Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

When this picture was taken (see the date in brackets?) the independent UAE had not even reached its majority (i.e., it had not turned 21). As a young nation, it could not quite figure out how to fit together the global jigsaw. Look closely. See Australia? Where's Tasmania? Sea the Mediterraean? There's Tasmania! [1992]

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

New immigrants, new fish traps. New environment for the Indians, old tools of the trade. Geographers would see them as the hyphen in 'human-environment relationships,' with hungry humanity to the hyphen's left and grown-up Persian Gulf guppies to the hyphen's right. [1992]

Fujairah, United Arab Emirates

Playing along a dry riverbed, or wadi, in the mountains of Fujairah Emirate in the UAE, these boys are divided into two camps: two carry on the tradition of wearing the dishdash; three have opted for western sports togs. Surprised by the bright colors? Don't be. The Middle East is one of the most colorful parts of the world. [1992]

Abu Dhabi, UAE

If you can change oil into water, turning the desert green is no problem. But, first you must have oil, and Abu Dhabi does. Drip irrigation makes it possible to deliver precise amounts of water (and nutrients) to the root zone of each plant. We should be using it everywhere, not just in deserts. [1992]

Abu Dhabi, UAE

Along a tidal creek in Abu Dhabi, these fishermen pull in enough to help feed their families and earn a little on the side. But, do they look like Arabs? Or, do they look like Indians (probably from southern India)? Native-born Emiratis comprise less than 20 percent of the country's population. [1992]

Abu Dhabi, UAE

Dhows are traditional Arab trading vessels of the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean. Each of the sheikdoms had a creek where they moored. On the west side of the Arabian Peninsula, trade went by land; on the east side, trade went by water. Today, dhows are a symbol of national identity, especially in the United Arab Emirates. [1992]

Liwa, Abu Dhabi, UAE

The 'Empty Quarter' of the Arabian Peninsula seems to be empty of everything except camels. Here a caravan gracefully crests a great dune near the oasis of Liwa in Abu Dhabi, the largest emirate in the United Arab Emirates. These are the one-humped variety known as dromedaries. [1992]