Abu Dhabi Ajman, Dubai, Fujeirah, Ras al Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al Quwain.

Dubai is the most well known of the UAE states for its huge and slightly bizzare developments.  The city of Abu Dhabi is the federal capital and the largest city in the Emirates. Abu Dhabi is becoming more well known and is not far behind Dubai with extensive infrastructure and developments opening from 2009. 

The UAE is a considered very safe and it is a great introduction to Arabia for westerners who still want their lifestyle regardless of where they are in the world.