Dubai

Dubai is the fastest growing city in the world. It is estimated that 50% of the world's supply of cranes are at work in Dubai on projects worth $100bn including an estimated $800m on construction of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Dubai, which will stand 800 metres tall when completed. Dubai is home to the world's only seven star hotel, the Burj Al Arab and an indoor ski centre. Other developments include an underwater hotel, a Chess City (buildings in the shape of chess pieces) and Dubailand, which will become the world’s biggest theme park. It has been forced to diversify to compensate for far more limited hydrocarbon reserves. The economy is based on Dubai's reputation as an entre pot for the region, its vibrant tourist industry and thriving free trade zone.

GEOGRAPHY
Dubai is situated on the Persian Gulf coast of the United Arab Emirates and is roughly at sea level (16 m/52 ft above). The emirate of Dubai shares borders with Abu Dhabi in the south, Sharjah in the northeast, and the Sultanate of Oman in the southeast. Hatta, a minor exclave of the emirate, is surrounded on three sides by Oman and by the emirates of Ajman (in the west) and Ras Al Khaimah (in the north). The Persian Gulf borders the western coast of the emirate. Dubai is positioned at 25.2697° N 55.3095° E and covers an area of 4,114 km² (1,588 mi²).


Dubai lies in the Arabian Desert. However, the topography of Dubai is significantly different from that of the southern portion of the UAE in that much of Dubai's landscape is highlighted by sandy desert patterns, while gravel deserts dominate much of the southern region of the country. The sand consists mostly of crushed shell and coral and is fine, clean and white. East of the city, the salt-crusted coastal plans, known as sabkha, give way to a north-south running line of dunes. Farther east, the dunes grow larger and are tinged red with iron oxide.The flat sandy desert gives way to the Western Hajar Mountains, which run alongside Dubai's border with Oman at Hatta. The Western Hajar chain has an arid, jagged and shattered landscape, whose mountains rise to about 1,300 meters in some places. Dubai has no natural river bodies or oases; however, Dubai does have a natural inlet, Dubai Creek, which has been dredged to make it deep enough for large vessels to pass through. Dubai also has multiple gorges and waterholes which dot the base of the Western Al Hajar mountains. A vast sea of sand dunes cover much of southern Dubai, which eventually lead into the desert known as The Empty Quarter

Dubai info at a glance

DUBAI

Area: 4114km2sq : Dubai City 1287.4sqmiles
Population: 2,261,995
Capital City: Dubai City
Nationalities: 42.3% Indian, 17% Emirati, 13.3% Pakistan, 9.1% Arab, 7.5% Bangladeshi, 10.8% Other
Languages: Arabic, English, Hindi, Urdu
Religion(s): Muslim (96%) Hindu (4%)
Currency: 1 UAE Dirham = 100 fils
Major political parties: None
Government: Federation
Emir: Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Crown Prince: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Foreign Minister: Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Membership of international groups/organisations: Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC), Arab League, Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), United Nations