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Dubai

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{{About|the city}}
{{pp-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2016}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Dubai
| official_name = Dubai
| native_name = {{lang|ar|دبي}}
| settlement_type = [[Metropolis]]
| translit_lang1_type = [[Arabic script|Arabic]]
| translit_lang1_info = دبي
| image_skyline = CollageDubai.jpg
| image_caption = Clockwise from top left: skyline with [[Burj Khalifa]]; [[Burj Al Arab]]; [[Palm Jumeirah]] and [[The World Islands]]; [[Dubai Marina]]; and [[Sheik Zayed Road]]. 
| image_flag = Flag of Dubai.svg
| flag_size = 120px
| image_shield = Coat of arms of Dubai.svg
| shield_size = 80px
| pushpin_map = UAE#Asia#World
| pushpin_label_position = left
| pushpin_relief = yes
| pushpin_mapsize =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within the United Arab Emirates##Location within Asia##Location on Earth
| coordinates = {{coord|25|15|47|N|55|17|50|E|type:adm1st_region:AE|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type1 = Country
| subdivision_type2 = [[Emirates of the United Arab Emirates|Emirate]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flag|United Arab Emirates}}
| subdivision_name2 = {{flagicon|Dubai}} [[Emirate of Dubai|Dubai]]
| founder = [[Al Maktoum|Ubaid bin Saeed and Maktum bin Butti Al Maktoum]]
| seat = Dubai
| parts_type = Subdivisions
| parts = Towns and villages
| p1 = [[Jebel Ali]]
| p2 = [[Al Aweer]]
| p3 = Al Lusayli
| p4 = Marqab
| p5 = Al Faq
| p6 = Ud al-Bayda
| p7 = Urqub Juwayza
| government_type = [[Absolute monarchy]]
| leader_title = [[Emir]]
| leader_name = [[Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum]]
| leader_title1 = Crown Prince
| leader_name1 = [[Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum|Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum]]
| area_footnotes = <ref>Area of [[Emirates of the United Arab Emirates|"Dubai emirate"]], includes artificial islands.</ref>
| area_magnitude =
| area_total_km2 = 4,114
| population_total = 3,137,463
| population_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web|title=Population Clock|url=https://www.dsc.gov.ae/en-us/EServices/Pages/Population-Clock.aspx|website=www.dsc.gov.ae|accessdate=4 September 2018}}</ref>
| population_as_of = 8 October 2018
| population_metro = ~5,640,000
| population_metro_footnotes =
| population_blank1 = '''Nationalities:''' 43.3% [[Indians in the United Arab Emirates|Indian]] 23% [[Emiratis|Emirati]] 17% [[Pakistanis in the United Arab Emirates|Pakistani]] 7.5% [[Bangladeshis in the United Arab Emirates|Bangladesh]]i 4.2% [[Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates|Filipino]] 1.5% [[Sri Lankans in the United Arab Emirates|Sri Lanka]]n 0.3% [[Americans in the United Arab Emirates|American]] 5.2% other countries
| website = [http://www.dm.gov.ae/wps/portal/MyHomeEn Dubai Municipality] [http://www.visitdubai.com/ Dubai Tourism]
| footnotes =
| blank_name = Nominal GDP
| blank_info = 2016 estimate
| blank1_name = Total
| blank1_info = [[American dollar|USD]] 108 billion<ref>{{cite web|title=Gross Domestic Product at Current Prices 2016 - Emirate of Dubai|url=https://www.dsc.gov.ae/Report/Gross%20Domestic%20Product%20at%20Currents%20Prices%202016.pdf|accessdate=26 November 2017}}</ref>
| blank2_name = Per capita
| blank2_info = [[USD]] 35,000
| utc_offset = +4
| timezone = [[Time in the United Arab Emirates|UAE Standard Time]]
}}

{{Contains Arabic text}}
[[File:Dubai road by mahshooq badiadka.jpg|thumb|ْUmm Hurair Road in Dubai]]

'''Dubai''' ({{IPAc-en|d|uː|ˈ|b|aɪ}} {{respell|doo|BY}}; {{lang-ar|دبي}} ''{{transl|ar|DIN|Dubay}}'', {{small|[[Gulf Arabic]]:}} {{IPA-ar|dʊˈbɑj}}) is the largest and [[List of cities in the United Arab Emirates#Major cities|most populous]] [[city]] in the [[United Arab Emirates]] (UAE).<ref name=dxbpopulation>{{cite web|url=http://www.world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?x=&men=gcis&lng=en&dat=32&geo=-12&srt=pnan&col=aohdq&va=&pt=a |title=United Arab Emirates: metropolitan areas |publisher=World-gazetteer.com |accessdate=31 July 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090825164936/http://www.world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?x=&men=gcis&lng=en&dat=32&geo=-12&srt=pnan&col=aohdq&va=&pt=a |archivedate=25 August 2009}}</ref> On the southeast coast of the [[Persian Gulf]], it is the capital of the [[Emirate of Dubai]], one of the seven [[emirate]]s that make up the country.<ref name=dxbshj>The Government and Politics of the Middle East and North Africa. D Long, B Reich. p.157</ref><ref name="FSC">{{cite web|title=Federal Supreme Council|url=https://uaecabinet.ae/en/federal-supreme-council|website=uaecabinet.ae|accessdate=25 August 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709020734/https://uaecabinet.ae/en/federal-supreme-council|archivedate=9 July 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thatsdubai.com/where-is-dubai.html |title=Where is Dubai and Dubai city? |publisher=Thatsdubai.com |date=14 June 2007 |accessdate=12 March 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130215234701/http://www.thatsdubai.com/where-is-dubai.html |archivedate=15 February 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

Dubai is a [[global city]] and business hub of the [[Middle East]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/articles/2008/10/15/the_2008_global_cities_index?page=0,0 |title=The 2008 Global Cities Index |date=15 October 2008 |work=Foreign Policy |accessdate=20 April 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100520111037/http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2008/10/15/the_2008_global_cities_index?page=0%2C0 |archivedate=20 May 2010 |df= }}</ref> It is also a major global transport hub for passengers and cargo.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title = Sand to Silicon|last = Sampler & Eigner|first = |publisher = Motivate|year = 2008|isbn = 9781860632549|location = UAE|page = 11}}</ref> Oil revenue helped accelerate the early development of the city, but its reserves are limited and production levels are low: today, less than 5% of the emirate's revenue comes from oil.<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-09-28/dubai-gets-2-gdp-from-oil-after-diversifying-revenue-prospectus-shows.html|title = Dubai gets 2% GDP from oil|last = DiPaola|first = Anthony|date = 28 September 2010|work = Bloomberg|deadurl = no|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20141006205728/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-09-28/dubai-gets-2-gdp-from-oil-after-diversifying-revenue-prospectus-shows.html|archivedate = 6 October 2014|df = dmy-all}}</ref> [[Economy of Dubai|Dubai's economy]] now relies on revenues from [[Tourism in Dubai|tourism]], aviation, real estate, and financial services.<ref name="oilrev">[http://www.ameinfo.com/122863.html Oil share dips in Dubai GDP] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926033757/http://www.ameinfo.com/122863.html |date=26 September 2013 }} ''[[AMEInfo]]'' (9 June 2007) Retrieved on 15 October 2007.</ref><ref name="ArBusEcon">[http://www.arabianbusiness.com/dubai-economy-set-treble-by-2015-149721.html Dubai economy set to treble by 2015] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103174940/http://www.arabianbusiness.com/dubai-economy-set-treble-by-2015-149721.html |date=3 November 2014 }} ArabianBusiness.com (3 February 2007) Retrieved on 15 October 2007.</ref><ref name="Ddooo">{{cite web|title=Dubai diversifies out of oil |url=http://www.ameinfo.com/66981.html |publisher=[[AMEInfo]] |date=7 September 2005 |accessdate=12 August 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081219030604/http://www.ameinfo.com/66981.html |archivedate=19 December 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/economy/dubai-must-tap-booming-halal-travel-industry|title=Dubai must tap booming halal travel industry – Khaleej Times|last=Cornock|first=Oliver|publisher=khaleejtimes.com|access-date=16 December 2016}}</ref>

Dubai has attracted world attention through large construction projects and sports events, in particular the world's tallest building, the [[Burj Khalifa]]. Companies in Dubai have in the past been criticised for [[human rights]] violations against labourers.<ref>{{Cite journal |last = Davis |first = Mike |author-link = Mike Davis (scholar) |title = Fear and money in Dubai |journal = [[New Left Review]] |volume = II |issue = 41 |pages = 47–68 |date = September–October 2006 |url = http://newleftreview.org/II/41/mike-davis-fear-and-money-in-dubai |ref = harv |postscript = . |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160220034223/http://newleftreview.org/II/41/mike-davis-fear-and-money-in-dubai |archivedate = 20 February 2016 |df = dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="Propertywire.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.propertywire.com/news/middle-east/job-losses-property-decline-dubai-200812032193.html |title=Job losses hasten property decline in Dubai but medium-long term outlook upbeat |publisher=Propertywire.com |date=3 December 2008 |accessdate=14 July 2009 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090119123812/http://www.propertywire.com/news/middle-east/job-losses-property-decline-dubai-200812032193.html |archivedate=19 January 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title = Mohammad Bin Rashid approves Dubai's budget for 2015|url = http://gulfnews.com/business/economy/mohammad-bin-rashid-approves-dubai-s-budget-for-2015-1.1435488|website = Gulf News|accessdate = 25 May 2015|deadurl = no|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150512084427/http://gulfnews.com/business/economy/mohammad-bin-rashid-approves-dubai-s-budget-for-2015-1.1435488|archivedate = 12 May 2015|df = dmy-all}}</ref>

{{As of|2012}}, Dubai was the most expensive city in the Middle East.<ref>{{cite web |author=Lucy Barnard |url=http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/industry-insights/economics/cost-of-living-in-dubai-rising-rapidly |title=Cost of living in Dubai rising rapidly |work=The National|location=Abu Dhabi |date=6 March 2013 |accessdate=12 March 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130122062758/http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/industry-insights/economics/cost-of-living-in-dubai-rising-rapidly |archivedate=22 January 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/business/business-news/208156/oslo-zurich-and-tokyo-are-most-expensive-cities |title=Oslo, Zürich and Tokyo are most expensive cities |publisher=Thepeninsulaqatar.com |date=14 September 2012 |accessdate=12 March 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20160517165745/http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/business/business-news/208156/oslo-zurich-and-tokyo-are-most-expensive-cities |archivedate=17 May 2016}}</ref> In 2014, Dubai's hotel rooms were rated as the second most expensive in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenational.ae/uae/tourism/dubai-second-most-expensive-city-to-stay-in-report-says|title=Dubai second-most expensive city to stay in, report says|accessdate=30 September 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006120002/http://www.thenational.ae/uae/tourism/dubai-second-most-expensive-city-to-stay-in-report-says|archivedate=6 October 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Gillian Duncan |url=http://www.thenational.ae/business/economy/abu-dhabi-and-dubai-are-best-places-to-live-in-the-middle-east-survey-says |title=Abu Dhabi and Dubai are best places to live in the Middle East, survey says |work=The National|location=Abu Dhabi |date=8 March 2013 |accessdate=12 March 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117071645/http://www.thenational.ae/business/economy/abu-dhabi-and-dubai-are-best-places-to-live-in-the-middle-east-survey-says |archivedate=17 January 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

==Etymology==
Many theories have been proposed as to the origin of the word "Dubai". One theory suggests the word was used to describe the ''[[souq]]'', which was similar to the ''souq'' in Ba.<ref name=jundi>{{cite journal|last=Alkaabi |first=Alyazya |date=July 2011 |script-title=ar:مسميات مناطق دبي قديماً |trans-title=Old names areas of Dubai |language=Arabic |journal=Al Jundi |publisher=Ministry of Defense |volume=444|page=76}}</ref> An Arabic proverb says "''Daba Dubai''" ({{lang-ar|دبا دبي}}), meaning "They came with a lot of money."<ref name=MBR>{{cite web|url=http://www.sheikhmohammed.ae/vgn-ext-templating/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=13d94c8631cb4110VgnVCM100000b0140a0aRCRD |title=Old Dubai |accessdate=24 January 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203194320/http://www.sheikhmohammed.ae/vgn-ext-templating/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=13d94c8631cb4110VgnVCM100000b0140a0aRCRD |archivedate=3 February 2014}}</ref> According to Fedel Handhal, a scholar on the UAE's history and culture, the word Dubai may have come from the word ''daba'' ({{lang-ar|دبا}}) (a past tense derivative of ''yadub'' ({{lang-ar|يدب}}), which means "to creep"), referring to the slow flow of [[Dubai Creek]] inland. The poet and scholar Ahmad Mohammad Obaid traces it to the same word, but to its alternative meaning of "baby [[locust]]" ({{lang-ar|جراد}}) due to the abundant nature of locusts in the area before settlement.<ref name=UAEI>{{cite web |url = http://www.uaeinteract.com/news/rss-news.asp?ID=24335 |title = How Did Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other Cities Get Their Names? Experts Reveal All |date = 30 March 2007 |website = UAE Interact |accessdate = 24 January 2014 |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140407043402/http://www.uaeinteract.com/news/rss-news.asp?ID=24335 |archivedate = 7 April 2014 |df = dmy-all }}</ref> An inhabitant or native of the city is a ''Dubaian''.<ref>Tahir, Mohammad A., et al. "Distribution of HLA-DQA1 alleles in Arab and Pakistani individuals from Dubai, United Arab Emirates." Forensic science international 85.3 (1997): 219–223.</ref>

==History==
{{Main|History of Dubai|Timeline of Dubai}}The history of human settlement in the area now defined by the United Arab Emirates is rich and complex, and points to extensive trading links between the civilisations of the [[Indus Valley Civilisation|Indus Valley]] and [[Mesopotamia]], but also as far afield as the [[Levant]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Weeks|first=Lloyd|last2=Cable|first2=Charlotte|last3=Franke|first3=Kristina|last4=Newton|first4=Claire|last5=Karacic|first5=Steven|last6=Roberts|first6=James|last7=Stepanov|first7=Ivan|last8=David-Cuny|first8=Hélène|last9=Price|first9=David|date=2017-04-26|title=Recent archaeological research at Saruq al-Hadid, Dubai, UAE|url=https://doi.org/10.1111/aae.12082|journal=Arabian Archaeology and Epigraphy|language=en|volume=28|issue=1|pages=39|doi=10.1111/aae.12082|issn=0905-7196|via=}}</ref> Archaeological finds in the emirate of Dubai, particularly at [[Al-Ashoosh|Al Ashoosh]], [[Al Sufouh]] and the notably rich trove from [[Saruq Al Hadid]]<ref name=":02">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenational.ae/uae/brushing-off-sands-of-time-at-the-archaeological-site-of-saruq-al-hadid-1.150378|title=Brushing off sands of time at the archaeological site of Saruq al-Hadid|work=The National|access-date=2018-09-06|language=en}}</ref> show settlement through the [[Ubaid period|Ubaid]] and [[Hafit period|Hafit]] periods, the [[Umm al-Nar culture|Umm Al Nar]] and [[Wadi Suq culture|Wadi Suq]] periods and the three [[Iron Age|iron ages]] in the UAE. The area was known to the [[Sumer|Sumerians]] as ''Magan'', and was a source for metallic goods, notably copper and bronze.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://blog.une.edu.au/uneresearch/sharp-the-saruq-al-hadid-archaeological-research-project/|title=SHARP – the Saruq al-Hadid Archaeological Research Project|date=2017-09-03|work=Research Plus|access-date=2018-07-29|language=en-US}}</ref>

The remnants of an ancient [[mangrove swamp]], dated at 7000 BC, were discovered during the construction of sewer lines near [[Dubai Internet City]].{{Citation needed|date=October 2018}} The area was covered with sand about 5,000 years ago as the coast retreated inland, becoming part of the city's present coastline.<ref name="hist_trad">{{cite web |url=http://uaeinteract.com/uaeint_misc/pdf_2006/English_2006/eyb4.pdf |title=History and Traditions of the UAE |format=PDF |accessdate=31 July 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326030609/http://uaeinteract.com/uaeint_misc/pdf_2006/English_2006/eyb4.pdf |archivedate=26 March 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The old ... turned new |url=http://dubai.travel-culture.com/articles/old_new.shtml |publisher=[[Travel & Culture]] |date=25 October 2001 |accessdate=15 March 2008 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130621010630/http://dubai.travel-culture.com/articles/old_new.shtml |archivedate=21 June 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Pre-Islamic ceramics have been found from the 3rd and 4th centuries.<ref name="preislam" /> Prior to the introduction of Islam to the area, the people in this region worshiped ''[[Bajir]]'' (or ''Bajar'').<ref name="preislam">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/?id=QcMz3zV0qAMC&pg=PA79 |title=United Arab Emirates: A perspective|last=Ibrahim Al Abed, Peter Hellyer|year=2001|publisher=Trident Press |accessdate=31 July 2009|isbn=978-1-900724-47-0}}</ref> After the spread of Islam in the region, the [[Umayyad]] [[Caliph]] of the eastern Islamic world invaded south-east [[Arabia]] and drove out the Sassanians. Excavations by the [[Dubai Museum]] in the region of ''Al-Jumayra'' ([[Jumeirah]]) found several artefacts from the Umayyad period.<ref name="balbi">{{cite web |url=http://www.uaeinteract.com/uaeint_misc/pdf/perspectives/03.pdf |title=The Coming of Islam and the Islamic Period in the UAE. King, Geoffrey R. |format=PDF |accessdate=20 April 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116151947/http://www.uaeinteract.com/uaeint_misc/pdf/perspectives/03.pdf |archivedate=16 January 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

The earliest recorded mention of Dubai is in 1095 in the ''Book of Geography'' by the [[Al-Andalus|Andalusian]]-Arab [[geographer]] [[Abu Abdullah al-Bakri]].{{citation needed|date=June 2015}} The [[Venice|Venetian]] pearl merchant [[Gasparo Balbi]] visited the area in 1580 and mentioned Dubai (''Dibei'') for its [[pearl hunting|pearling]] industry.<ref name=balbi/>

Dubai is thought to have been established as a fishing village in the early 18th century<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=From Trucial States to United Arab Emirates|last=Heard-Bey|first=Frauke|publisher=Longman|year=1990|isbn=0582277280|location=UK|page=|pages=238|quote=|via=}}</ref> and was, by 1822, a town of some 7–800 members of the Baniyas tribe and subject to the rule of [[Tahnun bin Shakhbut Al Nahyan|Sheikh Tahnun bin Shakhbut]] of Abu Dhabi.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Islands and Maritime Boundaries of the Gulf 1798–1960|last = Schofield|first = R|publisher = Archive Editions|year = 1990|isbn = 9781852072759|location = UK|page = 545}}</ref>

In 1833, following tribal feuding, members of the [[House of Al Falasi|Al Bu Falasah]] tribe seceded from Abu Dhabi and established themselves in Dubai. The exodus from Abu Dhabi was led by [[Obeid bin Said bin Rashid|Obeid bin Saeed]] and [[Maktoum bin Butti bin Suhail|Maktoum bin Butti]] who became joint leaders of Dubai until Ubaid died in 1836, leaving Maktum to establish the [[Al Maktoum|Maktoum dynasty]].<ref name=":0"/>

Dubai signed the [[General Maritime Treaty of 1820]] along with other [[Trucial States|Trucial State]]s, following the [[Persian Gulf campaign of 1819|British punitive expedition]] against Ras Al Khaimah of 1819, which also led to the bombardment of the coastal communities of the Persian Gulf. This led to the 1853 Perpetual Maritime Truce. Dubai also – like its neighbours on the [[Trucial States|Trucial Coast]] – entered into an exclusivity agreement in which the [[United Kingdom]] took responsibility for the emirate's security [[Trucial States#Treaty of 1892|in 1892]].

