The UAE is now known around the world for being a hub for tourism as well as a multicultural destination and with National weekend here, bringing all the excitement and festivities for the golden jubilee, here is a look back into the history of the UAE and the developments made to make it the country we adore today.
Before the UAE came together as one, various Trucial States were set in place. The Trucial States were various Sheikhdoms that signed protective rights with the British government from 1820 to 1892.
In the 1930s, the search for oil began and in 1958, the first discovery of oil was found at Umm Shaif, under an old pearling bed in the Persian Gulf.
In 1960, oil was also found in the desert at Murban with more oil fields found after.
When the revenue generated from oil trading increased, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the nation, invested in the country by building roads, houses, schools and hospitals, in an effort to improve the lives of the people.
In the 1960s, the British government could not manage to govern the Trucial States and decided to withdraw.
The Sheikhdoms including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Bahrain and Qatar, that were under the British protective rights decided to unify into a federation of nine Emirates.
After some political issues and debates took place, Bahrain and Qatar decided to form separate countries and got independence on their own.
Bahrain Independence Day is celebrated on 15 August and Qatar celebrates Independence Day on 18 December.
The treaty between the British government and the Trucial States came to an end on 1 December 1971 and the Trucial States became independent Sheikhdoms.
Abu Dhabi and Dubai were joined by Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah in signing the founding treaty of the UAE, with Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan becoming the first President of the United Arab Emirates.
Ras Al Khaimah was not part of the initial union and joined the other Emirates that formed the United Arab Emirates in February 1972.
A draft constitution was created and put in place to meet the deadline set for 2 December 1971, which is now celebrated as UAE National Day, with the country gaining independence, 50 years ago.
Since independence, the UAE has become one of the fastest developing nations and has also established itself as a tourism hub, home to the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah and Burj Al Arab among many other landmarks.