Dubai
City Guide
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| Overview
Lying
on the calm, blue waters of the southern Gulf and flanked
by majestic desert, Dubai offers year-round sunshine and
five-star luxury along with the adventure of a unique
Arabian experience.
Dubai
is the second largest of the emirates comprising the United
Arab Emirates. It was established in the late 1950's to
serve a tiny coastal settlement. Today, Dubai is a modern
metropolis with a population of over 700,000. It offers
its citizens the finest in modern comforts. It is known
internationally as a premier tourist destination.
Dubai
is really two towns separated by Dubai Creek (Khor Dubai),
an inlet of the Gulf. Deira lies to the north and Bur
Dubai to the south. Both districts are packed with traditional
architecture and bustling souqs, but the city center is
in Deira. Glittering new office buildings along Shaikh
Zayed Rd in Bur Dubai form the core of another burgeoning
city center. |
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Twenty
nine years ago the southern coast of the lower Gulf was
a barren, under-populated land comprised of several autonomous
states. Today, as the United Arab Emirates, it has become
a dynamic, modern society with the infrastructure of contemporary
twenty-first century life. Geographically, the region which
is now the UAE stretches from the Indian Ocean in the east
to the ends of the Empty Quarter in the west and from the
mountains of the Sultanate of Oman in the south to the temperate
waters of the Arabian Gulf in the north.
In
the sixties the oil boom began the process of change, and
in 1971 the Federation of the United Arab Emirates was formed,
uniting seven Emirates, namely: Abu Dhabi (the capital and
has the bulk of oil reserves), Dubai (the commercial center),
Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah and Ajman.
The Federation replaced the old association of the Trucial
States which had been under British mandate and set out
immediately to bring the benefits of the new world to people
throughout the land. A new political structure was introduced,
bringing closer together the individual Emirates which until
then had each lived separate and independent life under
the rule of their own Sheikhs. |
Where
ever you are in Dubai, you will not be far from a supermarket
which offers most of what can be found in North America,
Australia and Europe. In fact you are likely to find more
variety as goods are imported to suit the needs of many
different nationalities. Prices are comparable to most western
countries
Known
in the region as 'the city of merchants', Dubai has welcomed
seafarers and traders to its shores for generations. Today,
this tradition of courtesy and hospitality lives on. Dubai's
streets are clean and safe, and travelers are sure to be
charmed by the city's warmth and friendliness.
Dubai
has something for everyone, from holidaymakers seeking a
relaxing break away from the pressures of work, to active
tourists looking for a new, exciting experience. The emirate
is also rapidly emerging as an international conference,
exhibition and leisure travel destination.
Dubai
has a seemingly endless variety of unique vacation opportunities!
Some of the highlights are desert safaris, dune driving;
exploring wadis (dry river beds) in four-wheel-drive vehicles;
sand-skiing; moonlit Arabian desert barbecues, complete
with traditional entertainment; camel racing, horse racing
and falconry; cruises in traditional wooden dhow on Dubai
Creek or into the Gulf; exploration of the old city souks
(markets) and creekside dhow quays. Photographic possibilities
include traditional architecture; majestic mosques, magnificent
palaces, brightly dressed children, camel and goat herds,
ancient windtowers, dusty Bedouin villages, lush oases and
palm groves, and dramatic sunsets.
Dubai
has facilities for swimming, sailing, fishing, windsurfing,
water-skiing, jet-skiing, scuba-diving and snorkeling. There
is golf on five championship-standard grass courses. Other
sports include squash and tennis; horse back riding; trekking,
paragliding, cycling, ice-skating, shooting, archery and
bowling.
Families
will enjoy the incomparable child- friendly parks and playgrounds.
Driving in the desert, mountains or river beds (wadis) is
a favorite weekend pastime for many people in the Emirates.
There are numerous well known places for camping and picnicking.
Shopping attractive traditional Middle Eastern gifts is
easy and enjoyable. Offerings include rugs, silverware,
jewelry, brass, inlaid rosewood furniture and much more.
Dubai
is a modern city without any of the negative aspects often
associated with city life, such as air pollution, traffic
jams, poverty or crime. It is truly a vacation paradise.
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