History always has a
story to tell, that’s why I think it’s important to start at the beginning of
time for any country since history is the core that forms the present state.
With that being said, I wanted to explore the history of the UAE because the Federation
of the United Arab Emirates was formed only in December of 1971 (41 years old).
(Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid creating the UAE)
Each of the emirates has a ruler or ruling family, but the
oldest rulers or ruling families are the descendants of the ancient tribes that
once ruled the Bani Yas Confederation. Those families are currently ruling the
UAE’s two most popular states, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The UAE came to be because
of these families since at one point in time Abu Dhabi was known to for its pearls.
It is surrounded by water but once the Japanese has created the cultured pearl,
Abu Dhabi lost it source of income. Then oil was discovered!
(Abu Dhabi coastline)
However, oil would not be found for another 14 years! When
oil was struck Abu Dhabi had started preparing itself for the future through
the construction of concrete buildings with Sheikh Shakbut’s permission (Ruler
of Abu Dhabi). It completed its first
paved road in 1961! Eventually, Sheikh Shakbut was replaced by his brother
because revenue was not being spent; it was being saved by the overly cautious
ruler. When his brother Sheikh Zayed took over the state of Abu Dhabi, it finally
started focusing on exports as a main source of income and started its climbing
its way toward becoming the richest state.
During this time of progression in the 1960s to 1970s: Dubai
also found its own oil, the British left the UAE and gave of their pathway to
India, Sheikh Zayed (Abu Dhabi)became
the first president of the UAE, and Sheikh Rashid (Dubai) became vice-president
on December 21, 1970.
(UAE Flag)
