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Umm al-Qaiwain
Arabic: 'umm al-qaywayn
Other spellings: Um, Om, Omm; al-Qaywan, al-Qaywayn, al-Quwain, al-Qawain, al-Qaywayn, al-Qiwain
Emirate of United Arab Emirates.
Capital: Umm al-Qaiwain
Inhabitants: 75,000 (2005 estimate)
Area: 750 km²
Ruler: Shaykh Rashid bin Ahmad al-Mu'alla
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Emirate belonging to the federation of United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Umm al-Qaiwain is the least populated of the emirates, and its surface area is the second smallest, representing only 1% of all of the UAE.
Shaykh Rashid bin Ahmad al-Mu'alla has been the ruler of Umm al-Qaiwain since 1981.
ECONOMY
The main activities of the economy are agriculture and fishing. Domestic tourism has been developed in recent years.
Petroleum concessions have been granted on Umm al-Qaiwain territory, but as of yet, oil production has not yet begun.
HISTORY
1775: A shaykhdom is established in Umm al-Qaiwain, ruled by the Mu'alla family.
1820: The local shaykh signs an agreement with the British, agreeing to form a protectorate, thereby achieving safety from the Ottomans.
1971 December 2: Umm al-Qaiwain joins the United Arab Emirates, along with all present emirates except Ras al-Khaima that would join the following year.
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By: Tore Kjeilen
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