In 1841, a [[smallpox]] epidemic broke out in the [[Bur Dubai]] locality, forcing residents to relocate east to [[Deira, Dubai|Deira]].<ref name="hist_karim">{{cite web |url=http://www.alshindagah.com/september99/architecture.htm |title=Modernity and tradition in Dubai architecture. Karim, Luiza |publisher=Alshindagah.com |accessdate=31 July 2009 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090930191053/http://www.alshindagah.com/september99/architecture.htm |archivedate=30 September 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In 1896, fire broke out in Dubai, a disastrous occurrence in a town where many family homes were still constructed from ''barasti'' - palm fronds. The conflagration consumed half the houses of Bur Dubai, while the district of Deira was said to have been totally destroyed. The following year, more fires broke out. A female slave was caught in the act of starting one such blaze and was subsequently put to death.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf|last=Lorimer|first=John|publisher=British Government, Bombay|year=1915|isbn=|location=|pages=750}}</ref>

In 1901, [[Maktoum bin Hasher Al Maktoum]] established Dubai as a free port with no taxation on imports or exports and also gave merchants parcels of land and guarantees of protection and tolerance. These policies saw a movement of merchants not only directly from Lingeh<ref name=":12">{{Cite book|title=Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf|last=Lorimer|first=John|publisher=British Government, Bombay|year=1915|isbn=|location=|pages=2236}}</ref>, but also those who had settled in [[Ras Al Khaimah]] and Sharjah (which had historical links with Lingeh through the [[Al-Qasimi|Al Qasimi]] tribe) to Dubai. An indicator of the growing importance of the port of Dubai can be gained from the movements of the steamer of the Bombay and Persia Steam Navigation Company, which from 1899 to 1901 paid five visits annually to Dubai. In 1902 the company's vessels made 21 visits to Dubai and from 1904 on,<ref>{{Cite book|title=Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf|last=Lorimer|first=John|publisher=British Government, Bombay|year=1915|isbn=|location=|pages=743}}</ref> the steamers called fortnightly – in 1906, trading seventy thousand tonnes of cargo.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Father of Dubai|last=Wilson|first=Graeme|publisher=Media Prima|year=1999|isbn=|location=|pages=34}}</ref> The frequency of these vessels only helped to accelerate Dubai's role as an emerging port and trading hub of preference. Lorimer notes the transfer from Lingeh 'bids fair to become complete and permanent.'<ref name=":12" />

The 'great storm' of 1908 struck the pearling boats of Dubai and the coastal emirates towards the end of the pearling season that year, resulting in the loss of a dozen boats and over 100 men. The disaster was a major setback for Dubai, with many families losing their breadwinner and merchants facing financial ruin. These losses came at a time when the tribes of the interior were also experiencing poverty. In a letter to the Sultan of [[Muscat]] in 1911, Butti laments, 'Misery and poverty are raging among them, with the result that they are struggling, looting and killing among themselves.'<ref>{{Cite book|title=Father of Dubai|last=Wilson|first=Graeme|publisher=Media Prima|year=1999|isbn=|location=|pages=39}}</ref>

===Pre-oil Dubai===
[[File:Typical Bastakiya buildings - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Typical souk street in [[Deira, Dubai|Deira]], Dubai]]
Dubai's geographical proximity to [[Iran]] made it an important trade location. The town of Dubai was an important port of call for foreign tradesmen, chiefly those from Iran, many of whom eventually settled in the town. By the beginning of the 20th century, it was an important port.<ref name="britannica"/>

Dubai was known for its [[pearl]] exports until the 1930s; the pearl trade was damaged irreparably by the [[Great Depression]] in the 1930s and the innovation of [[cultured pearls]]. With the collapse of the pearling industry, Dubai fell into a deep depression and many residents starved or migrated to other parts of the Persian Gulf.<ref name="hist_trad"/>

In the early days since its inception, Dubai was constantly at odds with [[Abu Dhabi]]. In 1947, a border dispute between Dubai and Abu Dhabi on the northern sector of their mutual border escalated into war.<ref name=dxbadconflict>{{cite web |url=http://www.archiveeditions.co.uk/titledetails.asp?tid=120 |title=The UAE: Internal Boundaries And The Boundary With Oman. Archived Editions. Walker, J |publisher=Archiveeditions.co.uk |date=18 February 1969 |accessdate=20 April 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130505121549/http://www.archiveeditions.co.uk/titledetails.asp?tid=120 |archivedate=5 May 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Arbitration by the British and the creation of a buffer frontier running south eastwards from the coast at Ras Hasian resulted in a temporary cessation of hostilities.<ref name=rashasian>The Middle East and North Africa. Schofield, C. p 175</ref>

Despite a lack of oil, Dubai's ruler from 1958, [[Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum|Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum]], used revenue from trading activities to build infrastructure. Private companies were established to build and operate infrastructure, including electricity, telephone services and both the ports and airport operators.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book|title=From Trucial States to United Arab Emirates|last=Heard-Bey|first=Frauke|publisher=Longman|year=|isbn=0582277280|location=London|pages=260|quote=|via=}}</ref> An airport of sorts (a runway built on salt flats) was established in Dubai in the 1950s and, in 1959, the emirate's first hotel, the Airlines Hotel, was constructed. This was followed by the Ambassador and Carlton Hotels in 1968.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|title = Father of Dubai|last = Wilson|first = Graeme|publisher = Media Prima|year = 1999|isbn = 9789948856450|location = UAE|page = 126}}</ref>

[[File:AlRas Deira Mid1960s.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Al Ras]] district in [[Deira (Dubai)|Deira]], Dubai in the 1960s]]
On 7 April 1961, the Dubai-based [[MV Dara]], a five thousand ton British flagged vessel that plied the route between [[Basra]] (Iraq), [[Kuwait]] and [[Bombay]] (India), was caught in unusually high winds off Dubai. Early the next morning in heavy seas off Umm al-Quwain, an explosion tore out the second class cabins and started fires. The captain gave the order to abandon ship but two lifeboats capsized and a second explosion occurred. A flotilla of small boats from Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman and Umm al-Quwain picked up survivors but in all 238 lives were lost in the disaster.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/general/fifty-years-on-the-tragedy-of-vessel-mv-dara-lingers-1.789262|title=Fifty years on, the tragedy of vessel MV Dara lingers|last=Reporter|first=Mariam M. Al Serkal, Staff|date=9 April 2011|newspaper=Gulf News|access-date=2 February 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203075924/http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/general/fifty-years-on-the-tragedy-of-vessel-mv-dara-lingers-1.789262|archivedate=3 February 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In 1962 the British [[Political officer (British Empire)|Political Agent]] noted that "Many new houses and blocks of offices and flats are being built... the Ruler is determined, against advice [from the British] to press on with the construction of a jet airport... More and more European and Arab firms are opening up and the future looks bright."<ref name=":2"/>

In 1962, with expenditure on infrastructure projects already approaching levels some thought imprudent, Sheikh Rashid approached his brother in law, the Ruler of Qatar, for a loan to build the first bridge crossing Dubai's creek. This crossing was finished in May 1963 and was paid for by a toll levied on the crossing from the Dubai side of the creek to the Deira side.<ref name=":4" />

BOAC was originally reluctant to start regular flights between Bombay and Dubai, fearing a lack of demand for seats. However, by the time the asphalt runway of Dubai Airport was constructed in 1965, opening Dubai to both regional and long haul traffic, a number of foreign airlines were competing for landing rights.<ref name=":4" /> In 1970 a new airport terminal building was constructed which included Dubai's first [[duty-free shop]]s.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Fly Buy Dubai|last = Wilson|first = Graeme|publisher = Media Prima|year = 2008|isbn = 9789948859437|location = UAE|page = 58}}</ref>

=== Gold trading ===
Throughout the 1960s Dubai was the centre of a lively [[gold]] trade, with 1968 imports of gold at some £56 million. This gold was, in the vast majority, re-exported - mainly to customers who took delivery in international waters off [[India]]. The import of gold to India had been banned and so the trade was characterised as smuggling, although Dubai's merchants were quick to point out that they were making legal deliveries of gold and that it was up to the customer where they took it.<ref>{{Cite news|url=|title=Gold smuggling boosts Dubai economy|last=Thomas|first=Anthony|date=3 March 1969|work=The Times|access-date=}}</ref>

===Oil era===
[[File:Dubai Sunset from Burj Khalifa.jpg|thumb|View of Downtown Dubai from [[Burj Khalifa]]]]
After years of exploration following large finds in neighbouring Abu Dhabi, oil was eventually discovered in territorial waters off Dubai in 1966, albeit in far smaller quantities. The first field was named 'Fateh' or 'good fortune'. This led to an acceleration of Sheikh Rashid's infrastructure development plans and a construction boom that brought a massive influx of foreign workers, mainly Asians and Middle easterners. Between 1968 and 1975 the city's population grew by over 300%.<ref name="pop7">{{cite web |url=http://www.ite.org/traffic/documents/AB00H5001.pdf |title=Historic population statistics |format=PDF |accessdate=31 July 2009 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326030537/http://www.ite.org/traffic/documents/AB00H5001.pdf |archivedate=26 March 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

As part of the infrastructure for pumping and transporting oil from the Fateh field, located offshore of the Jebel Ali area of Dubai, a number of 50,000 gallon storage tanks were built, known locally as 'Kazzans',<ref>{{cite web|url = http://dubaiasitusedtobe.com/pagesnew/ChicagoBeachDubai.shtm#.VCOn_JSSy-4|title = How Chicago Beach got its name...then lost it!|accessdate = 20 August 2016|website = Dubai As It Used To Be|last = Chapman|first = Len|deadurl = no|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160709050015/http://www.dubaiasitusedtobe.com/pagesnew/ChicagoBeachDubai.shtm#.VCOn_JSSy-4|archivedate = 9 July 2016|df = dmy-all}}</ref> by welding them together on the beach and then digging them out and floating them to drop onto the seabed at the Fateh field. These were constructed by the [[Chicago Bridge & Iron Company|Chicago Bridge and Iron Company]], which gave the beach its local name (Chicago Beach) until the Chicago Beach Hotel was demolished and replaced by the [[Jumeirah Beach Hotel]] in the late 1990s.

Dubai had already embarked on a period of infrastructural development and expansion. Oil revenue, flowing from 1969 onwards supported a period of growth with Sheikh Rashid embarking on a policy of building infrastructure and a diversified trading economy before the emirate's limited reserves were depleted. Oil accounted for 24% of GDP in 1990, but had reduced to 7% of GDP by 2004.<ref name=":1"/>

Critically, one of the first major projects Sheikh Rashid embarked upon when oil revenue started to flow was the construction of Port Rashid, a deep water free port constructed by British company [[Halcrow Group|Halcrow]]. Originally intended to be a four-berth port, it was extended to sixteen berths as construction was ongoing. The project was an outstanding success, with shipping queuing to access the new facilities. The port was inaugurated on 5 October 1972, although its berths were each pressed into use as soon as they had been built. Port Rashid was to be further expanded in 1975 to add a further 35 berths before the larger port of Jebel Ali was constructed.<ref name=":1"/>

Port Rashid was the first of a swath of projects designed to create a modern trading infrastructure, including roads, bridges, schools and hospitals.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Father of Dubai|last = Wilson|first = Graeme|publisher = Media Prima|year = 1999|isbn = 9789948856450|location = UAE|page = 151}}</ref>

===Reaching the UAE's Act of Union===
[[File:Adi with the three rulers of Dubai.jpg|thumb|left|[[Adi Bitar]] in a meeting with Sheiks [[Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum|Rashid Al Maktoum]], [[Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum|Mohammad Al Maktoum]], and [[Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum|Maktoum Al Maktoum]] in Dubai, 1968]]
Dubai and the other 'T[[trucial states|rucial States]]' had long been a British [[protectorate]] where the British government took care of foreign policy and defence, as well as arbitrating between the rulers of the Eastern Gulf, the result of a treaty signed in 1892, the 'Exclusive Agreement'. This was to change with PM [[Harold Wilson]]'s announcement, on 16 January 1968, that all British troops were to be withdrawn from 'East of Aden'. The decision was to pitch the coastal emirates, together with [[Qatar]] and [[Bahrain]], into fevered negotiations to fill the political vacuum that the British withdrawal would leave behind.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Spirit of the Union|last = Al Maktoum|first = Mohammed bin Rashid|publisher = Motivate|year = 2012|isbn = 9781860633300|location = UAE|pages = 27–39}}</ref>

The principle of union was first agreed between the ruler of Abu Dhabi, [[Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan|Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan]], and Sheikh Rashid of Dubai on 18 February 1968 meeting in an encampment at Argoub Al Sedirah, near Al Semeih, a desert stop between the two emirates.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Spirit of the Union|last = Maktoum|first = Mohammed bin Rashid|publisher = Motivate|year = 2012|isbn = 9781860633300|location = UAE|page = 30}}</ref> The two agreed to work towards bringing the other emirates, including Qatar and Bahrain, into the union. Over the next two years, negotiations and meetings of the rulers followed -often stormy- as a form of union was thrashed out. The nine-state union was never to recover from the October 1969 meeting where heavy-handed British intervention resulted in a walk-out by Qatar and [[Ras Al Khaimah]].<ref name=":2"/> Bahrain and Qatar dropped out of talks, leaving six of the seven 'trucial' emirates to agree on union on 18 July 1971.<ref>{{Cite book|title=United Arab Emirates: A New Perspective|last=Al Abed|first=Ibrahim|publisher=Trident Press|year=2001|isbn=1-900724-47-2|location=https://www.uaeinteract.com/uaeint_misc/pdf/perspectives/06.pdf|pages=129–133|quote=|via=}}</ref>

On 2 December 1971, Dubai, together with Abu Dhabi, [[Sharjah]], [[Ajman]], [[Umm al-Quwain]] and [[Fujairah]] joined in the Act of Union to form the [[United Arab Emirates]]. The seventh emirate, [[Ras al-Khaimah|Ras Al Khaimah]], joined the UAE on 10 February 1972, following [[Iran]]'s annexation of the RAK-claimed [[Tunbs]] islands.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Islands and International Politics in the Persian Gulf: The Abu Musa and Tunbs in Strategic Context|last=Ahmadi|first=Kourosh|publisher=Routledge|year=2008|isbn=|location=London|pages=96|quote=|via=}}</ref>

In 1973, Dubai joined the other emirates to adopt a uniform currency: the [[United Arab Emirates dirham|UAE dirham]].<ref name="britannica"/> In that same year, the prior [[monetary union]] with Qatar was dissolved and the UAE Dirham was introduced throughout the Emirates.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.centralbank.ae/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=148&Itemid=106|title=Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates|website=|access-date=11 December 2016}}</ref>

===Modern Dubai===
[[File:Dubai Marina Emirates Gulf Illuminated.jpg|thumb|View of Dubai Marina From the Dock.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pixabay.com/en/dubai-dubai-marina-emirates-gulf-1227538/|title=Pixaby|last=|first=|date=|website=Pixaby|access-date=}}</ref>]]
During the 1970s, Dubai continued to grow from revenues generated from oil and trade, even as the city saw an influx of immigrants fleeing the [[Lebanese civil war]].<ref name="nyt2">"Beirut Showing Signs of Recovery From Wounds of War". ''The New York Times''. 26 May 1977. pg.2</ref> Border disputes between the emirates continued even after the formation of the UAE; it was only in 1979 that a formal compromise was reached that ended disagreements.<ref name="lonelyplanet">Dubai. Carter, T and Dunston, L. ''Lonely Planet Publications''</ref> The [[Jebel Ali]] port was established in 1979. JAFZA ([[Jebel Ali Free Zone]]) was built around the port in 1985 to provide foreign companies unrestricted import of labour and export capital.<ref name="UAEFreeZones">{{cite web|url=http://www.uaefreezones.com/fz_jebel_ali.html|title=Free Zones in the UAE|publisher=uaefreezones.com|accessdate=23 April 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100225153052/http://www.uaefreezones.com/fz_jebel_ali.html|archivedate=25 February 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Dubai airport and the aviation industry also continued to grow.

The [[Gulf War]] of 1990 had a negative financial effect on the city, as depositors withdrew their money and traders withdrew their trade, but subsequently, the city recovered in a changing political climate and thrived. Later in the 1990s, many foreign trading communities—first from [[Kuwait]], during the Gulf War, and later from [[Bahrain]], during the [[Shia]] unrest—moved their businesses to Dubai.<ref name="asianaffairs">Davidson, Christopher, ''The Emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai: Contrasting Roles in the International System''. March 2007.</ref> Dubai provided refuelling bases to allied forces at the Jebel Ali Free Zone during the Gulf War, and again during the [[2003 Invasion of Iraq]]. Large increases in oil prices after the Gulf War encouraged Dubai to continue to focus on free trade and tourism.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Sand to Silicon: Going Global|last = Sampler & Eigner|first = |publisher = Motivate|year = 2008|isbn = 9781860632549|location = UAE|page = 15}}</ref>

==Geography==
{{Main|Geography of Dubai}}
{{See also|List of communities in Dubai}}
[[File:Dubai's Rapid Growth.ogv|thumb|This time-lapse video shows the rate of Dubai's growth at one frame per year from 2000 through 2011. In the false-color satellite images making up the video, bare desert is tan, plant-covered land is red, water is black and urban areas are silver.]]
[[File:Dubai - lonely desert - الصحراء وحيدا - panoramio (4).jpg|thumb|Sand dunes on the city outskirts]]

Dubai is situated on the [[Persian Gulf]] coast of the United Arab Emirates and is roughly at sea level ({{convert|16|m|abbr=on|disp=or}} above). The emirate of Dubai shares borders with Abu Dhabi in the south, [[Sharjah (emirate)|Sharjah]] in the northeast, and the [[Sultanate of Oman]] in the southeast. [[Hatta, United Arab Emirates|Hatta]], a minor [[exclave]] of the emirate, is surrounded on three sides by Oman and by the emirates of [[Ajman]] (in the west) and [[Ras Al Khaimah]] (in the north). The Persian Gulf borders the western coast of the emirate. Dubai is positioned at {{Coord|25.2697|N|55.3095|E}} and covers an area of {{convert|1588|sqmi|km2|abbr=on}}, which represents a significant expansion beyond its initial {{convert|1500|sqmi|km2|abbr=on}} designation due to [[Land reclamation#Land amounts added|land reclamation from the sea]].{{citation needed|date=November 2016}}

Dubai lies directly within the [[Arabian Desert]]. However, the topography of Dubai is significantly different from that of the southern portion of the UAE in that much of Dubai's landscape is highlighted by sandy desert patterns, while gravel deserts dominate much of the southern region of the country.<ref name=geo1>[http://uaeinteract.com/uaeint_misc/pdf/perspectives/14.pdf Environmental Development and Protection in the UAE] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303172707/http://www.uaeinteract.com/uaeint_misc/pdf/perspectives/14.pdf |date=3 March 2016 }}. Aspinall, Simon</ref> The sand consists mostly of crushed shell and coral and is fine, clean and white. East of the city, the salt-crusted coastal plains, known as ''sabkha'', give way to a north-south running line of dunes. Farther east, the dunes grow larger and are tinged red with iron oxide.<ref name=pop7/>

The flat sandy desert gives way to the Western [[Hajar Mountains]], which run alongside Dubai's border with Oman at Hatta. The Western Hajar chain has an arid, jagged and shattered landscape, whose mountains rise to about {{convert|1300|m|0|abbr=off}} in some places. Dubai has no natural river bodies or oases; however, Dubai does have a natural inlet, [[Dubai Creek]], which has been dredged to make it deep enough for large vessels to pass through. Dubai also has multiple gorges and waterholes, which dot the base of the Western Al Hajar mountains. A vast sea of sand dunes covers much of southern Dubai and eventually leads into the desert known as [[The Empty Quarter]]. [[Seismic]]ally, Dubai is in a very stable zone—the nearest seismic fault line, the Zagros Fault, is {{convert|200|km|0|abbr=off}} from the UAE and is unlikely to have any seismic impact on Dubai.<ref name=seismic>[http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/science/a-straight-line-to-disaster Far enough from the fault lines.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120727103103/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/science/a-straight-line-to-disaster |date=27 July 2012 }} The National, 23 April 2008</ref> Experts also predict that the possibility of a [[tsunami]] in the region is minimal because the Persian Gulf waters are not deep enough to trigger a tsunami.<ref name=seismic/>

[[File:Dubai Creek, UAE (4325886562).jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.1|''[[Abra (boat)|Abras]]'' on the [[Dubai Creek]]]]The sandy desert surrounding the city supports wild grasses and occasional date palms. Desert hyacinths grow in the ''sabkha'' plains east of the city, while acacia and [[prosopis cineraria|ghaf]] trees grow in the flat plains within the proximity of the Western Al Hajar mountains. Several indigenous trees such as the date palm and [[neem]] as well as imported trees such as the [[eucalypts]] grow in Dubai's natural parks. The [[houbara bustard]], [[striped hyena]], [[caracal]], [[fennec fox|desert fox]], falcon and [[Arabian oryx]] are common in Dubai's desert. Dubai is on the migration path between Europe, Asia and Africa, and more than 320 migratory bird species pass through the emirate in spring and autumn. The waters of Dubai are home to more than 300 species of fish, including the [[hammour]]. The typical marine life off the Dubai coast includes tropical fish, jellyfish, coral, [[dugong]], dolphins, whales and sharks. Various types of turtles can also be found in the area including the [[hawksbill|hawksbill turtle]] and [[green turtle]], which are listed as endangered species.<ref>[http://www.gowealthy.com/gowealthy/wcms/en/home/articles/entertainment/events-and-festivals/Flora-fauna-of-Dubai-B0odU6b3Lu.html Flora and fauna of Dubai] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090702064554/http://www.gowealthy.com/gowealthy/wcms/en/home/articles/entertainment/events-and-festivals/Flora-fauna-of-Dubai-B0odU6b3Lu.html |date=2 July 2009 }} gowealthy.com</ref><ref>[http://www.uaeinteract.com/nature/default.asp Natural UAE] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100126010401/http://www.uaeinteract.com/nature/default.asp |date=26 January 2010 }} UAE Interact. Retrieved 29 April 2010</ref>

