Emirate of Abu Dhabi and traditional mud-brick huts were rapidly replaced with banks, boutiques and modern highrises. The United Arab Emirates is located in the oil-rich and strategic Persian Gulf region. It adjoins the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman. Abu Dhabi is located in the far west and southwest part of the United Arab Emirates along the southern coast of the Persian Gulf between latitudes 22°40’ and around 25° north and longitudes 51° and around 56° east. It borders the emirate of Dubai and emirate of Sharjah to its north. The total area of the Emirate is , occupying about
President of the United Arab Emirates Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. President of the United Arab Emirates The President of the United Arab Emirates is the head of state of the United Arab Emirates. Officially, he is elected every five years by the Federal Supreme Council, but because the ruler of Abu Dhabi customarily also holds the presidency of the UAE, the office is "de facto" hereditary. The president is also Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and chairman of the Supreme Council and Supreme Petroleum Council. The current president is Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Sheikh Khalifa became president on 3 November 2004, following