The designation of the seven Arab states most frequently refers to the seven individual emirates that federated in 1971 to form the United Arab Emirates. These founding member emirates comprise Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah. Each emirate was historically ruled by its own royal family and tribal leaders before unifying under a single federal constitution. Furthermore, in broader historical or geopolitical contexts involving the Arab world, groups of nations are often categorized by regional alliances, such as the Gulf Cooperation Council, which consists of six core states, or the foundational members of the Arab League.