Genetic disorders in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was founded in 1971 as a federation of seven emirates on the Arabian Gulf. It is bounded by Qatar on the northwest, Saudi Arabia on the west and southwest, Oman on the east and northeast, and the Arabian Gulf on the north. It occupies an area of 83,600 km2 and Abu Dhabi is the capital of the state. Six of the emirates lie on the southern shore of the Arabian Gulf and present a continuous coastline stretching some 600 km. The six emirates in geographical order from west to east are Abu Dhabi (which comprises 87% of the entire area of the UAE), Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Um Al-Quween, and Ras Al Khaimah. Fujairah is the only emirate without a coastline on the Arabian Gulf; it lies entirely on the Gulf of Oman.