Dubai has emerged as a global city and a business hub. Although Dubai's economy was built on the oil industry, currently the emirate's model of business, similar to that of Western countries, drives its economy, with the effect that its main revenues are now from tourism, real estate, and financial services. Dubai has recently attracted world attention through many innovative large construction projects and sports events

The earliest recorded mention of Dubai is in 1095, in the "Book of Geography" by the Andalusian-Arab geographer Abu Abdullah al-Bakri. The Venetian pearl merchant Gaspero Balbi visited the area in 1580 and mentioned Dubai (Dibei) for its pearling industry. Since 1799, there has been a settlement known as Dubai town. In the early 19th century, the Al Abu Falasa clan (House of Al-Falasi) of Bani Yas clan established Dubai, which remained a dependent of Abu Dhabi until 1833. On 8 January 1820, the sheikh of Dubai and other sheikhs in the region signed the "General Maritime Peace Treaty" with the British government. In 1833, following tribal feuding, the Al Maktoum dynasty (also descendants of the House of Al-Falasi) of the Bani Yas tribe left their ancestral home of the Liwa Oasis, South-west of the settlement of Abu Dhabi and quickly took over Dubai from the Abu Fasala clan without resistance.

Two catastrophes struck the town during the 1800s. First, in 1841, a smallpox epidemic broke out in the Bur Dubai locality, forcing residents to relocate east to Deira. Then, in 1894, fire swept through Deira, burning down most homes. However, the town's geographical location continued to attract traders and merchants from around the region. The emir of Dubai was keen to attract foreign traders and lowered trade tax brackets, which lured traders away from Sharjah and Bandar Lengeh, which were the region's main trade hubs at the time.

On 2 December 1971 Dubai, together with Abu Dhabi and five other emirates, formed the United Arab Emirates. In 1973, Dubai joined the other emirates to adopt a uniform currency: the UAE dirham.

Climate:

Dubai has a very hot arid climate. Summers in Dubai are extremely hot, windy and humid, with an average high around 40 °C (104 °F) and overnight lows around 30 °C (86 °F). Most days are sunny throughout the year. Winters are cool and short with an average high of 23 °C (73 °F) and overnight lows of 14 °C (57 °F). Precipitation, however, has been increasing in the last few decades with accumulated rain reaching 150 mm (5.91 in) per year.

During the month of February the estimated temperature is:
High temperature of 24° C (75° F) and low temperature of 14° C (57° F)

Gallery

Tourism:

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, but also on its possession of other ancient and modern attractions. As of 2007, Dubai was the 8th most visited city of the world. Dubai is expected to accommodate over 15 million tourists by 2015. It is distinct from other members of the UAE in that a large part of the emirate's revenues are from tourism. Dubai has been called the "shopping capital of the Middle East”. Dubai alone has more than 70 shopping malls, including the world's 7th largest shopping mall, Dubai Mall.

The city draws large numbers of shopping tourists from countries within the region and from as far as Eastern Europe, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent. Many boutiques and jewelry stores are also found in the city. Dubai is known as "the City of Gold" and Gold Souk in Deira houses nearly 250 gold retail shops. Dubai Duty Free at the Dubai International Airport offers merchandise catering to the multinational passengers using the airport.

Entertainment

The United Arab Emirates is a part of the “khaliji” tradition, and is also known for Bedouin folk music. During celebrations singing and dancing also take place and many of the traditional songs and dances have survived to the present time. Yowalah is the traditional dance of the UAE.

Things to do in Dubai

• BALLOONING
  • http://www.ballooning.ae/ +9714 285 9295 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • www.bluebanana.com +9714 436 8200
• BEACH PARKS IN DUBAI
  • Al Mamzar Beach Park (Hours: 8am - 11pm) +9714 296 6201 (www,dn.gov.ae)
  • Jumeirah Beach Park (Hours: 8am - 11pm) +9714 349 2555 (www.dm.gov.ae)
• BIRD WATCHING:
  • http://www.timeoutdubai.com/dubai/
• BOAT TRIP
  • Boat trip from the Marina next to Le Royal Meridien in Jumeirah
• CITY TOUR
  • Big Bus: www.bigbus.co.uk/dub/html/dub_contact.html
  • Arabian Adventures: arabian-adventures.com/ToursSafaris
• CLAY PIDGEON SHOOTING
  • http://www.jebelali-international.com
• DESERT SAFARI & DUBAI DESERT CONSERVATION RESERVE
  • arabian-adventures.com
  • Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve - http://www.ddcr.org/
• DINNER CRUISES
  • AL BOOM (www.alboom.co.ae, +9714 324 3000)
  • Al Mansour (www.interconti.com, +9714 205 7333)
  • Bateaux Dubai (www.bateauxdubai.com, +9714 337 1919)
  • Creek Cruises (www.creekcruises.com, +9714 393 9860)
  • Danat Dubai Cruises (www.danatdubaicruises.com, +9714 351 1117
• DIVING
  • www.7seasdivers.com
  • www.alboomdiving.com
  • www.diversdown.tk
• FISHING:
  • http://www.oceanactive.com/
• GO KARTS
  • www.dubaiautodrome.com/general/index.aspx
  • www.emsf.ae (Tel: +0714 282 711)
• GOLF
  • http://www.dubaigolf.com/
• HORSE RACING:
  • www.emiratesracing.com/era/rcJebelAli.cfm
  • http://www.dubairacingclub.com/
• ICE SKATING:
  • Al Nasr Leisureland – (Open hours: 09.00 - 24.00)
  • www.alnasrleisureland.ae or telephone +9714 337 1234
  • DUBAI ICE RINK (+9714 437 3111 or www.dubaiicerink.com) at Dubai Mall
  • Galleria Ice Rink at the Hyatt Regency in Deira (21.00www.dubai.regency.hyatt.com)
• MOSQUE VISIT
  • Sheik Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU) www.cultures.ae or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Visit Jumairah Mosque: dubaicityguide.com/tourism/sightseeing-4.asp
• SHOPPING
  • http://www.dubaicityguide.com/shop/ (includes Souks)
• SKIING
  • http://www.skidubai.com/
• SKYDIVING
  • http://www.skydivedubai.net/
• SURFING
  • http://www.surfingfdubai.com/
• TEN PIN BOWLING
  • Al Nasr Leisureland - Tel +9714 343 1000
  • City Bowling at Deira City Centre – Tel +9714 295 9139
• THEATRE
  • Al Sahra - Jumana, a show with lights, lasers, fireworks in the desert - only during the cooler months. http://www.alsahra.com/
• WATER SPORTS
  • www.dimc-uae.com/english_html/index.html
• WATER THEME PARKS
  • At the Madinat Jumeira - http://www.wildwadi.com/
  • At Atlantis, Jumeirah Palm - www.atlantisthepalm.com/aquaventure.aspx

Electricity in Dubai:

3-pin plugs/wall sockets are used in Dubai. The voltage is 220-240 V, and the frequency is 50 Hz.