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