History of the United Arab Emirates - wikipedia History of the United Arab Emirates The United Arab Emirates ( UAE ) is a country on the Arabian Peninsula located on the southeastern coast of the Persian Gulf and the northwestern coast of the Gulf of Oman. The UAE consists of seven emirates and was founded on 2 December 1971 as a federation. Six of the seven emirates ( Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah ) combined on that date. The seventh, Ras Al Khaimah, joined the federation on 10 February 1972. The seven sheikhdoms were formerly known as the Trucial States, in reference to the treaty relations established with the British in the 19th Century. Artefacts uncovered in the UAE show a long history of human habitation and regional trade including with Mesopotamia. The area was settled by a number of tribes along both the coast and interior and was Islamised in the seventh century. A number of incursions and bloody battles took place along the coast when the Portuguese, under Albuquerque, invaded the area. Conflicts between the maritime communities of the Trucial Coast and the British led to the sacking of Ras Al Khaimah by British forces in 1809 and again in 1819, which resulted in the first of a number of British treaties with the Trucial Rulers in 1820. These treaties, including the Treaty of Perpetual Maritime Peace, signed in 1853, led to peace and prosperity along the coast which lasted until the 1930s, when the pearl trade collapsed, leading to significant hardship among the coastal communities. A British decision, taken in early 1968, to withdraw from its involvement in the Trucial States, led to the decision to found a Federation. This was agreed between two of the most influential Trucial Rulers, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai. The two invited other Trucial Rulers to join the Federation. At one stage it seemed likely Bahrain and Qatar would also join the Union, but both eventually decided on independence. Today, the UAE is a modern, oil exporting country with a highly diversified economy, with Dubai in particular developing into a global hub for tourism, retail, and finance, home to the world 's tallest building, and largest man - made seaport. Contents 1 Prehistory 2 Umm al - Nar and Wadi Suq Cultures 3 Advent of Islam 4 Trucial Sheikhs 5 The British era 6 The rise and fall of the pearling industry 7 The beginning of the oil era 8 Border disputes 9 Sheikh Zayed and the Union 10 Independence 10.1 Federation of Emirates 10.2 1971 -- 1972 10.3 1973 - 2003 10.4 2004 - 2008 10.5 2017 - Present 11 See also 12 References 13 External links Prehistory In 2011 primitive hand - axes, as well as several kinds of scrapers and perforators, were excavated at the Jebel Faya archaeological site in the United Arab Emirates. These tools resemble the types used by early modern humans in East Africa. Through the technique of Thermoluminescence dating the artefacts were placed between 100,000 and 125,000 years old. This is the earliest evidence of modern humans found anywhere outside Africa and implies modern humans left Africa much earlier than previously thought. The site of these discoveries has been preserved alongside finds of later cultures, including tombs and other finds from the Umm Al Nar, Wadi Suq and Islamic periods, at Sharjah 's Mleiha Archaeological Centre. During the glacial maximum period, 68000 to 8000 BC, Eastern Arabia is thought to have been uninhabitable. Finds from the stone age Arabian Bifacial and Ubaid cultures ( including stone arrow and axe heads as well as Ubaid pottery ) show human habitation in the area from 5000 to 3100 BC. The Hafit era, producing distinctive burial sites as well as finds of Jamdat Nasr pottery, stretched from 3100 to 2500 BC. Umm Al - Nar and Wadi Suq cultures Main article : Umm al - Nar Culture Umm al - Nar ( also known as Umm an - Nar ) was a bronze age culture variously defined by archaeologists as existing around 2600 and 2000 BC in the area of the modern - day United Arab Emirates and Oman. The etymology derives from the island of the same name which lies adjacent to Abu Dhabi. The key site is