The United Arab Emirates are a federation of seven Arab states on the Persian Gulf: Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Qaiwain.
Independent since 1971, they should be distinguished from the United Arab Republic, which was formed when Egypt and Syria united in 1958.
Syria seceded from the union in 1961, but the name United Arab Republic stuck with Egypt.
Egypt was renamed the Arab Republic of Egypt in 1972.