Dubai Creek runs northeast-southwest through the city. The eastern section of the city forms the locality of [[Deira, Dubai|Deira]] and is flanked by the emirate of [[Sharjah (emirate)|Sharjah]] in the east and the town of [[Al Aweer]] in the south. The [[Dubai International Airport]] is located south of Deira, while the [[Palm Deira#The Palm, Deira|Palm Deira]] is located north of Deira in the [[Persian Gulf]]. Much of Dubai's real-estate boom is concentrated to the west of Dubai Creek, on the [[Jumeirah]] coastal belt. [[Port Rashid]], [[Jebel Ali]], [[Burj Al Arab]], the [[Palm Jumeirah]] and theme-based free-zone clusters such as [[Business Bay]] are all located in this section.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.justproperty.com/en/floorplans/ |title=Dubai Floor Plan & Area Map |accessdate=16 May 2017}}</ref> Dubai is notable for sculpted artificial island complexes including the [[Palm Islands]] and [[The World (archipelago)|The World]] archipelago.
{{clear}}

==Climate==
{{Main|Climate of Dubai}}
Dubai has a [[hot desert climate]]. Summers in Dubai are hot, windy, and humid, with an average high around {{convert|41|°C|0|abbr=on}} and overnight lows around {{convert|30|°C|0|abbr=on}} in the hottest month, August. Most days are sunny throughout the year. Winters are cool with an average high of {{convert|24|°C|0|abbr=on}} and overnight lows of {{convert|14|°C|0|abbr=on}} in January, the coldest month. Precipitation, however, has been increasing in the last few decades, with accumulated rain reaching {{convert|110.7|mm|2|abbr=on}} per year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dubaiairport.com/dubaimet/MET/Climate.aspx |title=Climate in Dubai across the year. Dubai Meteorological office |publisher=Dubaiairport.com |accessdate=20 April 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101218070259/http://www.dubaiairport.com/DubaiMet/MET/Climate.aspx |archivedate=18 December 2010}}</ref> Dubai summers are also known for the very high humidity level, which can make it very uncomfortable for many with exceptionally high dewpoints in summer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.godubai.com/explore/whatshot.asp |title=Temperature and Humidity in Dubai |publisher=Godubai.com |accessdate=20 April 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319053501/http://www.godubai.com/explore/whatshot.asp |archivedate=19 March 2012 |df= }}</ref> The highest recorded temperature in Dubai is {{convert|48.4|°C|0|abbr=on}}, reached in July 1996.<ref name="thenational.ae">{{cite web |url=http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/uae-weather-temperature-soars-to-near-record-level |title=UAE weather: Temperature soars to near record level |work=The National|location=Abu Dhabi |accessdate=18 May 2014 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118144107/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/uae-weather-temperature-soars-to-near-record-level |archivedate=18 November 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

{{Weather box
|location = Dubai (1984–2017 normals)
|name = Dubai weatherbox
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|Jan record high C = 31.3
|Feb record high C = 37.2
|Mar record high C = 39.6
|Apr record high C = 43
|May record high C = 44.9
|Jun record high C = 47
|Jul record high C = 48.4
|Aug record high C = 47.2
|Sep record high C = 44.7
|Oct record high C = 42
|Nov record high C = 36.9
|Dec record high C = 33.3
|Jan high C = 23.6
|Feb high C = 25.4
|Mar high C = 28.2
|Apr high C = 33
|May high C = 37.6
|Jun high C = 38.7
|Jul high C = 40.8
|Aug high C = 41
|Sep high C = 39
|Oct high C = 35.6
|Nov high C = 30.3
|Dec high C = 26.2
|year high C= 33.2
|Jan mean C = 18.9
|Feb mean C = 20.3
|Mar mean C = 22.8
|Apr mean C = 27
|May mean C = 31.4
|Jun mean C = 33
|Jul mean C = 35.4
|Aug mean C = 35.4
|Sep mean C = 33.4
|Oct mean C = 30.0
|Nov mean C = 25.1
|Dec mean C = 21.2
|Jan low C = 14.2
|Feb low C = 15.3
|Mar low C = 17.5
|Apr low C = 21
|May low C = 24.9
|Jun low C = 27.2
|Jul low C = 30.2
|Aug low C = 30.2
|Sep low C = 27.7
|Oct low C = 24.3
|Nov low C = 20.0
|Dec low C = 16.2
|year low C= 22.3
|Jan record low C = 3.2
|Feb record low C = 6.5
|Mar record low C = 8.9
|Apr record low C = 13
|May record low C = 15
|Jun record low C = 18
|Jul record low C = 20.3
|Aug record low C = 23
|Sep record low C = 16.3
|Oct record low C = 14.9
|Nov record low C = 11.5
|Dec record low C = 8.1
|Jan precipitation mm = 19
|Feb precipitation mm = 25.0
|Mar precipitation mm = 35
|Apr precipitation mm = 8
|May precipitation mm = 0.5
|Jun precipitation mm = 0.5
|Jul precipitation mm = 0.9
|Aug precipitation mm = 0.3
|Sep precipitation mm = 0.4
|Oct precipitation mm = 1.1
|Nov precipitation mm = 3
|Dec precipitation mm = 17
|Jan precipitation days = 6
|Feb precipitation days = 4.7
|Mar precipitation days = 7
|Apr precipitation days = 3
|May precipitation days = 0.3
|Jun precipitation days = 0.7
|Jul precipitation days = 0.5
|Aug precipitation days = 0.5
|Sep precipitation days = 0.5
|Oct precipitation days = 1
|Nov precipitation days = 2
|Dec precipitation days = 4.2
|Jan humidity = 65
|Feb humidity = 65
|Mar humidity = 63
|Apr humidity = 55
|May humidity = 53
|Jun humidity = 58
|Jul humidity = 56
|Aug humidity = 57
|Sep humidity = 60
|Oct humidity = 60
|Nov humidity = 61
|Dec humidity = 64
|Jan sun = 254.2
|Feb sun = 229.6
|Mar sun = 254.2
|Apr sun = 294.0
|May sun = 344.1
|Jun sun = 342.0
|Jul sun = 322.4
|Aug sun = 316.2
|Sep sun = 309.0
|Oct sun = 303.8
|Nov sun = 285.0
|Dec sun = 254.2
|Jan percentsun = 75
|Feb percentsun = 75
|Mar percentsun = 68
|Apr percentsun = 75
|May percentsun = 85
|Jun percentsun = 81
|Jul percentsun = 74
|Aug percentsun = 78
|Sep percentsun = 86
|Oct percentsun = 82
|Nov percentsun = 86
|Dec percentsun = 75
|source 1 = Dubai Meteorological Office<ref name=weather>{{cite web|url=https://services.dubaiairports.ae/dubaimet/MET/Climate.aspx |title=Climate (Average Temperatures:1977–2015;Precipitation:1967-2009) |accessdate=20 December 2008 |publisher=Dubai Meteorological Office |deadurl=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004223556/https://services.dubaiairports.ae/dubaimet/MET/Climate.aspx |archivedate=4 October 2013 |df=dmy }}</ref>
|source 2 = climatebase.ru (extremes, sun),<ref name="climatebase">{{cite web |title=Dubai, Emirates |url=http://climatebase.ru/station/41194/?lang=en |publisher=Climatebase.ru |accessdate=10 February 2013}}</ref> NOAA (humidity, 1974–1991)<ref name="NOAA">{{cite web |title=Climate Normals for Dubai |url=ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/RA-II/UE/41194.TXT |publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |accessdate=10 February 2013}}</ref>
|date=April 2018
}}

==Governance and politics==
{{Main|Al Maktoum|Government of Dubai|Dubai Municipality|Politics of the United Arab Emirates}}
[[File:Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum at the World Economic Forum Summit on the Global Agenda 2008 2.jpg|thumb|left|[[Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum]], the [[Emir]] of Dubai]]
Dubai has been ruled by the [[Al Maktoum]] family since 1833; the emirate is an [[absolute monarchy]] with no elections (other than the few thousand Dubai citizens participating in the electoral college for the [[Federal National Council]] of the UAE). The ruler, His Highness Sheikh [[Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum]], is also the Vice President and [[Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates]] and member of the Supreme Council of the Union (SCU). Dubai appoints 8 members in two-term periods to the [[Federal National Council]] (FNC) of the UAE, the supreme federal legislative body.<ref name=uaegovt>US Library of Congress – Legislative Branches</ref>

The [[Dubai Municipality]] (DM) was established by the then-ruler of Dubai, [[Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum]], in 1954 for purposes of city planning, citizen services and upkeep of local facilities.<ref name=dmhistory>Organizational Chart. Dubai Municipality</ref> DM is chaired by [[Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum]], deputy ruler of Dubai, and comprises several departments such as the Roads Department, Planning and Survey Department, Environment and Public Health Department and Financial Affairs Department. In 2001, Dubai Municipality embarked on an [[e-Government]] project with the intention of providing 40 of its city services through its web portal, [dubai.ae]. Thirteen such services were launched by October 2001, while several other services were expected to be operational in the future.<ref>Dubai Municipality's e-government initiative. Powerpoint. 2 December 2005</ref> Dubai Municipality is also in charge of the city's sanitation and sewage infrastructure.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wheeler |first=Julia |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7663883.stm |title=Raw sewage threat to booming Dubai |publisher=BBC News |date=13 October 2008 |accessdate=31 July 2009 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103172040/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7663883.stm |archivedate=3 January 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

The UAE has a Minister of Happiness, appointed by Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The UAE has also appointed a Minister of Tolerance to promote tolerance as a fundamental value of the UAE, a country filled with a diverse range of faiths and ethnicities,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://whatson.ae/dubai/2016/02/uae-going-get-minister-happiness/|title=The UAE now has a Minister of Happiness – What's On Dubai|website=What's On Dubai|access-date=27 March 2016|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316124902/http://whatson.ae/dubai/2016/02/uae-going-get-minister-happiness/|archivedate=16 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and also a Minister for Youth Affairs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://uaecabinet.ae/en/details/cabinet-members/her-excellency-shamma-bint-suhail-faris-al-mazrui|title=Members Of The Cabinet|website=uaecabinet.ae|access-date=2 February 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202234722/https://uaecabinet.ae/en/details/cabinet-members/her-excellency-shamma-bint-suhail-faris-al-mazrui|archivedate=2 February 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

===Law enforcement===
The [[Dubai Police Force]], founded in 1956 in the locality of [[Naif]], has law enforcement jurisdiction over the emirate. The force is under direct command of Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum.{{Citation needed|date=November 2016}}
[[File:Dubai Police at work (12385410394).jpg|thumb|Dubai Police operates a fleet of [[exotic car]]s.]]
Dubai and [[Ras al Khaimah]] are the only emirates that do not conform to the federal judicial system of the United Arab Emirates.<ref>On the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Legal System. Gulf-Law.com</ref> The emirate's judicial courts comprise the Court of First Instance, the Court of Appeal, and the Court of Cassation. The Court of First Instance consists of the Civil Court, which hears all civil claims; the Criminal Court, which hears claims originating from police complaints; and [[Sharia law|Sharia Court]], which is responsible for matters between Muslims. Non-Muslims do not appear before the Sharia Court. The Court of Cassation is the supreme court of the emirate and hears disputes on matters of law only.<ref name="judicial">UAE Consulate of the United States</ref>

===Sharia laws===

Kissing in certain places is illegal and can result in [[deportation]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/ask-ali-kissing-in-public-renting-a-flat-and-the-rababah|title=Ask Ali: Kissing in public, renting a flat and the rababah – The National|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829084752/http://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/ask-ali-kissing-in-public-renting-a-flat-and-the-rababah|archivedate=29 August 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8602449.stm|title=Jailed Dubai kissing pair lose appeal over conviction|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017084536/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8602449.stm|archivedate=17 October 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/10507147|title=London man tells of 'shock' jailing in Dubai over kiss|date=5 July 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017084536/http://www.bbc.com/news/10507147|archivedate=17 October 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/crime/women-get-jail-and-deportation-for-kissing-on-dubai-public-beach-1.106824 |title=Women get jail and deportation for kissing on Dubai public beach |work=Gulf News |date=25 May 2008 |last=Za'za |first=Bassam |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150115034127/http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/crime/women-get-jail-and-deportation-for-kissing-on-dubai-public-beach-1.106824 |archivedate=15 January 2015 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxqyeSHnlsg|title=A Surprise Proposal on Etihad Airways|last=Etihad Airways|date=20 March 2014|publisher=YouTube|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226124754/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxqyeSHnlsg|archivedate=26 December 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/perspective/features/2014/05/04/Nose-kiss-anyone-How-the-Gulf-Arab-greeting-has-evolved.html |title=Archived copy |accessdate=1 September 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914214022/http://english.alarabiya.net/en/perspective/features/2014/05/04/Nose-kiss-anyone-How-the-Gulf-Arab-greeting-has-evolved.html |archivedate=14 September 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Adult non-Muslims are allowed to consume alcohol in licensed venues, typically within hotels, or at home with the possession of an alcohol license. Restaurants outside hotels in Dubai are typically not permitted to sell alcohol.<ref>{{Citation|title = Alcohol / liquor licence and laws in Dubai|url = http://www.guide2dubai.com/living/alcohol-liquor-license.asp|deadurl = no|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150224055416/http://www.guide2dubai.com/living/alcohol-liquor-license.asp|archivedate = 24 February 2015|df = dmy-all}}</ref> Like other parts of the world, [[drinking and driving]] is illegal.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/transport/law-gets-tough-on-drunk-drivers-in-dubai-1.627258|title=Law gets tough on drunk drivers in Dubai|last=Reporter|first=Bassam Za'za', Senior|date=16 May 2010|newspaper=Gulf News|access-date=2 February 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203081716/http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/transport/law-gets-tough-on-drunk-drivers-in-dubai-1.627258|archivedate=3 February 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==Human rights==
{{Main|Human rights in Dubai}}

Human rights organisations have heavily criticised violations of human rights in Dubai.

Some of the 250,000 foreign labourers in the city have been alleged to live in conditions described by [[Human Rights Watch]] as "less than humane".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/reports/2006/uae1106/|title=Human Rights Watch – Building Towers, Cheating Workers: Exploitation of Migrant Construction Workers in the United Arab Emirates|accessdate=4 October 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006124105/http://www.hrw.org/reports/2006/uae1106/|archivedate=6 October 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.hrw.org/reports/2006/uae1106/uae1106web.pdf|author=Human Rights Watch|title=Building Towers, Cheating Workers: Exploitation of Migrant Construction Workers in the United Arab Emirates|edition=PDF|access-date=12 February 2016|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305144614/https://www.hrw.org/reports/2006/uae1106/uae1106web.pdf|archivedate=5 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=hrw>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4861540.stm |publisher=BBC News |title=UAE to allow construction unions |date=30 March 2006 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060423122628/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4861540.stm |archivedate=23 April 2006 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="dubaifire">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6277613.stm |publisher=BBC News |title=Dubai fire investigation launched |date=19 January 2007 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090929224627/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6277613.stm |archivedate=29 September 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The mistreatment of foreign workers was a subject of the difficult-to-make documentary, ''Slaves in Dubai'' (2009).<ref name="Slaves in Dubai documentary">{{cite web |url=https://www.vice.com/video/the-slaves-of-dubai |title=Slaves in Dubai documentary |publisher=VICE |year=2009 |access-date=18 February 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141116012730/http://www.vice.com/video/the-slaves-of-dubai |archivedate=16 November 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The Dubai government has denied labour injustices and stated that the watchdog's (Human Rights Watch) accusations were 'misguided'. The filmmaker explained in interviews how it was necessary to go undercover to avoid discovery by the authorities, who impose high fines on reporters attempting to document human rights abuses, including the conditions of construction workers. Towards the end of March 2006, the government had announced steps to allow construction unions. UAE labour minister Ali al-Kaabi said: "Labourers will be allowed to form unions."<ref>{{cite news |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4861540.stm |accessdate = 24 April 2006 |publisher = BBC News |title = UAE to allow construction unions |date = 30 March 2006 |deadurl = no |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20060423122628/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4861540.stm |archivedate = 23 April 2006 |df = dmy-all }}</ref>

Freedom of speech in Dubai is limited, with both residents and citizens facing severe sanctions from the government for speaking out against the royal family or local laws and culture.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/uae-ambassador-threatens-further-sanctions-against-qatar-918691291|title=UAE ambassador: 'We do not promote idea of press freedom'|work=Middle East Eye|access-date=2018-02-11}}</ref> Most of the low paid labours are victims of human trafficking or forced labour while some women are even trafficked into the growing sex trade in Dubai, a centre of human trafficking and prostitution.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/dubai-in-united-arab-emirates-an-epicentre-of-human-trafficking-and-prostitution-20160115-gm6mdl.html|title=Dubai in United Arab Emirates a centre of human trafficking and prostitution |work=The Sydney Morning Herald|accessdate=20 January 2016}}</ref>

== Crime Rate ==
Dubai is one of the safest cities in the world.<ref name="Agarib">{{Cite web|url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation/dubai/dubai-among-worlds-safest-cities-as-serious-crimes-decline|title=Dubai among world's safest cities as serious crimes decline|last=Agarib|first=Amira|website=www.khaleejtimes.com|access-date=2018-07-30}}</ref> The Security Industry Regulatory Agency classified the crimes into six categories.<ref name="Reporter">{{Cite news|url=https://gulfnews.com/news/uae/crime/revealed-top-crimes-committed-in-dubai-1.2169034|title=Revealed: Top crimes committed in Dubai|last=Reporter|first=Mariam M. Al Serkal, Senior Web|date=2018-02-06|work=GulfNews|access-date=2018-07-30}}</ref> These crime include theft, forced robbery, domestic burglary, fraud, sexual assault and abuse, and criminal damages.<ref name="Reporter"/>

As per ''[[Gulf News]]'', Dubai Police stated that the crime in Dubai is reduced by fifteen percent during 2017. However the cases of drugs operation increased by eight percent. Major-General Abdullah Khalifa Al Merri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, hailed the force which solved 86 percent of criminal cases.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://gulfnews.com/news/uae/emergencies/dubai-police-hailed-as-serious-crimes-rate-falls-by-15-1.2156360|title=Dubai Police hailed as serious crimes rate falls by 15%|last=Reporter|first=Ali Al Shouk, Staff|date=2018-01-13|work=GulfNews|access-date=2018-07-30}}</ref>

The statistics also indicated that murder crimes dropped from 0.5 in 2016 to 0.3 in 2017 for every 100,000 population, while violent and aggressive crimes in the past 5 years went from 2.2 crimes per 100,000 and dropped to 1.2 by the end of 2017, pointed out Al Mansouri.<ref name="Agarib"/> General crimes have decreased since 2013, registering around 0.2 by the end of 2017. Robberies went from 3.8 in 2013 to 2.1 by the end of last year, while kidnapping cases also dropped from 0.2 in 2013 to 0.1 in 2017.<ref name="vjcyber.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.vjcyber.com/blog/city-blog/item/20-crime-and-crime-rate-in-dubai|title=UAE Tours - Crime and crime rate in Dubai|website=www.vjcyber.com|language=en-gb|access-date=2018-07-30}}</ref>

Vehicle thefts in 2013 were 3.8 per 100,000 population, and fell to 1.7 in 2017.<ref name="vjcyber.com"/> All the stolen vehicles were also recovered after being smuggled to neighboring countries, in cooperation with the competent authorities there.<ref name="vjcyber.com"/> According to the US Bureau of Diplomatic Security, petty theft, pick pocketing, scams, and sexual harassment still occur although they are usually not violent and weapons are not involved.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.internations.org/uae-expats/guide/29460-safety-security/common-crimes-and-laws-in-the-uae-18901|title=Common Crimes and Laws in the UAE|website=www.internations.org|language=en|access-date=2018-07-30}}</ref>

