What do we all think of when we think of Dubai? The Burj Al Arab, the Burj Khalifa, Palm Island or the Atlantis Hotel? It’s hard to imagine that none of this was in existence or even in the planning 40 years ago, when the Emirate of Dubai was little more than desert.
As a member of the United Arab Emirates, Dubai has played a vital role in adapting and improving the image of the UAE. Although the other Emirates encourage tourism and tourists in, none have been as welcoming and as adaptable as Dubai.
Dubai has achieved what few felt was possible; it crosses the boundaries of old and new, of East and West, of traditional and modern, and does so with amazing grace. There is a great sense of respect everywhere in Dubai and the tourists appreciate that their hosts have opened the doors to their country where they get to experience the magic and the mystery of Old Arabia whilst at the same time getting to indulge in the future.
Today, each year tens of thousands of people from all over the world flock to Dubai for the guaranteed weather, the diverse cutural experience and to be overwhelmed by the infastructure and the showcase of exhibits that the state has to offer. With Dubai only a 2 hour flight away from Baku, many of us a guilty are escaping the city and heading for a weekend or public holiday, lying on the beach or soaking up the history, culture and cuisine.
But how did it all begin?
Timeline of Dubai
1830: Dubai is a small fishing settlement that is taken over by part of the Bani Yas tribe from the Liwa Oasis. Dubai became owned by the Maktoum family, who are still in power today.
1892: The pearling industry is Dubai’s main source of revenue and the Emirate attracts a lot of attention from foreign traders as Dubai declares that all foreigners will be tax exempt.
1930 – 1940: With reported disputes between the royal family and the worldwide recession, Dubai’s pearl industry falls into decline.
1958: Sheikh Rashid becomes the ruler of Dubai.
1959: Sheik Rashid has grand plans for transforming the Creek area to accomodate growing trade. He borrows millions of dollars from the Emir of Kuwait.
1966: Dubai discovers oil.
1968: Dubai begins exporting crude oil and the money starts pouring in.
1973: The Dirham becomes the official currency.
1985: Emirates airline begins operating and Dubai begins it’s reinvention as a major tourist destination.
1990: Sheik Rashid dies during the first Gulf War, his son Sheik Maktoum takes power as ruler of Dubai.
1999: The Burj Al Arab opens, and becomes one of the most desirable tourist areas in the world.
2003: Dubai introduces freehold properties which results in a property boom. The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank recognise Dubai as a financial hub.
2006: Sheik Mohammed becomes the Prime Minister and Vice President of the UAE, as well as ruler of Dubai.
2011: The tourist industry continues to boom and Dubai keeps on growing….
The last 40 years…
The development of Dubai since the creation of the United Arab Emirates has been truly remarkable; the business development, the fascinating infastructure and the worldwide recognition of achievement is due to a few unique visionaries, who always had the belief that Dubai could be great. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan are internationally regarded as great leaders by the world over as it is very unnusual for any ruler to see so much success on their home soil. The UAE’s first president Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nayhan has been confirmed as the principal driving force of the development of the UAE and will be remembered so throughout history. He was ruler of Abu Dhabi and of the UAE; he ruled the Emirates for over thirty years until his death in 2004, aged 86.
Few outsiders however shared the vision of these few men. When the United Arab Emirates was created in December 1971 many doubted that the area would ever be successful, let alone profitable. Many people had decided that the UAE was ‘an artificial creation that stood to have no chance of success and that its evolution was largely an artefact of British Colonial policy’. How wrong they were!
Palm Island, Dubai
Dubai: Need to know information:
Geography: Dubai is located on the Persian Gulf coast of the United Arab Emirates and shares borders with Abu Dhabi in the south, Sharjah in the northeast, and the Sultanate of Oman in the southeast. Hatta, a tiny village of Dubai, is surrounded on three sides by Oman and by the emirates of Ajman in the west and Ras Al Khaimah in the north. Dubai’s topography is emphasized by sandy desert consisting mainly of crushed shell and coral. The desert gives way to the Western Hajar Mountains that run alongside Dubai’s border with Oman near Hatta. Devoid of any natural bodies of water, the natural inlet – Dubai Creek, has been dredged to make it deeper for large vessels to navigate and divides the emirate in two.
Government: Constitutional Monarchy
Population: 1.422 million Dubai, has the largest population compared to the other six emirates.
Land area: Dubai covers a land area of 4,014 sq. km.
Languages: though Arabic is the official language but English is used in offices and other languages including Hindi, Urdu and others are widely spoken.
Climate: The climate in Dubai is dry, subtropical and rain is very rare. The hottest months are between June and September when the temperature often tops 45 to 50°C during the day and the humidity is very high. The temperature of the ocean can reach 37°C at the hottest part of the summer. The weather in October, November and April offer more reasonable temperatures of between 30°C and 35°C, but the best time to visit Dubai is between the months of December and March, when the temperature is pleasurable and the warm waters and sybaritic spas are sure to have the greatest effect, when the average temperature is 24°C.
Currency: Dirham, approximately 3.67 per US Dollar
Time Zone: Dubai is 4 hours ahead of GMT
Religion: Islam is the official religion of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the majority being Sunni Muslims. Dubai is one of the most liberal places in the Gulf and followers of other religions (except Judaism) are tolerated. The holy day is Friday with most government offices, companies and schools remaining closed on Friday.
Climate: Dubai has a subtropical and arid climate with the weather usually hot and often humid. The temperature ranges from a pleasant 10°C (50°F) in winter to over 40°C (104°F) in the daytime during summer. The mean humidity in Dubai is roughly 60% in the summer. Rainfall in the emirate is sporadic and light, with rainfall primarily occurring in the first quarter of the year. However, Dubai experienced an unprecedented record rainfall in January 2008 – 105mm of rain in two days (average rainfall for January in Dubai is 15.6mm).
Banks and foreign exchange: Dubai has a large network of local and international banks offering a wide array of commercial and personal banking services. All the banks are controlled by the UAE Central Bank. Banking hours are usually Saturday – Thursday, 8.00am – 2.00pm with some banks offering services until 8.00pm
Taxes: There is no income tax or corporate tax in Dubai (except for oil producing companies and branches of foreign banks). However, the main forms of tax are the rent tax by Dubai Municipality (5%) as well as in-built 10% on food and beverage bills at hotels. In July 2007, Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) introduced a toll system – Salik – in order to ease traffic congestion. A fee of AED 4 is deducted from a prepaid toll account every time one passes through the Salik toll zones.
10 Random Facts:
1. Approximately 80% of the residents in Dubai are foreigners.
2. The Dubai Emirates Mall allows visitors to ski indoors while they shop
3. There are no street addresses in Dubai.
4. One of the fastest growing cities in the world is Dubai
5. There are no personal or income taxes in Dubai.
6. The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building and tallest man-made structure in the world.
7. 1 in 5 people in Dubai purchase 5 pieces of gold jewellery each year.
8. Dubai has the world’s first man made islands; Palm Islands.
9. The average annual precipitation in Dubai is only 13 centimeters
10. The worlds largest horses can be found in Dubai.
