For many people, thoughts of the United Arab Emirates conjure images of ultramodern skyscrapers and rolling sand dunes. However, the Emirates are a rich mosaic of ecosystems and habitats that support surprisingly diverse communities of organisms, and there is growing awareness of the importance of these previously underappreciated natural assets. A Natural History of the Emirates provides a comprehensive overview of the unusual environmental setting of this young nation, and surveys the major ecosystems and the marine and terrestrial organisms occurring across the nation. From freshwater streams in the hyperarid Hajar Mountains to the world’s most temperature-tolerant coral reefs, the UAE is home to an astounding variety of uniquely adapted organisms that are providing insights into climate change and how organisms cope with and respond to extreme environmental conditions. The book closes with a section on human interactions with this unique environment, and proposes initiatives to ensure the protection of these unique natural assets into the future. This is an open access book.

"The marine heritage of the United Arab Emirates"--Cover.

This book draws together an oral and visual art history of a country that is extremely rich in culture and history but that is often overlooked or underestimated. By observing the country’s history and visual culture and the artistic practices of select artists from the UAE, it considers the development of contemporary art from the UAE. This will increase accessibility to art by Emiratis and underline its wider relevance. There is a dearth of literature on contemporary art by Emiratis, and this may be one of the reasons contemporary art from the UAE is under-represented globally. In order to help the reader better understand art from the UAE, this book traces the country’s historical make-up, its culture and contemporary art tradition through oral histories based on interviews with a wide variety of artists and people working in the art industries. It also explores this development using global art discourses that are relevant to art produced in the UAE today. This book also considers how cultural and artistic identities are formed and explores the political and socio-economic interests in the country that have stimulated art practices and appreciation. For so long, an exclusively Western narrative has dominated Art, and popular media portrays the Gulf’s accomplishments in development and modernity with suspicion. Thanks to the UAE’s espousal of the Internet and online communities over the last decade, this book is particularly timely. Following the pandemic, a wider understanding of global art discourses, values and perceptions are increasingly welcomed. Art from the UAE bridges the local and the global, giving a voice and a visual presence to a country’s contemporary art tradition that has been widely overlooked. The UAE has a distinct visual arts tradition that relates to a broader and inclusive understanding of art centered on development and change.

United Arab Emirates - Yearbooks.

This text describes the natural environment and wildlife of the United Arab Emirates. It features the contributions of 14 experts, covering topics such as: Miocene fossils; UAE rock formations; conservation; plants; insects; reptiles; birds; mammals; marine life; and the bedouins' relationship with nature.

Officials and religious scholars in the Gulf states have repeatedly banned the teaching of the theory of evolution because of its association with atheism. But Jorg Matthias Determann argues here that, despite official prohibition, research on biological evolution has flourished, due in large part to the development of academic and professional networks. This book traces these networks through the history of various branches of biology, including botany, conservation research, ornithology and palaeontology. Typical of rentier societies, some of the scientific networks in this region consist of vertical patron-client relationships. For example, those in power who are interested in wildlife conservation have been known to offer patronage to biologists working on desert ecology. However, just as important are the horizontal links between scientists both within the Gulf region and beyond. Given the strengths and importance of these two forms of professional networks, Determann argues that we should look at the Arab world as an area interconnected with global science, and therefore fully integrated into the scientific and technological advances being pioneered worldwide."

Each year this book celebrates achievements of the United Arab Emirates and in so doing it pays tribute to the architect of this stunning success story, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the greatly loved and respected founding father and President of the UAE from its formation on 2 December 1971 until his death on 2 November 2004. Sheikh Zayed displayed enormous wisdom and strength in overcoming the obstacles that faced him in constructing a modern nation. He never faltered on his course and knew exactly what he wanted to achieve - and why. He used to say that 'Wealth is not money. Wealth is in people.' And he devoted his efforts to providing education, health care and social services for all the country's citizens. At the same time he nurtured an environment in which business could flourish and people could live rewarding lives in freedom and peace.

Comprehensive reference book on the entire range of wildlife in the United Arab Emirates

PEOPLE OF RAS AL KHAIMAH is an important book. This photography book documents the stories of the people who shaped Ras Al Khaimah's great economic, political and social transformation in the second half of the twentieth century. The accounts here show what this transformation meant in human terms. In their own words and accompanied by over 100 stunning photographs, it features more than 50 portraits and oral histories of the Emiratis and immigrants who call the Emirate home. They came together to create a warm and welcoming society in the open spaces in the north of the United Arab Emirates. Anna Zacharias and Jeff Topping spent three years talking to residents, teasing out their personal stories and photographing them at work and play in all their diverse backgrounds.