Currently, Dubai is the ninth safest city in the world.<ref name="vjcyber.com"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.arabnews.com/node/1142071/offbeat|title=Arab countries score low on crime, highest on safety in world survey|date=2017-08-09|work=Arab News|access-date=2018-07-30|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Crime Index Rate |url=https://www.numbeo.com/crime/rankings_current.jsp |website=Numbeo |accessdate=5 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Crime Index Rate |url=https://www.numbeo.com/crime/gmaps.jsp?indexToShow=safety |website=Numbeo |accessdate=5 August 2018}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{Historical populations
|footnote = c-census; e-estimate
|1822<ref name="pophist1">{{cite web|url=http://www.alshindagah.com/september99/architecture.htm|title=Modernity and tradition in Dubai architecture by Luiza Karim|last=Karin|first=Luiza|date=September 1999|publisher=alshindagah.com|accessdate=19 April 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100503110831/http://www.alshindagah.com/september99/architecture.htm|archivedate=3 May 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref>|1200
|1900<ref name="pophist2">{{cite web |url=http://cipa.icomos.org/fileadmin/papers/antalya/143.pdf |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/5naDQAop0?url=http://cipa.icomos.org/fileadmin/papers/antalya/143.pdf |archivedate=16 February 2010 |deadurl=yes |title=3D Modelling and Visualisation OF Al Baskita in Dubai IN Dubai, United Arab Emerites |last=Hadjari |first=Karim |accessdate=23 February 2017 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> |10000
|1930<ref name="pophist3">{{cite web|url=http://www.uae-embassy.de/DeutschHome/Tourismus/4DubaiGuide.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050403184631/http://uae-embassy.de/DeutschHome/Tourismus/4DubaiGuide.pdf |dead-url=yes |archive-date=3 April 2005 |title=Tourism in Dubai |accessdate=19 April 2010 |df= }}</ref> |20000
|1940<ref name=pophist1/> |38000
|1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.populstat.info/Asia/unarabet.htm|title=The United Arab Emigrates – Historical demographical data of the urban centers|last=Lahmeyer|first=Jan|year=2001|publisher=.populstat|accessdate=19 April 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100809185417/http://www.populstat.info/Asia/unarabet.htm|archivedate=9 August 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |40000
|1968<ref name="pophist5">{{cite web|url=http://www.uaeinteract.com/uaeint_misc/pdf/perspectives/04.pdf|title=The Tribal Society of the UAE and its Traditional Economy|last=Heard-Bey|first=Frauke|publisher=uaeinteract.com|accessdate=19 April 2010|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110428195649/http://www.uaeinteract.com/uaeint_misc/pdf/perspectives/04.pdf|archivedate=28 April 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |58971
|1975<ref name="pophist6">{{cite web|url=http://tedad.ae/english/about_census/background.html |title=Census 2005 U.A.E. |publisher=tedad.ae |accessdate=19 April 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100516221856/http://www.tedad.ae/english/about_census/background.html |archivedate=16 May 2010}}</ref> |183000
|1985<ref name="pophist7">{{cite web|url=http://www.ite.org/traffic/documents/AB00H5001.pdf|title=Roundabouts vs. Intersections: The Tale of Three UAE Cities|last=Younes|first=Bassem|publisher=ite.org|accessdate=19 April 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110225204033/http://www.ite.org/traffic/documents/AB00H5001.pdf|archivedate=25 February 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref> |370800
|1995<ref name=pophist7/> |674000
|2005 |1204000
|2014 |2250000
|2016 |2502715

}}
{{Main|Demographics of Dubai}}

===Ethnicity and languages===
{{Main|Emirati people}}
{{See also|Indians in the United Arab Emirates|Pakistanis in the United Arab Emirates|Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates|Bangladeshis in the United Arab Emirates|Expatriates in the United Arab Emirates}}
According to the census conducted by the Statistics Centre of Dubai, the population of the emirate was 1,771,000 {{As of|2009|lc=y}}, which included 1,370,000 males and 401,000 females.<ref name=pop1>{{cite web|url=http://www.dsc.gov.ae/EN/Pages/DubaiInFigures.aspx |title=Dubai in Figures 2009. Government of Dubai. Statistical Center |publisher=Dsc.gov.ae |accessdate=31 October 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100420120936/http://www.dsc.gov.ae/EN/Pages/DubaiInFigures.aspx |archivedate=20 April 2010}}</ref> {{As of|June 2017}}, the population is 2,789,000.<ref name="Home">https://www.dsc.gov.ae/Report/Copy%20of%20DSC_SYB_2016_01%20_%2003.pdf</ref> The region covers {{convert|497.1|mi2|1|abbr=out|order=flip}}. The population density is 408.18/km2 – more than eight times that of the entire country. Dubai is the [[List of most expensive cities for expatriate employees|second most expensive city]] in the region and 20th most expensive city in the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.citymayors.com/features/cost_survey.html |title=Cost of living – The world's most expensive cities |publisher=City Mayors |accessdate=12 February 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224033730/http://www.citymayors.com/features/cost_survey.html |archivedate=24 December 2008 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

{{As of|2013}}, only about 15% of the population of the emirate was made up of [[Emirati people|UAE nationals]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Dubai population jumps 4.8 per cent to 2.17m |url=http://www.uaeinteract.com/docs/Dubai_population_jumps_4.8_per_cent_to_2.17m/56733.htm |publisher=UAE interact |accessdate=4 September 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819034855/http://www.uaeinteract.com/docs/Dubai_population_jumps_4.8_per_cent_to_2.17m/56733.htm |archivedate=19 August 2014 |df=dmy }}</ref> with the rest comprising expatriates, many of whom either have been in the country for generations or were born in the UAE.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/10/10/uk-emirates-citizenship-feature-idUKBRE99904J20131010|title=Call to naturalise some expats stirs anxiety in the UAE|agency=Reuters UK|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714171325/http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/10/10/uk-emirates-citizenship-feature-idUKBRE99904J20131010|archivedate=14 July 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://gulfbusiness.com/2014/01/gcc-citizenship-debate-a-place-to-call-home/|title=GCC Citizenship Debate: A Place To Call Home|work=Gulf Business|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140901125525/http://gulfbusiness.com/2014/01/gcc-citizenship-debate-a-place-to-call-home/#.VKfqDxA4Lw8|archivedate=1 September 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Approximately 85% of the [[Expatriates in the United Arab Emirates|expatriate population]] (and 71% of the emirate's total population) was Asian, chiefly [[Indians in the United Arab Emirates|Indian]] (51%) and [[Pakistanis in the United Arab Emirates|Pakistani]] (16%); other significant Asian groups include [[Bangladeshis in the United Arab Emirates|Bangladesh]]is (9%) and [[Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates|Filipino]]s (3%). There is a sizable community of [[Expatriates in Dubai#Somalis|Somali]]s numbering around 30,000, as well as other communities of various nationalities.<ref name=migrationinformation>[http://www.migrationinformation.org/dataHub/GCMM/Dubaidatasheet.pdf "Country and Metropolitan Stats in Brief] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012143031/http://www.migrationinformation.org/dataHub/GCMM/Dubaidatasheet.pdf |date=12 October 2012 }}. MPI Data Hub</ref> A quarter of the population (local and foreign) reportedly [[Iranians in the United Arab Emirates|traces their origins to Iran]].<ref>{{cite news |author=HASSAN M. FATTAH; Nada El Sawy contributed reporting for this article. |url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F00E1EF839550C778CDDAB0994DD404482 |title=Young Iranians Follow Dreams to Dubai |work=The New York Times |date=4 December 2005 |accessdate=11 September 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005012837/http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F00E1EF839550C778CDDAB0994DD404482 |archivedate=5 October 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In addition, 16% of the population (or 288,000 persons) [[Labour force of the United Arab Emirates|living in collective labour]] accommodation were not identified by ethnicity or nationality, but were thought to be primarily Asian.<ref name="pop4">{{cite web|url=http://www.hsbc.com/1/PA_1_1_S5/content/assets/retirement/2006_for_report_world.pdf |title=HSBC Reveals "The Future of Retirement: What the World Wants" Survey Results |date=26 April 2006 |publisher=HSBC |accessdate=19 April 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204224023/http://www.hsbc.com/1/PA_1_1_S5/content/assets/retirement/2006_for_report_world.pdf |archivedate=4 December 2008}}</ref> There are over 100,000 British expatriates in Dubai, by far the largest group of Western expatriates in the city.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.arabianbusiness.com/dubai-leads-british-exodus-overseas-49627.html|title=Dubai leads British exodus overseas|work=Arabian Business|date=21 May 2008|accessdate=16 November 2012|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116232224/http://www.arabianbusiness.com/dubai-leads-british-exodus-overseas-49627.html|archivedate=16 January 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The median age in the emirate was about 27 years. In 2014, there were estimated to be 15.54 [[Birth rate|births]] and 1.99 [[Mortality rate|deaths]] per 1,000 people.<ref>{{cite web|title = United Arab Emirates Demographics Profile 2014|url = http://www.indexmundi.com/united_arab_emirates/demographics_profile.html|publisher = indexmundi.com|accessdate = 21 December 2015|deadurl = no|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20151225154722/http://www.indexmundi.com/united_arab_emirates/demographics_profile.html|archivedate = 25 December 2015|df = dmy-all}}</ref> There are other Arab nationals, including [[Gulf Cooperation Council|GCC]] nationals.{{citation needed|date=November 2016}}

[[Arabic language|Arabic]] is the national and official language of the United Arab Emirates. The [[Gulf Arabic|Gulf dialect]] of Arabic is spoken natively by the Emirati people.<ref>{{cite book|last=Christensen|first=Shane|title=Frommer's Dubai|year=2010|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=978-0-470-71178-1|page=174}}</ref> [[English language|English]] is used as a second language. Other major languages spoken in Dubai due to immigration are [[Malayalam]], [[Hindi]]-[[Urdu]] (or [[Hindustani language|Hindustani]]), [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]], [[Persian language|Persian]], [[Sindhi language|Sindhi]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]], [[Pashto language|Pashto]], [[Bengali language|Bengali]], [[Balochi language|Balochi]], [[Tulu language|Tulu]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=186483|title=Nama Tuluveru all set to entertain UAE with Rangabhoomi's 'Kaala Chakra'|publisher=daijiworld.com|accessdate=12 February 2016|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304045706/http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=186483|archivedate=4 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[Kannada]], [[Sinhala language|Sinhala]], [[Marathi language|Marathi]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]], [[Tagalog language|Tagalog]] and [[Chinese language|Chinese]], in addition to many other languages.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.justlanded.com/english/Dubai/Dubai-Guide/Language/Languages |title=Languages spoken in Dubai |publisher=Justlanded.com |accessdate=20 April 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627204329/http://www.justlanded.com/english/Dubai/Dubai-Guide/Language/Languages |archivedate=27 June 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

===Religion===
{{See also|Islam in the United Arab Emirates|Religion in the United Arab Emirates}}
[[File:Jumeira Mosque Dubai-2.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Jumeirah Mosque]]]]
Article 7 of the UAE's Provisional Constitution declares [[Islam]] the official state religion of the UAE. The government subsidises almost 95% of mosques and employs all [[Imam]]s; approximately 5% of mosques are entirely private, and several large mosques have large private endowments.<ref name=loc_religion>[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/UAE.pdf Country Profile: United Arab Emirates (UAE)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326030536/http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/UAE.pdf |date=26 March 2009 }}. United States Library of Congress</ref> All mosques in Dubai are managed by the [[Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department]] also known as "Awqaf" under the Government of Dubai and all [[Imam]]s are appointed by the Government.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2011/nea/192911.htm|title=Report on International Religious Freedom|work=U.S. Department of State|accessdate=30 September 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006083058/http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/2011/nea/192911.htm|archivedate=6 October 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Any person held preaching [[racism]], [[Racial discrimination|religious hatred]] or promoting [[religious extremism]] is usually jailed and deported.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/uae-to-deport-expats-abusing-religions-2015-07-22-1.597619|title=UAE to deport expats abusing religions|last=Staff|date=22 July 2015|work=Emirates 24{{!}}7|access-date=26 May 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525072642/http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/uae-to-deport-expats-abusing-religions-2015-07-22-1.597619|archivedate=25 May 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

====Minorities====
[[File:United Christian Church of Dubai.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Evangelicalism|Evangelical]] church in Dubai]]
Dubai also has large [[Christian]], [[Hindu]], [[Sikh]], [[Bahá'í]], [[Buddhist]] and other religious communities residing in the city.<ref>[http://www.dubaidreams.net/465/about/religion-in-dubai/ Religion in Dubai] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100424085123/http://www.dubaidreams.net/465/about/religion-in-dubai/ |date=24 April 2010 }}. Dubaidreams</ref>

Non-Muslim groups can own their own houses of worship, where they can practice their religion freely, by requesting a land grant and permission to build a compound. Groups that do not have their own buildings must use the facilities of other religious organisations or worship in private homes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2007/90223.htm |title=International Religious Freedom Report 2007 – United Arab Emirates |publisher=State.gov |accessdate=31 July 2009 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090805115712/http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2007/90223.htm |archivedate=5 August 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Non-Muslim religious groups are permitted to advertise group functions openly and distribute various religious literature. However, outright [[Proselytism|proselytising]] is strictly prohibited under penalty of criminal prosecution, imprisonment and [[deportation]] for engaging in behaviour offensive to Islam.<ref name=loc_religion/> Catholics are served pastorally by the [[Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia]]. British preacher Reverend Andrew Thompson claimed that the United Arab Emirates is one of the most tolerant places in the world towards Christians, and that it is easier to be a Christian in the UAE, than in the [[UK]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/general/it-s-easier-being-christian-in-abu-dhabi-than-in-uk-1.1330220 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=23 January 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161004094524/http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/general/it-s-easier-being-christian-in-abu-dhabi-than-in-uk-1.1330220 |archivedate=4 October 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

==Economy==
{{Main|Economy of Dubai}}
[[File:Jebel Ali Port 1 Imresolt.jpg|thumb|[[Jebel Ali]] Port]]
One of the world's fastest growing economies,<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.thenational.ae/business/economy/dubai-enters-top-five-ranked-fastest-growing-economies|title = Dubai enters top five ranked fastest growing economies|last = Everington|first = John|date = 22 January 2015|work = The National|access-date = 24 March 2015|deadurl = no|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150311081706/http://www.thenational.ae/business/economy/dubai-enters-top-five-ranked-fastest-growing-economies|archivedate = 11 March 2015|df = dmy-all}}</ref> Dubai's gross domestic product is projected at US$107.1 billion, with a growth rate of 6.1% in 2014.<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.zawya.com/story/Dubai_GDP_growth_seen_at_61_in_2014-ZAWYA20140604041903/|title = Dubai's gross domestic product is expected to reach US$107.1 billion, posting a growth rate of 6.1% in 2014 and exceeding Dubai government's estimates of 5%, according to Citibank.|date = 14 June 2014|work = Zawya Thomson Reuters|access-date = 24 March 2015|deadurl = no|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150331161429/http://www.zawya.com/story/Dubai_GDP_growth_seen_at_61_in_2014-ZAWYA20140604041903/|archivedate = 31 March 2015|df = dmy-all}}</ref> Although a number of core elements of Dubai's trading infrastructure were built on the back of the oil industry,<ref name=oilgas2>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/marketplace/ibi/dubai.htm |title=Dubai – Overview |work=USA Today |accessdate=22 July 2007 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070808211435/http://www.usatoday.com/marketplace/ibi/dubai.htm |archivedate=8 August 2007 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> revenues from oil and natural gas account for less than 5% of the emirate's revenues.<ref name="oilrev"/> It is estimated that Dubai produces {{convert|50000|to|70000|oilbbl}} of oil a day<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/dubais-oil-discoverydubais-debt_440035.html |title=Dubai's oil discovery and Dubai's debt |publisher=Moneycontrol.com |date=5 February 2010 |accessdate=20 April 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530195048/http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/dubais-oil-discoverydubais-debt_440035.html |archivedate=30 May 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> and substantial quantities of gas from offshore fields. The emirate's share in the UAE's total gas revenues is about 2%. Dubai's oil reserves have diminished significantly and are expected to be exhausted in 20 years.<ref name=oilgas>{{cite web|url=http://www.uae.gov.ae/Government/oil_gas.htm#Dubai|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705161411/http://www.uae.gov.ae/Government/oil_gas.htm#Dubai|archivedate=5 July 2008 |title=UAE Oil and Gas |publisher=Uae.gov.ae |date=19 June 1999 |accessdate=31 July 2009}}</ref> Real estate and construction (22.6%),<ref name="Ddooo"/> trade (16%), ''[[entrepôt]]'' (15%) and financial services (11%) are the largest contributors to Dubai's economy.<ref name=dubchamber>[http://www.dcci.gov.ae/content/Bulletin/Issue10/SectorMonEn_ISSUE10.pdf Prospects of Dubai Economic Sectors] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216052206/http://www.dcci.gov.ae/content/Bulletin/Issue10/SectorMonEn_ISSUE10.pdf |date=16 February 2008 }}. Dubai Chamber of Commerce. 2003</ref>

Dubai's non-oil foreign trade stood at $362 billion in 2014. Of the overall trade volumes, imports had the biggest share with a value of $230 billion while exports and re-exports to the emirate stood at $31 billion and $101 billion respectively.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url = http://www.emirates247.com/business/economy-finance/dubai-s-foreign-trade-steady-at-dh1-331-trillion-in-2014-2015-03-23-1.585144|title = Dubai's foreign trade steady at Dh1.331 trillion in 2014|date = 23 March 2015|work = Emirates 24{{!}}7|access-date = 24 March 2015|deadurl = no|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150327014004/http://www.emirates247.com/business/economy-finance/dubai-s-foreign-trade-steady-at-dh1-331-trillion-in-2014-2015-03-23-1.585144|archivedate = 27 March 2015|df = dmy-all}}</ref>

By 2014, China had emerged as Dubai's largest international trading partner, with a total of $47.7 billion in trade flows, up 29% from 2013. India was second among Dubai's key trading partners with a trade of $29.7 billion, followed by the United States at $22.62 billion. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was Dubai's fourth trading partner globally and first in the GCC and Arab world with a total trade value of $14.2 billion. Trade with Germany in 2014 totalled $12.3, Switzerland and Japan both at $11.72 billion and UK trade totalled $10.9 billion.<ref name=":3"/>

[[File:Deira on 18 October 2007 Pict 3.jpg|thumb|left|Dubai Creek, which separates [[Deira, Dubai|Deira]] from [[Bur Dubai]], played a vital role in the economic development of the city]]
Historically, Dubai and its twin across Dubai Creek, Deira (independent of Dubai City at that time), were important ports of call for Western manufacturers. Most of the new city's banking and financial centres were headquartered in the port area. Dubai maintained its importance as a trade route through the 1970s and 1980s. Dubai has a free trade in gold and, until the 1990s, was the hub of a "brisk smuggling trade"<ref name="britannica">[https://web.archive.org/web/20130903094953/http://concise.britannica.com/dday/print?articleId=31319&fullArticle=true&tocId=9031319 "Dubayy"]. ''Encyclopædia Britannica''. 2008</ref> of gold [[ingot]]s to India, where gold import was restricted. Dubai's [[Jebel Ali]] port, constructed in the 1970s, has the largest man-made harbour in the world and was ranked seventh globally for the volume of container traffic it supports.<ref name="jebelali">{{cite web |url=http://aapa.files.cms-plus.com/Statistics/WORLD%20PORT%20RANKINGS%2020081.pdf |title=World Port Rankings – 2008 |publisher=American Association of Port Authorities |date=15 April 2008 |accessdate=5 May 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100704163225/http://aapa.files.cms-plus.com/Statistics/WORLD%20PORT%20RANKINGS%2020081.pdf |archivedate=4 July 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Dubai is also a hub for service industries such as information technology and finance, with industry-specific [[free economic zone|free zones]] throughout the city.<ref name="Business-Dubai.com">{{cite web|url=http://business-dubai.com/services/business-setup/Dubai-Free-zones/|title=Free Zone Authorities in Dubai|publisher=Business-Dubai.com|accessdate=15 November 2015|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117021420/http://business-dubai.com/services/business-setup/Dubai-Free-zones/|archivedate=17 November 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> [[Dubai Internet City]], combined with [[Dubai Media City]] as part of TECOM (Dubai Technology, Electronic Commerce and Media Free Zone Authority), is one such enclave, whose members include IT firms such as [[Hewlett Packard Enterprise]], [[HP Inc.]], [[Google]], [[EMC Corporation]], [[Oracle Corporation]], [[Microsoft]], [[Dell]] and [[IBM]], and media organisations such as [[Middle East Broadcasting Center|MBC]], [[CNN]], [[BBC]], [[Reuters]], [[Sky News]] and AP.{{citation needed|date=November 2016}}

