An Amazing Nation: Stunning details on UAE in this new book

Dubai: Gulf News has launched an exciting new book to celebrate the UAE’s 45th anniversary that tells the story of the confident and modern UAE while also exploring its deep cultural roots.

An Amazing Nation breaks new ground in UAE publishing with its accessible but very detailed illustrations that come together to offer readers a visual encyclopaedia of the country in its 117 pages with more than 40 double-page spreads filled with highly informative vignettes and varying forms of visual illustrations, photographs and multi-dimensional renderings.

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The book’s editor, Francis Matthew, said An Amazing Nation seeks to offer a deep level of insight into the UAE for a wide range of readers. “Newcomers will be delighted by the range of accessible detail and old-timers will be surprised by the depth of the authoritative coverage.

“The book tells the story of a country and its people who are looking confidently to their future while remaining firmly rooted in their unique Arab heritage, taking pride in the UAE’s global citizenship while remaining completely at ease with their Gulf traditions,” said Matthew.

The book is divided into clear chapters that display both - the modern UAE and its aspiration and the country’s unique heritage.

Today’s UAE comprises three chapters covering politics, economy, and its plans.

The Emiratis’ strong roots in their unique heritage and culture, are covered in a powerful chapter on religion, while other chapters include a wide-ranging look at both traditional and modern architecture, the traditions that make up a vital part of UAE national identity, and the UAE’s unique range of flora and fauna, both domestic and wild.

“We want to make the UAE accessible to everyone who lives here or comes on a visit,” said Matthew.

“It is a real issue that not many people understand the mechanics of the UAE’s government. That is why An Amazing Nation makes a point of describing the constitution of the UAE with a clear graphic that shows how the various parts of the federal government interact, and then adds on top how new laws are drafted and reviewed over six stages as they pass through the federal government before being published.”

The depth of research detail, and the range of topics in An Amazing Nation are a key part of why the book stands out on the bookstore shelves.

The topics include the story of when the UAE national anthem was written and composed, a detailed explanation of how much the UAE’s modern economy has diversified from its start which was totally reliant on oil exports, to an explanation of all the images on the dirham notes and coins.

Another example of the range of information available in An Amazing Nation is the detailed intricacies of the right way to wear national dress for both men and women. The kandora in the UAE is normally collarless and worn with a long tassel called a tarboosh, whereas some other Gulf countries favour various styles of collars. The easy to understand diagrams also show the right way to put on the ghotra headdress with the black agal to keep it in place.

Another compelling chapter in the book uses an illustrated map to show how the UAE is set to become the Hub of the World with one-third of the global population living within four hours of flying time from the country, and a further third being within eight hours of flying time, which places the UAE at the heart of the all-important, fast growing continents of Asia and Africa.

Even as it is proud of its history and traditions, the UAE also determined to build a successful future for itself in the next century. This is why An Amazing Nation devotes a chapter to look into the future, including the latest plans for Expo 2020 and the physical infrastructure that will be needed, as well as the long-term legacy that is a vital part of the UAE’s Expo.

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An Amazing Nation is also available at leading UAE bookstores.

Price: Dh250.