Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Dubai shopping experience:

1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Dubai offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Dubai at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.

2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about

3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Dubai? Wrong! If the Dubai is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.

4. Questions - Got a question about Dubai then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....

5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Dubai? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Dubai and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.

6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Dubai wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.

7. Feedback - happy with your Dubai then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.

8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Dubai site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site

9. Contact - got a question about Dubai, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.

10. Payment - ready to pay for your Dubai, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.

{{Infobox City |official_name = Emirate of Dubai |native_name = إمارة دبيّ |image_skyline = Dubai night skyline.jpg|350pximagesize = |image_caption = Dubai's nightime skyline |image_flag = Flag of Dubai.svg |image_map = Tc-map.png |image_map1 = LocationUnitedArabEmirates.png |subdivision_type = Emirates of the United Arab Emirates|subdivision_name = Dubai|leader_title = Sheikh ] |area_magnitude = |area_metro_km2 = 4114 |area_footnotes = Area of Emirates of the United Arab Emirates, includes artificial islands.|population_as_of = 2006 |population_metro = 1492000 |population_density_km2 = 345.65 |population_density_sq_mi = ||population_footnotes = " Statistics Centre: Dubai emirate population is 1,422,000", UAE Interact: UAE Ministry Of Information and Culture, 2006-08-30Density of Emirates of the United Arab Emirates|utc_offset = +4 |timezone = Dubai Standard Time |latd= 25|latm= 16|lats=|latNS=N |longd= 55|longm= 20|longs=|longEW=E |latitude = 25°16?N |longitude = 55°20?E |website =
Dubai Emirate
Dubai Municipality |footnotes = |-->

Dubai (in Arabic language: دبيّ, Dubayy, in English language) can either refer to one of the seven Emirates of the United Arab Emiratess that constitute the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the eastern Arabian Peninsula, or that emirate's main city, sometimes called "Dubai city" to distinguish it from the emirate.The modern emirate of Dubai was created with the formation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971. However, written accounts documenting the existence of the city have existed at least 150 years prior to the formation of the UAE. Dubai shares law, politics, military and economy functions with the other emirates within a Federation framework, although each emirate has jurisdiction over some functions such as civic law enforcement and provision and upkeep of local facilities. Dubai has the largest population and is the second largest emirate by area, after Abu Dhabi. United Arab Emirates: metropolitan areas With Abu Dhabi, it is one of only two emirates to possess veto power over critical matters of national importance in the UAE.The Government and Politics of the Middle East and North Africa. D Long, B Reich. p.157 Dubai has been ruled by the Al Maktoum dynasty since 1833. The emirates' current ruler, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is also the Prime Minister and Vice President of the UAE. With his vision, Dubai was able to attract foreign investment with the creation of free trade zones and the lack of taxes. These policies have turned Dubai into a tourist and business hub for the Middle East.

Revenues from petroleum and natural gas contribute less than 6% (2006) Oil share dips in Dubai GDP AMEInfo (9 June 2007). Retrieved on 15 October 2007. of Dubai's United States Dollar 37 billion economy (2005). Dubai economy set to treble by 2015 ArabianBusiness.com (3 February 2007). Retrieved on 15 October 2007. A majority of the emirate's revenues are from the Jebel Ali Free Zone .:: Dubai Trade ::., Dubai Trade and, increasingly, from tourism and other service businesses. As of 2007, 800 new residents were setting up home in Dubai every day. 800 new residents setting up home in Dubai everyday. gulfnews.com, Retrieved 7/21/2007] Dubai has attracted world-wide attention through innovative real estate projects Dubai map with upcoming freehold developments and sports events. This increased attention, coinciding with its emergence as a world business hub, has also highlighted human rights issues concerning its largely foreign workforce.

