Exact population: 2,602,713 (July 2006 est.)

Literacy: Total population: 77.9%; male: 76.1%; female: 81.7%

Ethnicities: Emirati 19%, other Arab and Iranian 23%, South Asian 50%, other expatriates (includes Westerners and East Asians) 8% (1982); note: less than 20% are UAE citizens (1982)

Area: Total: 82,880 sq km; land: 82,880 sq km; water: 0 sq km

Land boundaries: Total: 867 km; border countries: Oman 410 km, Saudi Arabia 457 km

Terrain: Flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert wasteland; mountains in east

Extremes: Lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m; highest point: Jabal Yibir 1,527 m

Imports: China 10%, India 9.8%, Japan 6.8%, Germany 6.5%, UK 6.2%, France 6.1%, US 6% (2004)

Exports: Japan 24.8%, South Korea 9.9%, India 5.4%, Thailand 5.2% (2004)

Industries: Petroleum, fishing, aluminum, cement, fertilizers, commercial ship repair, petrochemicals, construction materials, some boat building, handicrafts, textiles

Source: CIA World Factbook