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Fact File: Dubai
INTRODUCTION
Dubai the jewel of the Middle East. The enthusiasm and vision of the rulers of Dubai is amazing and breathtaking. It is one of the fastest growing cities in the world. It has grown from a small traditional oasis in the desert to a well planned modern city with a skyline to match Manhattan or any other city in the world. The liberal attitude of the rulers of Dubai has made this emirate welcoming to foreign investors and multinational companies from all over the world many of whom have their head office now based in Dubai. The Dubai government is constantly investing and building up its infrastructure, transport facilities, schools, and hospitals and tourism industry. Dubai has very tight laws and this enables it to be a very safe and clean city. It has a multicultural population made up of UAE nationals and expats mainly from India, Sri Lanka, Phillipines, Russia, Romania and Britain. Dubai is constantly striving to become the best city in the world hence has the only 7* hotel in the world the Bruj AL Arab, the largest shopping mall outside the USA the Mall of Emirates the 3rd largest indoor ski resort in the world Ski Dubai, manmade islands the Palm and the World. It is a city with all year round sunshine and with very good standard of hotels and apartments to suit all budgets. The beaches are very clean and safe and offer a variety of activities for all ages. The city now host’s some of the world’s renowned sporting events and exhibitions through out the year. Dubai has changed from a stopover destination to a 7-14 day destination for young people and families.
History: Originally a small fishing settlement, Dubai was taken over in about 1830 by a branch of the Bani Yas tribe from the Liwa oasis led by the Maktoum family who still rule the emirate today. Traditional activities included herding sheep and goats, cultivating dates, fishing and pearling, but the inhabitants built up trade too. By the turn of the century, Dubai was reputed to have the largest souks on the Gulf coast, with 350 shops in the Deira district alone.
Dubai remained politically a protectorate of Britain as part of the Trucial States extending along the northern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. On the British withdrawal in 1971, Dubai came together with Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah and (in 1972) Ras Al Khaimah to create the federation of the United Arab Emirates. The second largest of the seven emirates which make up the United Arab Emirates, Dubai is located on the southern shore of the Arabian Gulf. It has an area of some 3,900 square kilometers. Outside the city itself, the emirate is sparsely inhabited and characterized by desert vegetation.
Economy: Oil contributes just 20 per cent of economic production.
Trading, manufacturing and services — including tourism — now dominate the economy.
Population: 997,000
Languages: The official language is Arabic. English is widely understood and ranks alongside Arabic as the language of commerce
Religion: Islam is the official religion of the UAE and there are a large number of mosques throughout the city. Other religions are respected and Dubai has two Christian churches,
St Mary’s (Roman Catholic) and Holy Trinity (Inter-denominational).
Climate: The UAE has a sub-tropical, arid climate. Rainfall is infrequent and irregular. Falling mainly in winter, it amounts to some 13 centimeters a year. Temperatures range from a low of about 10 degrees Celsius to a high of 48 degrees Celsius. The mean daily maximum is 24 degrees in January rising to 41 degrees in July.
Clothing: Lightweight summer clothing is suitable for most of the year, but sweaters or jackets may be needed for the winter months, especially in the evenings. Compared with certain parts of the Middle East, Dubai has a very relaxed dress code. However, care should be taken not to give offence by wearing clothing which may be considered revealing. At the pool or on the beaches, trunks, swim-suits and bikinis are quite acceptable.
Good quality sunglasses are advised and photo- chromatic lenses for those who wear spectacles. Hats or some protection for the head are advisable when in direct sunlight.
Local Time: The UAE is four hours ahead of GMT.
Electricity: The electricity supply in Dubai is 220/240 volts at 50 cycles. US-made appliances may need a transformer.
Water: Tap water is quite safe to drink but visitors usually prefer locally-bottled mineral water and this is generally served in hotels and restaurants.
Official Currency: The monetary unit is the dirham (Dh) which is divided into 100 fils. The dirham is linked to the Special Drawing Right of the International Monetary Fund. It has been held constant against the US dollar since the end of 1980 at a mid-rate of approximately US$1=dh3.67.
Health requirements: No health certificates are required for entry to Dubai, but it is always wise to check before departure, as health restrictions may vary depending upon the situation at the time.
Visa regulations: For more details click on this link: www.uaeembassyuk.net
Location: Dubai is strategically located on the Eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula in the South Western corner of the Arabian Gulf at the crossroads of trade and commerce between East and West. Dubai is one of the seven Emirates that make up the federation of the United Arab Emirates.
Getting Around:
By Road: Buses run between Dubai International Airport and Deira bus station every 15 to 20 minutes. There are metered Dubai Transport taxis which are reasonably priced and most drivers have good knowledge of the local area. Local buses run from the Deira bus station, near the Gold Souq, and the Bur Dubai station on Al-Ghubaiba Rd. The older parts of Dubai are best seen on foot. Abras (small motorboats) crisscross Dubai Creek from early morning until around midnight, and are a great way to see the waterfront.
Alcohol: Alcohol is available in hotel and club restaurants and bars. However, restaurants outside the hotels are not permitted to serve alcoholic beverages.
Useful Tips:
Do not sit in such a way that the soles of your feet are pointing at someone else.
In Ramadan, never eat, drink or smoke in public during daylight hours.
Do not take photographs of military installations or national women.
Never drink alcohol in public.
Photography: Normal tourist photography is acceptable but it is considered offensive to photograph Muslim women. It is also courteous to ask permission before photographing men. In general, photographs of government buildings or military installations should not be taken.
For any further information check the Dubai Tourism website below:
http://dubaitourism.co.ae
We have our very own list of recommended shopping malls, clubs and restaurants which we are happy to share with you.
