Dubai Overview

Situated at the crossroads between Europe, Africa and Asia, Dubai is the second largest of the Emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates. Dubai is one of the world's fastest growing city destinations for travellers looking for culture, fun and value for money. Its wide range of inhabitants from different cultures makes it one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the region. Visitors to Dubai will find plenty of attractions and activities within the city and the surrounding area to keep even the most active person occupied, with historic buildings, modern entertainment complexes and adventurous excursions all available at a reasonable cost.

Although Dubai only has a small number of museums and galleries, it certainly isn't lacking in culture, with recent years seeing numerous historic areas of the city being redeveloped to provide a fascinating insight into Dubai's colourful past as well as offering a stark contrast to the ever growing modern Dubai of today. Visiting families won't be disappointed as the city offers many world-class attractions for children, with interactive museums, waterparks and fun fairs available for children of all ages.

As you would expect from a predominantly tax-free city, shopping opportunities in Dubai are superb, with countless modern shopping complexes and traditional souks offering more than enough venues for even the most dedicated bargain-hunters. Lovers of fine food are equally well catered for in Dubai, with a thriving restaurant scene that covers almost every imaginable cuisine and utilises some of the city's most stunning locations.

In recent years, Dubai has seen a rapid growth in the hotel industry, with the regular opening of new establishments adding to the city's growing reputation as a leader in the luxury accommodation market. Dubai offers a wide range of accommodation, but it is the upper end of the market that the city is particularly famous for, with the self-appointed seven-star Burj Al Arab leading the way as one of the most recognisable buildings in the region. Many of Dubai's most exclusive hotels are generally aimed towards business travellers, with the twin skyscrapers of Emirates Towers and the huge complex of the Grand Hyatt being two of the most popular hotel establishments. Visitors on a smaller budget will also find plenty of choice around the city, with many less extravagant but good value hotels on offer.

The origins of modern day Dubai date back to 1830, when a group of the Bani Yas tribe, led by the Maktoum family, settled in the area. The following years saw the settlement grow rapidly as an important sea trading port, with immigrants from throughout the region flocking to the area to take advantage of the liberal tax and duty laws.

By the time Great Britain set up a political agency in Dubai in 1954, the city had grown into a large cosmopolitan trading post with a steady stream of new arrivals attracted by the city's air of tolerance towards foreigners, which remains to this day. The 1960s saw the fortunes of Dubai soar even higher with the discovery of the area's oil reserves; the first oil exports in 1969 led to the rapid growth of the city's economy and infrastructure. The British withdrawal in 1971 led to a major redrawing of the region's borders, with Dubai joining the neighbouring Emirates of Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah to form the federation of the United Arab Emirates.

The final quarter of the 20^th century saw Dubai continue to develop its infrastructure on the back of revenues from the oil trade, although much of the credit has to go the country's rulers, who have successfully managed the relatively small oil reserves to the best advantage of its people. The immediate future of Dubai looks equally prosperous as the city continues to develop its infrastructure, while the number of international tourists grows rapidly each year.

Dubai is situated in an arid subtropical climate zone that ensures year-round sunny days and low levels of rainfall. The hottest time of year to visit is between June and September, when temperatures regularly reach 45°C and the humidity is very high, while the hours of sunshine around this time of year average more than 11 hours a day. The most popular time to visit Dubai is between the months of December and March, when temperatures average a pleasant 25°C and humidity is lower, while the country's small amount of annual rainfall also falls mainly during these months. From the end of May until early July, the city is regularly hit by sandstorms that are whipped up by the desert winds known as 'shamal'. During this time, the city's buildings are shuttered tight in the battle against the fine dust that seemingly penetrates every inch of the city.