well protected, but its location between a refinery and a sensitive military area means public access is currently restricted. The UAE authorities are working to improve public access to the site, and plan to make this part of the Abu Dhabi cultural locations. One element of the Umm al - Nar culture is circular tombs typically characterized by well fitted stones in the outer wall and multiple human remains within. The Umm al - Nar culture, as indicated from inland 3rd millennium BC, covers around five or six centuries ( 2600 / 2500 - 2000 BC ). It was followed by the Wadi Suq Culture, which dominated the region from 2000 to 1300 BC. Key archaeological sites pointing to major trading cities extant during both periods exist on both the Western and Eastern coasts of the UAE and in Oman, including Dalma, Umm Al Nar, Sufouh, Ed Dur, Tell Abraq, Shimal and Kalba. The domestication of camels and other animals took place during the Wadi Suq era, leading to increased inland settlement and the cultivation of diverse crops, including the date palm. Increasingly sophisticated metallurgy, pottery and stone carving led to more sophisticated weaponry and other implements even as evidence of strong trading links with the Indus Valley and Mesopotamia dwindled. From 1200 BC to the advent of Islam in Eastern Arabia, through three distinctive iron ages ( Iron age 1, 1200 - 1000 BC ; Iron age 2, 1000 - 600 BC and Iron age 3 600 - 300 BC ) and the Mleiha period ( 300 BC onward ), the area was variously occupied by Archaemenid and other forces and saw the construction of fortified settlements and extensive husbandry thanks to the development of the falaj irrigation system. Advent of Islam Main article : Islam in the United Arab Emirates The arrival of envoys from Muhammad in 632 heralded the conversion of the region to Islam. After Muhammad 's death, one of the major battles of the Ridda Wars was fought at Dibba, in present - day Fujairah. The defeat of the non-Muslims in this battle resulted in the triumph of Islam in the Arabian Peninsula. In 637, Julfar ( today Ras al - Khaimah ) was used as a staging post for the conquest of Iran. Over many centuries, Julfar became a wealthy port and pearling centre from which dhows travelled throughout the Indian Ocean. Trucial sheikhs See also : Piracy in the Persian Gulf Wikisource has original text related to this article : General Treaty for the Cessation of Plunder and Piracy by Land and Sea Portions of what is now the UAE came under the direct influence of the Ottoman Empire during the 16th century. Portuguese expansion into the Indian Ocean in the early 16th century following Vasco da Gama 's route of exploration resulted in the sacking of many coastal towns by the Portuguese. Thereafter, the region was known to the British as the `` Pirate Coast '', as raiders based there harassed the shipping industry despite both European and Omani navies patrolling the area from the 17th to 19th centuries. British expeditions to protect the Indian trade from raiders at Ras al - Khaimah led to campaigns against that headquarters and other harbours along the coast in 1819. The next year, a peace treaty was signed to which all the sheikhs of the coast adhered. Raids continued intermittently until 1835, when the sheikhs agreed not to engage in hostilities at sea. In 1853, they signed a treaty with the United Kingdom, under which the sheikhs ( the Trucial Sheikhdoms ) agreed to a `` perpetual maritime truce ''. It was enforced by the United Kingdom, and disputes among sheikhs were referred to the British for settlement. Flag of the Trucial Coast The British era Primarily in reaction to the ambitions of other European countries, the United Kingdom and the Trucial Sheikhdoms established closer bonds in an 1892 treaty, similar to treaties entered into by the UK with other Persian Gulf principalities. The sheikhs agreed not to dispose of any territory except to the United Kingdom and not to enter into relationships with any foreign government other than the United Kingdom without its consent. In return, the British promised to protect the Trucial Coast from all aggression by