Dubai, UAE
Dubai is located on the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf and is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates. Dubai is the largest city in the UAE. Its population numbers about 1.6 million people. It was founded in 1833. In the following decades, Dubai became an important commercial port. After the discovery of oil in 1966, the city grew rapidly. Today, Dubai is among the leading economic centers in the Middle East. It is noteworthy that about 3% of Dubai's income comes from oil, and no small part is due to the fact that the city is a haven for celebrities, rock stars and millionaires. They come here for the luxurious life and beautiful scenery with sandy beaches and desert landscapes. The climate here is hot and sometimes humid, with temperatures above 40 degrees from May to August.
The official language is Arabic, but English, Hindi, Tagalog and others are also spoken. The official religion of the seven emirates is Islam, but other nationalities are free to practice their religion. Dubai is a delightful place to spend your free time. There are so many amazing things to see here that you would think you had stepped into the fairy tales of the Thousand and One Nights.
The attractive old Bastakiya district, reached by abra-water taxi, has narrow streets, ornate old buildings with courtyards and gardens, truly transporting you to a dream world. The Corterd is a unique glass and steel building, combining architectural styles from around the world. The Deira Spice and Gold Market is an interesting one. Also worth seeing is the magnificent restored residence of the Sheikhs of Mezdilis - al Gorfat Umm al Shif. And the Wild Wadi water park offers a fantastic family fun experience.
The Burj Khalifa, also known as the Burj Dubai, is currently the tallest skyscraper at 828m high. And the Emir's Towers are the 13th and 25th tallest buildings in the world. The Burj Al Arab is the tallest seven-star hotel-321 m, built on an artificial island 280 m into the ocean. The hotel is shaped like a ship's sail in white and is a building icon for Dubai. It is connected to the mainland by a meandering walkway. Taller than the Eiffel Tower, the Burj Al Arab offers 202 double suites, each with floor-to-ceiling windows and stunning ocean views.
The Dubai Museum is the oldest building in Dubai, built in 1787. The exhibits at the museum showcase the city's rich cultural heritage. Here you can see traditional Arab houses, craftsmen, farms, exhibits of desert life and more. At the entrance of the museum there are descriptive maps that give a detailed overview of life in the Gulf region. Also in this museum one can find detailed information about Arabic musical instruments.
The so-called Palm Islands, which are considered the eighth wonder of the world, are currently under construction. They will be the largest artificial islands in the world, and each will be shaped like a palm tree. Luxury residential and hotel buildings will be built on the islands. Dubai has incredibly modern architecture, beautiful scenery and a sophisticated entertainment industry. It can be said that the city is a triumph for the consumer society.