History ]Very little is known about pre-Islamic Arabiaic culture in the south-east Arabian peninsula, except that many ancient towns in the area were trading centres between the Eastern world and Western worlds. The remnants of an ancient mangrove swamp, dated at 7,000 years were discovered during the construction of the Sheikh Zayed Road. The area had been covered with sand about 5,000 years ago as the coastline retreated inland, becoming a part of the city's present coastline. History and Traditions of the UAE Prior to Islam, the people in this region were idol worshippers, who worshiped Bajar (or Bajir). History and Background of the UAE The Byzantine and Sassanian empires constituted the great powers of the period, with the Sassanians controlling much of the region. After the spread of Islam in the region, the Umayyad Caliph, of the eastern Islamic world, invaded the south-east Arabia and drove out the Sassanians. Excavations undertaken by the Dubai Museum in the region of Al-Jumayra (Jumeirah) indicate the existence of several artifacts from the Umayyad period. The Coming of Islam and the Islamic Period in the UAE. King, Geoffrey R. The earliest recorded mention of Dubai is in 1095, in the "Book of Geography" by the Spanish people-Arab geographer Abu Abdullah al-Bakri. The Venice pearl merchant Gaspero Balbi visited the area in 1580 and mentioned Dubai (Dibei) for its Pearl hunting industry. Documented records of the town of Dubai exist only after 1799. Economic and Environmental Impacts of tourism on Dubai and Hawaii. McEachern, Nadeau, et al

In the early 18th century, the Al Abu Falasa clan of Bani Yas clan established Dubai, which remained a dependent of Abu Dhabi until 1833. Country Profile: United Arab Emirates. United States Library of Congress On 8 January 1820, the sheikh of Dubai and other sheikhs in the region signed the "General Maritime Peace Treaty" with the British government. However, in 1833, the Al Maktoum dynasty of the Bani Yas tribe left the settlement of Abu Dhabi and took over Dubai from the Abu Fasala clan without resistance. Dubai came under the protection of the United Kingdom by the "Exclusive Agreement" of 1892, with the latter agreeing to protect Dubai against any attacks from the Ottoman empire. Two catastrophes struck the town during the mid 1800s. First, in 1841, a smallpox epidemic broke out in the Bur Dubai locality, forcing residents to relocate east to Deira, Dubai. Then, in 1894, fire swept through Deira, burning down most homes. Modernity and tradition in Dubai architecture. Karim, Luiza However, the town's geographical location continued to attract traders and merchants from around the region. The emir of Dubai was keen to attract foreign traders and lowered trade tax brackets, which lured traders away from Sharjah and Bandar Lengeh, which were the region's main trade hubs at the time.THE EMIRATES OF ABU DHABI AND DUBAI:CONTRASTING ROLES IN THE INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM. Davidson, Christopher. March 2007

Dubai's geographical proximity to India and Pakistan made it an important location. The town of Dubai was an important port of call for foreign tradesmen, chiefly those from India, many of whom eventually settled in the town. The town was known for its pearl exports until the 1930s. However, Dubai's pearling industry was damaged irreparably by the events of the First World War, and later on by the Great Depression in the late 1920s. Consequently, the city witnessed a mass migration of people to other parts of the Persian Gulf. Since its inception, Dubai was constantly at odds with Abu Dhabi. In 1947, a border dispute between Dubai and Abu Dhabi on the northern sector of their mutual border, escalated into war between the two states. The UAE: Internal Boundaries And The Boundary With Oman. Archived Editions. Walker, J. Arbitration by the British and the creation of a buffer frontier running south eastwards from the coast at Ras Hasian resulted in a temporary cessation of hostilities.The Middle East and North Africa. Schofield, C. p 175 However, border disputes between the emirates continued even after the formation of the UAE; it was only in 1979 that a formal compromise was reached that ended hostilities and border disputes between the two states.Dubai. Carter, T and Dunston, L. Lonely Planet Publications Electricity, telephone services and an airport were established in Dubai in the 1950s, when the British moved their local administrative offices from Sharjah to Dubai. Dubai City. Melamid, Alexander. Jul 1989 The town joined the newly independent country of Qatar to set up a new monetary unit, the Qatari riyal, after the deflation of the Gulf rupee. Oil was discovered in Dubai the same year, after which the town granted concessions to international oil companies. The discovery of oil led to a massive influx of foreign workers, mainly Indians and Pakistanis, into the city. As a result, the population of the city from 1968 to 1975 grew by over 300%, by some estimates.

