1. Islands
1.1. Geological Configurations/Area/Form/Location
1.1.1. 1. High-level islands and salt domes that date back to the Cambrian era.
1.1.1.1. 1. Big-sized Islands: Delma-Sir Bani Yas- Abu-Alabyad
1.1.1.1.1. 1. Oval islands: Arzena- Sir Bani Yas- Delma
1.1.2. 2. Qarnein-low level islands, low terrain recent geological age: Algharabi- Alfeteesi- Buksheisha.
1.1.2.1. 2. small-sized Islands: Salaha –Alhomr-Esh
1.1.2.1.1. 2. Cross-sectional shaped Islands: Abu Alabyad and Moroh 3. Longitudinal shaped Islands: AbuDhabi and Dabeiyya
1.2. Rock formation
1.2.1. diversity in geographical location, size and geological formations of the UAE islands contributed to the economic exploitation of these islands.
1.2.1.1. old geologic formation islands (rocks date back to the Cambrian Period about 570 million years old)
1.2.1.1.1. Hormuz domes and the salty heights of AlDhan
1.2.1.2. other islands are newly formed of sandy sediments dating back to the end of the fourth geologic time (almost 2 million years).
1.3. Importance of islands vital role in:
1.3.1. The periods preceding the Federal Union where the inhabitants used them in their marine movement + communication with neighboring areas by virtue of their residence near these water bodies.
1.3.1.1. during the pearl diving era, these islands were used as places of rest for the pearl-diving ships and the divers used them as a refuge during the period of high sea waves and the occurrence of severe storms.
1.3.1.1.1. These islands constitute an integral part of the UAE territories. They have valuable strategic and economic importance.
1.3.2. Islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa are Emirati islands captured by Iran by force.
1.3.2.1. The Iranian invaders captured and expelled the Emirati residents from these islands. Currently, the UAE is still seeking a diplomatic means to recover the islands from Iran.
1.3.2.1.1. These islands are economic treasures that could be exploited in economic, residential, and tourism projects to provide job opportunities and attract tourists.
1.3.2.1.2. There are multiple sources of livelihood on these islands that could be beneficial to the local population.
1.3.2.1.3. The natural resources in the islands such as oil wealth can be exploited in addition to taking advantage of the rock stockpiles which will benefit the population and the surrounding environment.
1.3.2.1.4. The UAE Government has built several tourist and agricultural projects on many of these islands which has contributed to attracting populations and commercial/economic projects, paving the way for the possibility of more development in these areas in the future.
2. Explain the Importance of the Contribution of Natural, Economic and Human Resources in the Economic Stability of the UAE.
2.1. current stability and the policy of transparency in dealing with global institutions led the UAE to overcome several economic hurdles, particularly the global economic crisis in 2008.
2.2. The government has succeeded in the economic exploitation of natural resources which greatly affected the transformation of the UAE into a haven for global investments and companies operating in the GCC markets.
2.3. The UAE government was able to exploit the geographical location of the country for the benefit of the population and regional society.
3. The Federal Supreme Council:
3.1. Definition:
3.1.1. Rulers of all the Emirates make up the Union
3.1.2. Each Emirate has a single vote (council)
3.1.3. Decisions of the Supreme Council on substantive matters are taken by a majority of five of its members (including AD and DXB)
3.1.4. keeps all important competencies and authorities in the UAE
3.2. The Federal Supreme Council’s Most Important Authorities are:
3.2.1. The supreme court + president of The Union
3.2.1.1. elects from among its members a President of the Union and a Deputy to the President of the Union.
3.2.1.1.1. Exercising Supreme Control in Union
3.2.1.2. President role :
3.2.1.2.1. authorized to appoint the Chairman of the Council
3.2.1.2.2. Declaration of war after its approval by the Supreme Council. (SC)
3.2.1.2.3. Union National Council may be dissolved by a decree promulgated by the President of the Union with the agreement of the SC
3.2.1.2.4. ratification of treaties and international agreements shall be accomplished by decree (via the Council of Ministers of the Union).
3.2.1.2.5. Agreement to the appointment of the President and Judges of the Supreme Union Court + acceptance of their resignations, + their dismissal (in circumstances)
3.3. Powers and Legislative Authorities
3.4. Powers
4. How climactic conditions affect human activity?
4.1. climate elements including solar radiation, temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind, humidity, and rainfall greatly affect the daily lives of the residents of the United Arab Emirates.
4.1.1. working hours in the summer months are reduced, particularly for work in open spaces.
4.1.2. The government has enacted strict laws to protect the lives of laborers in the afternoon periods during summer.
4.1.3. UAE covered by more than 65 meteorological stations to monitor the weather conditions daily.
4.1.3.1. equipped with the latest equipment and devices for monitoring the status of air temperatures and atmospheric pressure, wind speed humidity, and rainfall.
5. What are the major elements affecting the climate characteristics in the UAE?
5.1. Temperature
5.1.1. rise in the UAE (summer months June and July) Avg 47 degrees C.
5.1.2. drop to reach 2-7 degrees Celsius in some of the winter months (January and February northern regions (Mount Jess station in Ras Al Khaimah) height of 1,739 m from the surface of Earth.
5.1.3. high-temperature range significantly affects the quality of crops grown in any agricultural region (loss of agricultural production during a big change in temperature over a short period during any 24 hours.)
5.1.4. Rising temperatures negatively affect labor productivity and increase the operating costs of factories and related institutions.
5.1.4.1. additional burdens on the production of electricity generators particularly during the summer months.
5.2. Wind and Air masses
5.2.1. contribute to the temperature differences in the periods of the summer months and the winter season. It also affects the amount of rainfall in the UAE.