sea and to help in case of land attack. In her book `` The Judicial System in The Trucial Coast '', Noora Saqr Al Falahi argues that the 1892 treaty had a profound role in isolating the country for a long time which has impeded development in comparison to other communities in the region at the time. The rise and Fall of the pearling industry A map of the area in 1914 During the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the pearling industry thrived in the relative calm at sea, providing both income and employment to the people of the Persian Gulf. It began to become a good economic resource for the local people. The First World War had a severe impact on the pearl fishery, but it was the Great Depression of the late 1920s and early 1930s, coupled with the Japanese invention of the cultured pearl, that all but destroyed it. The industry eventually faded away shortly after the Second World War, when the newly independent Government of India imposed heavy taxation on pearls imported from the Arab states of the Persian Gulf. The decline of pearling resulted in a very difficult era, with little opportunity to build any infrastructure. The beginning of the oil era In the 1930s, the first oil company teams carried out preliminary surveys. An onshore concession was granted to Petroleum Development ( Trucial Coast ) in 1939, and an offshore concession to D'Arcy Exploration Ltd in 1952. Oil was discovered under an old pearling bed in the Persian Gulf, Umm Shaif, in 1958, and in the desert at Murban in 1960. The first cargo of crude was exported from Jabel Dhanna in Abu Dhabi in 1962. As oil revenues increased, the ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, undertook a massive construction program, building schools, housing, hospitals and roads. When Dubai 's oil exports commenced in 1969, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, was also able to use oil revenues to improve his people 's quality of life. Border disputes In 1955, the United Kingdom sided with Abu Dhabi in the latter 's dispute with Oman over the Buraimi Oasis, another territory to the south. A 1974 agreement between Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia would have settled the Abu Dhabi -- Saudi border dispute ; however, the agreement has yet to be ratified by the UAE government and is not recognised by the Saudi government. The border with Oman also remains officially unsettled, but the two governments agreed to delineate the border in May 1999. Sheikh Zayed and the union Al Fahdi Fort in Dubai in the late 1950s In the early 1960s, oil was discovered in Abu Dhabi, an event that led to quick unification calls made by UAE sheikdoms. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan became ruler of Abu Dhabi in 1966, and the British started losing their oil investments and contracts to U.S. oil companies. The British had earlier started a development office that helped in some small developments in the emirates. The sheikhs of the emirates then decided to form a council to coordinate matters between them and took over the development office. They formed the Trucial States Council, and appointed Adi Bitar, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum 's legal advisor, as Secretary General and Legal Advisor to the Council. This council was terminated once the United Arab Emirates was formed. Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Independence By 1966, the British government had come to the conclusion that it could no longer afford to govern what is now the United Arab Emirates. Much deliberation took place in the British parliament, with a number of MPs arguing that the Royal Navy would not be able to defend the Trucial Sheikhdoms. Denis Healey, who, at the time, was the UK Secretary of State for Defence, reported that the British Armed Forces were severely overextended, and in some respects, dangerously under - equipped to defend the Sheikhdoms. On 24 January 1968, British Prime Minister Harold Wilson announced the decision to end the treaty relationships with the seven Trucial Sheikhdoms which had been, together with Bahrain and Qatar, under