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."Six Persian Gulf Emirates Agree to a Federation". New York Times. Jul 19, 1971. pg. 4 In 1973, Dubai joined the other emirates to adopt a single, uniform currency: the UAE United Arab Emirates Dirham. In the 1970s, Dubai continued to grow from revenues generated from oil and trade even as the city saw an influx of Lebanese people immigrants fleeing the Lebanese civil war in Lebanon."Beirut Showing Signs of Recovery From Wounds of War". New York Times. May 26, 1977. pg.2 The Jebel Ali Free Zone, comprising the Jebel Ali port (reputedly the world's largest man made port) was established in 1979, which provided foreign companies unrestricted import of labour and export capital.The United Arab Emirates: Economic Vibrancy and US Interests. Asian Affairs. Peterson, JE. July 2002, Vol 34, Issue 2.

in the west to Sharjah in the east.The Persian Gulf War of 1990 had a huge impact on the city. Economically, Dubai banks experienced a massive withdrawal of funds due to uncertain political conditions in the region. During the course of the 1990s, however, many foreign trading communities — first from Kuwait, during the Persian Gulf War, and later from Bahrain, during the Shia unrest, moved their businesses to Dubai. Dubai provided refueling bases to allied forces at the Jebel Ali free zone during the Persian Gulf war, and again, during the 2003 Invasion of Iraq. Large increases in oil prices after the Persian Gulf war encouraged Dubai to continue to focus on free trade and tourism. Dubai Focus The success of the Jebel Ali free zone allowed the city to replicate its model to develop clusters of new free zones, including Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and Dubai Maritime City. The construction of Burj Al Arab, the world's tallest freestanding hotel, as well as the creation of new residential developments, were used to market Dubai for purposes of tourism. Since 2002, the city has seen an increase in private real estate investment in recreating Dubai's skyline with such projects as The Palm Islands and Burj Dubai. However, robust economic growth in recent years has been accompanied by rising inflation rates (at 6.2% as of 2006 when measured against Consumer Price Index) which is attributed in part due to the near doubling of commercial and residential rental costs, resulting in a substantial increase in the cost of living for residents. Robust growth poses threat of inflation to high-flying Dubai. Kuwait Times. Mar. 8, 2007

Geography {| style="width: 20%; float: left; font-size: 0.85em; border: 0;"|-|colspan=2|{| class="wikitable sortable sortable" style="width: 97%;"|-!style="background:#A8BDEC;"|No !!style="background:#A8BDEC;" |Month !!style="background:#A8BDEC;"| Min !! style="background:#A8BDEC;"| Max|-|1||align=center|January || 14.6|| 31.8|-|2||align=center|February || 15.3 || 36|-|3||align=center|March || 17.4 || 41.3|-|4||align=center|April || 20.5 || 43.5|-|5||align=center|May || 24.3 || 47|-|6||align=center|June || 27.1|| 46.7|-|7||align=center|July || 29.8 || 47.1|-|8||align=center|August || 30.2 || 47.5|-|9||align=center|September || 27.5 || 44.2|-|10||align=center|October || 23.8 || 41.6|-|11||align=center|November || 19.8 || 36.4|-|12||align=center|December || 16.4 || 32.5|}|-|colspan=2 |{|class="wikitable" style="width: 97%;"|-|align="left|Table 1 OnlineWeather Portal. UAEInteract.com. Retrieved 5/1/2007: Mean recorded minimum and maximum temperatures (in °Celsius) by month in Dubai.|}|}, Sharjah and Oman, the Hajar Mountains and the minor exclave of HattaDubai is situated on the northeast coast of the United Arab Emirates and is roughly at sea level (16 meters above). The emirate of Dubai shares borders with Abu Dhabi in the south, Sharjah in the northeast, and the Sultanate of Oman in the southeast. Hatta, a minor exclave of the emirate, is surrounded on three sides by Oman and by the emirates of Ajman (in the west) and Ras Al Khaimah (in the north). The Persian Gulf borders the western coast of the emirate. Dubai is positioned at and covers an area of 4,114 kilometer² (1,588 mile²).

Dubai lies directly within the Arabian Desert. However, the topography of Dubai is significantly different from that of the southern portion of the UAE in that much of Dubai's landscape is highlighted by sandy desert patterns, while gravel deserts dominate much of the southern region of the country. Environmental Development and Protection in the UAE. Aspinall, Simon The sand consists mostly of crushed shell and coral and is fine, clean and white. East of the city, the salt-crusted coastal plans, known as sabkha, give way to a north-south running line of dunes. Further east, the dunes grow larger and are tinged red with iron oxide. The flat sandy desert gives way to the Western Hajar Mountains, which run alongside Dubai's border with Oman at Hatta. The Western Hajar chain has an arid, jagged and shattered landscape, whose mountains rise to about 1,300 meters in some places. Dubai has no natural river bodies or oases; however multiple gorges and waterholes dot the base of the Western Al Hajar mountains. A vast sea of sand dunes cover much of southern Dubai, which eventually lead into the desert known as The Empty Quarter. Seismically, Dubai is in a very stable zone — the nearest seismic fault line, the Zargos Fault, is 120 km from the UAE and is unlikely to have any seismic impact on Dubai. Earthquake risk in Dubai 'lower than that of London']. UAEInteract.com Experts also predict that the possibility of a tsunami in the region is also minimal because the Persian Gulf waters are not deep enough to trigger a tsunami.

