The United Arab Emirates comprised of seven separate sheikdoms (emirates) its capital is the city of Abu Dhabi. That differ from one another as night and day, the UAE is a flamboyant, curious clash of cultures and generations; the ancient desert meets Beverly Hills. United Arab Emirates The seven Islamic emirates occupy a small peninsula of 82,880 square kilometers bordered by the Arabian Sea, the Persian Gulf, Oman and Saudi Arabia. It is a naturally stark and barren landscape comprised of red, gold and white sand, rugged mountains and green oases.