British protection. The British decision to withdraw was reaffirmed in March 1971 by Prime Minister Edward Heath. Days after the announcement Sheikh Zayed, fearing vulnerability, tried to persuade the British to honour the protection treaties by offering to pay in full the costs of keeping the British Armed Forces in the Emirates. The British Labour government rebuffed the offer. Federation of Emirates The first conference on the Gulf federation in Abu Dhabi, 1968. After Labour MP Goronwy Roberts informed Sheikh Zayed of the news of British withdrawal, the nine Persian Gulf sheikhdoms attempted to form a federation of Arab emirates. The federation was first proposed in February 1968 when the rulers of Abu Dhabi and Dubai met in the desert location of Argoub El Sedirah and agreed on the principle of Union. They announced their intention to form a coalition, extending an invitation to other Persian Gulf states to join. Later that month, in a summit meeting attended by the rulers of Bahrain, Qatar and the Trucial Coast, the government of Qatar proposed the formation of a federation of Arab Emirates to be governed by a higher council composing of nine rulers. This proposal was accepted and a declaration of union was approved. There were, however, several disagreements between the rulers on matters such as the location of the capital, the drafting of the constitution and the distribution of ministries. The proposed federation of Arab emirates. Further political issues surfaced as a result of Bahrain attempting to impose a leading role in the nine - state union, as well as the emergence of a number of differences between the rulers of the Trucial Coast, Bahrain and Qatar, the latter two being in a long - running dispute over the Hawar Islands. While Dubai 's ruler, Sheikh Rashid, had a strong connection to the Qatari ruling family, including the royal intermarriage of his daughter with the son of the Qatari emir, the relationship between Abu Dhabi and Dubai ( also cemented by intermarriage, Rashid 's wife was a member of Abu Dhabi 's ruling family ) was to endure the break - up of the talks with both Bahrain and Qatar. Overall, there were only four meetings between the nine rulers. The last such meeting, which took place in Abu Dhabi, saw Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan elected as the first president of the federation. There were stalemates on numerous issues during the meeting, including the position of vice-president, the defence of the federation, and whether a constitution was required. Shortly after the meeting, the Political Agent in Abu Dhabi revealed the British government 's interests in the outcome of the session, prompting Qatar to withdraw from the federation apparently over what it perceived as foreign interference in internal affairs. The nine - emirate federation was consequently disbanded despite efforts by Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Britain to reinvigorate discussions. Bahrain became independent in August 1971, and Qatar in September 1971. 1971 -- 1972 When the British - Trucial Sheikhdoms treaty expired on December 1, 1971, the Trucial States became fully independent sheikhdoms. Four more of the Trucial states ( Ajman, Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah ), had decided to join Abu Dhabi and Dubai in signing the UAE 's founding treaty, with a draft constitution in place drafted in record time to meet the December 2, 1971 deadline. On that date, at the Dubai Guesthouse ( now known as Union House ), the emirates agreed to enter into a union to be called the United Arab Emirates. Ras al - Khaimah joined later, following Iran 's swift annexation of the Tunbs islands, in early 1972. The move to form a union took place at a time of unprecedented instability in the region, with a border dispute killing 22 in Kalba and a coup in Sharjah in January 1972. The then emir of Qatar was deposed by his cousin in February 1972. 