5.2.2. In the summer times, the UAE is exposed to continental/tropical air masses coming from Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. These continental/tropical air masses are hot and dry causing dust and whirlwinds which are useful for farmers in terms of affecting the speed of maturation of some of the fruits of palm trees.
5.2.2.1. In winter, the UAE is affected by the polar air masses coming from the northern regions of the continent, especially from Iraq, Turkey, and Russia which lead to a drop in temperature. Some air masses of tropical marine sources blowing from the Indian Ocean affect some areas of the Sultanate of Oman (Salalah).
5.2.2.1.1. These tropical marine air masses constitute a seasonal phenomenon and result in rainfall on the Omani territory. The extended impact of these masses sometimes reaches the UAE territory.
5.2.3. but also these air masses result in the damage and loss of some crops, especially the mango fruits.
5.3. Humidity
5.3.1. The rate of humidity has a direct impact on the mental and physical activity of human beings in general.
5.3.1.1. Increase in the humidity rate, increasing degrees of heat, during the summer months, in UAE cities on the coastline and coastal areas (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Fujairah.)
5.4. Rain
5.4.1. The amount of rain that falls on the UAE ranges from 110 to 120 millimeters per year.
5.4.2. The amount of rainfall increases during the winter months, particularly in the northern areas of the United Arab Emirates which is higher in range than the western regions.
6. Freshwater sources + freshwater security in UAE
6.1. The UAE is categorized among the world’s poorest countries in groundwater resources. no permanent flowing rivers exist in the UAE, and in the past, groundwater constituted the most important traditional source of water in the country.
6.1.1. 24 government quasi-governmental and private institutions concerned with the issue of water in the UAE: 10 government institutions and seven quasi-governmental institutions besides seven private institutions.
6.1.2. Four government agencies are also working on drinking freshwater systems including the Federal Authority for Electricity and Water, the Water and Electricity Authority of Abu Dhabi, Dubai Electricity and Water, and the Electricity and Water Authority in Sharjah.
6.1.2.1. The tariff value of the drinking water in the UAE ranges between 1-4 fils per gallon depending on the amount of daily consumption. This pricing policy aims to alleviate the burden on the population
7. The most important traditional and non-traditional water sources in the UAE.
7.1. Springs: traditional
7.1.1. Springs are formed as a result of subterranean operations in underground areas containing volcanic hot gases as well as the result of the movement of groundwater or any other volcanic material over special kinds of volcanic rocks. (definition)
7.1.1.1. These underground water sources gush forth to the surface naturally without human intervention.
7.1.1.1.1. In the UAE, there are still four operational springs used mainly for touristic purposes: (Ain Khet) in Ras Al Khaimah, (Ain Madab and Ain Laghmor) in Fujairah and (Ain Alfayda) in the city of Alain.
7.2. The Aflaj: traditional
7.2.1. The Falaj is an ancient method used in the delivery of fresh spring water from the springs and high-water areas. Aflaj (plural of Falaj) are usually constructed on the ground above the earth’s surface. (Definition)
7.2.1.1. The Aflaj water is divided once it reaches the villages and agricultural fields. This division is made according to traditional calculations recognized by the local population in the period before the establishment of the Federal Union.
7.2.1.1.1. Historically, Falaj Al Sarooj, Falaj Al Aweyna, Falaj Masfoot, Falaj Al Howailat, Falaj Al Mualla, Falaj Al Dhaid, and Falaj Al Manama are the most important Aflaj in the UAE.
7.3. Artesian Wells: Traditional
7.3.1. The well is man-made vertical drilling in the formations bearing groundwater to feed the population centers and agricultural areas with water supplies. (Definition)
7.3.1.1. The depth of wells varies from 5 to 50 meters in the ground, depending on the layers containing groundwater.
7.3.1.1.1. At present the number of wells operating in the country is about 109 thousand wells which produce nearly 80 million gallons of water per day. This water supply is utilized for the irrigation of crops and forest projects while the rest is designated for household uses.
7.3.1.1.2. Clearly, 98 % of these water-producing wells are located in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi while the rest are distributed in the rest of the other Emirates.
7.4. Dams: Traditional
7.4.1. The federal government has built more than 63 dams on the streams of the main wadis to reserve the flood water that will be used for different purposes. It will provide the aquifers in the UAE territories with sufficient supplies to compensate for the loss of the amount of water.
7.4.1.1. The dam water will also be used for drinking purposes. In winter the dams are targeted by Emiratis and non-Emiratis as touristic destinations, particularly in the mountainous areas.
7.5. Desalination Stations: non-traditional
7.5.1. In the UAE approximately 47 productive desalination plants are using several techniques in water desalination operations. It is known that 77% of these plants are public stations and the rest are private stations.
7.5.1.1. The total production capacity of these, plants is more than one billion gallons of water per day.
7.5.1.1.1. At present, the government is constructing nine new desalination plants with a productivity capacity of more than 300 million gallons of water per day to meet the future needs of water supplies in the country, especially after the success of the United Arab Emirates in winning the organization of the World Expo2020.
7.6. Sewage Water: non-traditional
7.6.1. Despite the large amounts of water consumed for irrigation, domestic, and industrial use, the processed quantities of this water are still limited because most of the sewage water treatment plants are located in large cities such as Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, and Sharjah.
7.6.1.1. At present there are more than 32 sewage water treatment plants in the UAE distributed in most large cities in the country with a capacity of 237 million gallons per day. The average water consumption per capita in the country is estimated at nearly 550 liters of water daily compared to the global average of 330 liters of water consumption per day.
7.6.1.1.1. The federal and local governments have enacted laws and regulations relevant to the rationalization of water consumption in the country, such as Law No. (2) for the year 1998 on the establishment of the Regulation and Supervision Bureau for the water and electricity sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.