Dubai the jewel of the Middle East. The enthusiasm and vision of the rulers of Dubai is amazing and breathtaking. It is one of the fastest growing cities in the world. It has grown from a small traditional oasis in the desert to a well planned modern city with a skyline to match Manhattan or any other city in the world. The liberal attitude of the rulers of Dubai has made this emirate welcoming to foreign investors and multinational companies from all over the world many of whom have their head office now based in Dubai. The Dubai government is constantly investing and building up its infrastructure, transport facilities, schools, and hospitals and tourism industry. Dubai has very tight laws and this enables it to be a very safe and clean city. It has a multicultural population made up of UAE nationals and expats mainly from India, Sri Lanka, Phillipines, Russia, Romania and Britain. Dubai is constantly striving to become the best city in the world hence has the only 7* hotel in the world the Bruj AL Arab, the largest shopping mall outside the USA the Mall of Emirates the 3rd largest indoor ski resort in the world Ski Dubai, manmade islands the Palm and the World. It is a city with all year round sunshine and with very good standard of hotels and apartments to suit all budgets. The beaches are very clean and safe and offer a variety of activities for all ages. The city now host’s some of the world’s renowned sporting events and exhibitions through out the year. Dubai has changed from a stopover destination to a 7-14 day destination for young people and families.
History: Originally a small fishing settlement, Dubai was taken over in about 1830 by a branch of the Bani Yas tribe from the Liwa oasis led by the Maktoum family who still rule the emirate today. Traditional activities included herding sheep and goats, cultivating dates, fishing and pearling, but the inhabitants built up trade too. By the turn of the century, Dubai was reputed to have the largest souks on the Gulf coast, with 350 shops in the Deira district alone.
Dubai remained politically a protectorate of Britain as part of the Trucial States extending along the northern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. On the British withdrawal in 1971, Dubai came together with Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah and (in 1972) Ras Al Khaimah to create the federation of the United Arab Emirates. The second largest of the seven emirates which make up the United Arab Emirates, Dubai is located on the southern shore of the Arabian Gulf. It has an area of some 3,900 square kilometers. Outside the city itself, the emirate is sparsely inhabited and characterized by desert vegetation.
Economy: Oil contributes just 20 per cent of economic production.
Trading, manufacturing and services — including tourism — now dominate the economy.
Population: 997,000
Languages: The official language is Arabic. English is widely understood and ranks alongside Arabic as the language of commerce
Religion: Islam is the official religion of the UAE and there are a large number of mosques throughout the city. Other religions are respected and Dubai has two Christian churches,
St Mary’s (Roman Catholic) and Holy Trinity (Inter-denominational).
Climate: The UAE has a sub-tropical, arid climate. Rainfall is infrequent and irregular. Falling mainly in winter, it amounts to some 13 centimeters a year. Temperatures range from a low of about 10 degrees Celsius to a high of 48 degrees Celsius. The mean daily maximum is 24 degrees in January rising to 41 degrees in July.
Clothing: Lightweight summer clothing is suitable for most of the year, but sweaters or jackets may be needed for the winter months, especially in the evenings. Compared with certain parts of the Middle East, Dubai has a very relaxed dress code. However, care should be taken not to give offence by wearing clothing which may be considered revealing. At the pool or on the beaches, trunks, swim-suits and bikinis are quite acceptable.
Good quality sunglasses are advised and photo- chromatic lenses for those who wear spectacles. Hats or some protection for the head are advisable when in direct sunlight.
Local Time: The UAE is four hours ahead of GMT.
Electricity: The electricity supply in Dubai is 220/240 volts at 50 cycles. US-made appliances may need a transformer.
Water: Tap water is quite safe to drink but visitors usually prefer locally-bottled mineral water and this is generally served in hotels and restaurants.
Official Currency: The monetary unit is the dirham (Dh) which is divided into 100 fils. The dirham is linked to the Special Drawing Right of the International Monetary Fund. It has been held constant against the US dollar since the end of 1980 at a mid-rate of approximately US$1=dh3.67.
Health requirements: No health certificates are required for entry to Dubai, but it is always wise to check before departure, as health restrictions may vary depending upon the situation at the time.
Visa regulations: For more details click on this link: www.uaeembassyuk.net
Location: Dubai is strategically located on the Eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula in the South Western corner of the Arabian Gulf at the crossroads of trade and commerce between East and West. Dubai is one of the seven Emirates that make up the federation of the United Arab Emirates.
Getting Around:
By Road: Buses run between Dubai International Airport and Deira bus station every 15 to 20 minutes. There are metered Dubai Transport taxis which are reasonably priced and most drivers have good knowledge of the local area. Local buses run from the Deira bus station, near the Gold Souq, and the Bur Dubai station on Al-Ghubaiba Rd. The older parts of Dubai are best seen on foot. Abras (small motorboats) crisscross Dubai Creek from early morning until around midnight, and are a great way to see the waterfront.
Alcohol: Alcohol is available in hotel and club restaurants and bars. However, restaurants outside the hotels are not permitted to serve alcoholic beverages.
Useful Tips:
Do not sit in such a way that the soles of your feet are pointing at someone else.
In Ramadan, never eat, drink or smoke in public during daylight hours.
Do not take photographs of military installations or national women.
Never drink alcohol in public.
Photography: Normal tourist photography is acceptable but it is considered offensive to photograph Muslim women. It is also courteous to ask permission before photographing men. In general, photographs of government buildings or military installations should not be taken.
For any further information check the Dubai Tourism website below:
http://dubaitourism.co.ae
We have our very own list of recommended shopping malls, clubs and restaurants which we are happy to share with you.
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