The United Arab Emirates (UAE) lies along the south-eastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula (between 22º 50 and 26º north latitude and between 51º and 56º 25 east longitude). Qatar is situated to the north-west, Saudi Arabia to the west, south and south-east, and Oman to the south-east and north-east. Occupying an area of about 83,600 sq. km (32,400 sq. miles), the UAE is roughly the size of Portugal. Its coastline (which used to measure 1318 km before land reclamation projects extended this figure) stretches along the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

The UAE is warm and sunny in winter and hot and humid during the summer months. Winter daytime temperatures average a very pleasant 26°C, although nights can be relatively cool, between 12–15°C on the coast, and less than 5°C in the depths of the desert or high in the mountains. 

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