1973 - 2003 After the 9 / 11 terrorist attacks on the United States, the UAE was identified as a major financial centre used by Al - Qaeda in transferring money to the hijackers. The nation immediately cooperated with the United States, freezing accounts tied to suspected terrorists and strongly clamping down on money laundering. The country had already signed a military defence agreement with the United States in 1994 and one with France in 1995. The UAE supports military operations from the United States and other coalition nations engaged in the invasion of Afghanistan ( 2001 ) and Iraq ( 2003 ) as well as operations supporting the Global War on Terrorism for the Horn of Africa at Al Dhafra Air Base, located outside of Abu Dhabi. The air base also supported Allied operations during the 1991 Persian Gulf War and Operation Northern Watch. 2004 - 2008 On 2 November 2004, the UAE 's first president, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, died. His eldest son, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, succeeded him as ruler of Abu Dhabi. In accordance with the constitution, the UAE 's Supreme Council of Rulers elected Khalifa as president. Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan succeeded Khalifa as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. In January 2006, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the prime minister of the UAE and the ruler of Dubai, died, and Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum assumed both roles. In March 2006, the United States forced the state - owned Dubai Ports World to relinquish control of terminals at six major American ports. Critics of the ports deal feared an increased risk of terrorist attack, saying the UAE had been home to two of the 9 / 11 hijackers. In December 2006, the UAE prepared for its first election to determine half the members of UAE 's Federal National Council from 450 candidates. However, only 7000 Emirati citizens, less than 1 % of the Emirati population, were given the right to vote in the election. The exact manner of selection was opaque. Notably, women were included in the electorate. 2017 - present In 2011, the Middle East saw a number of pro-democratic uprisings, popularly known as the Arab Spring. The UAE saw comparatively little unrest, but did face one high - profile case in which five pro-democracy activists were arrested on charges of insulting the president, Sheikh Khalifa, the vice president, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi ( and presumed successor to Sheikh Khalifa ), Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The trial of the UAE Five attracted international publicity and protest from a number of human rights groups, including Amnesty International, which named the five men prisoners of conscience. The defendants were convicted and given two - to three - year prison sentences on 27 November 2011. However, all five were pardoned without comment by Sheikh Khalifa the following day. 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External links Timeline of the United Arab Emirates History from Bronze Age to present day United Arab Emirates articles History Prehistory Umm an - Nar Culture Advent of Islam Portuguese control Trucial Sheikhs British era Pearling industry The beginning of the oil era Border disputes Sheikh Zayed and the Union Independence Federation of Emirates Post-independence Trucial States Death of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Geography Border disputes Cities Climate Environmental concerns Resources and land use Towns and villages Politics Elections 2006 parliamentary Emirates rulers Federal National Council Federal Supreme Council Foreign aid Foreign relations Human rights LGBT Legal system Military President Prime Minister Economy Central Bank Dirham ( currency ) Taxation Tourism attractions hotels resorts Dubai Stock exchange Telecommunications companies regulation Internet domain Transport airlines airports water - based Society Crime Demographics Education Emiratis Diaspora list Expatriates Health Language Women Culture Architecture Cinema Cuisine Literature and poetry writers Media Dubai radio and TV channels Music Religion Sunni Muslim Shi'a Muslim Sport camel racing Thawb ( garment ) Symbols Animal Anthem Bird Coat of arms Flag Flower Garment Sport