President, ruler of Abu Dhabi: Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed
Population
1,386,914
5,314,317
Life Expectancy
49.420 years
76.710 years
Capital City
Mbabane
Abu Dhabi
Largest city
Manzini (population: 110,537)
Dubai (population: 1,137,350)
Human Development Index
0.542
0.903
GDP per capita
$5,400 US
$48,800 US
Literacy Rate
81.6%
77.9%
Corruption Perception Index
3.6
5.9
Percentage of Women in Parliament
0%
22.5%
Wealthiest Citizens
NA
Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair & family ($7.8bn US)
Unemployment Rate
40.000%
2.400%
Death Penalty
Abolished in practice
Legal
Political System
monarchy
federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE federal government and other powers reserved to member emirates
Independence date
6 September 1968 (from UK)
2 December 1971 (from UK)
Religions
Zionist 40% (a blend of Christianity and indigenous ancestral worship), Roman Catholic 20%, Muslim 10%, other (includes Anglican, Bahai, Methodist, Mormon, Jewish) 30%
Muslim 96% (Shia 16%), other (includes Christian, Hindu) 4%
Languages
English (official, government business conducted in English), siSwati (official)
Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu
Exports
soft drink concentrates, sugar, wood pulp, cotton yarn, refrigerators, citrus and canned fruit
emalangeni per US dollar - 7.75 (2008 est.), 7.4 (2007), 6.85 (2006), 6.3593 (2005), 6.4597 (2004)
Emirati dirhams (AED) per US dollar - 3.673 (2008 est.), 3.673 (2007), 3.673 (2006), 3.6725 (2005), 3.6725 (2004) note: officially pegged to the US dollar since February 2002
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
4.700%
3.100%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
Location
Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa
Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia
