Dubai is a city located in the United Arab Emirates, known for its glitz, glamour, and opulence. It has rapidly developed over the past few decades to become a global hub of finance, tourism, and trade.
Geography and Climate Of Dubai
- Dubai is the largest city in the United Arab Emirates and is located on the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf. There are about 3,5 million people here.
- The city covers an area of 1,588 square miles (~4,114 square kilometers), making it the second-largest emirate in the UAE after Abu Dhabi.
- It is located in the Arabian Desert and has a hot desert climate with extremely high temperatures during the summer months. The hottest temperature was 52.1°C (125.8°F), recorded in July 2002. The coldest temperature was 2.2°C (36°F), which was recorded in January 2008.
- The city is surrounded by sand dunes, salt flats, and rocky desert terrain. The dunes surrounding the city can reach several hundred feet in height.
- Many people think that Dubai is the capital of the UAE (United Arab Emirates). That’s incorrect. Dubai is the most populous city in this country, but the capital is Abu Dhabi.
History and Culture
- As of 2021, approximately 89% of the local population are immigrants, with only 11% being Emirati citizens. This makes Dubai one of the most diverse cities in the world, with people from over 200 different nationalities living and working in the city.
- The name “Dubai” comes from the Arabic word “daba” which means “to creep or crawl,” referring to the slow movement of camels across the desert.
- Dubai was a small fishing village until the discovery of oil in the 1960s, which transformed the city into a major global economic hub.
- That’s a multicultural city with a diverse population, including a large expatriate community. However, the vast majority of foreigners here are poor labor workers from other Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian countries.
- Arabic is the official language of Dubai, but English is widely spoken and understood.
- That’s a Muslim city, it follows Islamic traditions and customs, but it is also a tolerant and cosmopolitan society.
- Dubai is a safe city with a low crime rate, making it a popular destination for tourists and expatriates.
Infrastructure and Architecture
- This city is known for its impressive architecture, including the iconic Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. Imagine a skyscraper 829.8 m (2,722 ft) tall! Everyone can go to the top, but the viewpoint is free of charge only for the hotel guests.
- The Dubai Mall is the largest shopping mall in the world. It attracts millions of visitors each year Hanging out in the malls is popular because of the hot climate and the lack of public spaces for recreation.
- The world’s largest indoor ski resort is located here. That’s Ski Dubai, and the fun fact is that it is located inside another mall, the Mall of the Emirates.
- The Dubai Fountain, located outside the Burj Khalifa, is the world’s largest choreographed fountain system.
- The Palm Jumeirah is an artificial archipelago in the shape of a palm tree and is one of Dubai’s most famous landmarks.
- The Dubai Miracle Garden is the world’s largest flower garden, with over 45 million flowers in bloom.
Why Dubai Is so Rich?
- Dubai is a tax-free zone, making it an attractive destination for business and investment.
- Local international is one of the busiest airports in the world. Millions of passengers pass through it every year.
- This city is a major center of trade and commerce, with a thriving financial sector and a rapidly growing technology industry.
- Tourism is a major industry here. Millions of visitors flock to the city every year to enjoy its attractions and luxury accommodations.
- There are several theme parks here, including Parks and Resorts and IMG Worlds of Adventure.
- That’s probably the most popular destination for luxury shopping. High-end brands and designer boutiques are located throughout the city.
- Several world-renowned hotels are located here. This includes the Burj Al Arab, which is often referred to as the world’s most luxurious hotel.
Local Transportation
- Dubai has an extensive public transportation system, including a metro, buses, and water taxis. There’s a light rail system that serves the city’s popular tourist areas.
- Also,thhere’s a huge artificial canal here, it connects the Dubai Creek with the Persian Gulf.
- There are some major highways, including the Sheikh Zayed Road, which runs through the center of the city. Local citizens never use the public transport, all of them drive their own cars.
Sports and Entertainment
- This city holds several major sporting events, including the Dubai World Cup. The world’s richest horse race also goes on here annually.
- The Dubai Tennis Championships is a major international tennis tournament held each year in the city.
- This city is a popular destination for golf. There are over 20 golf clubs!
- Local International Cricket Stadium is a state-of-the-art cricket venue that has hosted several international cricket matches.
- Dubai Sports City is a massive sports complex. It includes several stadiums and training facilities for various sports.
- The city hosts several annual festivals and events, including the Shopping Festival and the Food Festival.
- The Dubai Opera House is a world-class performing arts venue that hosts concerts, operas, and other cultural events. That’s interesting because opera is a European art that was never popular in the Middle East.
- Dubai is home to several amusement parks and family-friendly attractions, including Legoland and Motiongate.
- The Dubai International Film Festival is a major film festival that showcases films from around the world.
- The Dubai World Trade Centre is a major exhibition center that hosts several international trade shows and conferences.
Environment in Dubai
- The city is committed to sustainability and is actively pursuing renewable energy solutions, including solar power and wind energy. That’s wise: oil reserves will run out sooner or later.
- The Dubai Sustainable City is a community designed to promote sustainable living through green technology and renewable energy. It’s quite successful, by the way.
- The local municipality has implemented several environmental initiatives, including waste reduction and recycling programs. These initiatives has proven their efficiency already.
- This city is home to several parks and green spaces, including the Dubai Miracle Garden and Creek Park.
- The local Water and Electricity Authority is responsible for managing the city’s water supply and promoting conservation efforts.
- Dubai has implemented several measures to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change, including the Clean Energy Strategy 2050.
Dubai Food
- Dubai has a diverse and vibrant food scene, with a range of international and regional cuisines on offer.
- The Food Festival here is a major annual event that showcases the city’s culinary offerings.
- Traditional Emirati cuisine includes dishes like machboos, a spiced rice dish, and luqaimat, a sweet dumpling dessert.
- There are several high-end restaurants and celebrity chefs here, including Gordon Ramsay and Nobu Matsuhisa.
- The Spice Souk is a traditional market that sells a range of spices, herbs, and other culinary ingredients.
- This city is known for its luxurious dining experiences, including dining in the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.
- Pure drinking water here is more expensive than gasoline.