Tree Outline Index Portal British Empire Legend Current territory Former territory * Now a Commonwealth realm Now a member of the Commonwealth of Nations Historical flags of the British Empire Europe 1542 -- 1800 Ireland ( integrated into UK ) 1708 -- 1757, 1763 -- 1782 and 1798 -- 1802 Minorca Since 1713 Gibraltar 1800 -- 1813 Malta ( Protectorate ) 1813 -- 1964 Malta ( Colony ) 1807 -- 1890 Heligoland 1809 -- 1864 Ionian Islands 1878 -- 1960 Cyprus 1921 -- 1937 Irish Free State North America 17th century and before 18th century 19th and 20th century 1579 New Albion 1583 -- 1907 Newfoundland 1605 -- 1979 * Saint Lucia 1607 -- 1776 Virginia Since 1619 Bermuda 1620 -- 1691 Plymouth 1623 -- 1883 Saint Kitts 1624 -- 1966 * Barbados 1625 -- 1650 Saint Croix 1627 -- 1979 * Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1628 -- 1883 Nevis 1629 -- 1691 Massachusetts Bay 1632 -- 1776 Maryland since 1632 Montserrat 1632 -- 1860 Antigua 1635 -- 1644 Saybrook 1636 -- 1776 Connecticut 1636 -- 1776 Rhode Island 1637 -- 1662 New Haven 1643 -- 1860 Bay Islands Since 1650 Anguilla 1655 -- 1850 Mosquito Coast 1655 -- 1962 * Jamaica 1663 -- 1712 Carolina 1664 -- 1776 New York 1665 -- 1674 and 1702 -- 1776 New Jersey Since 1666 Virgin Islands Since 1670 Cayman Islands 1670 -- 1973 * Bahamas 1670 -- 1870 Rupert 's Land 1671 -- 1816 Leeward Islands 1674 -- 1702 East Jersey 1674 -- 1702 West Jersey 1680 -- 1776 New Hampshire 1681 -- 1776 Pennsylvania 1686 -- 1689 New England 1691 -- 1776 Massachusetts Bay 1701 -- 1776 Delaware 1712 -- 1776 North Carolina 1712 -- 1776 South Carolina 1713 -- 1867 Nova Scotia 1733 -- 1776 Georgia 1754 -- 1820 Cape Breton Island 1762 -- 1974 * Grenada 1763 -- 1978 Dominica 1763 -- 1873 Prince Edward Island 1763 -- 1791 Quebec 1763 -- 1783 East Florida 1763 -- 1783 West Florida 1784 -- 1867 New Brunswick 1791 -- 1841 Lower Canada 1791 -- 1841 Upper Canada Since 1799 Turks and Caicos Islands 1818 -- 1846 Columbia District / Oregon Country 1833 -- 1960 Windward Islands 1833 -- 1960 Leeward Islands 1841 -- 1867 Canada 1849 -- 1866 Vancouver Island 1853 -- 1863 Queen Charlotte Islands 1858 -- 1866 British Columbia 1859 -- 1870 North - Western Territory 1860 -- 1981 * British Antigua and Barbuda 1862 -- 1863 Stickeen 1866 -- 1871 British Columbia 1867 -- 1931 * Dominion of Canada 1871 -- 1964 Honduras 1882 -- 1983 * Saint Kitts and Nevis 1889 -- 1962 Trinidad and Tobago 1907 -- 1949 Newfoundland 1958 -- 1962 West Indies Federation 1. Occupied jointly with the United States. 2. In 1931, Canada and other British dominions obtained self - government through the Statute of Westminster. See Name of Canada. 3. Gave up self - rule in 1934, but remained a de jure Dominion until it joined Canada in 1949. South America 1631 -- 1641 Providence Island 1651 -- 1667 Willoughbyland 1670 -- 1688 Saint Andrew and Providence Islands 1831 -- 1966 Guiana Since 1833 Falkland Islands Since 1908 South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands 4. Now a department of Colombia. 5. Occupied by Argentina during the Falklands War of April -- June 1982. Africa 17th and 18th centuries 19th century 20th century Since 1658 Saint Helena 1792 -- 1961 Sierra Leone 1795 -- 1803 Cape Colony Since 1815 Ascension Island Since 1816 Tristan da Cunha 1806 -- 1910 Cape of Good Hope 1807 -- 1808 Madeira 1810 -- 1968 Mauritius 1816 -- 1965 The Gambia 1856 -- 1910 Natal 1862 -- 1906 Lagos 1868 -- 1966 Basutoland 1874 -- 1957 Gold Coast 1882 -- 1922 Egypt 1884 -- 1900 Niger Coast 1884 -- 1966 Bechuanaland 1884 -- 1960 Somaliland 1887 -- 1897 Zululand 1890 -- 1962 Uganda 1890 -- 1963 Zanzibar 1891 -- 1964 Nyasaland 1891 -- 1907 Central Africa 1893 -- 1968 Swaziland 1895 -- 1920 East Africa 1899 -- 1956 Sudan 1900 -- 1914 Northern Nigeria 1900 -- 1914 Southern Nigeria 1900 -- 1910 Orange River 1900 -- 1910 Transvaal 1903 -- 1976 Seychelles 1910 -- 1931 South Africa 1914 -- 1960 Nigeria 1915 -- 1931 South - West Africa 1919 -- 1961 Cameroons 1920 -- 1963 Kenya 1922 -- 1961 Tanganyika 1923 -- 1965 and 1979 -- 1980 Southern Rhodesia 1924 -- 1964 Northern Rhodesia 6. League of Nations mandate. 