The seven Emirates were known in the past as the “Pirate Coast” (with reference to the widespread activities of the coastal populations) and also as the Trucial States (in reference to a truce made in 1853 between the United Kingdom and the Emirates in an attempt to repress piracy and control trade with the Indian sub-continent). In 1892 they became a British protectorate. After various attempts at unification, they became independent on 2 December 1971.
According to the 1971 Constitution, amended several times, the state is a federation of absolute hereditary monarchies. The highest federal authority is the Federal Supreme Council (formed by seven Emirs, each one of which is the absolute ruler of his Emirate) which elects the President from among its members (traditionally the Emir of Abu Dhabi). The President then appoints the Prime Minister (traditionally the Emir of Dubai) and the Council of Ministers, which acts as a consultative body for the Federal National Council of 40 members (of which only 20 are elected by limited suffrage). There are no political parties. The Union Defence Force and the armed Forces of the seven Emirates have been formally merged since 1976. However, Abu Dhabi and Dubai have retained a certain amount of autonomy. Military service is voluntary. The country is active militarily or through financial support in many crisis areas of the region. In Abu Dhabi, a French military base has been present since 2009. The legal system is based on Islamic Law (sharia).

Population by age and gender (% - 2017)
	75+ 60-74 45-59 30-44 15-29 0-14
MALE	AGE	FEMALE

Population growth is significant. Large numbers of foreign workers mean that males are in the majority in terms of the total population.

Farming is practised in the oases. The Buraimi Oasis (between the Abu Dhabi Emirate and the Sultanate of Oman) is particularly important; the main crops are dates, tomatoes and other vegetables. The breeding of camels, goats and poultry is widespread.
The country has vast reserves of hydrocarbons. The main deposits are on the coast at Murban and Bū Ḥaşā, and are connected by an oil pipeline to Jebel Dhanna. The submarine oilfields of Umm Shaif and Zakum are connected by an oil pipeline to Das Island; there are other offshore fields at Fateh, Satah, Abu al-Bakhush, Umm al-Dalkh and Abu Musa. Natural gas fields are located at Hail and Shuwaihāt; there is a liquefaction plant on Das Island. The main industries are oil-refining (at Fujayrah, Hamriyah, Jebel Ali, Ruwais and Umm al-Nār), chemicals (in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah), metalworking and engineering.
Considerable investments have been made to increase water resources: in terms of the numerous desalination plants, the largest is in the harbour city of Jebel Ali. In order to reduce its dependence on the oil sector, part of the profits from the export of hydrocarbons is being invested in an ambitious plan to develop infrastructures. In Abu Dhabi, there is a solar power station with a concentration of 100 MW and 4 nuclear reactors are under construction.
The creation of free-trade zones has also made it possible to attract a significant amount of foreign capital. Dubai’s port system is highly advanced and is one of the world’s largest re-export centres. International tourism is also relevant in the Emirate of Sharjah, and in Dubai City, where urban development is moving rapidly. Dubai is consolidating its reputation as a centre of international finance.