which triggered a famine. Hopes were reignited when in 1937 an oil exploration contract was signed which guaranteed royalty rights for Dubai and concessionary payments to Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum. However, due to World War II, oil would not be struck until 1966 at the Fateh oil field. In December 1971, the emirates united to form the United Arab Emirates, thus ending their status as British Protectorates. The ruler of the emirate is Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The emirate is made up of various other municipalities and villages. The inland exclave of Hatta is located about 134 km east of the city of Dubai. The exclave is bordered by Oman to the east and south, the villages of Sayh Mudayrah and Masfout in Ajman to the west, and Ras Al Khaimah to the north. Rulers July 9, 1833 – 1836: Sheikh Obeid bin Said bin Rashid (d. 1836) July 9, 1833 – 1852: Sheikh Maktoum bin Butti bin Suhail (d. 1852) 1852 – 1859: Sheikh Saeed bin Butti (d. 1859) 1859 – November 22, 1886: Sheikh Hasher bin Maktoum (d. 1886) November 22, 1886 – April 7, 1894: Sheikh Rashid bin Maktoum (d. 1894) April 7, 1894 – February 16, 1906: Sheikh Maktoum bin Hasher Al Maktoum (d. 1906) February 16, 1906 – November 1912: Sheikh Butti bin Suhail Al Maktoum (d. 1912) November 1912 – September 1958: Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Hasher Al Maktoum (d. 1958) September 1958 – October 7, 1990: Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum (d. 1990) October 7, 1990 – January 4, 2006: Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum (d. 2006) January 4, 2006: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (b. 1949) Demographics See also Outline of Dubai Emirates of the United Arab Emirates References External links Dubai.ae – Dubai Government official website Persian Gulf Populated coastal places in the United Arab Emirates Islamic monarchies