7. Self - governing Southern Rhodesia unilaterally declared independence in 1965 ( as Rhodesia ) and continued as an unrecognised state until the 1979 Lancaster House Agreement. After recognised independence in 1980, Zimbabwe was a member of the Commonwealth until it withdrew in 2003. 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Iraq 's mandate was not enacted and replaced by the Anglo - Iraqi Treaty Oceania 18th and 19th centuries 20th century 1788 -- 1901 New South Wales 1803 -- 1901 Van Diemen 's Land / Tasmania 1807 -- 1863 Auckland Islands 1824 -- 1980 New Hebrides 1824 -- 1901 Queensland 1829 -- 1901 Swan River / Western Australia 1836 -- 1901 South Australia since 1838 Pitcairn Islands 1841 -- 1907 New Zealand 1851 -- 1901 Victoria 1874 -- 1970 Fiji 1877 -- 1976 Western Pacific Territories 1884 -- 1949 Papua 1888 -- 1901 Rarotonga / Cook Islands 1889 -- 1948 Union Islands 1892 -- 1979 Gilbert and Ellice Islands 1893 -- 1978 Solomon Islands 1900 -- 1970 Tonga 1900 -- 1974 Niue 1901 -- 1942 * Australia 1907 -- 1947 * New Zealand 1919 -- 1942 and 1945 -- 1968 Nauru 1919 -- 1949 New Guinea 1949 -- 1975 Papua and New Guinea 9. Now part of the * Realm of New Zealand. 10. Suspended member. 11. Now Kiribati and * Tuvalu. 12. Now the * Solomon Islands. 13. Now * Papua New Guinea. Antarctica and South Atlantic Since 1658 Saint Helena Since 1815 Ascension Island Since 1816 Tristan da Cunha Since 1908 British Antarctic Territory 1841 -- 1933 Australian Antarctic Territory ( transferred to the Commonwealth of Australia ) 1841 -- 1947 Ross Dependency ( transferred to the Realm of New Zealand ) 14. Since 2009 part of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha ; Ascension Island ( 1922 -- ) and Tristan da Cunha ( 1938 -- ) were previously dependencies of Saint Helena. 15. Both claimed in 1908 ; territories formed in 1962 ( British Antarctic Territory ) and 1985 ( South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands ). Portuguese overseas empire North Africa 15th century 1415 -- 1640 Ceuta 1458 -- 1550 Alcácer Ceguer ( El Qsar es Seghir ) 1471 -- 1550 Arzila ( Asilah ) 1471 -- 1662 Tangier 1485 -- 1550 Mazagan ( El Jadida ) 1487 -- 16th century Ouadane 1488 -- 1541 Safim ( Safi ) 1489 Graciosa 16th century 1505 -- 1541 Santa Cruz do Cabo de Gué ( Agadir ) 1506 -- 1525 Mogador ( Essaouira ) 1506 -- 1525 Aguz ( Souira Guedima ) 1506 -- 1769 Mazagan ( El Jadida ) 1513 -- 1541 Azamor ( Azemmour ) 1515 -- 1541 São João da Mamora ( Mehdya ) 1577 -- 1589 Arzila ( Asilah ) Sub-Saharan Africa 15th century 1455 -- 1633 Anguim 1462 -- 1975 Cape Verde 1470 -- 1975 São Tomé 1471 -- 1975 Príncipe 1474 -- 1778 Annobón 1478 -- 1778 Fernando Poo ( Bioko ) 1482 -- 1637 Elmina ( São Jorge da Mina ) 1482 -- 1642 Portuguese Gold Coast 1508 -- 1547 Madagascar 1498 -- 1540 Mascarene Islands 16th century 1500 -- 1630 Malindi 1501 -- 1975 Portuguese Mozambique 1502 -- 1659 Saint Helena 1503 -- 1698 Zanzibar 1505 -- 1512 Quíloa ( Kilwa ) 1506 -- 1511 Socotra 1557 -- 1578 Accra 1575 -- 1975 Portuguese Angola 1588 -- 1974 Cacheu 1593 -- 1698 Mombassa ( Mombasa ) 17th century 1645 -- 1888 Ziguinchor 1680 -- 1961 São João Baptista de Ajudá 1687 -- 1974 Bissau 18th century 1728 -- 1729 Mombassa ( Mombasa ) 1753 -- 1975 Portuguese São Tomé and Príncipe 19th century 1879 -- 1974 Portuguese Guinea 1885 -- 1974 Portuguese Congo Part of São Tomé and Príncipe from 1753. Or 1600. A factory ( Anosy Region ) and small temporary coastal bases. Part of Portuguese Guinea from 1879. Part of Portuguese Angola from the 1920s. Middle East ( Persian Gulf ) 16th century 1506 -- 1615 Gamru ( Bandar Abbas ) 1507 -- 1643 Sohar 1515 -- 1622 Hormuz ( Ormus ) 1515 -- 1648 Quriyat 1515 -- ? Qalhat 1515 -- 1650 Muscat 1515 ? -- ? Barka 1515 -- 1633 ? Julfar ( Ras al - Khaimah ) 1521 -- 1602 Bahrain ( Muharraq Manama ) 1521 -- 1529 ? Qatif 1521 ? -- 1551 ? Tarut Island 1550 -- 1551 Qatif 1588 -- 1648 Matrah 17th century 1620 -- ? Khor Fakkan 1621 ? -- ? As Sib 1621 -- 1622 Qeshm 1623 -- ? Khasab 1623 -- ? Libedia 1624 -- ? Kalba 1624 -- ? Madha 1624 -- 1648 Dibba Al - Hisn 1624 ? -- ? Bandar - e Kong Indian subcontinent 15th century 