Dubai

Dubai is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and also the name of its main city. It lies on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Gulf, where a desert landscape meets the sea. Unlike Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, Dubai is best known as a major centre for trade, transport, tourism and business. Its climate is arid, with very hot summers, mild winters and little rainfall during most of the year.

Because fresh water is naturally scarce, the city relies heavily on desalination, a process that removes salt from seawater to make it suitable for use. Dubai has grown rapidly since the second half of the 20th century. Although oil contributed to the emirate’s early development, its economy later became much more diversified, with important roles for real estate, finance, logistics, aviation, tourism and international trade.

The city is also home to a large population of residents from many different countries. Modern Dubai is known for large-scale urban projects and distinctive architecture. The Burj Khalifa, completed in 2010, is the world’s tallest building, while the Palm Jumeirah is an artificial island development built in the shape of a palm tree. Dubai International Airport is one of the world’s major international aviation hubs, and the city’s port facilities play an important role in regional and global commerce.

Alongside these modern developments, older parts of Dubai preserve traces of its earlier history. The districts around Al Fahidi and the historic creek reflect a period when the city’s economy depended strongly on fishing, pearl diving and maritime trade. Dubai therefore offers a clear example of how a small Gulf trading settlement developed into a highly connected modern metropolis within a few generations.