Alfredo Mandia

12-Pascal
UAE SS
Read this quotation by Sheik Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, what do you think he meant?
"A COUNTRY IS NOT MEASURED BY THE SIZE OF ITS AREA ON THE MAP. A
COUNTRY IS TRULY MEASURED BY ITS HERITAGE AND CULTURE."

Use examples from his life and work to support your statement. Write about 200 words.

- Culture is what defines us and heritage is what forms us. In accordance to the quote given, I
agree with it for it is true. A country isn’t just the place where we stand on, it’s the knowledge,
the people itself and the mark it leaves at the said location for a place does not make history,
those who accompany it do. UAE is a culturally and traditionally rich country for it practices it
and is made known. Another quote by his highness can also be linked, “A nation without a past
is a nation without a present or a future.” which suggests that they preserve their past in order for
the country to have a stable foundation, hence their cultures preserved. Though they are
modernized, much of their culture and tradition is expressed through various ways like a few of
their buildings, the yearly horse races, camel races, falconry, events like Dubai Shopping
Festival and Ramadan. Much of their old buildings are renovated and turned into museums and
historical districts for tourists to come and visit and to learn more about their culture. According
to research, even though the UAE is small compared to many other countries and far more
diverse with a local population of 19%, other Arab and Iranian consisting of 23%, South Asian’s
being 50% and other expatriates (including Westerners and East Asian) being 8%, far less than
half the population is local. Yet they still hold close to their heritage and culture and much of it
can be seen through the people.