The government's decision to diversify from a trade-based, oil-reliant economy to one that is service- and tourism-oriented made [[real estate|property]] more valuable, resulting in the property appreciation from 2004 to 2006. A longer-term assessment of Dubai's property market, however, showed depreciation; some properties lost as much as 64% of their value from 2001 to November 2008.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Dubai's Palm Jumeirah sees prices fall as crunch moves in |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/constructionandproperty/3489393/Dubais-Palm-Jumeirah-sees-prices-fall-as-crunch-moves-in.html |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=UK |date=20 November 2008 |accessdate=20 November 2008 |first=Louise |last=Armitstead}}</ref> The large-scale real estate development projects have led to the construction of some of the tallest skyscrapers and largest projects in the world such as the [[Emirates Towers]], the [[Burj Khalifa]], the [[Palm Islands]] and the most expensive hotel, the [[Burj Al Arab]].<ref name=burjalarab>{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/545499.stm |title=World's Tallest Hotel Opens Its Doors |publisher=BBC News |date=1 December 1999 |accessdate=31 July 2009 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619185856/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/545499.stm |archivedate=19 June 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Dubai's property market experienced a major downturn in 2008<ref>{{cite web |title=Dubai: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly |url=http://drshem.com/2011/09/25/dubai-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/ |work=Dubai: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly |date=17 March 2012 |accessdate=17 March 2012 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418063228/http://drshem.com/2011/09/25/dubai-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/ |archivedate=18 April 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> and 2009 as a result of the slowing economic climate.<ref name="Propertywire.com"/> By early 2009, the situation had worsened with the [[Great Recession]] taking a heavy toll on property values, construction and employment.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/12/world/middleeast/12dubai.html "Laid-Off Foreigners Flee as Dubai Spirals Down"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170111092442/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/12/world/middleeast/12dubai.html |date=11 January 2017 }} article by Robert F. Worth in ''The New York Times'' 11 February 2009</ref> This has had a major impact on property investors in the region, some of whom were unable to release funds from investments made in property developments.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/housing-property/jlt-owners-still-waiting-for-homes-promised-in-2007-1.526478|title=JLT owners still waiting for homes promised in 2007|date=12 November 2009|last=Hanif|first=Nadeem|work=Gulf News|accessdate=10 April 2012|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114053950/http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/housing-property/jlt-owners-still-waiting-for-homes-promised-in-2007-1.526478|archivedate=14 November 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> {{as of|2009|February}}, Dubai's foreign debt was estimated at approximately $80 billion, although this is a tiny fraction of the sovereign debt worldwide.<ref>Warner, Jeremy (27 November 2009) [http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/finance/jeremywarner/100002318/dubai-is-just-a-harbinger-of-things-to-come-for-sovereign-debt/ Dubai is just a harbinger of things to come for sovereign debt] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100330173433/http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/finance/jeremywarner/100002318/dubai-is-just-a-harbinger-of-things-to-come-for-sovereign-debt/ |date=30 March 2010 }}. The Telegraph</ref> Dubai real estate and UAE property experts believe that by avoiding the mistakes of the past, Dubai's realty market can achieve stability in the future.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.bayut.com/how-dubai-real-estate-can-avoid-repeating-past-mistakes/ |title=How Dubai real estate can avoid repeating past mistakes | Bayut Blog |publisher=Blog.bayut.com |date=1 March 2013 |accessdate=10 September 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004235632/http://blog.bayut.com/how-dubai-real-estate-can-avoid-repeating-past-mistakes/ |archivedate=4 October 2013 |df= }}</ref>

[[File:Downtown Dubai (7272786966).jpg|thumb|[[Downtown Dubai]]]]
The [[Dubai Financial Market]] (DFM) was established in March 2000 as a secondary market for trading securities and bonds, both local and foreign. As of [[fourth quarter of a calendar year|fourth quarter]] 2006, its trading volume stood at about 400 billion shares, worth $95 billion in total. The DFM had a [[market capitalization|market capitalisation]] of about $87 billion.<ref name=pop4/> The other Dubai-based stock exchange is [[NASDAQ Dubai]], which is the international stock exchange in the Middle East. It enables a range of companies, including UAE and regional small and medium-sized enterprises, to trade on an exchange with an international brand name, with access by both regional and international investors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nasdaqdubai.com/exchange/about-us/overview|title=Nasdaq Dubai {{!}} Exchange Overview|website=www.nasdaqdubai.com|access-date=2 February 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102172348/http://www.nasdaqdubai.com/exchange/about-us/overview|archivedate=2 January 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

[[Dubai Multi Commodities Centre|DMCC]] (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre) was established in 2002. It's world's fastest growing free zone and been nominated as "Global Free Zone of the Year 2016" by The Financial Times fDi Magazine.

Dubai is also known as the City of Gold, because a major part of the economy is based on gold trades, with Dubai's total gold trading volumes in H1 2011 reaching 580 tonnes, with an average price of US$1,455 per troy ounce.<ref>gold-dubai (22 February 2016) {{cite web |url=http://gold-dubai.com |title=Gold rate in Dubai |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303031957/http://gold-dubai.com/ |archivedate=3 March 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

A ''City Mayors'' survey ranked Dubai 44th among the world's best financial cities in 2007,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.citymayors.com/economics/financial-cities.html |title=Citgy Mayors: World's best financial cities |publisher=Citymayors.com |date=10 June 2008 |accessdate=26 August 2009 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090817144812/http://www.citymayors.com/economics/financial-cities.html |archivedate=17 August 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> while another report by ''City Mayors'' indicated that Dubai was the world's 27th richest city in 2012, in terms of [[purchasing power parity]] (PPP).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.citymayors.com/economics/usb-purchasing-power.html |title=World's richest cities by purchasing power |publisher=City Mayors |accessdate=23 June 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506064245/http://www.citymayors.com/economics/usb-purchasing-power.html |archivedate=6 May 2008 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Dubai is also an international [[financial centre]] (IFC) and has been ranked 37th within the top 50 global financial cities as surveyed by the MasterCard Worldwide Centres of Commerce Index (2007),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mastercard.com/us/company/en/wcoc/pdf/index_2007_us.pdf|title=MW-IndexRpt-CoComm FA.indd|publisher=}}</ref> and 1st within the Middle East. Since it opened in September 2004, the Dubai IFC has attracted, as a regional hub, leading international firms and set-up the NASDAQ Dubai which lists equity, derivatives, structured products, Islamic bonds ([[sukuk]]) and other bonds. The Dubai IFC model is an independent risk-based regulator with a legislative system consistent with English common law.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.difc.ae/laws-regulations|title=Laws & Regulations {{!}} Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)|website=www.difc.ae|access-date=16 October 2016|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226124125/https://www.difc.ae/laws-regulations|archivedate=26 December 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In 2012, the Global City Competitiveness Index by the [[Economist Intelligence Unit]] ranked Dubai at No. 40 with a total score of 55.9. According to its 2013 research report on the future competitiveness of cities, in 2025, Dubai will have moved up to 23rd place overall in the Index.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dubaichronicle.com/2013/07/02/hot-spots-2025-dubai-moves-up-to-23rd-place/ |title=Hot Spots 2025: Dubai Moves Up to 23rd Place Dubai Chronicle |publisher=Dubaichronicle.com |date=2 July 2013 |accessdate=10 September 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017051658/http://www.dubaichronicle.com/2013/07/02/hot-spots-2025-dubai-moves-up-to-23rd-place/ |archivedate=17 October 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Indians, followed by Britons and Pakistanis are the top foreign investors in Dubai realty.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/international-business/Indians-top-foreign-investors-in-Dubai-realty/articleshow/21504494.cms|title=Indians top foreign investors in Dubai realty|work=The Times of India|accessdate=10 September 2013|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923050205/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/international-business/Indians-top-foreign-investors-in-Dubai-realty/articleshow/21504494.cms|archivedate=23 September 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Dubai has launched several major projects to support its economy and develop different sectors. These include Dubai Fashion 2020,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dubaichronicle.com/2013/06/18/dubai-fashion-2020-to-be-unveiled-soon/ |title=Dubai Fashion 2020 To Be Unveiled Soon Dubai Chronicle |publisher=Dubaichronicle.com |date=18 June 2013 |accessdate=10 September 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131024055620/http://www.dubaichronicle.com/2013/06/18/dubai-fashion-2020-to-be-unveiled-soon/ |archivedate=24 October 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> and Dubai Design District, expected to become a home to leading local and international designers. The AED 4 billion first phase of the project will be complete by January 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dubaichronicle.com/2013/06/09/construction-buildings-dubai-design-district/ |title=Construction of 10 buildings in Dubai Design District already underway |publisher=Dubaichronicle.com |date=9 June 2013 |accessdate=10 September 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130820024421/http://www.dubaichronicle.com/2013/06/09/construction-buildings-dubai-design-district/ |archivedate=20 August 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

===Tourism and retail===
{{See also|Tourism in Dubai|List of tourist attractions in Dubai|List of shopping malls in Dubai}}
{{Multiple image
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|alt1 = Dubai Mall
|caption1 = [[The Dubai Mall]], the largest mall in the world by area and 18th largest by retail space.
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|alt2 = Dubai Creek
|caption2 = Dubai Creek, which separates [[Deira, Dubai|Deira]] from [[Bur Dubai]], played a vital role in the economic development of the city
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[[File:Dubai Marina The Beach.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.35|Dubai Marina beach in the [[Jumeirah Beach Residence]] (JBR)]]
[[File:Atlantis, The Palm Exterior .jpg|thumb|View of [[Atlantis, The Palm]] luxury hotel]]
Tourism is an important part of the Dubai government's strategy to maintain the flow of foreign cash into the emirate. Dubai's lure for tourists is based mainly on shopping,<ref>{{cite web | title=Bargain-hunting Fashionistas Descend onto Dubai | url=http://drshem.com/2012/01/05/bargain-hunting-fashionistas-descend-onto-dubai/ | work=Bargain-hunting Fashionistas Descend onto Dubai | date=17 March 2012 | accessdate=17 March 2012 | deadurl=no | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418063828/http://drshem.com/2012/01/05/bargain-hunting-fashionistas-descend-onto-dubai/ | archivedate=18 April 2012 | df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Shopping in Dubai |url=http://www.gateway-dubai.com/lifestyle-dubai/shopping/shopping-in-dubai/ |work=Shopping Galore in Dubai |date=17 October 2013 |accessdate=17 October 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017113310/http://www.gateway-dubai.com/lifestyle-dubai/shopping/shopping-in-dubai/ |archivedate=17 October 2013 }}</ref> but also on its possession of other ancient and modern attractions.<ref>{{cite web|title=104 Attractions in Dubai |url=https://www.holidayfactors.com/travel-blog/places-to-visit-in-dubai/ |date=25 September 2017 |accessdate=27 May 2018 }}</ref> {{As of|2013}}, Dubai was the 7th [[Tourism#Most-visited cities by international tourist arrivals|most visited city of the world]] based on air traffic and the fastest growing, increasing by a 10.7% rate.<ref name="TourismCities">{{cite news|title=Most Visited Cities In The World 2013 |url=https://www.forbes.com/pictures/efik45iifi/most-visited-cities-in-the-world-2013-27/ |accessdate=19 March 2014 |work=[[Forbes]] |first=Deborah L. |last=Jacobs |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320023542/http://www.forbes.com/pictures/efik45iifi/most-visited-cities-in-the-world-2013-27/ |archivedate=20 March 2014 }}</ref> Dubai hosted 14.9 million overnight visitors in 2016, and is expected to reach 20 million tourists by 2020.<ref>{{cite web|title=14.9 million overnight visitors for Dubai in 2016|url=http://gulfnews.com/business/sectors/tourism/14-9-million-overnight-visitors-for-dubai-in-2016-1.1974824|work=Gulf News|accessdate=29 May 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170529062634/http://gulfnews.com/business/sectors/tourism/14-9-million-overnight-visitors-for-dubai-in-2016-1.1974824|archivedate=29 May 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

[[File:Burj Khalifa lake - panoramio (1).jpg|thumb|left|[[The Dubai Fountain]] in Burj Khalifa lake, [[The Dubai Mall|Dubai Mall]]]]
Dubai has been called the "shopping capital of the Middle East".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/pictures/efik45ljkd/most-visited-cities-in-the-world-2012-8/ |title=Most Visited Cities In The World 2012 |work=forbes |access-date=2 December 2013 |first=Deborah L. |last=Jacobs |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203011132/http://www.forbes.com/pictures/efik45ljkd/most-visited-cities-in-the-world-2012-8/ |archivedate=3 December 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Dubai alone has more than 70 shopping centres, including the world's largest shopping centre, [[Dubai Mall]]. Dubai is also known for the traditional [[souk]] districts located on either side of its creek. Traditionally, [[dhow]]s from East Asia, China, Sri Lanka, and India would discharge their cargo and the goods would be bargained over in the souks adjacent to the docks. [[Dubai Creek]] played a vital role in sustaining the life of the community in the city and was the resource which originally drove the economic boom in Dubai.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dubai.ae/en/aboutdubai/Pages/DubaiHistory.aspx |title=Dubai History |publisher=dubai.ae |accessdate=2 December 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203013549/http://www.dubai.ae/en/aboutdubai/Pages/DubaiHistory.aspx |archivedate=3 December 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> {{as of|2013|September}}, Dubai creek has been proposed as a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/kt-article-display-1.asp?xfile=data/nationgeneral/2013/September/nationgeneral_September157.xml&section=nationgeneral |title=Dubai Creek for World Heritage List |work=Khaleej Times |access-date=2 December 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203004340/http://www.khaleejtimes.com/kt-article-display-1.asp?xfile=data%2Fnationgeneral%2F2013%2FSeptember%2Fnationgeneral_September157.xml&section=nationgeneral |archivedate=3 December 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Many boutiques and jewellery stores are also found in the city. Dubai is also referred to as "the City of Gold" as the [[Dubai Gold Souk|Gold Souk]] in Deira houses nearly 250 gold retail shops.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Krane|first=Jim|title=City of Gold: Dubai and the Dream of Capitalism|publisher=St. Martin's Press|date=September 2009|isbn=978-0-312-53574-2}}</ref>

Dubai Creek Park in Dubai Creek also plays a vital role in Dubai tourism as it showcase some of the most famous [[tourist attractions in Dubai]] such as Dolphinarium, Cable Car, Camel Ride, Horse Carriage and Exotic Birds Shows.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.capturedubai.com/dubai-creek-park/ |title=Dubai Creek Park |work=Capture Dubai |access-date=12 February 2016 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220210017/http://www.capturedubai.com/dubai-creek-park/ |archivedate=20 February 2016 |df= }}</ref>

Dubai has a wide range of parks like Safa park, Mushrif park, Hamriya park etc. Each park is uniquely distinct from the other. Mushrif park showcases different houses around the world. A visitor can check out the architectural features of the outside as well as the inside of each house.

Some of the most popular and nicest beaches in Dubai are Umm Suqeim Beach, Al Mamzar Beach Park, JBR Open Beach, Kite Beach, Black Palace Beach and Royal Island Beach Club.

====Ski Dubai====
[[File:Ski Dubai Chair.jpg|thumb|Ski slope in [[Ski Dubai]]]]
{{Main|Ski Dubai}}
[[Ski Dubai]] is a large indoor skiing facility at [[Mall of the Emirates]], offering snowboarding, ski lessons, a children's play area and a café. It opened in November 2005 and houses the world's largest indoor snow park. It is operated by Majid Al Futtaim Leisure & Entertainment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dubaifaqs.com/ski-dubai.php|title=Ski Dubai|author=Dubai FAQs|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903172626/http://www.dubaifaqs.com/ski-dubai.php|archivedate=3 September 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.majidalfuttaim.com/en/article/majid-al-futtaim-ventures/wholly-owned-companies/majid-al-futtaim-leisure-entertainment/ski-dubai.html|title=Ski Dubai – Majid Al Futtaim|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720004458/http://www.majidalfuttaim.com/en/article/majid-al-futtaim-ventures/wholly-owned-companies/majid-al-futtaim-leisure-entertainment/ski-dubai.html|archivedate=20 July 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

===Expo 2020===
{{See also|Expo 2020}}

On 2 November 2011, four cities had their bids for Expo 2020 already lodged, with Dubai making a last-minute entry. The delegation from the Bureau International des Expositions, which visited Dubai in February 2013 to examine the Emirate's readiness for the largest exposition, was impressed by the infrastructure and the level of national support. In May 2013, Dubai Expo 2020 Master Plan was revealed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dubaichronicle.com/2013/05/22/dubai-expo-2020-master-plan/ |title=Dubai Expo 2020 Master Plan |publisher=dubaichronicle.com |date=22 May 2013 |accessdate=23 June 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622152423/http://www.dubaichronicle.com/2013/05/22/dubai-expo-2020-master-plan/ |archivedate=22 June 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Dubai then won the right to host Expo 2020 on 27 November 2013.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kerr|first=Simeon|title=Jubilant Dubai wins bid to host 2020 World Expo|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/648e8632-5781-11e3-b615-00144feabdc0.html|work=Financial Times|accessdate=7 March 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219082238/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/648e8632-5781-11e3-b615-00144feabdc0.html|archivedate=19 February 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The event will bring huge economic benefits by generating activities worth billions of dirhams and may create over 270,000 jobs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dubaichronicle.com/2013/05/24/dubai-expo-2020-may-create-over-270000-jobs/ |title=According to a research from Oxford Economics, Dubai Expo 2020 may create over 270,000 jobs |publisher=dubaichronicle.com |date=24 May 2013 |accessdate=23 June 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622170350/http://www.dubaichronicle.com/2013/05/24/dubai-expo-2020-may-create-over-270000-jobs/ |archivedate=22 June 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
The main site of Dubai Expo 2020 will be a 438-hectare area (1,083 acres), part of the new ''Dubai Trade Centre Jebel Ali'' urban development, located midway between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inexhibit.com/seed/expo-dubai-2020-a-preview |title=EXPO Dubai 2020 – a preview |work=Inexhibit magazine |accessdate=9 February 2016 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160217022200/http://www.inexhibit.com/seed/expo-dubai-2020-a-preview |archivedate=17 February 2016}}</ref> Moreover, the Expo 2020 also created various social enlistment projects and monetary boons to the city targeting the year 2020. Such as initiating the world's largest solar project,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gulfbusiness.com/dewa-launches-worlds-largest-concentrated-solar-power-project/#.V2JP7TX-VId|title=Dubai launches world's largest concentrated solar power project – Gulf Business|date=2 June 2016|publisher=gulfbusiness.com|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602184917/http://gulfbusiness.com/dewa-launches-worlds-largest-concentrated-solar-power-project/#.V2JP7TX-VId|archivedate=2 June 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> the real estate upsurge, to focus on the GDP growth and to make Dubai a "Happy Dubai" for the people of the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shuraa.com/blog/2016/06/uae-gears-up-ahead-of-dubai-expo-2020.html|title=UAE Gears Up Ahead of Dubai EXPO 2020|publisher=shuraa.com|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806033110/https://www.shuraa.com/blog/2016/06/uae-gears-up-ahead-of-dubai-expo-2020.html|archivedate=6 August 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==Cityscape==
{{wide image|Dubai banner 2.jpg|1600px|alt=Dubai skyline|align-cap=center|Dubai skyline}}

===Architecture===
{{See also|List of tallest buildings in Dubai|Developments in Dubai}}
[[File:Burj Khalifa.jpg|thumb|left|[[Burj Khalifa]], the world's tallest man-made structure]]
[[File:Dubai Skyline (10400048016).jpg|thumb|Skyscraper Dubai]]