1498 -- 1545 Laccadive Islands ( Lakshadweep ) 16th century Portuguese India 1500 -- 1663 Cochim ( Kochi ) 1501 -- 1663 Cannanore ( Kannur ) 1502 -- 1658 1659 -- 1661 Quilon ( Coulão / Kollam ) 1502 -- 1661 Pallipuram ( Cochin de Cima ) 1507 -- 1657 Negapatam ( Nagapatnam ) 1510 -- 1961 Goa 1512 -- 1525 1750 Calicut ( Kozhikode ) 1518 -- 1619 Portuguese Paliacate outpost ( Pulicat ) 1521 -- 1740 Chaul ( Portuguese India ) 1523 -- 1662 Mylapore 1528 -- 1666 Chittagong ( Porto Grande De Bengala ) 1531 -- 1571 Chaul 1531 -- 1571 Chalé 1534 -- 1601 Salsette Island 1534 -- 1661 Bombay ( Mumbai ) 1535 Ponnani 1535 -- 1739 Baçaím ( Vasai - Virar ) 1536 -- 1662 Cranganore ( Kodungallur ) 1540 -- 1612 Surat 1548 -- 1658 Tuticorin ( Thoothukudi ) 1559 -- 1961 Daman and Diu 1568 -- 1659 Mangalore ( Portuguese India ) 1579 -- 1632 Hugli 1598 -- 1610 Masulipatnam ( Machilipatnam ) 1518 -- 1521 Maldives 1518 -- 1658 Portuguese Ceylon ( Sri Lanka ) 1558 -- 1573 Maldives 17th century Portuguese India 1687 -- 1749 Mylapore 18th century Portuguese India 1779 -- 1954 Dadra and Nagar Haveli East Asia and Oceania 16th century 1511 -- 1641 Portuguese Malacca ( Malaysia ) 1512 -- 1621 Maluku ( Indonesia ) 1522 -- 1575 Ternate 1576 -- 1605 Ambon 1578 -- 1650 Tidore 1512 -- 1665 Makassar 1557 -- 1999 Macau ( China ) 1580 -- 1586 Nagasaki ( Japan ) 17th century 1642 -- 1975 Portuguese Timor ( East Timor ) 19th century Portuguese Macau 1864 -- 1999 Coloane 1851 -- 1999 Taipa 1890 -- 1999 Ilha Verde 20th century Portuguese Macau 1938 -- 1941 Lapa and Montanha ( Hengqin ) 1975 is the year of East Timor 's Declaration of Independence and subsequent invasion by Indonesia. In 2002, East Timor 's independence was fully recognized. North America & North Atlantic 15th century ( Atlantic islands ) 1420 Madeira 1432 Azores 16th century ( Canada ) 1500 -- 1579 ? Terra Nova ( Newfoundland ) 1500 -- 1579 ? Labrador 1516 -- 1579 ? Nova Scotia South America & Antilles 16th century 1500 -- 1822 Brazil 1534 -- 1549 Captaincy Colonies of Brazil 1549 -- 1572 Brazil 1572 -- 1578 Bahia 1572 -- 1578 Rio de Janeiro 1578 -- 1607 Brazil 1621 -- 1815 Brazil 1536 -- 1620 Barbados 17th century 1621 -- 1751 Maranhão 1680 -- 1777 Nova Colónia do Sacramento 18th century 1751 -- 1772 Grão - Pará and Maranhão 1772 -- 1775 Grão - Pará and Rio Negro 1772 -- 1775 Maranhão and Piauí 19th century 1808 -- 1822 Cisplatina ( Uruguay ) 1809 -- 1817 Portuguese Guiana ( Amapá ) 1822 Upper Peru ( Bolivia ) Coats of arms of Portuguese colonies Evolution of the Portuguese Empire Portuguese colonial architecture Portuguese colonialism in Indonesia Portuguese colonization of the Americas Theory of the Portuguese discovery of Australia History of Asia Sovereign states Afghanistan Armenia Azerbaijan Bahrain Bangladesh Bhutan Brunei Cambodia China Cyprus East Timor ( Timor - Leste ) Egypt Georgia India Indonesia Iran Iraq Israel Japan Jordan Kazakhstan North Korea South Korea Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Lebanon Malaysia Maldives Mongolia Myanmar Nepal Oman Pakistan Philippines Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia Singapore Sri Lanka Syria Tajikistan Thailand Turkey Turkmenistan United Arab Emirates Uzbekistan Vietnam Yemen States with limited recognition Abkhazia Artsakh Northern Cyprus Palestine South Ossetia Taiwan Dependencies and other territories British Indian Ocean Territory Christmas Island Cocos ( Keeling ) Islands Hong Kong Macau Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=History_of_the_United_Arab_Emirates&oldid=825780969 '' Categories : History of the United Arab Emirates Hidden categories : Webarchive template wayback links CS1 : Julian -- Gregorian uncertainty Pages using div col with deprecated parameters Talk Contents About Wikipedia Azərbaycanca বাংলা Català Deutsch Español Français Ido Italiano עברית ქართული Lietuvių Bahasa Melayu Nederlands Português Русский Shqip Українська 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 15 February 2018, at 11 : 04. 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Question: when did the united arab emirates gain independence
Answer: 1968