UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

an independent federation in E Arabia, formed in 1971, now comprising seven emirates on the S coast ( formerly, Pirate Coast or Trucial Coast) of the Persian Gulf, formerly under British protection: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Qaiwain, Ras al-Khaimah (joined 1972), and Fujairah. 2,262,309; ab. 32,300 sq. mi. (83,657 sq. km). Cap.: Abu Dhabi. Abbr.: U.A.E. Formerly, Trucial Oman, Trucial Sheikdoms, Trucial States .