Dubai has a rich collection of buildings and structures of various [[architectural styles]]. Many modern interpretations of [[Islamic architecture]] can be found here, due to a boom in construction and architectural innovation in the Arab World in general, and in Dubai in particular, supported not only by top Arab or international architectural and engineering design firms such as [[Al Hashemi]] and [[Aedas]], but also by top firms of New York and Chicago.<ref>Karim, Luiza [http://www.alshindagah.com/september99/architecture.htm Modernity and tradition in Dubai architecture] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090930191053/http://www.alshindagah.com/september99/architecture.htm |date=30 September 2009 }}. AlShindagah, 1999</ref> The most recent addition to the magnificent skyline of Dubai is the 150 meter high [[Dubai Frame]] (Arabic: برواز دبي) located in Zabeel Park, Dubai. It has been described by ''The Guardian'' as "the biggest picture frame on the planet", however is also controversial as the "biggest stolen building of all time". It is alleged that the designer Fernando Donis had his intellectual property stolen and was denied credit for the design.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/01/dubai-frame-uaes-latest-surreal-landmark-frames-a-controversy|title=Dubai Frame: UAE's latest surreal landmark frames a controversy |website=The Guardian|date=1 Jan 2018|accessdate=1 Jan 2018}}</ref>
As a result of this boom, modern Islamic – and world – architecture has literally been taken to new levels in skyscraper building design and technology. Dubai now has more completed or topped-out skyscrapers higher than {{convert|2/3|km|ft|abbr=on}}, {{convert|1/3|km|ft|abbr=on}}, or {{convert|1/4|km|ft|abbr=on}} [[List of cities with most skyscrapers|than any other city]]. A culmination point was reached in 2010 with the completion of the [[Burj Khalifa]] (Khalifa Tower), now by far the world's tallest building at {{convert|829.8|m|ft|abbr=on}}. The Burj Khalifa's design is derived from the patterning systems embodied in Islamic architecture, with the triple-lobed footprint of the building based on an abstracted version of the desert flower [[hymenocallis]] which is native to the Dubai region.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.burjkhalifa.ae/language/en-us/the-tower/design.aspx |title=Design of Burj Khalifa |publisher=Burjkhalifa.ae |accessdate=20 April 2013 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110228235427/http://www.burjkhalifa.ae/language/en-us/the-tower/design.aspx |archivedate= 28 February 2011}}</ref> The completion of the Khalifa Tower, following the construction boom that began in the 1980s, accelerated in the 1990s, and took on a rapid pace of construction unparalleled in modern human history during the decade of the 2000s, leaves Dubai with the world's tallest skyline {{as of|2010|January|4|lc=y}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=World's Ten Tallest Cities In 2012, the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai opened and is the World's tallest hotel, standing at 72 stories (1,165 ft).|work=Ultrapolis Project|accessdate=3 November 2010|url=http://www.ultrapolisproject.com/ultrapolis_world_tallest_skylines_cities.htm|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100609163127/http://www.ultrapolisproject.com/ultrapolis_world_tallest_skylines_cities.htm|archivedate=9 June 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://ultrapolisproject.com/Tallest_25_Skylines_Cities.htm |title=Calculated Average Height of the Twenty-five Tallest (CAHTT) |publisher=Ultrapolisproject.com |date=4 January 2010 |accessdate=20 April 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502130623/http://ultrapolisproject.com/Tallest_25_Skylines_Cities.htm |archivedate=2 May 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> At the Top, Burj Khalifa, the world's highest observatory deck with an outdoor terrace is one of Dubai's most popular tourist attractions, with over 1.87 million visitors in 2013.<ref>{{cite web |title=Burj Khalifa records over 1.87 million visitors in 2013 |url=http://khaleejtimes.com/business/local/burj-khalifa-records-over-1.87-million-visitors-in-2013 |publisher=khaleejtimes.com |accessdate=23 February 2017 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224053154/http://khaleejtimes.com/business/local/burj-khalifa-records-over-1.87-million-visitors-in-2013 |archivedate=24 February 2017 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
{{clear}}

====Burj Al Arab====
{{Main|Burj Al Arab}}
The Burj Al Arab (Arabic: برج العرب, ''Tower of the Arabs''), a [[luxury resort|luxury]] [[hotel]], is frequently described as "the world's only [[hotel rating|7-star]]", though its management has said it has never made that claim. A Jumeirah Group spokesperson is quoted as saying: "There's not a lot we can do to stop it. We're not encouraging the use of the term. We've never used it in our advertising."<ref name="The National">{{cite news|title=Hotel star ratings standards long overdue|url=http://www.thenational.ae/business/travel-tourism/hotel-star-ratings-standards-long-overdue|accessdate=10 December 2010|newspaper=[[The National (Abu Dhabi)|The National]]|date=14 July 2009|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110116211441/http://www.thenational.ae/business/travel-tourism/hotel-star-ratings-standards-long-overdue|archivedate=16 January 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The hotel opened in December 1999.

====Burj Khalifa====
{{Main|Burj Khalifa}}
[[File:Dubai Police Agusta A-109K-2 in flight at sunset.jpg|thumb|Dubai Police Agusta A-109K-2 in flight near Burj Khalifa]]
Burj Khalifa, known as the Burj Dubai before its inauguration, is a {{convert|828|m|ft}} high<ref>[http://www.go-gulf.ae/blog/dubai-numbers/ "Dubai In Number"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404074223/http://www.go-gulf.ae/blog/dubai-numbers/ |date=4 April 2015 }}, go-gulf.ae, 23 March 2015. Retrieved 25 March 2015</ref> skyscraper in Dubai, and the tallest building in the world. The tower was inspired by the structure of the desert flower ''[[Hymenocallis]]''. It was constructed by more than 30 contracting companies around the world with workers of a hundred nationalities. It is an architectural icon. The building opened in 2010.<ref>[http://www.capturedubai.com/burj-khalifa/ "Iosif Stalin-2"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411003129/http://www.capturedubai.com/burj-khalifa/ |date=11 April 2015 }}, capturedubai.com, 29 March 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.</ref>

===Artificial Islands===
[[File:Dubai Wingsuit Flying Trip (7623566780).jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|right|The [[Palm Jumeirah]]]]
Dubai is home to several man-made islands, most of which were created in the 2000s and 2010s.<ref name="thepalmae">{{cite web|url=http://www.thepalm.ae/ |publisher=Nakheel |title=The Palm Jumeirah |year=2006 |accessdate=11 February 2007 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070217094653/http://thepalm.ae/ |archivedate=17 February 2007 |df= }}</ref>

====Palm Jumeirah====
{{Main|Palm Jumeirah}}
The Palm Jumeirah is an [[Artificial island|artificial]] [[archipelago]], created using [[land reclamation]] by [[Nakheel]], a company owned by the Dubai government, and designed and developed by Helman Hurley Charvat Peacock/Architects, Inc. It is one of three planned islands called the [[Palm Islands]] which extend into the [[Persian Gulf]]. The Palm Jumeirah is the smallest and the original of three Palm Islands, and it is located on the [[Jumeirah]] coastal area of Dubai. It was built between 2001 and 2006.<ref name="thepalmae" />

===Dubai Miracle Garden===
{{Main|Dubai Miracle Garden}}

On 14 February 2013, the Dubai Miracle Garden, a {{convert|72,000|m|ft|adj=mid|abbr=off}} flower garden, opened in [[Dubailand]]. It is the world's largest flower garden. The garden has a total of 45 million flowers with re-use of waste water through [[drip irrigation]]. During the summer seasons from late May to September when the climate can get extremely hot with an average high of about {{convert|40|°C|0|abbr=on}}, the garden stays closed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weather.com/travel/dubai-miracle-garden-20130305 |title=World's Largest Natural Flower Garden Opens in Dubai |date=13 March 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308110534/http://www.weather.com/travel/dubai-miracle-garden-20130305 |archivedate=8 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The World's most beautiful garden-In Dubai|url=http://gulfnews.com/xpress/the-world-s-most-beautiful-garden-in-dubai-1.1148995|publisher=Xpress|date=20 February 2013|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105043136/http://gulfnews.com/xpress/the-world-s-most-beautiful-garden-in-dubai-1.1148995|archivedate=5 January 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==Transportation==
{{Main|Transportation in Dubai}}
{{Multiple image
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|image1 = Dubai Bus on 26 December 2007 Pict 4.jpg|thumb
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|alt1 = Dubai Bus
|caption1 = Dubai Bus in [[Dubai Marina]]
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|alt2 = Bus stop in Dubai
|caption2 = An air-conditioned bus stop
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|alt3 = [[Dubai Metro]], Opening Day
|caption3 = [[Dubai Metro|Dubai Metro's]] [[Red Line (Dubai Metro)|Red Line]], [[Arabian Peninsula|Arabian Peninsula's]] first urban train network<ref name="autogenerated1"/>
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|alt4 = Dubai – International Airport
|caption4 = Interior of [[Dubai International Airport]]
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|alt5 = Abra on Dubai Creek
|caption5 = ''[[Abra (boat)|Abras]]'', traditional mode of transport between [[Deira, Dubai|Deira]] and [[Bur Dubai]]
|image6 = Dubai Metro photographed from Dubai Marina station in Dubai United Arab Emirages.png|thumb
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|alt6 = Dubai Metro
|caption6 = [[Dubai Metro]] is the first kind of rail transportation in UAE.
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|alt7 = Dubai Monorail
|caption7 = [[Palm Jumeirah Monorail]]
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|alt8 =Dubai Tram
|caption8 =[[Dubai Tram]] is the first completely APS based tram network in the world.
|image9 =Sheikh Zayed Road on 28 December 2007.jpg|thumb
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|alt9 =Dubai Tram
|caption9 =Dubai [[E 11 road (United Arab Emirates)|E 11]]
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Transport in Dubai is controlled by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), an agency of the government of Dubai, formed by royal decree in 2005.<ref>http://www.rta.ae</ref> The public transport network has in the past faced congestion and reliability issues which a large investment programme has addressed, including over AED 70 billion of improvements planned for completion by 2020, when the population of the city is projected to exceed 3.5 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/07/12/14/10174695.html |title=Gulfnews: Dubai traffic woes inflict losses of Dh4.6b a year |work=Gulf News |accessdate=14 July 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090825202355/http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/07/12/14/10174695.html |archivedate=25 August 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In 2009, according to Dubai Municipality statistics, there were an estimated 1,021,880 cars in Dubai.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/environment/public-transport-regains-allure-as-car-free-day-gets-under-way-1.584210 |title=Gulfnews: Public transport regains allure as Car-free Day gets under way |work=Gulf News |date=17 February 2010 |accessdate=29 April 2010}}</ref> In January 2010, the number of Dubai residents who use public transport stood at 6%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/traffic-transport/rta-wants-30-of-dubai-residents-on-public-transport-1.571138 |title=Gulfnews: Rta wants 30 of dubai residents on public transport |work=Gulf News |date=21 January 2010 |accessdate=29 April 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100124073635/http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/traffic-transport/rta-wants-30-of-dubai-residents-on-public-transport-1.571138 |archivedate=24 January 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

===Road===
{{See also|List of roads in Dubai|Dubai route numbering system|List of bridges and tunnels in Dubai}}
Five main routes – [[E 11 (UAE)|E 11]] (Sheikh Zayed Road), [[E 311 (UAE)|E 311]] (Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road), [[E 44 road (United Arab Emirates)|E 44]] (Dubai-Hatta Highway), [[E 77 (UAE)|E 77]] (Dubai-Al Habab Road) and [[E 66 (UAE)|E 66]] (Oud Metha Road) – run through Dubai, connecting the city to other towns and emirates. Additionally, several important intra-city routes, such as [[D 89 road (United Arab Emirates)|D 89]] (Al Maktoum Road/Airport Road), [[D 85 road (United Arab Emirates)|D 85]] (Baniyas Road), [[D 75 road (United Arab Emirates)|D 75]] (Sheikh Rashid Road), [[D 73 road (United Arab Emirates)|D 73]] (Al Dhiyafa Road now named as 2 December street), [[D 94 road (United Arab Emirates)|D 94]] (Jumeirah Road) and [[D 92 road (United Arab Emirates)|D 92]] (Al Khaleej/Al Wasl Road) connect the various localities in the city. The eastern and western sections of the city are connected by [[Al Maktoum Bridge]], [[Al Garhoud Bridge]], [[Al Shindagha Tunnel]], [[Business Bay Crossing]] and [[Floating Bridge, Dubai|Floating Bridge]].<ref>[http://www.rta.ae/wpsv5/wps/portal/!ut/p/kcxml/04_Sj9SPykssy0xPLMnMz0vM0Y_QjzKLN4g3NvMASYGZJkb6kWhijggRX4_83FT9IH1v_QD9gtzQiHJHR0UA8kPctg!!/delta/base64xml/L3dJdyEvd0ZNQUFzQUMvNElVRS82XzBfMzZJ Completed projects]. RTA Dubai</ref>

The Public Bus Transport system in Dubai is run by the RTA. The bus system services 140 routes and transported over 109 million people in 2008. By the end of 2010, there will be 2,100 buses in service across the city.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/dubai-buses-may-be-privatised |title=Dubai buses may be privatised – The National Newspaper |work=The National|location=Abu Dhabi |date=8 June 2009 |accessdate=14 July 2009 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118040754/http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/dubai-buses-may-be-privatised |archivedate=18 January 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In 2006, the Transport authority announced the construction of 500 air-conditioned (A/C ) Passenger Bus Shelters, and planned for 1,000 more across the emirates in a move to encourage the use of public buses.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/traffic-transport/air-conditioned-bus-shelters-for-dubai-1.195356|title=Gulfnews: Air-conditioned bus shelters for Dubai|work=Gulf News|date=6 March 2010|accessdate=10 March 2006|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110830071033/http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/traffic-transport/air-conditioned-bus-shelters-for-dubai-1.195356|archivedate=30 August 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

All taxi services are licensed by the RTA. Dubai licensed taxis are easily identifiable by their cream bodywork colour and varied roof colours identifying the operator. Dubai Taxi Corporation, a division of the RTA, is the largest operator and has taxis with red roofs. There are five private operators: Metro Taxis (orange roofs); Network Taxis (yellow roofs); Cars Taxis (blue roofs); Arabia Taxis (green roofs); and City Taxis (purple roof). In addition, Dubai Taxi Corporation has a Ladies Taxi service, with pink roofs, which caters exclusively for female passengers, using female drivers. The Dubai International Airport taxi concession is operated by Dubai Taxi Corporation. There are more than 3000 taxis operating within the emirate making an average of 192,000 trips every day, carrying about 385,000 persons. In 2009 taxi trips exceeded 70 million trips serving around 140.45 million passengers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/traffic-transport/dubai-metro-gives-boost-to-public-transport-in-city-1.592986|title=Gulfnews: Dubai Metro gives boost to public transport in city|work=Gulf News|date=6 March 2010|accessdate=29 April 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100412193111/http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/traffic-transport/dubai-metro-gives-boost-to-public-transport-in-city-1.592986|archivedate=12 April 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://dtc.dubai.ae/ |title=Dubai Taxi Corporation |publisher=Dtc.dubai.ae |date=29 September 2010 |accessdate=31 October 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101112164616/http://dtc.dubai.ae/ |archivedate=12 November 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dubai.com/v/cityinfo/#block_1686 |title=Getting Around in Dubai |publisher=dubai.com/ |accessdate=14 September 2011 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110924043220/http://www.dubai.com/v/cityinfo/#block_1686 |archivedate=24 September 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

===Air===
[[Dubai International Airport]] ([[IATA airport code|IATA]]: [[DXB]]), the hub for [[Emirates (airline)|Emirates]] and [[flydubai]], serves the city of Dubai and other emirates in the country. The airport was the [[World's busiest airports by passenger traffic|3rd busiest airport in the world]] by passenger traffic handling 83.6 million passengers in 2016. The airport is also the [[World's busiest airports by international passenger traffic|busiest airport in the world by international passenger traffic]].<ref>{{cite web|title=2008 Annual Report |publisher=Dubai Airport |year=2009 |url=http://www.thenational.ae/article/20080429/BUSINESS/400804065 |accessdate=28 February 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100111173544/http://www.thenational.ae/article/20080429/BUSINESS/400804065 |archivedate=11 January 2010}}</ref> In addition to being an important passenger traffic hub, the airport is the [[World's busiest airports by cargo traffic|7th busiest cargo airport in world]], handling 2.37 million tons of cargo in 2014<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dubaiairports.ae/corporate/media-centre/press-releases/detail/dxb-takes-over-top-spot-for-international-passenger-traffic |title=DXB Takes Over Top Spot for International Passenger Traffic |work=dubaiairports.ae |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429044632/http://www.dubaiairports.ae/corporate/media-centre/press-releases/detail/dxb-takes-over-top-spot-for-international-passenger-traffic |archivedate=29 April 2015 |df=dmy }}</ref> [[Emirates (airline)|Emirates]] is the national airline of Dubai. {{As of|2018}}, it operated internationally serving over 150 destinations in over 70 countries across six continents.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.emirates.com/us/english/destinations_offers/destinations_and_offers.aspx|title=Our Destinations|last=|first=|date=|work=Emirates|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512221204/http://www.emirates.com/english/destinations_offers/destinations/alldestinations.aspx|archivedate=12 May 2015|deadurl=no|access-date=|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The development of [[Al Maktoum International Airport]] ([[IATA airport code|IATA]]: DWC) was announced in 2004. The first phase of the airport, featuring one A380 capable runway, 64 remote stands, one cargo terminal with annual capacity for 250,000 tonnes of cargo and a passenger terminal building designed to accommodate five million passengers per year, has been opened.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gulfnews.com/business/aviation/al-maktoum-international-airport-begins-operations-1.646783|title=Al Maktoum International airport begins operations|date=27 June 2010|work=Gulf News|accessdate=28 June 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100630085531/http://gulfnews.com/business/aviation/al-maktoum-international-airport-begins-operations-1.646783|archivedate=30 June 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref> When completed, Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International will be the largest airport in the world with five runways, four terminal buildings and capacity for 160 million passengers and 12 million tons of cargo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gulfnews.com/business/aviation/al-maktoum-international-airport-receives-first-flight-1.644057|title=Al Maktoum International airport receives first flight|date=21 June 2010|work=Gulf News|accessdate=21 June 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100623030828/http://gulfnews.com/business/aviation/al-maktoum-international-airport-receives-first-flight-1.644057|archivedate=23 June 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

===Metro rail===
The $3.89 billion [[Dubai Metro]] project is operational. It consists of two lines (Red line and Green line) which run through the financial and residential areas of the city. The Metro system was partially opened on September 2009.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dubai RTA – Dubai Metro – Blue Line |date=11 September 2009 |publisher=zawya |url=http://www.zawya.com/projects/project.cfm/pid151106013921?cc |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617052450/http://www.zawya.com/projects/project.cfm/pid151106013921?cc |archivedate=17 June 2011 |df=dmy }}</ref> UK-based international service company [[Serco]] is responsible for operating the metro. The metro comprises the [[Green Line (Dubai Metro)|Green Line]], which has 20 stations (8 underground, 12 elevated) and runs from the Etisalat Station to the Creek Station and the [[Red Line (Dubai Metro)|Red Line]], the major back bone line, which has 29 stations (4 underground, 24 elevated and 1 at ground level) and runs from Rashidiya Station to UAE Xchange Station [[Jebel Ali]]. In July 2016 a contract was awarded to add a branch to the Red Line running to the EXPO 2020 site; this extension is due to open in April 2020. A [[Blue Line (Dubai Metro)|Blue]] and a [[Purple Line (Dubai Metro)|Purple Line]] have also been planned. The Dubai Metro (Green and Blue Lines) will have {{convert|70|km|1|abbr=on}} of track and 43 stations, 37 above ground and ten underground.<ref name=dubaimetro>{{cite web|url=http://www.uaeinteract.com/docs/Dubai_Municipality_signs_Dh12.45_billion_Metro_contract/16483.htm |title=Dubai Municipality signs Dhs12.45 billion Metro contract |date=30 May 2005 |publisher=UAE Interact |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513205740/http://www.uaeinteract.com/docs/Dubai_Municipality_signs_Dh12.45_billion_Metro_contract/16483.htm |archivedate=13 May 2011 |df=dmy }}</ref> The Dubai Metro is the first urban train network in the [[Arabian Peninsula]].<ref name="autogenerated1">{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8247330.stm|title=Will metro change Dubai car culture?|date=11 September 2009|publisher=BBC News|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090916041627/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8247330.stm|archivedate=16 September 2009|df=dmy-all}}</ref> All the trains run without a driver and are based on automatic navigation.{{citation needed|date=November 2016}}

