UAE Country Overview > Historical Overview
  • Little is known about the early history of the UAE. Archaeological remains near Al Ain and the Hajar Mountains date back to 3200 BC to 2800 BC.
  • A group of small sheikdoms were under the control of the Ottoman Empire until the Europeans arrived. In the 1650s, the area was established as a trading post.
  • By the 1820s, the area was dubbed the “Pirate Coast” in recognition of the occupation of many of the inhabitants. In 1820, the UK entered into treaties with various leaders to protect its ships in the Gulf and the Indian Ocean.
  • In 1853, the local sheiks signed the Perpetual Maritime Truce with the UK. The British would treat the Trucial States as a protectorate in exchange for the cessation of piracy.
  • The collapse of the world pearl market in the early 20th century plunged the UAE into poverty.
  • In 1939, Sheikh Shakhbut of Abu Dhabi granted the first oil concession in the UAE.
  • In the 1950s, the British tried to unite the different sheikdoms into one country.
  • In 1968, the UK decided to withdraw its military forces from the region.
  • The UAE became fully independent on December 2, 1971. Although invited to join, Bahrain and Qatar did not. Ras al-Khaimah joined the following year.
  • In 1981, the UAE was one of the founding members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The UAE has often acted as a mediator in disputes among other Arab nations, primarily Israel and Palestine, Morocco and Algeria, Iran and Iraq, and Oman and Yemen.
  • Sheikh Rashid Bin-Said Al Maktum died in October 1990 and was succeeded by his son Sheikh Maktum Bin-Rashid Al Maktum as ruler of Dubai and UAE vice-president.
  • In 1991, the UAE joined forces with the allies against Iraq. Diplomatic relations were not restored until 1998.
  • UAE President Sheikh Zayed Bin-Sultan Al Nahyan died in November 2004 and was succeeded by his son, Sheikh Khalifa.
  • Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid al-Maktoum, UAE Prime Minister and vice-president and ruler of Dubai, died in January 2006 and was succeeded by his brother, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum.
  • The first national elections were held in December 2006.