About Dubai

Dubai as written in Arabic

This section deals with the city of Dubai itself (often referred to as Dubai city to avoid confusion), its history, geography, culture and climate. In addition it also provides some background information on what Dubai is and how it got to be that way.

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Overview

Dubai, confusingly, is both a city and one of the seven emirates within the UAE (United Arab Emirates). Founded by Maktoum bin Bati bin Suhail, the city (or town as it then was) of Dubai was incorporated in 1833, but the emirate of Dubai was not incorporated until 1971. Dubai has continued to be ruled by descendants of its founder since its creation and the current ruler is Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Of the current (2008) 2,261,995 population of the metropolitan area of Dubai, only 17% are Emirati, with the other 83% of Dubai's residents being foreign nationals. The majority of the foreign population of Dubai hail from India.

Dubai is situated on the Persian Gulf, within the Arabian Desert.

The average temperature over the course of a year in Dubai is 33.4 degrees Celsius (92 degrees Fahrenheit)

Background

The city of Dubai is contained within the emirate of Dubai, one of seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates. In the last fifty years Dubai has been transformed from a small town to one of the world's top business and holiday locations, attracting global attention due to its ambitious real estate projects, sports events and celebrity visitors.

Geography

The emirate of Dubai is 1,588 square miles; the metropolitan area of Dubai is 497 square miles.

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Demographics

As of 2008, the population of the metropolitan area of Dubai was 2,261,995, the largest population of all the emirates, with a population density of 1,057 people per square mile. The city itself had a population of just under 1.5 million. Dubai's population is expanding rapidly, has doubled in the last ten years alone, and will almost certainly more than double again in the next ten. Dubai's population is largely comprised of foreign nationals, and is divided up as such:

42.3% Indian
17% Emirati
13.3% Pakistani
9.1% Other Arabs
7.5% Bangladeshi
10.8% Other nationalities

75% of the population are male.

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Weather and climate

Dubai is a dry, hot country. The temperature reaches a peak of 41 degrees Celsius (106 degrees Fahrenheit) in the summer and rarely dips below 14 degrees Celsius (58 degrees Fahrenheit) in the winter.

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Time zone

Dubai is on UAE standard time (GMT/UTC plus four hours).

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History

Although it existed prior to this date, the town of Dubai was incorporated on June 9 1833 and founded by Maktoum bin Bati bin Suhail. The emirate of Dubai only came into being in 1971 when the UAE was formed.

Although it existed prior to this date, the first recorded mention of Dubai dates from 1095. In the 16th century Dubai was known for its pearls.

Politics

The government of Dubai can be described as a constitutional monarchy, with Maktoum bin Bati bin Suhail's descendents Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum the current Emir and Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum the Crown Prince. The reigning Al Maktoum is also the Vice President and Prime Minister of the Emirates.

In a similar system to the USA, individual emirates, like American states, have jurisdiction over their own law enforcement and local facilities, but share a common military, political, legal and economic system. Dubai also possesses the legislative power of veto over critical matters of national importance.

Economy

Although Dubai's wealth is mainly founded on oil revenues gas and petroleum now only make up 6% of the 37 billion US dollar economy, as the rulers look to prepare for eventual exhaustion of these resources. The rulers of Dubai have looked to establish it as a world business hub, and trade, manufacturing and financial services now form the cornerstones of Dubai's economy. The city is also becoming well known for its ambitious real estate projects and holiday and leisure facilities.

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