===Palm Jumeirah Monorail===
{{main|Palm Jumeirah Monorail}}
The Palm Jumeirah Monorail is a [[monorail]] line on the [[Palm Jumeirah]]. It connects the Palm Jumeirah to the mainland, with a planned further extension to the [[Red Line (Dubai Metro)|Red Line]] of the [[Dubai Metro]].<ref name="gn">{{cite web|title=Middle East's first monorail to start services in Palm Jumeirah by April |url=http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/08/08/07/10235187.html |work=[[Gulf News]] |date=7 August 2008 |accessdate=11 August 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090716225656/http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/08/08/07/10235187.html |archivedate=16 July 2009 |df=dmy }}</ref> The line opened on 30 April 2009.<ref name="timeout">{{cite web |title=Palm monorail tried and tested |url=http://www.timeoutdubai.com/knowledge/news/8723-palm-monorail-tried-and-tested |publisher=Timeoutdubai |date=6 May 2009 |accessdate=29 August 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100115001910/http://www.timeoutdubai.com/knowledge/news/8723-palm-monorail-tried-and-tested |archivedate=15 January 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> It is the first monorail in the Middle East.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.aeconline.ae/13/pdcnewsitem/01/69/09/index_13.html|title=First Monorail system in the Middle East takes first paying passengers.|newspaper=AEC Online|access-date=2 February 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203075322/http://www.aeconline.ae/13/pdcnewsitem/01/69/09/index_13.html|archivedate=3 February 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Two tram systems are expected to be built in Dubai by 2011. The first is the Downtown Burj Khalifa Tram System and the second is the Al Sufouh Tram. The Downtown Burj Khalifa Tram System is a {{convert|4.6|km|1|abbr=on}} tram service that is planned to service the area around the Burj Khalifa, and the second tram will run {{convert|14.5|km|1|abbr=on}} along Al Sufouh Road from Dubai Marina to the Burj Al Arab and the [[Mall of the Emirates]].{{citation needed|date=November 2016}}

===Tram===
{{main|Dubai Tram}}
A tramway located in Al Sufouh, Dubai, will run for {{convert|14.5|km|mi|1|abbr=off}} along Al Sufouh Road from Dubai Marina to the Burj Al Arab and the Mall of the Emirates with two interchanges with Dubai Metro's Red Line. The first section, a 10.6-kilometer (6.6 mi) long tram line which serves 11 stations, was opened on 11 November 2014, by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, The Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, with the line opening to the public at 6 am on 12 November 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thedubaitram.com/about/|title=About|work=The Dubai Tram|accessdate=12 February 2016|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215035242/http://thedubaitram.com/about/|archivedate=15 February 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

===High speed rail===
Dubai has announced it will complete a link of the UAE high-speed rail system which will eventually hook up with the whole GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council, also known as [[Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf]]) and then possibly Europe. The High Speed Rail will serve passengers and cargo.<ref>{{cite web|title=GCC Rail Network |url=http://www.zawya.com/projects/project.cfm/pid190607012406 |publisher=zawya projects |date=14 April 2010 |accessdate=25 April 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617080242/http://www.zawya.com/projects/project.cfm/pid190607012406 |archivedate=17 June 2011 |df=dmy }}</ref>

===Waterways===
{{See also|Dubai Water Canal}}
There are two major commercial ports in Dubai, [[Port Rashid]] and [[Jebel Ali|Port Jebel Ali]]. Port Jebel Ali is the world's largest man-made harbour, the biggest port in the Middle East,<ref>{{cite web |title=Port of Jebel Ali |url=http://www.worldportsource.com/ports/ARE_Port_of_Jebel_Ali_1423.php |publisher=worldportsource.com |date=14 August 2008 |accessdate=25 April 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100416070712/http://www.worldportsource.com/ports/ARE_Port_of_Jebel_Ali_1423.php |archivedate=16 April 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> and the 7th-busiest port in the world.<ref name=jebelali/> One of the more traditional methods of getting across [[Bur Dubai]] to [[Deira, Dubai|Deira]] is by ''[[abra (boat)|abras]]'', small boats that ferry passengers across the [[Dubai Creek]], between abra stations in Bastakiya and [[Baniyas Road]].<ref>[http://www.dubai-online.com/blog/video-dubai-souk-abra-station/ Abra-services] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817012451/http://www.dubai-online.com/blog/video-dubai-souk-abra-station/ |date=17 August 2010 }} dubai-online</ref> The Marine Transport Agency has also implemented the Dubai Water Bus System. Water bus is a fully air conditioned boat service across selected destinations across the creek. One can also avail oneself of the tourist water bus facility in Dubai. Latest addition to the water transport system is the Water Taxi.<ref>{{cite web|title=RTA launches Water Bus System on Dubai Creek |url=http://www.ameinfo.com/129309.html |publisher=AMEinfo |date=16 July 2007 |accessdate=25 April 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100602074607/http://www.ameinfo.com/129309.html |archivedate=2 June 2010}}</ref>

==Culture==
{{See also|Culture of Dubai}}
{{further|Culture of the United Arab Emirates}}
[[File:Meydan Beach Club, Dubai (8668492594).jpg|thumb|left|Meydan Beach Club, Dubai Marina]]
The UAE culture mainly revolves around traditional Arab culture. The influence of Arab and Islamic culture on its architecture, music, attire, cuisine, and lifestyle is very prominent as well. Five times every day, Muslims are called to prayer from the [[minaret]]s of mosques which are scattered around the country. Since 2006, the weekend has been Friday and Saturday, as a compromise between Friday's holiness to Muslims and the Western weekend of Saturday and Sunday.<ref>{{cite web|author=Jonathan Sheikh-Miller |url=http://www.ameinfo.com/95027.html |title=UAE Weekend Switchover |publisher=AMEinfo |accessdate=22 March 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110212191741/http://www.ameinfo.com/95027.html |archivedate=12 February 2011}}</ref> Prior to 2006, the weekend was Thursday-Friday.

Because of the touristic approach of many Dubaites in the entrepreneurial sector and the high standard of living, Dubai's culture has gradually evolved towards one of luxury, opulence, and lavishness with a high regard for leisure-related extravagance.<ref>Luxury Fashion Branding: Trends, Tactics, Techniques – Page 80, Uché Okonkwo – 2007</ref><ref>Dubai – Page 100, Terry Carter – 2009</ref><ref>Introduction to Sociology – Page 14, George Ritzer – 2012</ref> Annual entertainment events such as the [[Dubai Shopping Festival]]<ref>[http://www.traveldealsfinder.com/travel-packages/dubai-shopping-festival Dubai Shopping Festival 2011] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110106131951/http://www.traveldealsfinder.com/travel-packages/dubai-shopping-festival |date=6 January 2011 }} More Details</ref> (DSF) and Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) attract over 4 million visitors from across the region and generate revenues in excess of $2.7 billion.<ref name=dsf>[http://www.dubaicityguide.com/site/dsf/milestones.asp DSF Milestones] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100317124602/http://dubaicityguide.com/site/dsf/milestones.asp |date=17 March 2010 }}. Dubaicityguide</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://gulfnews.com/in-focus/dubai-shopping-festival/sales-will-account-for-8-of-dubai-s-gdp-1.269917 |title=Sales will account for 8% of Dubai's GDP |work=Gulf News |date=3 May 2009 |accessdate=20 April 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508235712/http://gulfnews.com/in-focus/dubai-shopping-festival/sales-will-account-for-8-of-dubai-s-gdp-1.269917 |archivedate=8 May 2013}}</ref>

Dubai is known for its nightlife. Clubs and bars are found mostly in hotels because of liquor laws. ''[[The New York Times]]'' described Dubai as "the kind of city where you might run into [[Michael Jordan]] at the Buddha Bar or stumble across [[Naomi Campbell]] celebrating her birthday with a multiday bash".<ref name="nyt">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/09/travel/09party.html|title=Clubs Bloom in the Desert|last=Sherwood|first=Seth|date=9 December 2007|work=The New York Times|accessdate=23 April 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017084536/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/09/travel/09party.html|archivedate=17 October 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

[[File:Deira Souk on 9 May 2007 Pict 2.jpg|thumb|A traditional ''[[souk]]'' in [[Deira, Dubai|Deira]], Old Dubai]]
The city's cultural imprint as a small, ethnically homogeneous pearling community was changed with the arrival of other ethnic groups and nationals—first by the Iranians in the early 1900s, and later by Indians and Pakistanis in the 1960s. In 2005, 84% of the population of metropolitan Dubai was foreign-born, about half of them from India.<ref name=migrationinformation/>

Major holidays in Dubai include [[Eid al Fitr]], which marks the end of [[Ramadan]], and [[National Day]] (2 December), which marks the formation of the United Arab Emirates.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://gulfnews.com/guides/life/community/how-the-uae-was-born-1.1610731|title=Gulf News Community|website=|access-date=11 December 2016|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220102503/http://gulfnews.com/guides/life/community/how-the-uae-was-born-1.1610731|archivedate=20 December 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The [[International Festivals and Events Association|International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA)]], the world's leading events trade association, has crowned Dubai as ''IFEA World Festival and Event City, 2012'' in the cities category with a population of more than one million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/kt-article-display-1.asp?xfile=/data/nationgeneral/2012/September/nationgeneral_September341.xml&section=nationgeneral|title=Dubai is world's festival city|date=23 September 2012|publisher=khaleejtimes.com|accessdate=30 September 2012|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120924032330/http://khaleejtimes.com/kt-article-display-1.asp?xfile=%2Fdata%2Fnationgeneral%2F2012%2FSeptember%2Fnationgeneral_September341.xml&section=nationgeneral|archivedate=24 September 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.definitelydubai.com/2012/09/23/dubai-crowned-world-festival-and-event-city-by-ifea/|title=Dubai crowned World Festival and Event City by IFEA|date=23 September 2012|publisher=news.definitelydubai.com|accessdate=30 September 2012|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928152914/http://news.definitelydubai.com/2012/09/23/dubai-crowned-world-festival-and-event-city-by-ifea/|archivedate=28 September 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Large shopping malls in the city, such as [[Deira City Centre]], [[Mirdiff City Centre]], [[BurJuman]], [[Mall of the Emirates]], [[Dubai Mall]] (the world's largest) and [[Ibn Battuta Mall]] as well as traditional [[Dubai Gold Souk]] and other ''souks'' attract shoppers from the region.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.livingindubai.org/top-7-places-to-go-shopping-in-dubai/|title=Top 7 Places to go Shopping in Dubai – Dubai Expats Guide|date=29 September 2013|newspaper=Dubai Expats Guide|access-date=2 February 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202234802/http://www.livingindubai.org/top-7-places-to-go-shopping-in-dubai/|archivedate=2 February 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

===Food===
{{See also|Emirati cuisine}}
[[Arab cuisine|Arabic food]] is very popular and is available everywhere in the city, from the small ''[[shawarma]]'' diners in [[Deira, Dubai|Deira]] and [[Al Karama, Dubai|Al Karama]] to the restaurants in Dubai's hotels. Fast food, South Asian, and Chinese cuisines are also very popular and are widely available. The sale and consumption of pork, though legal, is regulated and is sold only to non-Muslims, in designated areas of supermarkets and airports.<ref name=pork>[http://www.stat-usa.gov/agworld.nsf/505c55d16b88351a852567010058449b/898e8206171d628385256d02006df0d7/$FILE/TC3003.PDF Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226222518/http://www.stat-usa.gov/agworld.nsf/505c55d16b88351a852567010058449b/898e8206171d628385256d02006df0d7/%24FILE/TC3003.PDF |date=26 February 2008 }}. ''GAIN Report''. United States Department of Agriculture</ref> Similarly, the sale of alcoholic beverages is regulated. A liquor permit is required to purchase alcohol; however, alcohol is available in bars and restaurants within hotels.<ref name="Dubai Culture"/> ''[[Hookah|Shisha]]'' and ''[[coffee|qahwa]]'' boutiques are also popular in Dubai. [[Biryani]] is also a popular cuisine across Dubai with being the most popular among Indians and Pakistanis present in Dubai.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.zomato.com/dubai/best-biryani-restaurants |title=Biryani in Dubai |publisher=zomato.com |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207234027/https://www.zomato.com/dubai/best-biryani-restaurants |archivedate=7 February 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

====Dubai Food Festival====

The inaugural Dubai Food Festival was held between 21 February to 15 March 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dubaifoodfestival.com/dff-2015/ |title=Dubai Food Festival |publisher=Dubai Food Festival |accessdate=20 November 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115191601/http://www.dubaifoodfestival.com/dff-2015/ |archivedate=15 November 2014}}</ref> According to ''[[Vision (magazine)|Vision]]'' magazine, the event was aimed at enhancing and celebrating Dubai's position as the gastronomic capital of the region. The festival was designed to showcase the variety of flavours and cuisines on offer in Dubai featuring the cuisines of over 200 nationalities at the festival.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://vision.ae/en/articles/taste_of_culture_dubai_food_festival |title=Taste of culture: Dubai Food Festival |publisher=Vision.ae |date=February 2014 |accessdate=20 November 2014 |author=East, Ben |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030181910/http://vision.ae/en/articles/taste_of_culture_dubai_food_festival |archivedate=30 October 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The next food festival was held between 23 February 2017 to 11 March 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visitdubai.com/en/events/dubai-food-festival-2017|title=Dubai Food Festival 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010012413/http://www.visitdubai.com/en/events/dubai-food-festival-2017|archivedate=10 October 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

===Entertainment===
{{See also|Music of the United Arab Emirates}}
[[File:Dubai-Filmfestival-2010.jpg|thumb|[[Dubai International Film Festival]] 2010]]
[[File:Cairo Sound Music Festival in January 2017.jpg|thumb|Live performance in Dubai Media City Amphitheater]]
Arabic and Hollywood movies are popular in Dubai (UAE). Since 2004, the city has hosted the annual [[Dubai International Film Festival]] which serves as a showcase for Arab film making talent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dubaifilmfest.com/en/about-diff/what-is-diff.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080822190629/http://www.dubaifilmfest.com/en/about-diff/what-is-diff.html|archivedate=22 August 2008|title=About Dubai Film Festival (DFF)|publisher=7th Dubai International Film Festival|accessdate=23 April 2010}}</ref> Musicians [[Amr Diab]], [[Diana Haddad]], [[Aerosmith]], [[Santana (band)|Santana]], [[Mark Knopfler]], [[Rick Ross]], [[Elton John]], [[Pink (singer)|Pink]], [[Shakira]], [[Celine Dion]], [[Coldplay]], [[Lady Gaga]], [[Jennifer Lopez]], [[Rihanna]], [[Justin Bieber]], [[Selena Gomez]] and [[Roxette]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ameinfo.com/153573.html |title=du sponsors AR Rahman Live in Concert |date=16 April 2008 |publisher=ameinfo.com |accessdate=25 April 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101108054002/http://www.ameinfo.com/153573.html |archivedate=8 November 2010}}</ref> have performed in the city.<ref name="Dubai Culture">[http://www.dubai-livethedream.com/dubai-culture.html Dubai Culture] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100306150956/http://www.dubai-livethedream.com/dubai-culture.html |date=6 March 2010 }} dubai-livethedream.com</ref> [[Kylie Minogue]] was reportedly paid $3.5 million to perform at the opening of the [[Atlantis, The Palm|Atlantis resort]] on 20 November 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arabianbusiness.com/kylie-being-paid-3-5mn-for-atlantis-gig-43510.html|title=Kylie 'being paid $3.5mn' for Atlantis gig|last=Ferris-Lay|first=Claire|date=11 September 2008|publisher=Arab Business.com|accessdate=23 April 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811003617/http://www.arabianbusiness.com/kylie-being-paid-3-5mn-for-atlantis-gig-43510.html|archivedate=11 August 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The [[Dubai Desert Rock Festival]] was also another major festival consisting of heavy metal and rock artists but is no longer held in Dubai.

Popular films set in Dubai include:
[[Balram vs. Tharadas]],
[[Black Friday (2004 film)]],
[[Body of Lies (film)]],
[[Boom (film)]],
[[City of Life]],
[[Deewane Huye Paagal]],
[[Dubai (2001 film)]],
[[Dubai (2005 film)]],
[[Glitter Dust: Finding Art in Dubai]],
[[Happy New Year (2014 film)]],
[[Hungama in Dubai]],
[[Italians (film)]],
[[Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol]],
[[Naqaab]],
[[Silver Bears (film)]],
[[Switch (2013 film)]],
[[Welcome (2007 film)]] and
[[Kung Fu Yoga]].

One of the lesser known sides of Dubai is the importance of its young contemporary art gallery scene. Since 2008, the leading contemporary art galleries such as Carbon 12 Dubai,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://carbon12dubai.com/ |title=Carbon 12's website |publisher=Carbon12dubai.com |date=18 January 2013 |accessdate=20 April 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130331144906/http://carbon12dubai.com/ |archivedate=31 March 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Green Art, gallery Isabelle van den Eynde, and The Third Line have brought the city onto the international art map. [[Art Dubai]], the growing and reputable art fair of the region is as well a major contributor of the contemporary art scene's development.{{citation needed|date=November 2016}}

The largest Cinema Hall in UAE is [[Reel Cinemas]] located at Dubai Mall.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://yagulf.com/uae/cinema-at-dubai-mall.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141214231932/http://yagulf.com/uae/cinema-at-dubai-mall.html|dead-url=yes|archive-date=14 December 2014|title=Cinema at Dubai Mall|publisher=yagulf.com|accessdate=12 February 2016}}</ref> It has 22 screens available with a total of 2800 seats.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.reelcinemas.ae/en/cinemas/the-dubai-mall.aspx|title=The Dubai Mall|website=reelcinemas.ae|accessdate=23 February 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161213165641/http://www.reelcinemas.ae/en/cinemas/the-dubai-mall.aspx|archivedate=13 December 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

===Dubai Shopping Festival===
The [[Dubai Shopping Festival]] is a yearly event in Dubai. It started in 1995, attracts a lot of visitors from worldwide to visit Dubai and get advantage of the sales during this festival.{{citation needed|date=November 2016}}

In 2015 it started from 1 January and went until 1 February, but, The Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing in Dubai announced the cessation of all entertainment and musical activities related to the Dubai Shopping Festival for 3 days, starting from Friday, 23 January to Sunday, 25 January due to the death of [[Abdullah of Saudi Arabia|King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz]] former ruler of Saudi Arabia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/kt-article-display-1.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2015/January/middleeast_January156.xml&section=middleeast|title=DSF to halt all entertainment, musical activities to mourn Saudi king's death|work=Khaleej Times|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209083204/http://www.khaleejtimes.com/kt-article-display-1.asp?xfile=data%2Fmiddleeast%2F2015%2FJanuary%2Fmiddleeast_January156.xml&section=middleeast|archivedate=9 February 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

===Media===
{{Main|Dubai Media Incorporated}}
{{See also|List of media outlets in Dubai Media City|Radio and television channels of Dubai}}
[[File:Dubai Media City - panoramio.jpg|thumb|View of [[Dubai Media City]]]]

Many international news agencies such as [[Reuters]], [[Associated Press Television News|APTN]], [[Bloomberg L.P.]] and [[Middle East Broadcasting Center]] (MBC) operate in Dubai Media City and Dubai Internet City. Additionally, several local network television channels such as [[Dubai One]] (formerly Channel 33), and [[Dubai TV]] (EDTV) provide programming in English and Arabic respectively. Dubai is also the headquarters for several print media outlets. ''[[Dar Al Khaleej]]'', ''[[Al Bayan (newspaper)|Al Bayan]]'' and ''[[Al-Ittihad (Emirati newspaper)|Al Ittihad]]'' are the city's largest circulating Arabic language newspapers,<ref name=alkhaleej>[http://www.carnegieendowment.org/files/New_Chart.pdf Largest-Circulation Arabic Newspapers] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614232009/http://www.carnegieendowment.org/files/New_Chart.pdf |date=14 June 2011 }}. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. ''Arab Reform Bulletin'', December 2004</ref> while ''[[Gulf News]]'', ''[[Khaleej Times]], Khaleej Mag'' and ''[[7days]]'' are the largest circulating English newspapers.<ref name=gulfnewskhaleejtimes>[https://archive.is/20130210023747/http://www.zawya.com/pdfstory.cfm?storyid=GN_03022010_040214&l=000000100204 Gulf News continues to lead the way]. zawya. February 2010</ref>