The sandy desert surrounding the city supports grasses and occasional date palm trees. Desert hyacinths grow in the sabkha plans east of the city, while acacia and prosopis cineraria trees grow in the flat plains within the proximity of the Western Al Hajar mountains. Several indigenous trees such as the date palm and neem as well as imported trees like the eucalypts grow in Dubai's natural parks. The houbara bustard, striped hyena, caracal, desert fox, falcon and Arabian oryx are common in Dubai's desert. Dubai is on the migration path between Europe, Asia and Africa, and more than 320 migratory birds pass through the emirate in spring and autumn. The waters of Dubai are home to more than 300 species of fish, including the hammour.

s south of the city of DubaiDubai Creek runs northeast-southwest through the city. The eastern section of the city forms the locality of Deira, Dubai and is flanked by the emirate of Sharjah in the east and the town of Al Aweer in the south. The Dubai International Airport is located south of Deira, while the Palm Deira#The Palm.2C Deira is located north of Deira in the Persian Gulf. The western section forms the locality of Bur Dubai and is bordered almost entirely by the emirate of Abu Dhabi. Much of Dubai's real estate boom has been concentrated to the west of this region, on the Jumeirah coastal belt and along Sheikh Zayed Road (E11). Port Rashid, Jebel Ali, Burj Al Arab, the Palm Jumeirah and theme based free zone clusters such as Business Bay are all located in this section. Sheikh Zayed Road and Emirates Road (E311) are the main arteries of Dubai; and run roughly parallel to each other in the western section of the city, before eventually diverging sharply near Jumeirah. The eastern and western sections of the city are connected by Al Maktoum Bridge, Al Garhoud Bridge, Al Shindagha Tunnel, Business Bay Crossing and Floating Bridge, Dubai.

Dubai has a hot and, at times, humid climate with many months recording temperatures of over 40°Celsius (104°Fahrenheit) (refer to accompanying table for recorded mean minimum and maximum temperatures during the year). Rainfall is generally light, with a mean of about 100 millimeter per year; precipitation is usually centered around January, February and March Average mean rainfall for Dubai. UAEInteract.com The mean humidity in Dubai is about 60%.

Demographics According to the census conducted by the Statistics Center of Dubai, the population of the emirate was 1,422,000 as of 2006, which included 1,073,000 males and 349,000 females. Dubai in Figures 2006. Government of Dubai. Statistical Center As of 1998, 17% of the population of the emirate was made up of Emarati. Approximately 85% of the expatriate population (and 71% of the emirate's total population) was Asian, chiefly Indian people (51%), Pakistani people (16%), Bengali people (9%) and Filipino people (3%). "Country and Metropolitan Stats in Brief. MPI Data Hub About 3% of the total population of Dubai was categorized as "Western world". A quarter of the population however reportedly traces their origins to neighboring Iran." Young Iranians Follow Dreams to Dubai" The New York Times, by HASSAN M. FATTAH. Published: December 4 2005 In addition, 16% of the population (or 288,000 persons) lived in collective labour accommodation were not identified by ethnicity or nationality, but were thought to be primarily Asian. The Changing Demographics of the UAE The median age in the emirate was about 27 years. The crude birth rate, as of 2005, was 13.6%, while the crude death rate was about 1%. Basic Vital Statistical Indicators - Emirate of Dubai

Although Arabic language is the official language of Dubai, Farsi, Malayalam, English language, Hindi language, Urdu, Bengali language, and Tagalog language are widely spoken. Article 7 of the UAE's Provisional Constitution declares Islam the official state religion of the UAE. The government subsidizes almost 95 percent of Sunni mosques and employs all Sunni imams; approximately 5 percent of Sunni mosques are entirely private, and several large mosques have large private endowments. Country Profile: United Arab Emirates (UAE). United States Library of Congress

Dubai has large expatriate Hindu, Sikh, and Christian communities. Non-Muslim groups can own their own houses of worship, where they can practice their religion freely, by requesting a land grant and permission to build a compound. Groups that do not have their own buildings must use the facilities of other religious organizations or worship in private homes. Non-Muslim religious groups are permitted to openly advertise group functions; however, proselytize or distributing religious literature is strictly prohibited under penalty of criminal prosecution, imprisonment, and deportation for engaging in behaviour offensive to Islam.

