To the east lies Oman; Saudi Arabia awaits if you head south or westwards and to the north is nothing but deep, warm, cobalt Persian Gulf. Welcome to the Southwest Asian country previously known as the Trucial States. The UAE consists of seven ‘emirates’ – officially defined as any territory under the competence of an Emir. Ajmãn, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah and Umm al-Quwain are the least well-known, predominantly due to the fact that, up until now, less western investment has found its way to these parts. Sharjah – the only emirate to have coasts with both the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman – is the third largest and is currently enjoying a massive boom in terms of foreign investment, a healthy property sector and the building of cultural centres.

Abu Dhabi’s eponymous city is the capital of the region and is currently one of the most modern, forward thinking and thriving cities in the world, with many exciting residential, cultural and commercial projects either in the pipeline or completed. The Emirates Palace – the largest and most expensive hotel in the world – the Yas Island F1 circuit and the Louvre Abu Dhabi are particular highlights.

However, even Abu Dhabi has been eclipsed by Dubai, which is without doubt the superstar of the United Arab Emirates. Now home to multinational HQs and international media companies, as well as some of the most ambitious architectural feats in modern history, Dubai is increasingly becoming a tourist Mecca.

It’s incredible to think that the UAE – a territory rich in oil reserves but lacking any other notable natural resources – was little more than a region of destitute, arid wastelands just over 30 years ago. Oil brought enormous amounts of money and, on the whole, the emirates have tried to diversify ever since. Dubai leads the way with oil now accounting for just 6% of its gross domestic product and the UAE now has the fourth highest GDP per capita in the world.