Dubai

City Statistics

Location
Southern shore of the Arabian Gulf, northeastern United Arab Emirates.

Dialing code
971.

Population
1,400,000.

Ethnic Mix:
60% Indian, Pakistani and Filipino, 25% Emirates, 12% Arab and 3% Western ex-pats.

Religion:
57% Muslim, 20% Hindu, 20% Roman Catholic and 3% other.

Time zone
GMT + 4.

Electricity
220 or 240 volts AC, 50Hz; square three-pin plugs are standard.

Average January temperatures
24°C (75°F).

Average July temperatures
41°C (106°F).

Annual rainfall
300mm (11.8 inches).

Overview

The Palm Jebel Ali

Within hours of arriving first timers soon usually stop mouthing trite phrases like ‘but that is impossible' or ‘surely they couldn't'. In ultra ambitious Dubai nothing is impossible and they surely could. Think lush championship golf courses in the desert, massive manmade islands in the shape of the world and ski slopes in one of the most arid corners of the planet.

Dubai is no longer looking over its shoulder at ‘The West'; it is far too busy showing what an Arabic emirate can do on its own with what many observers are increasingly viewing as an insight into the future of cities the world over.

It is difficult to believe today that less than a century ago Dubai was little more than a desert-strewn wildscape where Bedouin tribes roamed the sands and a huddle of settlers crowded around the banks of the lifeblood creek. Even as Europe embarked on the mass industrial destruction of WWI, Dubai still had no running water, no real roads and the main mode of transport was the camel.

Dubai first grew as a hub on the ancient trading route between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley and, by the 19th century, a small fishing village had taken root at the mouth of Dubai Creek. The village was inhabited by the Bani Yas tribe, who were led by the Maktoum family, the dynasty that still presides over Dubai today.

The city's remarkable success story really began in the 1960s. During the process of shaking off the shackles of British colonial rule, oil was struck in 1966 and Dubai has never looked back. Since the 1960s, the population has mushroomed to almost 1.5 million and now an ever-growing number of hotels welcome in the temporary expat workers and tourists who help propel the economy.

Indeed, only around a quarter of the emirate's population are actually ethnically Emirati in a population mixture that has to be one of the world's most cosmopolitan. This diversity discourages any real ethnic tensions and while conflict might rage further north in Iraq, Dubai so far has been trouble free.

Dubai's evolution has been dramatic, with sweeping skyscrapers and gleaming office blocks rising up everywhere. The rulers of Dubai have a penchant for grand projects - one year the world's tallest tower (Burj Arab), the next a string of offshore manmade islands (the three Palms and the World) and now Dubailand, a massive project that will bring over 45 major projects to a massive leisure oasis in the desert.
Dubai seems to know no end to its ambition, nor does it have any inhibitions, with more grand plans slated, such as Dubai Mall (the world's largest mall) and the colossal new airport at Jebel Ali, which will dwarf the existing one, already the Middle East's busiest.

Even with regional instability in recent years tourism (now responsible for 30% of the emirate's GDP) remains remarkably resilient in this tolerant and stable part of the Arab world with more and more tourists flocking to Dubai every year. This is unsurprising really, considering the idyllic climate for much of the year, with constant sunshine and only an average of five days of rainfall annually. During summer, however, the heat is extreme, making trips away from air-conditioned vehicles and buildings unbearable.

The future prospects of the emirate's tourist industry and its economic situation as a whole may ultimately be governed by developments in the rest of the Middle East, but for now Dubai is a city on the rise and rise.

 Tourist Information

Lovely Utopia Of Dubai

Atlantis Hotel In Dubai

 Walking Tours
Dubai is a sprawling city that can be difficult to walk around and there are no official signposted tours. However, a self-guided stroll around the older central parts of Deira and Bur Dubai is a great way of discovering the delights of the city, exploring its traditional souks or stumbling across hidden mosques or wind towers.

‘A Walk through the City of Contrasts’, covering Bastakiya and including an abra ride from Shindagha across the Creek and a walk through the gold and spice souks, is offered by Arabian Adventures (tel: (04) 303 4888; website: www.arabian-adventures.com).
Bus Tours
A number of companies offer half-day city tours, including Arabian Adventures (tel: (04) 303 4888; website: www.arabian-adventures.com) and Net Tours Dubai (tel: (04) 226 6655; website: www.nettoursdubai.com). Tours vary depending on the operator but most go to the old and new Dubai souks, Jumeirah Mosque, the thriving commercial area and include a creek crossing by abra (local water taxi).  Another option is to see Dubai by night. Post-tour dinner in one of Dubai’s many restaurants is usually a feature of the night-time tours, which also incorporate the mosques, palaces and souks. The tours operate a very organized system, with pick-up at all main hotels.

 

Boat Tours
Arabian Adventures (tel: (04) 303 4888; website: www.arabian-adventures.com) offers a variety of cruises on Dubai Creek, aboard a 20m (65ft) schooner, which sets off onto the Arabian Gulf. Alpha Tours (tel: (04) 294 9888; website: www.alphatoursdubai.com) operates evening dhow dinner cruises, which take 2 hours. Alternatively, tourists should go down to Dubai Creek and charter a traditional abra (water taxi), for a short river tour lasting 60-90 minutes. The length of the tour and the price should be agreed in advance. Otherwise, visitors can just ride one across the creek to the other side (journey time – 5 minutes). 

Abit More On The Atlantis Hotel In The Dubai:

The is the the future, the future of wonders. Dubai built the futuristic hotel on one of its islands. Its stunning, breathtaking, and luxurious. The hotel is situated on 113 acres of the Palm Jumeirah, and has about 1539 rooms. The hotel opened its doors last year in September and already attracting many visitors from all over the globe.

Atlantis is the majestic focal point of Palm Jumeirah, a man-made island that has captured the world’s imagination with its magnificent scale and ingenuity. From the moment of arrival, you’re immersed in a dazzling world of imagination, pleasure and luxury. The resort offers relaxation and thrills for couples and families alike, including a landmark hotel, unique marine habitats, an exhilarating water park, pristine white beaches, world-class cuisine, indulgent spa and cosmopolitan boutiques. To stay or visit is to live out your dreams amidst warm Arabian seas.

Atlantis Hotel In Dubai During The Day

Atlantis Hotel In Dubai Illuminates