Destination deluxe. All you need to know about the United Arab Emirates - The United Arab Emirates is one of the most modern and advanced nations in the world. Soaring skyscrapers, plush hotels, luxurious shopping, and an awful lot of gold make the UAE a fascinatingly showy destination to explore. Thinking of going? Check out these facts beforehand.

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Wealth and luxury - The United Arab Emirates is one of the richest nations in the world, and a country that exudes a luxurious lifestyle. The capital, Abu Dhabi, is the most populated city, while Dubai attracts the most tourists.

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Absolute monarchy - The country is a federal absolute monarchy led by President Khalifa bin Zayid Al Nahyan, with each emirate governed by a royal family that claims sovereignty over each regional territory.

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Population - While an Arab country, the UAE's resident population is mainly composed of expatriate Indian, Pakistani, and Filipino citizens.

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Oil reserves - The UAE's oil reserves are the seventh-largest in the world, and it has one of the most developed economies in the Middle East.

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Burj Khalifa - One of the world's most iconic landmarks, this majestic skyscraper is the tallest building on the planet, soaring 828 meters and 160 floors above Dubai.

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Independence - The country gained independence in 1971, having previously been under an informal protectorate administered by Great Britain during the 19th century.

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Burj Al Arab - One of the most luxurious hotels in the world, this five-star property (often erroneously rated as having seven stars) is located in Dubai. At 321 meters, it is the third tallest hotel on the planet.

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Custom made - This is a nation that flaunts needless ostentation, as shown by this custom made double Jeep.

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Luxury cafes - In Dubai even a humble coffee shops end up a palace. You can find this luxurious Starbucks there.

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Yas Island - Three of the world's largest artificial islands are found in the UAE. Of these, Yas Island in Abu Dhabi has benefited from a $36 billion expansion project that has already seen the inauguration of the Yas Marina Circuit, which hosts Formula 1 racing, and the Yas Island Waterworld theme park.

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Social services - Wealth generated by oil revenue means education, transport, and health costs are government funded, with many services free for citizens of the UAE.

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Restaurant in the sky - Tourism gimmicks abound, like this restaurant in the sky, where diners are strapped into their seats at the table. Er, what happens if you want to use the bathroom?

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Miracle Garden - More down to earth is this lovely Dubai green space that features a collection of amazing flower sculptures. The site is the largest natural flower garden in the world. Around 100,000 blooms are planted here.

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Gold fever - In a country all about luxury it's no surprise that gold plays a starring role in generating wealth. Gold is sold everywhere, and the precious metal is an important source of export revenue.

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A roller-coaster of a ride - Abu Dhabi's Ferrari World theme park boasts a roller-coaster with the highest loop on the planet. Cars reach speeds in excess of 150 miles in just 10 seconds.

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Mosques - In this Islamic nation mosques are often built to luxurious specifications. Hindu and Christian places of worship can also be found throughout the country.

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Dress code - The way you dress is of major consideration when visiting the UAE. People are requested to wear modest clothing when entering mosques and women should cover themselves when are in public.

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Exotic flora - The United Arab Emirates is also one of the richest countries in the world in terms of plant life: incredibly there are over 3,500 species of native flora found across the territory!

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Animals as status symbols - Sadly it's very common to see big cats such as leopards, lions and tigers riding in cars or tethered on yachts. Having an exotic pet is a status symbol.

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Hotels - Many hotels have wide open beaches to provide guests with access to a host of seafront leisure activities. A favorite pastime is sand skiing over enormous sand dunes.

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ATMs lined with gold - Believe it or not there are ATMs designed in gold, and you can even request a gold bar from some if you've the funds. Look out too for the Louis Vuitton-brand trash cans.

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A wealth of marine life - The Atlantis Hotel houses the largest aquarium in the Middle East. More than 65,000 fish species can be admired swimming in 42 million liters of salt water.

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Camel racing - Camels are raced competitively across the region.

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Tennis in the sky - The helicopter pad of the Burj Al Arab Hotel can be converted to a tennis court.

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Camel park - Camels are used so frequently as a means of transportation that the animals enjoy their own dedicated parking bays.

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Affection interrupted - It is forbidden to kiss in public in the UAE. Showing affection is considered an affront to the country's moral and cultural mores. Even walking hand-in-hand can lead to arrest by the ever-watchful religious police.

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Gastronomy - At its simplest, Emirates gastronomy is based on lamb, rice, and spices but recipes are greatly influenced by the cuisine of Indian, Lebanese, and Pakistani cuisine. Western-style fast food is popular in the cities.

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Emirates - The airline of the young nation is consistently voted one of the best in the world. Around 1,500 flights depart Dubai every week for dozens of destinations.

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Police - Forget trying to out drive this squad car. Some police are equipped with luxury high performance vehicles.

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Development - Dubai is a global city and an international aviation hub. Technologically advanced, it is an expensive and luxurious destination to visit and one of the wealthiest cities in the world.

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