Dubai

A burgeoning tourist destination and a glamorous metropolis, the last few years for this city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been very prosperous. Dubai has gained notoriety in the world due to its larger than life culture, thriving economy, big buildings and booming oil industry. Dubai is a multicultural mecca, with most of its residents coming from India, Pakistan or the Philippines. Home to the tallest freestanding tower in the world and the Palm Islands (man-made islands on the Mediterranean), the opulent city of Dubai is a sight to behold.

Languages: Arabic

Currency: UAE Dirham (AED)

Government: Constitutional Monarchy

DID YOU KNOW?

• Dubai doesn’t have taxes! In the city of Dubai, there are no income and personal taxes on the citizens.

• 80 percent of all Dubai residents are foreigners. Dubai attracts people looking for employment from all over the world, the majority coming from India, Pakistan and the Philippines.

• Dubai is home to some of the most lavish shopping malls and complexes. One notable one is the Dubai Emirates Mall, where you can ski indoors while shopping!

• In 1991 there was only one skyscraper in the city… comparably to now, where there are almost 400.

Climate

Sitting on the edge of the Mediterranean, Dubai is on the coast and is bordered by desert on all sides. Due to this, the city is very hot and humid and has only two seasons, winter and summer, which yield very little rain and no snow. Summer temperatures range from 35C to up to 45C, and winter temperatures from 15C to 33C. Although sandstorms are common in the Middle East, Dubai only experiences them a handful of times a year. The best time to visit Dubai is between November to April, where you can enjoy temperate heat without worry.

- Winter: November – April
- Summer: April – November

History

The first written mention of the city of Dubai was in the 9th century AD. In the 17th century, the Portuguese, French, Dutch and British occupied the area, and Dubai was nothing more than a small city with a small pearling trade. In the 1800s a tribe named Bani Yas conquered the city and started to lay the foundations for the booming city we know today through economic reforms, population growth and a growing port trade. It was during this time that the city became known as the main trading hub in the lower part of the Persian Gulf. In 1971, Dubai grew even more, and politically became an integral part of the UAE. Dubai is one of two Emirates in the UAE that holds veto powers.

Today, Dubai is a gleaming metropolis with a larger-than-life attitude about all things modern. With a strong workforce and trade, Dubai is one of the world’s fastest growing cities with a strong history and welcoming people.

MUST SEE:

Camel Market
A bustling, noisy marketplace, the famous camel market is a snapshot of ancient Arab culture in the generally modern Dubai.

Madinat Jumeirah
This is a hotel situated in the middle of the city, with the Burj al-Arab as a backdrop to it. Considered a city within a city, the Madinat Jumeirah boasts beautiful architecture, canals and shopping.

Dubai Aquarium
Within the world’s largest mall, the Dubai Aquarium is home to the Guinness Book of World Record’s “largest acrylic viewing panel”. This aquarium holds nearly 33,000 sea creatures and all can be viewed from outside, or take a walk through the walk-through tunnel.

Burj Khalifa
The world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa is one of the main attractions in Dubai. It is seven times the height of Big Ben in London, standing at 828m. This building is a an architectural and engineering feat, being built just over 6 years and employing 13,000 workers. Sitting at the top is the Observation Deck on the 124th floor, come check out the dizzying heights of this beautiful building.