UAE Dubai

Dubai,

also spelled Dubayy, city and capital of the emirate of Dubai, one of the wealthiest of the seven emirates that constitute the federation of the United Arab Emirates, which was created in 1971 following independence from Great Britain. There are several theories about the origin of the name Dubai. One associates it with the daba—a type of locust that infests the area—while another holds that it refers to a market that existed near the city. In recent years Dubai has been compared to Singapore and Hong Kong and is often regarded as the Middle East’s premier entrepôt. Area 13.5 square miles (35 square km). Pop. (2017 est.) 2,919,178. Dubai is a city of skyscrapers, ports, and beaches, where big business takes place alongside sun-seeking tourism. Because of its large expatriate population, it feels like a Middle Eastern melting pot, and the atmosphere is generally tolerant. Religious affiliations are not a prominent aspect of city life. Islam is the majority religion, but churches and Hindu temples coexist with Dubai’s mosques.

The western area of Dubai benefits from small stretches of sandy beaches, which have helped to catalyze the city’s tourism industry. Dubai’s rulers have sought to increase the city’s limited seafronts, and, in the absence of natural offshore islands, developers were encouraged to construct giant man-made islands off the coast of the city. The most famous of these is Palm Jumeirah, which has the shape of a palm tree. Others include the “World” islands, a cluster of small islands positioned to resemble a world map when viewed from above. The Burj Khalifa, which at the time of its official opening in 2010 was the world’s tallest building; it was named after the president of the United Arab Emirates and emir of Abu Dhabi, Khalifa ibn Zayed Al Nahyan.

Dubai has a rich, Arabic cultural heritage. While it is now more known for its intriguing mix of deserts, beaches and luxurious manmade feats, the culture of the Emirati people still have a major role to play. Dubai is an absolute monarchy. The Al Maktoum family have reigned there since 1833—the current ruler being His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bi Rashid Al Maktoum. In addition to being the Crown Prince of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan is also the Chairman of Dubai’s Executive Council and, like his predecessors, has wisely and progressively led Dubai into prosperity. Although tradition and culture underpin life in Dubai, the UAE state is a warmly hospitable destination. Emirati people tend to preserve Islamic heritage, with the majority being Muslim. Despite this, the people of Dubai are extremely tolerant of their multicultural citizens and guests—all religious beliefs are welcome. Over 200 nationalities call Dubai home, including Emiratis, Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Filipinos, and Sri Lankans. Each new group has brought with them their own style, strengths and flavours. There are currently over 6000 restaurants and cafés in the bustling city, offering every cuisine imaginable.

Palm Jumeirah, artificial offshore islands in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the site of private residences and hotels. From the air, the archipelago resembles a stylized palm tree within a circle. Palm Jumeirah was built in the early 21st century and was largely financed from Dubai’s substantial income from petroleum. Trunk, spine, fronds, and crescent are the names by which the principal sectors of Palm Jumeirah are known. The broad trunk, connected to the mainland by a bridge, serves as the entrance to the development.