Updated: December 03, 2011, 12:00 AM
In pictures: National Day 2011
December 02. National Day celebrations on Beach RD in Dubai. December 02, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Photo: Antonie Robertson/The National)
Spectators at the Loyalty March in Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National
A girl with her face painted with the colours of the UAE flag during the National day celebration at Ajman City Centre. Jaime Puebla /The National Newspaper
Musicians perform at Al Qasba during the National Day celebration in Sharjah. Jaime Puebla - The National Newspaper
Brothers Waleed and Ahmed Bin Shaiban al Hebsi put rocks on a 40 meter flag to keep it in place on the top of Jebel Janas near Ras al Khaimah City. Jeff Topping/The National
Police officer, Theyab Abdullah, 28, and four others spent a week and 2,000 AED decorating his 2005 Hummer H2 for the National Day celebrations in Ras al Khaimah. Jeff Topping/The National
The Corniche in Ras al Khaimah City was crowded with people celebrating on December 2 , 2011. Jeff Topping/The National
Flags and faces of the country's leaders adorn mountainsides, buildings and boulders along the highway from Ras al Khaimah City to the Omani border in celebration of National Day. Jeff Topping/The National
Spectators watch a bull fight at the Fujairah Fort. Pawan Singh / The National
Children riding in a Hummer limousine are sprayed with silly string during National Day celebrations on the Corniche in Ras al Khaimah City. Jeff Topping/The National
People take part in The Loyalty March organized by the Dubai Camel Racing Club. Antonie Robertson/The National
Women and children take part in the Spirit of the Union march near the Fujairah Corniche. Pawan Singh / The National
Mohammed Ahmed from the Al Shehhi tribe takes part in the sword championship with other participants at the Fujairah Fort. Pawan Singh / The National
Residents of Abu Dhabi spray foam on cars and each other to celebrate the 40th National day on the Abu Dhabi Corniche. Ravindranath K / The National
UAE residents celebrate at the Mamzar Beach area in Dubai . Satish Kumar / The National
People show off their decorated cars during the Spirit of Union Parade on Yas Island. Silvia Razgova/The National
People show off their decorated cars during the Spirit of Union parade at Yas Island near Abu Dhabi. Silvia Razgova/The National
People join in celebration and show off their decorated cars during the Spirit of Union parade at Yas Island near Abu Dhabi. Silvia Razgova/The National
A military parade at the Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi. Silvia Razgova/The National
People wave flags as they gather for a program of military and artistic parade at the Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi. Silvia Razgova/The National