Dubai

The World Of Enchanting Modern and Ancient Coexistence

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a bright pearl among cities, which is, at the same time, the embodiment of a perfect mix between the modernity and the tradition, it is Dubai. With its world-high skyscrapers reaching the clouds and its traditional souks and gold deserts, Dubai is the place which can entertain any travellers. Being impressed by state-of-art buildings, amazed by sophisticated shopping or curious about the cultural background of the area, Dubai is bound to take you on your dream adventure.

Explore the stunning landscapes and rivers of Dubai through National Geographic’s detailed coverage.

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Geographical Location

Dubai lies on the south-east Coast of the Persian Gulf thus it is a major city in the United Arab Emirates. It borders Abu Dhabi on the south and Sharjah on the north and has the huge desert on its East. Dubai is the second-largest emirate in the UAE, which has a total land area of approximately 4,114 square kilometers, just after Abu Dhabi. The place has in the past been strategically located, making it a centre of trade, commerce and tourism by acting as a connection between the East and the West.

Natural Sculptures and Formations

Although Dubai is a popular city to be at because of urban spaces, the natural beauty of the area is also quite mesmerizing. The coastline of the city expands along the Persian Gulf, and such beaches as the Jumeirah Beach present exquisite views of water. Within the city boundaries, the Al Marmoom Desert is on its outskirts to provide a special experience of the peaceful dunes. It is also where modern marvels found expression in the form of artificial islands, such as the Palm Jumeirah and The World Islands built along the amazing coast line of Dubai.

For an in-depth travel guide, visit the Official tourism guide for Dubai

Ancient and medieval History

The history of Dubai goes back to the 18th century when it was established as a small fishing village. It was strategically situated along the Persian Gulf as it was a natural port of call for merchants and traders who had visited Africa, India, and Persia. The region also turned into an important port to the pearl trade which was an important aspect of its early economy. The trade network in Dubai had spread to the Arabian Gulf and further, thus leading the city to prosper long before the oil boom.

Independence and The Colonial Era

In the 19th century, just like most of the Gulf states, British colonialists interfered with Dubai. It was not a fully colonized city, but the British played an important part in the trade rules and political choices of the city. Dubai joined the British protectorate in 1892 and remained under British influence until the appearance of the UAE in 1971. After independence, Dubai developed and modernized at a fast rate and the economy diversified partly because of the discovery of oil in the 1960s.

Current History and Development

The shift that is observed in Dubai today, in the second half of the 20th century, became the way to transform a simple trading center into one of the richest cities in the world. Dubai, with the visionary leadership of the ruling Al Maktoum family, invested a great deal on infrastructure and emerged as the global hub of tourism, real estate, finance, and trade. The emergence of majestic monuments, including the tallest building of the world the Burj Khalifa and the world-famous hotel with a sail-like shape, the Burj Al Arab, reflects the swift move of Dubai to international stardom.

Religious and Ethnic Diversity

Dubai is a city full of diversity and people of different regions all over the world reside here. Emiratis are the natives of Dubai and a few in number, the majority of them being expatriates of India, Pakistan, the Philippines, and the Western countries. The multicultural setup of Dubai is seen in terms of the languages spoken by the people which are Arabic, English, Hindi, Urdu and others. Muslims form the majority in the city yet there are other non-Muslim groups that include Christianity and Hinduism and hence a model to practice tolerance in the region.

Cultural practices and traditions

Dubai is the city that has a modern lifestyle and lives after it, but still, the city preserves traditional customs and heritage. Both the annual Dubai Shopping Festival and Dubai Food Festival praise the affluence of the polity and the deeply set culture. The local festivals that include the Dubai International Film Festival and the Dubai Heritage Festival exalt the traditional Arabian music, dance and food. The respect to culture that the city of Dubai demonstrates, can also be illustrated by such places as Al Fahidi Historical District where people can find out more about the history and traditions of this city.

Religious Festivals

The most important religious holidays in Dubai are Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, celebrated with the help of merry events, prayers, feast, as well as gift exchanging. The city is a spiritual center during Ramadan, and the nightly prayers in mosques, special events and charity drives are organized then. The city is illuminated in the holy month reaching a special state of affairs to local residents and tourists.

Patriotic days and Holy Days

December 2nd is the National Day of Dubai commemorating the establishment of the UAE. This day is full of patriotism and pride and is characterized with large parades, fireworks, and other events in which there is tremendous growth of the country being promoted. Also there is the Dubai World Cup which has been held on an annual basis; it is rated as the richest horse race in the world and it attracts thousands of people across the globe.

Agricultural Sector

Although the economy of Dubai is predominantly based on oil and gas production, there is little but an important agricultural sector in Dubai too. The crops that are cultivated in the city outskirts especially in Al Ain include dates, fruits, and vegetables. Nonetheless, Dubai is an import-dependent state since the desert conditions of the city do not favor massive farming.

