Dubai

Dubai

Dubai is one of the few cities in the world that has undergone such a rapid transformation - from a humble beginning as a pearl-diving centre - to one of the fastest growing cities on earth. Dubai today is a tourism, trade and logistics hub and has earned itself the reputation of being the ‘gateway between the east and the west.’ It is also considered as the dynamic nucleus of the Arabian Gulf region.

Home to just over 2 million people from more than 200 nationalities, Dubai is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. Living in Dubai has a lot to offer. It is safe, politically stable, centrally located, has a good education system and healthcare facilities, modern infrastructure and much more. The sun shines almost every day, the shopping and leisure facilities are impressive, and the salaries are tax-free.

Living in Dubai is exciting, something new and different happens ever so often. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, a new project is announced, whether it is the launch of a sports stadium, a mega commercial tower, a residential enclave or yet another shopping mall! Dubai is constantly on the move, striving for greater heights and more facilities and comfort for its residents and visitors.

Dubai is without a doubt a destination of the 21st century. Read any article about the fastest growing city in the region and it’s almost guaranteed you’ll see the words ‘ambitious’, ‘record-breaking’ and ‘staggering’. This meteoric growth has not gone unnoticed, and each year thousands of expats arrive to claim a slice of the action.

Local Attractions

Dubai Museum: A visit to the Dubai Museum is a must on every Dubai itinerary. Housed within the beautifully restored Al Fahidi Fort, which was erected around 1799 to defend the city against invasion, the museum's diverse collection of exhibits offers a fascinating insight into the rich history and cultural heritage.

Burj Khalifa: World's tallest building; A living wonder; Stunning work of art; Incomparable feat of engineering. Burj Khalifa is all that. In concept and execution, Burj Khalifa has no peer.

Burj Al Arab: Burj Al Arab has become an iconic symbol of Dubai. It is one of the regions most famous tourist landmarks, and as a hotel it has set new standards for excellence in Arabian hospitality.

Jumeirah Mosque: The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding hosts visits of the Grand Jumeirah Mosque 6 days a week Saturday through Thursday at 10:00am.

Sheikh Zayed Road: The buildings stand like beauty queens competing to be the tallest, most stunning and graceful.

Palm Jumeirah and Jumeirah: Raising the stakes in glamour, this area is all pampering parlours, café culture, malls and beach life.

Dubai Marina: Set to be the world’s largest manmade marina, located close to the heart of ‘new Dubai’ and linked with Jabel Ali Port Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and the American University in Dubai.

Dubai Images
Dubai Images
Important facts about Dubai

Climate:
Dubai has a sub-tropical arid climate. May to September is summer, when temperatures range between 40°C and 48°C. However, during the winter months, temperatures range from 10°C to 30°C in winter. Rainfall is predominantly in winter and amounts to some 13cm annually.

Language:
The national language is Arabic but English is widely used.

Currency:
The monetary unit is the Dirham (AED) which is divided into 100 fils. The official exchange rate is US$1 = AED 3.675.

Clothing:
Summer clothing may be worn for most of the year but the temperature can dropduring the winter. At the pool or on the private beaches, swimwear is quite acceptable, but when in the city and public areas, care should be taken not to give offence by wearing clothing that may be considered revealing.

Banks:
Many international banks are represented by branches in Dubai. Bank hours are 0800 to 1300, Saturday to Wednesday and 0800 1200, Thursday.

Photography:
Normal tourist photography is acceptable but it is considered offensive to photograph Muslim women. It is also courteous to request permission before photographing men.

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