The United Arab Emirates is a federation formed in 1971 when Britain withdrew from the Gulf. It is comprised of seven emirates, with Abu Dhabi and Dubai being the most prominent. Dubai has experienced a boom through developments like the Burj Khalifa skyscraper and Palm Jumeirah artificial islands. However, the UAE also struggles with tensions between traditional Islamic and modern Western influences in its society and culture.

1. United Arab Emirates Moving into the 21 st Century

2. UAE Formerly known as the Trucial States , the United Arab Emirates are a federation of seven individual states, all ruled by emirs .

3. Locating the United Arab Emirates The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a union of seven sovereign sheikhdoms, formed when the British withdrew from the Gulf in 1971.

4. Abu Dhabi The country's capital, along with Dubai, are a modern cities famed for high-rise buildings and stylish hotels.

5. Dubai

6. Dubai Dubai skyline with Burj Dubai , the tallest man-made structure on earth, under construction

7. Dubai, UAE: Boom Town It boasts “mountains,” beaches, deserts, oases, camel racing, markets and the renowned duty-free shopping of dazzling Dubai - all packed into a relatively small area.

8. Dubai Palm Trilogy Palm Jumeirah (center) is one of the original palms and is a part in the trilogy of Dubai Palm . The names of the other two palms are Palm Jebel Ali and the Palm Deira.

9. Luxury residences, retail facilities and leisure amenities are being built across Palm Jumeirah’s three main areas of the island – the trunk, crescent and fronds.

10. A woman shopping at Dubai Duty Free Company

11. Cultural clash The UAE is a contradictory place where traditional Bedouin lifestyle meets Western consumerism and big-town bling.

13. These disparate influences have produced a nation that combines the cultures of conservative Islam and the liberal West in one package.