[[Etisalat]], the government-owned telecommunications provider, held a virtual monopoly over telecommunication services in Dubai prior to the establishment of other, smaller telecommunications companies such as Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC—better known as Du) in 2006. Internet was introduced into the UAE (and therefore Dubai) in 1995. The network has an Internet bandwidth of 7.5 Gbit/s with capacity of 49 STM1 links.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arabianbusiness.com/etisalat-ramps-up-uae-bandwidth-62960.html|title=Etisalat ramps up UAE bandwidth|date=11 June 2006|publisher=arabianbusiness.com|accessdate=3 May 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812064751/http://www.arabianbusiness.com/etisalat-ramps-up-uae-bandwidth-62960.html|archivedate=12 August 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Dubai houses two of four Domain Name System (DNS) data centres in the country (DXBNIC1, DXBNIC2).<ref name="dxbittopology">{{cite web|url=http://www.isoc.org/isoc/conferences/inet/05/hashim.pdf|title=UAEnicat a Glance|last=Hashim|first=Abdulla|date=5 May 2005|publisher=isoc.org|accessdate=21 April 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100311050524/https://www.isoc.org/isoc/conferences/inet/05/hashim.pdf|archivedate=11 March 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Censorship is common in Dubai and used by the government to control content that it believes violates the cultural and political sensitivities of Emirates.<ref name=etisalatmon>[http://opennet.net/sites/opennet.net/files/united_arab_emirates.pdf United Arab Emirates] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080909194905/http://opennet.net/sites/opennet.net/files/united_arab_emirates.pdf |date=9 September 2008 }}. OpenNet Interactive. 2008</ref> Homosexuality, drugs, and the theory of evolution are generally considered taboo.<ref name="Dubai Culture"/><ref name="Bedell">{{Cite news|url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/article5741679.ece|title=Geraldine Bedell's novel banned in Dubai because of gay character|last=Jack|first=Malvern|date=16 February 2009|work=The Times |location=UK |accessdate=22 April 2010}}</ref>

Internet content is regulated in Dubai. Etisalat uses a proxy server to filter Internet content that the government deems to be inconsistent with the values of the country, such as sites that provide information on how to bypass the proxy; sites pertaining to dating, gay and lesbian networks, and pornography; and sites originating from [[Israel]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://opennet.net/studies/uae|title=Internet Filtering in the United Arab Emirates in 2004–2005: A Country Study|date=5 May 2005|publisher=OpenNet Initiative|accessdate=9 June 2010|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100611125850/http://opennet.net/studies/uae|archivedate=11 June 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Emirates Media and Internet (a division of Etisalat) notes that {{as of|2002|lc=y}}, 76% of Internet users are male. About 60% of Internet users were Asian, while 25% of users were Arab. Dubai enacted an Electronic Transactions and Commerce Law in 2002 which deals with digital signatures and electronic registers. It prohibits Internet Service Providers (ISPs) from disclosing information gathered in providing services.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tecom.ae/law/law_2.htm |title=Electronic Transactions and Commerce Law No.2/2002 |publisher=Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority |accessdate=9 June 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531152539/http://www.tecom.ae/law/law_2.htm |archivedate=31 May 2011}}</ref> The penal code contains official provisions that prohibit digital access to pornography; however, it does not address cyber crime or data protection.<ref name=privacy>{{cite web|url=http://www.privacyinternational.org/article.shtml?cmd%5B347%5D=x-347-103788 |title=Silenced – United Arab Emirates |publisher=Privacyinternational.org |date=21 September 2003 |accessdate=20 April 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100903044652/http://www.privacyinternational.org/article.shtml?cmd%5B347%5D=x-347-103788 |archivedate=3 September 2010 |df= }}</ref>

===Sports===
{{Main|List of sports venues in Dubai}}
{{See also|Traditional sports in the United Arab Emirates}}
[[File:DTC1.jpg|thumb|[[Aviation Club Tennis Centre|Dubai Tennis Stadium]]]]
[[Association football|Football]] and [[cricket]] are the most popular sports in Dubai. Three teams ([[Al Wasl FC]], [[Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai FC]] and [[Al Nasr SC (Dubai)|Al Nasr SC]]) represent Dubai in [[UAE Pro-League]].<ref name="Dubai Culture"/> Al-Wasl have the second-most number of championships in the UAE League, after Al Ain. Dubai also hosts both the annual [[Dubai Tennis Championships]] and [[The Legends Rock Dubai]] tennis tournaments, as well as the [[Dubai Desert Classic]] golf tournament and the [[DP World Tour Championship, Dubai|DP World Tour Championship]], all of which attract sports stars from around the world. The [[Dubai World Cup]], a [[thoroughbred]] horse race, is held annually at the [[Meydan Racecourse]]. Dubai also hosts the traditional [[rugby union]] tournament [[Dubai Sevens]], part of the [[Sevens World Series]] Event pictures of Rugby 7 Dubai 2015. In 2009, Dubai hosted the [[2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens]]. Auto racing is also a big sport in Dubai, the [[Dubai Autodrome]] is home to many auto racing events throughout the year. It also features a state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor [http://www.dubaiautodrome.com/kartdrome-main/racing/ Kartdrome], popular among racing enthusiasts and recreational riders.

====Cricket====
[[File:Dubai Sports City Pak vs Aussies.jpg|thumb|Australia vs. Pakistan at Dubai Sports City Cricket Ground]]
Cricket is followed by Dubai's large community of Indians and Pakistanis alongside the residents from other cricket playing nations (Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa and Nepal). In 2005, the [[International Cricket Council]] (ICC) moved its headquarters from London to Dubai. The city has hosted several Pakistan matches and two new grass grounds are being developed in [[Dubai Sports City]]. Numerous tournaments also take place in Dubai.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gulfnews.com/sport/cricket/icc-moves-to-new-headquarters-in-sports-city-1.64511 |title=ICC moves to new headquarters in Sports City |work=Gulf News |date=18 April 2009 |accessdate=20 April 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516021752/http://gulfnews.com/sport/cricket/icc-moves-to-new-headquarters-in-sports-city-1.64511 |archivedate=16 May 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Since Pakistan played Australia in a One-Day International in Dubai in 2009, not only have top international teams competed in the city, but the emirate is helping to improve the standard of cricket around the world with the ICC Cricket Academy, a training and coaching facility which is used by the world's leading nations. [[Pakistan Super League]] was also played here.

===Dress code===

The Emirati attire is typical of several countries in the Arabian Peninsula. Women usually wear the "[[abaya]]", a long black robe with a [[hijab]] (the head-scarf which covers the neck and part of the head). Some women may add a [[niqāb|niqab]] which cover the mouth and nose and only leaves the eyes exposed. Men wear the "[[thawb|kandurah]]" also referred to as "dishdasha" or even "thawb" (long white robe) and the headscarf ([[keffiyeh|ghotrah]]). The UAE traditional ghotrah is white and is held in place by an accessory called "[[Agal (accessory)|egal]]", which resembles a black cord. The younger Emiratis prefer to wear red and white ghotras and tie it round their head like a turban.{{citation needed|date=November 2016}}

The above dress code is never compulsory and many people wear western or other eastern clothing without any problems; but prohibitions on wearing "indecent clothing" or revealing too much skin are aspects of the UAE to which Dubai's visitors are expected to conform, and are encoded in Dubai's criminal law.<ref name="Criminal Law of Dubai">{{cite web|url=http://www.lawyersuae.com/court-cases/criminal-law-of-dubai|title=Criminal Law of Dubai|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006095228/http://www.lawyersuae.com/court-cases/criminal-law-of-dubai|archivedate=6 October 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The UAE has enforced decency regulations in most public places, aside from waterparks, beaches, clubs, and bars.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/uae-laws-you-must-know-to-stay-out-of-trouble-2012-02-28-1.445519|title=UAE laws you must know to stay out of trouble|last=Leijen|first=Majorie van|newspaper=Emirates 24{{!}}7|access-date=2 February 2017|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228163649/http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/uae-laws-you-must-know-to-stay-out-of-trouble-2012-02-28-1.445519|archivedate=28 December 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==Education==
{{Main|Education in Dubai}}
{{See also|List of universities and colleges in Dubai}}

The school system in Dubai follows that of the United Arab Emirates. {{As of|2009}}, there are 79 public schools run by the Ministry of Education that serve Emiratis and expatriate Arab people as well as 145 private schools.<ref name=pop1/> The medium of instruction in public schools is Arabic with emphasis on English as a second language, while most of the private schools use English as their medium of instruction. Most private schools cater to one or more expatriate communities.<ref>{{cite news |last=Mansell |first=Warwick |title=Expat guide to the UAE: schools |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/expateducation/7635831/Expat-guide-to-the-UAE-schools.html |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=30 April 2010 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6cV8vxMGV?url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/expateducation/7635831/Expat-guide-to-the-UAE-schools.html |archivedate=23 October 2015 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

More than 15 schools offer an international education using the one or more of the four International Baccalaureate Programmes for students aged 3–19.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.meibaschools.org/schools.aspx?Country=United%20Arab%20Emirates|title=Middle East International Baccalaureate Association (MEIBA) of Schools|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213034114/http://meibaschools.org/schools.aspx?Country=United%20Arab%20Emirates|archivedate=13 February 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Several schools have introduced the new IB Career-related Programme that can be combined with a vocational qualification such as a BTEC.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/about-us/qualification-brands/btec.html|title=Welcome to BTEC|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507104945/http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/about-us/qualification-brands/btec.html|archivedate=7 May 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) signed an agreement with the IB in efforts to widen the options offered for parents and to meet the different needs of students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.adec.ac.ae/en/MediaCenter/News/Pages/ADEC-signs-a-protocol-agreement-with-the-International-Baccalaureate.aspx|title=ADEC signs a protocol agreement with the International Baccalaureate Organization today|work=ADEC|accessdate=12 February 2016|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105043136/https://www.adec.ac.ae/en/MediaCenter/News/Pages/ADEC-signs-a-protocol-agreement-with-the-International-Baccalaureate.aspx|archivedate=5 January 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Additionally a number of schools offer either a CBSE or an Indian Certificate of Secondary Education Indian syllabus. [[The Indian High School, Dubai|The Indian High School]], [[Delhi Private School, Dubai|DPS]], [[Dubai Modern High School, Dubai|DMHS]] are some examples. Similarly, there are also several reputable Pakistani schools offering FBISE curriculum for expatriate children in Dubai.{{citation needed|date=November 2016}}

A number of schools also offer British primary education up to the age of eleven. British style eleven-to-eighteen secondary schools offering General Certificate of Secondary Education and A-Levels include [[Dubai Gem Private School]], [[Dubai British School]], [[English Language School, Dubai|English Language School Pvt.]] Some schools, such as The [[American School of Dubai]], also offer the curriculum of the United States.<ref name=schlist>{{cite web |url=http://www.dubaifaqs.com/schools-dubai.php |title=List of schools in Dubai, Dubai school finder |publisher=Dubaifaqs.com |date=5 June 2012 |accessdate=20 April 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130428081000/http://www.dubaifaqs.com/schools-dubai.php |archivedate=28 April 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

The most well-known universities in Dubai are [[American University in Dubai]], [[Hult International Business School]], [[Al Ghurair University]], The American College of Dubai, [[University of Wollongong in Dubai]], [[British University in Dubai]] offering courses in Business Administration, Engineering, Architecture and Interior Design. American University in Dubai is one of the six UAE universities featured in QS World University Rankings 2014/2015.<ref>{{cite web |title=QS World University Rankings® 2014/15 |url=http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2014#sorting=rank+region=+country=+faculty=+stars=false+search= |publisher=topuniversities.com |accessdate=12 February 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205025004/http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2014#sorting=rank+region=+country=+faculty=+stars=false+search= |archivedate=5 February 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In 2013 [[Synergy University Dubai Campus]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://synergy.university/|title=Synergy University Dubai Campus – Home Page|author=Synergy University Dubai Campus|work=Synergy University Dubai Campus|accessdate=12 February 2016|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220053929/http://synergy.university/|archivedate=20 February 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref> opened its campus in [[Jumeirah Lakes Towers]] being a first University in Dubai to be located outside of Educational Zones (Knowledge Village or Academic City).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dubaieducationguide.com/upage.asp?uiid=244 |title=Synergy University, Dubai Educational Guide |author=DEG |accessdate=12 February 2016 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304025904/http://www.dubaieducationguide.com/upage.asp?uiid=244 |archivedate=4 March 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

==Healthcare==
{{Main|Dubai Health Authority|List of hospitals in Dubai}}
[[File:Dubai Al Wasl Rd.jpg|thumb|Dubai's Iranian Hospital]]

Healthcare in Dubai can be divided into two different sectors: public and private. Each Emirate is able to dictate healthcare standards according to their internal laws, although the standards and regulations rarely have extreme differences. Public hospitals in Dubai were first built in the late 1950s and continued to grow with public health initiatives. There are now 28 hospitals in Dubai, 6 public and 22 private, with 3 more major hospitals scheduled to be built by 2025.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/uae-expo-2020-bid-in-good-health-dubai-gets-new-hospitals-2013-08-19-1.518053 |title=UAE Expo 2020 bid in good health: Dubai gets new hospitals |date=19 August 2013 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623003659/http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/uae-expo-2020-bid-in-good-health-dubai-gets-new-hospitals-2013-08-19-1.518053 |archivedate=23 June 2015 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

By the end of 2012, there were also a total of 1,348 medical clinics, 97% of which are operated privately.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dubai Healthcare Overview|url=http://www.colliers.com/-/media/83E76364901E465986CBF44594578C2A.ashx?la=en-GB|work=Colliers}}</ref> In 2015, Dubai phased in mandatory health insurance for all inhabitants, thereby leading to increased demand for medical services.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dubai's mandatory health insurance law comes into force|url=http://www.thenational.ae/uae/health/dubais-mandatory-health-insurance-law-comes-into-force|work=The National|date=15 February 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623010249/http://www.thenational.ae/uae/health/dubais-mandatory-health-insurance-law-comes-into-force|archivedate=23 June 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==Notable people==
{{Main|List of people from Dubai}}
*[[Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum]]
*[[Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan]]
*[[Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum]]

==International relations==
{{See also|List_of_twin_towns_and_sister_cities_in_Asia#United_Arab_Emirates_.28UAE.29|l1=List of twin towns and sister cities in UAE}}

===Twin towns and sister cities===
Dubai is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with the following cities:

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* {{flagicon|ESP}} [[Barcelona]], [[Catalonia]], Spain (2006)<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090216085914/http://w3.bcn.es/XMLServeis/XMLHomeLinkPl/0%2C4022%2C229724149_257215678_1%2C00.html Dubai is sister city to Barcelona, on the municipality's website (in Catalan)]. Retrieved 28 October 2015.</ref>
* {{flagicon|KOR}} [[Busan]], South Korea (2006)<ref>[http://english.busan.go.kr/SubPage.do?pageid=sub020927&pagecode=sub020927_01 Dubai and Busan are sister cities, on the municipality's website] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.is/20160318174248/http://english.busan.go.kr/SubPage.do?pageid=sub020927&pagecode=sub020927_01 |date=18 March 2016 }}, 13 November 2006.</ref>
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Detroit]], [[Michigan]], United States (2003)<ref>[http://www.sister-cities.org/sites/default/files/Detroit%2C%20MI-Dubai%2C%20United%20Arab%20Emirates.pdf Sister Cities Agreement between Detroit and Dubai] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222121800/http://www.sister-cities.org/sites/default/files/Detroit%2C%20MI-Dubai%2C%20United%20Arab%20Emirates.pdf |date=22 December 2015 }}, 28 September 2003.</ref>
* {{flagicon|GER}} [[Frankfurt]], [[Hessen]], Germany, as a Friendship city since 2005<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rgre.de/rgre-partnerschaften/?dt_orgname=Frankfurt+am+Main&dt_plz=&dt_einwohnerzahl_min=&dt_einwohnerzahl_max=&dt_bundesland=&aus_orgname=&aus_plz=&aus_land=&aus_kontinent=&partner_seit_von=&partner_seit_bis=&partner_form=&submit=Suche&order_by=partner_seit&direction=asc |publisher=Council of European Municipalities and Regions |title=Partnerships: Frankfurt am Main |language=German |accessdate=16 February 2015 |deadurl=no |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208134449/http://www.rgre.de/rgre-partnerschaften/?dt_orgname=Frankfurt+am+Main&dt_plz=&dt_einwohnerzahl_min=&dt_einwohnerzahl_max=&dt_bundesland=&aus_orgname=&aus_plz=&aus_land=&aus_kontinent=&partner_seit_von=&partner_seit_bis=&partner_form=&submit=Suche&order_by=partner_seit&direction=asc |archivedate=8 February 2015 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
* {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Gold Coast, Queensland|Gold Coast]], [[Queensland]], Australia (2001)<ref>[http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/business/sister-cities-international-partnerships-15053.html Dubai and Gold Coast are sister cities, on the municipality's website] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213031956/http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/business/sister-cities-international-partnerships-15053.html |date=13 February 2015 }}. Retrieved 28 October 2015.</ref>
* {{flagicon|PRC}} [[Shanghai]], China (2009)<ref>[http://www.shfao.gov.cn/wsb/english/Sister_Cities/u1a14233.html Dubai is sister city to Shanghai, on the municipality's site ] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303193034/http://www.shfao.gov.cn/wsb/english/Sister_Cities/u1a14233.html |date=3 March 2016 }}, 27 July 2009.</ref>
* {{flagicon|TUR}} [[Istanbul]], Turkey (1997)<ref>[http://www.ibb.gov.tr/tr-TR/kurumsal/Birimler/DisIliskilerMd/Documents/guncelleme08032010/kardes_sehir_isbirligi_ve_iyi_niyet_anlasmasi_imzalanan_seh.pdf Dubai and Istanbul are sister cities, on the municipality's website] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161015224753/http://www.ibb.gov.tr/tr-TR/kurumsal/Birimler/DisIliskilerMd/Documents/guncelleme08032010/kardes_sehir_isbirligi_ve_iyi_niyet_anlasmasi_imzalanan_seh.pdf |date=15 October 2016 }} (in Turkish), 22 March 1997.</ref>
* {{flagicon|INA}} [[Padang]], Indonesia (2015)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sumbar.antaranews.com/berita/157585/wako-kerjasama-padang-perth-dubai-saling-menguntungkan.html|title=Wako: Kerjasama Padang-Perth-Dubai Saling Menguntungkan|date=15 September 2015|accessdate=27 December 2015|work=[[Antara (news agency)|ANTARA]]|language=Indonesian|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151227144234/http://sumbar.antaranews.com/berita/157585/wako-kerjasama-padang-perth-dubai-saling-menguntungkan.html|archivedate=27 December 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|PRK}} [[Pyongyang]], North Korea<ref>{{cite book|last=Corfield|first=Justin|title=Historical Dictionary of Pyongyang|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a46gFDWr3aMC&pg=PA196|year=2013|publisher=Anthem Press|location=London|isbn=978-0-85728-234-7|page=196|chapter=Sister Cities}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|MAS}} [[Kuala Lumpur]], Malaysia (2010)<ref>[http://poskod.my/features/kls-sister-cities/ Dubai is listed as one of Kuala Lumpur's sister cities] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130830201710/http://poskod.my/features/kls-sister-cities/ |date=30 August 2013 }}</ref>
* {{flagicon|UK}} [[Dundee]], Scotland, UK (2004)<ref>https://stv.tv/news/tayside/110625-scotlands-links-with-uae-celebrated-in-dundee/</ref>
{{div col end}}

==See also==
{{portal|Dubai|United Arab Emirates}}
* [[Al Sufouh Archaeological Site]]
* [[Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve]]
* [[Dubai Silicon Oasis]]
* [[List of buildings in Dubai]]
* [[Sustainability in Dubai]]
* [[Outline of Dubai]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
* Syed Ali. ''Dubai: Gilded Cage'' (Yale University Press; 2010) 240 pages. Focuses on the Arab emirate's treatment of foreign workers.
* Heiko Schmid: ''Economy of Fascination: Dubai and Chicago as Themed Urban Landscapes'', Berlin, Stuttgart 2009, {{ISBN|978-3-443-37014-5}}.
* John M. Smith: ''Dubai The Maktoum Story'', Norderstedt 2007, {{ISBN|3-8334-4660-9}}.

==External links==
{{Sister project links|Dubai}}
* {{Wikivoyage-inline|Dubai}}
* [http://www.dubai.ae/en/Pages/default.aspx www.dubai.ae] – The Official Portal of Dubai Government
* [https://www.dm.gov.ae/wps/portal/home www.dm.gov.ae] – Dubai Municipality website

{{Geographic location
|Centre=Dubai
|North =
|Northeast=
|East =[[Sharjah (emirate)|Sharjah]]
|Southeast=
|South =[[Abu Dhabi (emirate)|Abu Dhabi]]
|Southwest=
|West =
|Northwest=''[[Persian Gulf]]''
}}

{{Dubai topics|state=collapsed}}
{{Neighborhoods in Dubai}}
{{Dubai landmarks}}
{{Developments in Dubai}}
{{Emirate of Dubai}}{{Rulers of Dubai}}{{UAE cities}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}{{Use British English|date=September 2010}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Dubai| ]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]
[[Category:Metropolitan areas of the United Arab Emirates]]
[[Category:Persian Gulf]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in the United Arab Emirates]]
[[Category:Port cities in the Arabian Peninsula]]
[[Category:UNESCO Creative Cities Network]]

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