Dubai (city) | Geography, Map, & History (2024)

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Dubai, 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.

Character of the city

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.

Dubai is a relatively crime-free place where administrative efficiency and openness to business have encouraged astounding growth. However, criticism of Dubai’s authoritarian government and ruling elite is not tolerated, and there persists an atmosphere of discreet corruption.

Landscape

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.

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City site and layout

Dubai straddles a natural inlet called Dubai Creek on the southern shores of the Persian Gulf. For more than a century, the area was Dubai’s centre, because of the early city’s reliance on fishing, pearl diving, and maritime trade. Lining the creek are the oldest buildings in Dubai, most of which date from the 1960s and are rarely more than two stories in height. In the Bastakiyyah quarter, on the western shore of the creek, some much older buildings have been restored, and many of these feature the distinctive wind tower design that was imported by Persian merchants early in the 20th century.

The new city centre is a string of skyscrapers lining Sheikh Zayed Road. Notable among these are the Emirates Towers, which were built in the late 1990s and early 2000s and which house a hotel and government offices. Close to Sheikh Zayed Road is the Dubai International Financial Centre, housed in a futuristic arch-shaped building, and 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. To the west of the skyscrapers lie several affluent suburbs, most of which house substantial villas. On their periphery lies the Burj al-ʿArab, a giant sail-shaped tower which is home to a luxury hotel. Farther west are new clusters of skyscrapers surrounding a man-made marina and several man-made lakes.

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Climate

Like much of the Persian Gulf coastline, Dubai has a year-round hot climate. Humidity is high in the summer months and moderate the rest of the year. The coldest winter month is usually January, with lows of about 15 °C (49 °F), while the hottest summer month is July, with highs of more than 40 °C (104 °F).

People

Dubai’s population has grown steadily over the past two centuries, from just a few thousand local inhabitants to well over two million. Most of the early population increases were due to merchants from neighbouring countries choosing to relocate to Dubai’s business-friendly environment. In the later 20th century the city’s construction boom led to a huge increase in the number of South Asian labourers and an influx of skilled expatriates from all over the world who play an important role in Dubai’s multi-sector economy. Expatriates in the city vastly outnumber native Emiratis. With the exception of the labourers, who are housed in work camps beyond the city limits, expatriates of various nationalities are spread across Dubai. Although Arabic is the official language, English is, in practice, the lingua franca.

The local population is predominately Muslim, and most of the expatriate population is also Muslim, although there are significant Christian, Hindu, and Sikh communities. Given the tolerance of the ruling family toward non-Muslims and the city’s focus on business, the various communities coexist harmoniously, although there have been occasions when foreign residents have broken decency codes or drug-use prohibitions.

Dubai (city) | Geography, Map, & History (2024)

FAQs

What is the history of the city of Dubai? ›

Establishment of modern Dubai. Dubai is thought to have been established as a fishing village in the early 18th century and was, by 1822, a town of some 700–800 members of the Bani Yas tribe and subject to the rule of Sheikh Tahnun bin Shakhbut of Abu Dhabi.

What country was Dubai before? ›

Summary. Prior to 1971, the Trucial Sheikdoms of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharja, Ajman, Umm al-Qaiwain, Fujairah, and Ras al-Khaimah were under a British protectorate.

Is Dubai a country or a city? ›

Dubai is the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is located on the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf and is the capital of the Emirate of Dubai, one of the seven emirates that make up the country.

Why is Dubai famous city? ›

Known for its soaring skyscrapers that kiss the heavens, Dubai boasts the iconic Burj Khalifa, a testament to human ingenuity! But wait, there's more! Picture pristine beaches where the sun embraces the sand with warm affection. Shopaholics, rejoice!

How did Dubai become so rich? ›

The discovery of oil in 1966 changed everything and transformed Dubai into a wealthy city almost overnight. Oil and gas exports generated huge revenues for the city and enabled it to invest in infrastructure, public services, and social programs.

What language is spoken in Dubai? ›

What is the official language in Dubai? Dubai's official language is Arabic but there are many variations prevalent in the city. Standard Arabic – the modernised, literary version – is the one you'll encounter in all legal, administrative and government texts, as well as books and newspapers.

What are people from Dubai called? ›

People from Dubai are called Dubaiites or Emiratis. An Emirati is a citizen of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), of which Dubai is one of the seven emirates.

What is Dubai best known for? ›

What is Dubai Most Famous For?
  • Grand Mosque.
  • Burj Khalifa.
  • Arabian Desert safari.
  • Dubai Museum.
  • Al Fahidi Historical District.
  • The Dubai Mall.
  • Dubai Marina.
  • Atlantis water parks.

What was Dubai before it was rich? ›

Humble beginnings: Prior to oil being struck in 1966, Dubai's economy relied largely on trading, fishing and pearl-diving. Village life: Before the real wealth began pouring in, Dubai was still a relatively small city, with many things little changed from the time it was just a simple fishing village.

Why is gold so cheap in Dubai? ›

The Golden City has always been favoured for its exemption from taxes. It is one of the main reasons people choose to move to the city and buy gold. Due to the exclusion of taxes in the emirate, prices for gold in Dubai have always been cheaper as buyers would only pay for the value of the gold jewellery.

How close is Israel and Dubai? ›

The shortest distance (air line) between Israel and Dubai is 1,319.10 mi (2,122.89 km). The shortest route between Israel and Dubai is 1,694.88 mi (2,727.65 km) according to the route planner. The driving time is approx. 29h 46min.

Is Dubai a good place to live in? ›

Dubai is a good place to live because it offers low violent crime rates, a family-friendly atmosphere, and modernized accommodations and infrastructure. Americans and other expats headed to Dubai should be aware of some of the adjustments to living, such as unfamiliar government restrictions.

What is worth buying in Dubai? ›

The famous things to buy in Dubai are Camel Milk Chocolate, Arabic Attar, Pashmina shawls, Gold and diamond jewellery, Oudh and Bakhoor, Dubai Dates and Dubai spices.

Why do tourists go to Dubai? ›

Tourism in Dubai is a dynamic and thriving industry that attracts millions of visitors from around the world each year. Known for its stunning architectural wonders, luxurious resorts, and diverse range of attractions, Dubai offers an unparalleled travel experience.

Was Dubai a man made city? ›

Is Dubai on a man-made island? Dubai itself is on the mainland of the United Arab Emirates peninsula. However, Dubai has constructed several sets of man-made islands off its coast in the Persian Gulf.

What was in Dubai before Dubai? ›

The site where Dubai now lies used to be a vast mangrove swamp. By 3000BCE, that swamp had dried up and become inhabitable. It is believed that Bronze Age nomadic cattle herders were the first to settle in the area.

What was Dubai called before it was called Dubai? ›

Al Wasl is the old Arabic name of Dubai which means a connection.

What was Dubai like before it became a major city? ›

The history of Dubai before the discovery of oil

In the 19th century, Dubai was a simple village on the shores of a creek. Due to its good position, the Dubai creek soon became an important fishing and pearl center. The market on the Deira side of the creek was famous in the whole Middle East.

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