Industrial and Manufacturing Development

Over the last few decades, Dubai has de-centralized its economy by a great margin. Some of the industries that play important roles in the city are construction, real estates, finance, aviation industries, and tourism. Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and other free trade zones are offered incentives through business and offer opportunities to be innovative and get multinational companies.

Economic Development

The economic development of Dubai has experienced a boost through the policies of diversification such as the exploration of the tourism industry that has become a key pillar of the economy. The city is an international tourist attraction site as well as business destination due to its magnificent landmarks, shopping, hotels and entertainment centers. The airports of Dubai such as Dubai International Airport are some of the busiest in the world, which further secures the status of the city as the center point of commerce in the world.

Natural Attractions

People can engage in dune bashing, camel ride, and sandboarding in the desert of Dubai as a major attraction. One of the desert camps is an opportunity to experience the authentic Bedouin style as visitors may explore the beauties of the desert. The other feature of Dubai is the coastline, and Jumeirah Beach offers the visitor a high-profile location to relax and practice water sports.

Cultural and Historic Landmarks

Dubai has historical buildings and others are historical and are iconic structures. The tallest building in the world , the Burj Khalifa, provides a panoramic view of the city and beyond. Dubai Mall offers a shopping haven as one of the largest shopping malls in the world, besides being an abode to the Dubai Aquarium. An idea of the old Dubai can be gathered in the Al Fahidi Historical District and the Dubai Museum which gives an insight of the city prior to its current state as a grocery metropolis.

Healthcare System

The city has very modern and advanced medical-means a high standard of medical facilities and whose hospitals and health care facilities provide high standard treatment in terms of all specialities. The city is a medical tourism center and patients are coming in to get treated in the city and country and this is on all levels from a simple cosmetic surgery to a complex medical procedure. There have been government efforts to make healthcare accessible and quality services to be enjoyed by those who live in the region and visiting parties.

Education System

In Dubai, learning is given priority and concerns local and international curriculum. The city has many schools which provide the British, American education systems and other international education systems. The city of Dubai boasts some of the higher education institutions including the branch of renowned universities which makes it one of the brightest points in the region as far as education is concerned.

Transport Network

The transport system of Dubai is the most advanced system in the globe. The roads, highways and the Dubai Metro system are comprehensive to the city. Public transportation is convenient, with taxi, bus or water taxis available, with Dubai International Airport being one of the major international hubs.

Urban Development

The city revolves around its urban development, which is legendary, with the demonstration of the innovation in projects such as the Palm Jumeirah project, which is a man made island in the shape of a palm tree. The building of the luxury skyscrapers, such as Burj Al Arab or Burj Khalifa, revamped the face of the city, and placed Dubai on the international market as the symbol of modernity.

Why People Should Visit

Ideal Seasons

The ideal time to travel to Dubai is during the cool dining season which runs between November to April when it is cool and ideal to perform all outdoor activities. Temperate temperatures reach over 40 oC (104 oF) in summer, and it is not the best choice of town to explore outdoors.

Special Events and Festivals

When scheduling your trip, special events you should keep in mind are the Dubai Shopping Festival in January or February, the Dubai World Cup in March, at which you can experience world-class horse racing and shopping.

Conclusion: Dubai in the future

Dubai keeps developing and transforming itself into a global city of innovations, luxury, and culture. The future of the city is also based on the fact that this city will continue its dynamic development without forgetting its rich history and traditions. As long as they concentrate on sustainability, technology, and further economic diversification Dubai will be in a good position to continue being sustainable as one of the leading cities in the world in several years to come.

FAQ Most Commonly Asked Questions

When is the ideal time to visit Dubai?

The most probable timeline to visit will be between November and April because the weather during the other months is much warmer, and it is not conducive to outdoors movements.

Which are the best sights in Dubai?

The major attractions are the Burj Khalifa, the Burj Al Arab, the Palm Jumeirah, the Dubai Mall and the Desert Safari in Dubai.

Which are the languages spoken in Dubai?

The official language is the Arabic one, yet the widespread practice is the English one, primarily in business and tourism.

Which are the industries operating in Dubai?

The economy of Dubai is dominated by the oil, real estate, tourism, finance and the trade businesses.

Is Dubai tourist friendly?

Indeed, Dubai is also one of the safest tourist cities with a low crime rate that has a welcoming atmosphere.

Which are the cultural festivals in Dubai?

You do not want to miss the Dubai Shopping festival, Dubai International Film festival and the Eid celebrations.

Dubai has a lot to offer to all visitors with specific needs as well, so that you can enjoy adventures there, luxury experiences, and more cultural experiences. An ideal combination of the new and the old, this bustling city still impresses tourists of numerous countries.