The United Arab Emirates is a federal state established in 1971 and comprised of seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah. The UAE has two official languages, Arabic and English, and Islam is the dominant religion practiced by 80% of the population. Traditional cuisine includes dishes made from flour, water, and ashes as well as camel milk, bread, dates, and Middle Eastern foods like shawarma. The climate is arid subtropical and the currency is the UAE dirham.