A federation of
seven states on the southeast portion of the arabian peninsula: abu dhabi, ajman, dubai, fujairah,
ras al-khaimah, sharjah and umm al-qaiwain. In 1820 a treaty of
peace was concluded between great britain and
native rulers. During the 19th century the rulers agreed to suppression of the
slave trade and
restriction of
foreign relations to great britain. The trucial council was established in 1952 and
defense treaties with great britain terminated. In 1971 an
independent six-member federation was formed, with
ras al-khaimah joining the federation in 1972.