10 things they never told you about Dubai
Dubai is the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates, and the richest and most influential of all seven emirates, after Abu Dhabi. Dubai is a city that has for decades been seen as a global metropolis, and hence its name, as it has become famous for its tall buildings, large shopping malls and extravagant lifestyle in recent years.
Dubai’s rich water features are around every corner you turn, and the city boasts an appealing mix of cultures from across the region, making it a delightful place to visit. What’s more, Dubai is the perfect destination for those seeking a dream vacation, with sunny days and breathtaking scenery. The city boasts white sand beaches with clear blue water, historic buildings and modern architecture, but also offers a desert climate that ranges from sunny, dry and hot to humid and cold, depending on the weather conditions and the time of year.
1. History of the City
The city has a very ancient history, dating back to 2.500 BC, but was officially founded as we know it today in 1833 by the Persian merchant Sheikh Maktoum bin Hasher Al Maktoum, forming part of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi until 1966. However, even before the discovery of oil in the 60s, the city had been thriving since 1892, under the leadership of Al Maktoum, who at that time, with new tax exemption laws, allowed foreigners to begin settling in the city.
Dubai has grown rapidly and changed a lot in the last few decades, going from a small town with no oil to a modern city that features every kind of futuristic architecture you could imagine. Let’s take a look at some interesting facts about Dubai’s culture, so you can feel like an expert when you visit.
2 Culture
Dubai is the only city in the world to have 2 separate cultural zones, but its traditional way of life was disrupted by an invasion of construction workers who came to the construction boom that was sparked by Dubai's oil discoveries in the 1960s and 1970s. As a result, Dubai became one of the richest cities in the world.
Dubai is one of the few global cities that offers such a unique blend of tradition and modernity, offering touches of nostalgia and plenty of luxury at the same time. The city has historically been shaped by its trade relations with other countries and cultures, which has given it vitality and wealth.
3 Tourism
Dubai has a lot to offer its tourists, and Dubai’s beaches, monuments, entertainment, hotels and shopping malls are just some of the features that make it so popular with visitors from all over the world. The city’s landmarks include the Burj Khalifa (the world’s tallest building) and a series of artificial islands shaped like palm trees, as well as Dubai International Airport, which is also a must-see.
The city is packed with interesting sights that will make you want to come back for more, such as the Jumeirah Mosque, Jumeirah Beach Residence, and The Palm Jumeirah. In addition, Dubai is home to many attractive places to visit, such as museums and resorts.
4. Cooking
One of the most impressive things about this place is its variety of cuisine, which ranges from spicy Indian to Mexican. Dubai has something for everyone, and one of the most interesting facts about Dubai’s cuisine can be found in its history. In the 1940s, when the country was being rebuilt, a man named Juma Al Majid introduced an all-day buffet at his hotel, where you could enjoy Arabic and Western food prepared by chefs from all over the world.
You can find restaurants serving dishes from all over the world here, as well as thriving markets in every neighborhood, so whether you’re looking for traditional dishes or fusion food, you’ll find it here. Dubai’s cuisine is a fusion of Asian and European dishes, while traditional Emirati food is also popular.
5. Business
Surprisingly, Dubai is not only a tourist destination, but also a very strong business hub, as the city has become one of the most popular places to live and work in recent times. Dubai is one of the most competitive and attractive cities in the world, and has a lot to offer in terms of culture, work and entertainment.
Dubai’s economy is driven primarily by tourism, real estate and retail industries which have replaced traditional industries such as oil and gas. And an interesting fact that not everyone knows is that the September 11 attack had a significant impact on Dubai as it affected all airports in the world, which prevented people from traveling to or from Dubai.
6. Population
Dubai has a growing population of immigrants and expatriates who make up about 80% of its population, and these people have moved to Dubai to find work and support their families. Dubai's population has grown from 180.000 people in 1972 to over 2 million people today, and the percentage of residents who are Emirati citizens has fallen from 75% in 1973 to about 20% today, due to the large influx of South Asian, Iranian and European expatriates, as well as refugees.
The population of Dubai is estimated at 2,6 million people and that is only counting those who live in Dubai proper, as the total population of Dubai, including all its sub-cities, is around 4 million people. This makes it one of the most densely populated cities in the world, with a quarter of its population living in an area that represents only 22% of its total area.
7. Architecture
Dubai is a city where extremes meet, as the city has literally everything from the world’s tallest skyscraper to the world’s largest dancing fountain. From the world’s largest indoor ski slope to one of the few urban safaris on the planet, and with its vast expanses of land, Dubai has become a city that offers endless new possibilities for bold architectural projects.
The city has 270 completed skyscrapers but that number will increase significantly in the near future. With 339 buildings under construction at the moment and 330 approved (more than the buildings already completed), including many skyscrapers.
8. Shopping
Some things that you might be interested in in Dubai are its large number of luxury shopping malls, the city has over 70 shopping malls, which makes it one of the most densely populated shopping malls in the world. Its beautiful natural features like deserts and beaches, parks, gardens and wildlife sanctuaries, also offer cool activities like desert safari tours, and diving tours are also popular tourist attractions for visitors to Dubai.
Shopping in Dubai can be a little strange at first, but it seems to be common in the Middle East for people to buy what they need and leave quickly. Taxis are not as widely used as in other countries, and cars are usually shared between families or rented out by drivers.
9. Location and Territory
Dubai is an Emirate of the United Arab Emirates that encompasses the entire city-state of Dubai, and most of the emirates that were formerly known as Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain. Its geography consists of several large natural port cities, including Dubai Creek, and a coastline that boasts one of the longest beaches in the world, at 11 miles long.
Its roots go back to ancient trade routes that were present in the region due to its location on the Persian Gulf, and it was first mentioned in 1799 by British naval officer William Kirkpatrick on his voyage to India. He said: “I dare say there is no place on earth so well defended from the sea as this.” The ruler of Dubai at that time was Sheikh Maktoum bin Hasher Al Maktoum, who was also responsible for building much of what we see today.
10. Management
Dubai’s political system is led by a ruler who can appoint and remove his ministers at will. Dubai’s GDP has been growing steadily in recent years, and its economy is considered by many to be one of the most important in the Middle East. Dubai’s political stability and economic freedom have made it a very attractive destination for investors from around the world.
Dubai has no natural resources, so all of its electricity comes from desalination plants that produce seawater to grow food, and the UAE imports 85% of its food to meet demand. Dubai has over 12 international schools with over 50 international curricula, including British, American, French, Indian, and Pakistani curricula.