About Dubai

There are records of the town of Dubai from 1799. Earlier in the 18th century the Al Abu Falasa lineage of Bani Yas clan established itself in Dubai which was a dependent of the settlement of Abu Dhabi until 1833. On 8 January 1820, the then sheikh of Dubai was a signatory to the British sponsored “General Treaty of Peace” (the General Maritime Treaty).

In 1833, the Al Maktoum dynasty of the Bani Yas tribe left the settlement of Abu Dhabi and took over the town of Dubai, “without resistance”. From that point on, Dubai, a newly independent emirate, was constantly at odds with the emirate of Abu Dhabi. In 1835, Dubai and the rest of the Trucial States signed a maritime truce with Britain and a “Perpetual Maritime Truce” about two decades later. Dubai came under the protection of the United Kingdom (keeping out the Ottoman Turks) by the Exclusive Agreement of 1892. Like four of its neighbors, Abu Dhabi, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Qaiwain, its position on the route to India made it an important location.

In March 1892, the Trucial States (or Trucial Oman) were created. The rulers of Dubai fostered trade and commerce, unlike the town’s neighbors. The town of Dubai was an important port of call for foreign tradesmen (chiefly Indians), who settled in the town. Until the 1930s, the town was known for its pearl exports. After the devaluation of the Gulf Rupee in 1966, Dubai joined the newly independent state of Qatar to set up a new monetary unit, the Qatar/Dubai riyal. Oil was discovered 120 kilometers off the coast of Dubai, after which the town granted oil concessions.

On 2 December 1971 Dubai, together with Abu Dhabi and five other emirates, formed the United Arab Emirates after former protector Britain left the Persian Gulf in 1971. In 1973, Dubai joined the other emirates to adopt a single, uniform currency: the UAE dirham.

Culture in Dubai is rooted in Islamic traditions that form UAE National’s lifestyles. However, the UAE is tolerant and welcoming to foreigners who do not practice the religion of Islam. Expatriates are free to practice their own religion, alcohol is served in hotels and the dress code is liberal. Women don’t face discrimination. Courtesy and hospitality are one of the many virtues of Dubai. Rulers are keen to maintain their culture and do so through a number of practices. One is promoting sporting events that are representative of their past. Falconry, camel racing and dhow sailing are still popular in Dubai.

Dubai Tourism and Dubai.com are two good sources of visitors’ information for Dubai.

Things to see and do in Dubai…

The Creek

The Creek, a natural sea-water inlet which cuts through the centre of the city, is the historic focal point of life in Dubai. A stroll along its banks evokes the city’s centuries-old trading traditions. Visitors will be captivated by the color and bustle of the loading and unloading of dhows which still ply ancient trade routes to places as distant as India and East Africa. An attractive way to view the Creek and the dhows is from an abra, one of the small water taxis which criss-cross the Creek from the souks of Deira to those on the Bur Dubai side. Boatmen will also take visitors on a fascinating hour-long trip from the abra embarkation points to the mouth of the Creek and inland to the Maktoum Bridge, passing on the way many of the city’s historic and modern landmarks.

Bastakiya

The old Bastakiya district with its narrow lanes and tall wind-towers gives a tantalizing glimpse of old Dubai. Immediately to the east of Al Fahidi Fort is the largest concentration of traditional courtyard houses with windtowers. In the past, the city was famous for a mass of windtowers which lined the Creek on either side. These were not merely decorative; they were the only means of cooling houses in the days before mains electricity. Bastakiya is currently undergoing renovation and preservation and will eventually become a small ‘tourist village’ with a museum, a cultural centre, restaurants and an art gallery.

Jumeirah Mosque

The city has many fine mosques. One of the largest and most beautiful — Jumeirah Mosque — is a spectacular example of modern Islamic architecture. Built of stone in medieval Fatimid tradition, the mosque with its twin minarets and majestic dome is a city landmark. It is particularly attractive at night when subtle lighting throws its artistry into relief. The elaborate Jumeirah Mosque is Dubai’s most admired mosque from the outside and one of Dubai’s most photographed sights.

The Souks

The souks on both sides of the Creek are attractive not just for their shopping bargains but also as places for the sightseer and photographer. A huddle of narrow alleyways has survived on the Deira side despite intensive building in recent years. In the tiny lanes of the spice souk, the atmosphere and the scents of the past can be savored. Bags of spices, incense, rose petals and traditional medicinal products are stacked outside each stall.

Along the slightly larger lanes of the gold souk, each shop window is crammed with gold necklaces, rings, bangles, earrings and brooches. In the evening the area is a hive of activity. Gold prices are among the lowest in the world. In other small streets, the visitor can find shops selling nargilehs (hookah or hubble-bubble pipes) and coffee pots, and nearby tea stalls where both of these items are in daily use.

Dubai Museum

Al Fahidi Fort, which houses the Dubai Museum, is another imposing building. It once guarded the city’s landward approaches. Built around 1799, it has served variously as palace, garrison and prison. It was renovated in 1970 for use as a museum; further restoration and the addition of galleries was completed in 1995. Colorful and evocative dioramas, complete with life-size figures and sound and lighting effects, vividly depict everyday life in pre-oil days. Galleries display scenes from the Creek, traditional Arab houses, mosques, the souk, date gardens, desert and marine life.

Heritage and Diving Villages

A traditional heritage village, located near the mouth of the Creek, has been created where potters and weavers display their crafts. Here the visitor can look back in time and experience some of Dubai’s heritage. The Diving Village forms part of an ambitious plan to turn the entire Shindagha area into a cultural microcosm, recreating life in Dubai as it was in days gone by.

WonderLand and Encounter Zone

The 18-hectare WonderLand family fun park features a wide range of water attractions. Capable of accommodating up to 8,000 visitors at a time, WonderLand’s water rides include speed slides, surf hills, twister, wave runners and a Caribbean cruise. It also has a water mist show and water cinema, with videos projected on a thin film of water, plus a full complement of on-land attractions.

Situated in the Wafi shopping mall, Encounter Zone is an entertainment centre with a difference, with areas for both children and adults. The popular Crystal Maze is featured along with a horror chamber and fascinating 3-D films. The rollercoaster simulator feels like the real thing and children can enjoy a host of rides including the Komet which shoots around the top of the building.

Dubai World Trade Centre

Centre’s office tower houses the regional headquarters of many of the world’s largest corporations. Alongside, a modern conference centre and seven exhibition halls host an active programme of international trade fairs that attract exhibitors and visitors from all over the world.

Deira Creekside

A group of distinctive and remarkable modern buildings are ranged near the purpose-built dhow wharfage beside the Maktoum Bridge, including the Etisalat Tower, the Department of Economic Development, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, The National Bank of Dubai headquarters and Dubai Creek Tower. The Etisalat Tower is topped by a telecommunications dome resembling a giant golf ball — particularly striking when illuminated at night.

By contrast, the neighbouring Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry tower is a dramatic blue glass-faced structure, a symbol of the emirate’s prosperity and forward vision. Nearby is the municipality building, which manages to convey an impression of cool shade through the use of water and screens.

Dubai Zoo

Located in Jumeirah, the Dubai Zoo is a popular attraction, especially for families. The zoo’s modern facilities though small, house many indigenous Arabian species, including the Arabian Wolf, which is no longer found in the wild, Gordon’s Wildcat and the world’s only captive breeding colony of Socotra Cormorants. Featured in its large aviary are regional birds of prey. Nine species of large cats and seven species of primates are on show, along with many Arabian mammals. The zoo is shortly to undergo relocation and redevelopment allowing animals to live in areas designed to be as similar to their natural environment as possible.