Timeline: United Arab Emirates

A chronology of key events:

1820 - Britain and local rulers sign a treaty to combat piracy along the Gulf coast. From this, and later agreements, the area becomes known as the Trucial Coast.

Oil money transformed the UAE 2005: UAE unveils mega-waterfront plan

1892 - Deal between the Trucial States and Britain gives Britain control over foreign affairs and each emirate control over internal affairs.

1948 - Sheikh Saqr Bin-Muhammad al-Qasimi becomes Ruler of Ras al-Khaymah.

1950s - Oil is discovered.

1952 - The seven emirates form a Trucial Council.

1962 - Oil is exported for the first time from Abu Dhabi.

1966 August - Sheikh Zayed Bin-Sultan Al Nuhayyan takes over as Ruler of Abu Dhabi.

1968 - As independence looms, Bahrain and Qatar join the Trucial States. Differences cause the union to crumble in 1971.

1971 November - Iran occupies the islands of Greater and Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa.

Federation formed

1971 December - After independence from Britain, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujayrah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Qaywayn come together as the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Sheikh Zayed Bin-Sultan Al Nuhayyan presides over the federation.

1971 - UAE joins the Arab League.

Dubai's imposing Jumeirah mosque

1972 - Ras al-Khaymah joins the federation.

1972 January - Sheikh Sultan Bin-Muhammad al-Qasimi becomes Ruler of Sharjah.

1972 February - Federal National Council (FNC) is created; it is a 40 member consultative body appointed by the seven rulers.

1974 September - Sheikh Hamad Bin-Muhammad Bin-Hamad al-Sharqi becomes Ruler of Fujayrah.

1981 February - Sheikh Rashid Bin-Ahmad al-Mualla becomes Ruler of Umm al-Qaywayn.

1981 May - UAE is a founding member of the Gulf Cooperation Council; its first summit is held in Abu Dhabi.

1981 September - Sheikh Humayd Bin-Rashid al-Nuaymi becomes Ruler of Ajman.

1986 October - Sheikh Zayed Bin-Sultan Al Nuhayyan is re-elected as UAE president - his fourth term.

Coup attempt

1987 June - Attempted coup in Sharjah. Sheikh Sultan Bin-Muhammad al-Qasimi abdicates in favour of his brother after admitting financial mismanagement but is reinstated by the Supreme Council of Rulers.

The Gold Souk, Dubai's most-famous market Based in Deira, near the banks of the Creek Other Dubai souks sell spices, perfumes, electronics

1990 October - Sheikh Rashid Bin-Said Al Maktum dies and is succeeded by his son Sheikh Maktum Bin-Rashid Al Maktum as ruler of Dubai and UAE vice-president.

1991 - UAE forces join the allies against Iraq after the invasion of Kuwait.

1991 July - Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI) collapses. Abu Dhabi's ruling family owns a 77.4% share.

1992 Iran angers the UAE by saying visitors to Abu Musa and Greater and Lesser Tunb must have Iranian visas.

1993 December - Abu Dhabi sues BCCI's executives for damages.

1994 June - 11 of the 12 former BCCI executives accused of fraud are given jail sentences and ordered to pay compensation.

Islands disputed

1996 - Iran fuels the dispute over Abu Musa and Greater and Lesser Tunb by building an airport on Abu Musa and a power station on Greater Tunb.

1996 June - Two BCCI executives are cleared of fraud charges on appeal.

Sheikh Zayed was revered by many Emiratis 2004: Obituary - Sheikh Zayed

1998 - UAE restores diplomatic relations with Iraq; they were severed at the outbreak of the 1991 Gulf War.

1999 November - Gulf Cooperation Council backs the UAE in its dispute with Iran over Greater and Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa .

2001 June - President Sheikh Zayed pardons 6,000 prisoners.

2001 November - Government orders banks to freeze the assets of 62 organisations and individuals suspected by the US of funding terrorism.

2004 November - UAE President Sheikh Zayed Bin-Sultan Al Nahyan dies and is succeeded by his son, Sheikh Khalifa.

Dubai builds world's tallest tower Enlarge Image

2005 December - Sheikh Khalifa announces plans for the UAE's first elections. Half of the members of the consultative Federal National Council will be elected by a limited number of citizens.

2006 January - Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid al-Maktoum, UAE PM and vice-president and ruler of Dubai, dies during a visit to Australia. He is succeeded by his brother, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum.

2006 March - Political storm in the US forces 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 was home to two of the 9/11 hijackers.

2006 March-June - Economic changes announced. They include bringing the days of the official weekend into line with Western nations, introducing laws to reduce the dependence on foreign workers and allowing labourers to form trade unions.

2006 16 December - First-ever national elections. A small number of hand-picked voters choose half of the members of the Federal National Council - an advisory body.

2007 April - UAE unveils a national development strategy aimed at making it a world leader.

2007 September - Dubai and Qatar become the two biggest shareholders of the London Stock Exchange, the world's third largest stock exchange.