Capital of United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi
The capital of United Arab Emirates is Abu Dhabi. United Arab Emirates sits in Asia, has a population of 9,441,129, and uses the AED. Official languages include Arabic.
Quick facts
- Capital: Abu Dhabi
- Continent: Asia
- Population: ~9,441,129
- Area: 83,600 km²
- Population density: 113 people per km²
- Official language: Arabic
- Currency: AED
- ISO code: AE
How big is United Arab Emirates?
By population, United Arab Emirates ranks 97th in the world, holding roughly 0.12% of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 114th.
Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. United Arab Emirates has 113 people per square kilometre, which is somewhat above the world average of 59.4. It is more crowded than its size alone would suggest.
Within Asia, United Arab Emirates is the 30th most populous country of 48.
Countries of a similar size
The two countries closest to United Arab Emirates in population are Belarus (9,534,954) and Israel (9,038,309).
By land area, its closest counterparts are Austria (83,879 km²) and Azerbaijan (86,600 km²).
Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.
Language and currency
Arabic is spoken officially in 25 countries in this dataset, including Algeria, Bahrain, Chad, Comoros and Djibouti, and 19 others.
United Arab Emirates uses the AED, and it is the only country that does, which makes the currency name a reliable one-to-one clue.
United Arab Emirates in Asia
The largest countries by population sharing this continent are China, India, Indonesia and Pakistan.
If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — Asia is the block United Arab Emirates belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.
Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for United Arab Emirates and a page on the flag of United Arab Emirates.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of United Arab Emirates?
The capital of United Arab Emirates is Abu Dhabi.
What is the population of United Arab Emirates?
About 9,441,129, making it the 97th most populous country in the world.
How big is United Arab Emirates?
83,600 square kilometres, ranking 114th by land area, at a density of 113 people per square kilometre.
What currency does United Arab Emirates use?
The AED, which no other country uses.