The United Arab Republic (1958-1971) was a secular confederation of Egypt and Syria that lasted from 22 February 1958 to 2 September 1961/1971. Its capital was Cairo, its language Arabic, its legislature a National Assembly, a population of 32,203,000 people, and 450,214 miles (1,166,049 kilometers) of territory.
History[]
Map of the UAR
The United Arab Republic was declared on 22 February 1958 with Gamal Abdel Nasser as its President and Prime Minister. It was a confederation of Egypt and Syria, with 32,203,000 people and 1,166,049 km (450,214 m) of territory, centered at the city of Cairo, the capital of Egypt. It was perceived as a threat to Jordan, who united briefly with the fellow Hashemite nation of Iraq, forming the Arab Federation the same year. The UAR's formation led to the Lebanon crisis of 1958, with Muslim and Druze people fighting against the Maronite Christians in order to join the republic to form a large Arab republic. Operation Blue Bat resulted in Lebanon, and the UAR began to feel problems occurring. Perceived Egyptian domination over the alliance and the power of Nasser over two strong nations led to both internal and external demand for the dissembling of the nation. In 1961, the nation broke up, but Egypt used the name "United Arab Republic" until 1971.