United Arab Emirates

• Founding date/ Date of independence:  1971 from UK
• Date of constitution/reform: Interim Constitution of 1971 was ratified in 1996 permanently.
• Form of state: Federal
• Administrative divisions: 7 Emirates: Abu Dabi,  Dubái, Ajmán, Fuyaira, Ras al-Jaima, Sharyah and Umm al-Qaywayn.
• Official language(s): Arabic
• Other spoken languages: English, Asian languages such as Urdu, Pashtu or Tagalo.
• Official religion: Islam 
• Minorities: UAE nationals are only 20% of residents in the UAE (85% Sunni). The largest population group comprise Asians (Pakistanis and Sri blangadeshíes lankíes), followed by Arabic and Persian and Western expatriates. Apart from Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism is practiced.
• Dominant actor(s): Abud Dhabi royal family (al-Nahyan and al-Nahayan) and royal families in each emirate.
• Elected institutions of government: Federal National Council, a restricted electoral college choose 40 members of this body, with advisory powers.
• Non-elected  institutions of government: President of the Federation (through heredity, the emir of Abu Dhabi), the government (through heredity, the prime minister is the emir of Dubai) and local authorities.
• Party system: No parties allowed.

Current authorities

• Head of state: Jalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan, since 2004. The Emir of Abu Dabi and President of the Federation.
• Head of government: Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktum, since 2006
• Minister of Foreign Affairs: Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
  
• Minister of Interior: Sheikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
• Legislative Branch: There is only one chamber: the Federal National Council.
• Judiciary: Supreme Court and the Courts of First Instance.
• Schematic representation of the political system: Link to PDF

Links

Head of State:  Royal Family

Government:  Prime Minister Office

Minister of Interior: Website

Minister of Foreign Affairs: Website

Arab Press: Al Khaleej

English Press: The Arabian Post The National

Constitution: Website

Electoral System: Website