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| An overview |
Dubai (pronounced Dubayy in Arabic) refers to one of the seven emirates that constitute the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the eastern Arabian Peninsula. Dubai is the second largest Emirate in the United Arab Emirates and probably the most well known. Under the guidance of Sheikh Mohamed bin Rashid bin Maktoum, Prime Minister and Vice President of the UAE, the Emirate has built a reputation as one of the most important and vibrant cities in the Middle East.
Whereas 20 years ago oil revenues accounted for around half of Dubai’s GDP, in 2005 the oil sector contributed just 5.4%. It is expected that by 2010 oil will account for less than 1% of total GDP. Dubai’s rulers have known for many years that the oil would run out, and so embarked on ambitions projects to diversify the Emirate’s economy. Today, trade, manufacturing, transport, construction and real estate are the main contributors to Dubai’s strong growing economy.
Dubai is well ahead of many other cities in the Middle East in terms of travel and tourism. Dubai’s hotels and hotel apartments accommodated 6.16 million guests in 2005 and the first six months of 2006 they accommodated 3.12 million guests. The mix of visitors at the moment is roughly 40% business traveler and 60% leisure, but the ratio of leisure travelers is set to increase as Dubai strives to reach its target of attracting 15 million visitors a year by 2010.
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| A glance |
Emirate |
Dubai |
Geographical location |
Latitudes: 22¼ - 26.5¼ North Longitudes: 51¼ - 56.5¼ East |
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Government - Emir |
His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai
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Area |
4,114 km² (1,588.4 sq mi) |
Population |
1,321,453 (2006) |
Time zone |
Dubai Standard Time (UTC+4) |
Climate |
Moderate climate is found between October and March when days are sunny and pleasant (Average Temperature - 26 C).
Nights are Cool (average temperature is 15 C) Summer is between April and September, when temperatures peak at 50 C with high humidity levels. In the summer, southerly and northerly winds blow over the UAE with occasional sandstorms. |
Language |
The official language of the UAE is Arabic. Other languages spoken are English, Hindi, Farsi. With a large number of expatriate population from the sub-continent, language as Urdu, Tagalog, Malayalam, Russian, South African are also spoken. |
Currency |
The United Arab Emirates currency is called the Dirham.
Arab Emirate Dirham (= Dhs or AED) 100 Fils = 1 Dirhams |
Religion |
The official religion of the United Arab Emirates is Islam. But other faiths are accepted and freedom of worship is given. |
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| History |
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Although little is known about the ancient history of this area, archaeological finds suggest that humans have been living here since at least 3000 BC. Excavations at Jumeirah, just south of Dubai, recently unearthed a 6th-century caravan station, proving that the area's population was still keeping the trade routes well oiled during this period. Around this same time, the Sassanids, a Persian dynasty who had inhabited the mouth of Dubai Creek since 224, were driven out by the Umayyads, who came to stay and brought Islam with them.
Dubai began life as a small fishing village. It expanded in the early 19th century when large numbers of the Bani Yas tribe settled there. 800 Bani Yas moved into the Bur Dubai area under the leadership of Maktoum bin Butti, founder of the Al-Maktoum dynasty that still rules the emirate today.
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