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Dubai
Relevant information about Dubai.As one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Dubai is located in Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula. Its bordering countries are Oman to the east and Saudi Arabia to the west. As a result of the departure of the United Kingdom in 1971, Dubai was created, and with six other emirates, they form the United Arab Emirates. With a total area of 497.1 square miles, Dubai is the second-largest emirate by area, preceded by Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s capital. The state of Dubai has been highlighted as the most modern environment in the Emirates, mainly because of its fast technological development over the past time.
Dubai has a population of 1,771,000 citizens (400,000 women and 1,370,000 men). The largest ethnic group is Asians, as part of the expatriates; they represent 85% of the population: Indian 51%, Pakistani 16%, Bangladeshi 9% and Filipino 2.5%. UAE nationals represent 17% of the inhabitants, estimated in 1998. Indians provide cheap manpower and they also have professional positions. The population grows 7% annually. The official language is Arabic. However, other languages are spoken, such as Chinese, Persian, Urdu, Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, Bengali, Tagalog, among others. English is also very widely spoken by the citizens. Dubai’s birth rate is of 16, 06 births per 1,000 citizens, whereas the death rate is 2, 13 per 1,000 citizens. The life expectancy at birth is, in male, 73.35 years, and in female, 78.56 years. The infant mortality rate is of 13.11 deaths per 1,000 live births. Although the official state religion is Islam, other religious communities are settled in the state: Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh and many more. Nevertheless, there are no Jewish communities. The distribution of religious literature is considered a crime (criminal persecution), and is strictly forbidden: consequences can be imprisonment or deportation for offending Islam. Dubai’s society is extremely diverse, and it has been this way since the arrival of different ethnic groups. The “Eid Al Fitr” is an important holiday in Dubai: it marks the end of Ramadan. Another major holiday is National Day (conformation of the United Arab Emirates). Religion is the centre of Emirati culture: Islam. The official religion has influenced in the society: Islamic and Arab culture can be seen in the architecture, cuisine, music and lifestyle. Muslims must pray five times a day in the mosques or minarets spread all over the state. There are a vast number of art galleries in Dubai, mainly in the area of Al Quoz, and there is a plan of building a new museum and a district for artists and more galleries. Regarding Emirati wardrobe, although Islamic dress code is not mandatory, men wear thobe or dish dash, which is an ankle-length white shirt made of wool or cotton, whereas women wear a cloak, a black garment that covers almost the entire body. Etiquette is a prime category of the UAE culture. Dubai’s gastronomy was influenced by Middle East and Asia. Its cuisine reflects the Arab heritage. Seafood is an important ingredient of the Emirati diet. Since Muslims cannot eat pork, this food has been excluded from the menus. However, fish, meat (lamb, mutton, goat and beef) and rice can be eaten and they are truly important in Emirati cuisine. The traditional dishes are kabsa, falafel, kebab, shawarma, ragag, camel meat, harees, masgouf, yeast bread, Al khabeesah and Al jabab bread. The most popular sports are football and cricket. Al Wasl, Al-Alhi, Al-Shabab, Hatta and Al Nasr are the five teams which represent Dubai in the UAE Football League. Tennis and golf are also well-practiced: the Dubai Tennis Championship has been held in several occasions, as well as the Dubai Desert Classic Golf Tournament. Horse racing is also popular.
The oil industry is the basis of Dubai’s economy, as well as the oil and natural gas (its oil reserves may be exhausted by 2030). The activities that most contribute to the economy are trade, real estate and construction, and financial services. The state increased the budget that is directed to job creation and infrastructure expansion. Thanks to the free trade zones, foreign investors are attracted and interested in the country. During the global financial crisis, the oil prices fell, and it tightened the international credit. The crisis hit Dubai strongly, because the real estate prices decreased and it wasn’t able to pay its debts. Dubai’s main exports are destined to India, Saudi Arabia and Switzerland. Dubai has a strong service industry: technology and finance, and industry free zones all over the emirate. Tourism and the free zone trades strengthen the economy. UAE’s industrial sector is represented by petroleum and petrochemicals, aluminum, fishing, fertilizers, cement, construction materials, commercial ship repair, textiles and boat building; and dates, vegetables, watermelons, poultry, eggs, dairy products and fish are among its agricultural products.
As an important part of the economy, tourism helps to sustain the investments in Dubai. Dubai is the prime tourist destination and attracts a vast number of tourists every year (in the year 2007 it was ranked in the 8th placed most visited), mainly because of the ancient and modern attractions, and the shopping malls. Having over 70 shopping malls, Dubai is the “shopping capital of the Middle East”. They are filled with boutiques, department stores, electronic shops, supermarkets and outlets. In the month of January, the Dubai Shopping Festival is held where music shows, art exhibitions and folk dances take place. Dubai’s buildings show diverse architectural styles: Islamic architecture can be appreciated. The Buri Khalifa is one of the tallest buildings in the world. Dubai has extremely luxurious hotels, which are really expensive. An alternative is to rent an apartment. Heritage villages are a reflection of the old Dubai. Creek side Park, Safa Park, Jumeirah Open Beach Park, Wild Wadi Water Park and Wonderland Amusement are included in the list of small parks, large parks, amusement parks and heritage villages. Dubai has a project that involves the planting of 10 thousand trees. Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum is another attraction, as well as the Dubai Museum, the heritage village of Hatta (thirty buildings), and the Sharia Mosque which was built 200 years ago
The United Arab Emirates wants to be a part of the growing market that involves medical tourism. Therefore, in a period of 3 years, 14 hospitals have been accredited, and there has been a strong development of the infrastructure that is necessary for the attraction of medical tourists. Some of the procedures that are offered include plastic surgeries, knee replacement or treatments for cardiovascular diseases. Dubai is ready for the arrival of visitors because of the many treatments and services they have to offer (hospitals and equipment).
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