Economy in Dubai.Dubai's gross domestic product as of 2006 was US Dollars46 billion. Although Dubai's economy was built on the back of the oil industry, "Dubai - Overview:", USAToday.com, retrieved 22 July, 2007 revenues from oil and natural gas currently account for less than 3% of the emirate's revenues. It is estimated that Dubai produces 240,000 barrels of oil a day and substantial quantities of gas from offshore fields. The emirate's share in UAE's gas revenues is about 2%. Dubai's oil reserves have diminished significantly and are expected to be exhausted in 20 years. "UAE Oil and Gas"

Historically, Dubai and its twin across the Dubai Creek (tidal), Deira (independent of Dubai City at that time), became important ports of call for Western manufacturers. Most of the new city's banking and financial centres were headquartered in the port area. Dubai maintained its importance as a trade route through the 1970s and 1980s. The city of Dubai has a free trade in gold and until the 1990s was the hub of a "brisk smuggling trade" of gold ingots to India, where gold import was restricted.

Dubai is an important tourist destination and its port, Jebel Ali, constructed in the 1970s, has the largest man-made harbor in the world. Dubai is also increasingly developing as a hub for service industries such as Information technology and finance, with the establishment of a new Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The government has set up industry-specific free economic zone throughout the city. Dubai Internet City, combined with Dubai Media City as part of TECOM (Dubai Technology, Electronic Commerce and Media Free Zone Authority) is one such enclave whose members include IT firms such as EMC Corporation, Oracle Corporation, Microsoft, and IBM, and media organisations such as Middle East Broadcasting Center, CNN, Reuters and Associated Press.

The Dubai Financial Market (DFM) was established in March 2000 as a secondary market for trading securities and bond (finance)s, both local and foreign. As of Q4 2006, its trading volume stood at about 400 billion shares worth US$ 95 billion. The DFM had a market capitalization of about US$ 87 billion.

The government's decision to diversify from a trade-based but oil-reliant economy to one that is service and tourism-oriented has made real estate more valuable, resulting in the property appreciation from 2004–2006. Large scale real estate development projects, undertaken by firms such as Emaar Properties, have led to the construction of some of the tallest skyscrapers in the world such as the Emirates Towers, the Pentominium and the world's tallest hotel, the Burj Al Arab. World's Tallest Hotel Opens Its Doors. British Broadcasting Corporation As of July 2007, Burj Dubai -also being constructed by Emaar Properties- is already the world's tallest structure and is expected to be taller by several hundred feet, once construction is complete.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4081885.stm Samsung to build tallest building. British Broadcasting Corporation.

Recently, the Land Department set up the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) to regulate developers and safeguard consumers from errant parties. All developers are required to register with the RERA, provide documents and verifiable facts about their properties, and setup escrow accounts to protect consumers' money. KM Properties, a member of KM Holding, was the first company to register with the Land Department.

Organizations within Dubai have expressed an intention to invest in [medical tourism, including the Emaar group's plans in India . Within Dubai, there is considerable interest in developing this market, and the Dubai Healthcare City is scheduled to open by 2010. . There will be a corresponding increasing need for attention to quality and to quality control in healthcare within Dubai, including international healthcare accreditation.

Human rights and labor labourers working on real estate development projects such as the Dubai Marina.Living conditions of the over 250,000 expatriate laborers in Dubai who live in conditions described by Human Rights Watch as being "less than human" UAE to Allow Construction Unions have often been criticized. Dubai Fire Investigation Launched NPR reports that workers "typically live eight to a room, sending home a portion of their salary to their families, whom they don't see for years at a time." The BBC has reported that "local newspapers often carry stories of construction workers allegedly not being paid for months on end. They are not allowed to move jobs and if they leave the country to go home they will almost certainly lose the money they say they are owed. "Workers' safety queried in Dubai", by Julia Wheeler, BBC News, September 27, 2004 In September 2005, the Minister of Labour ordered one company to pay unpaid salaries within 24 hours after workers protested, and published the name of the offending company (Al Hamed Company for Development and Projects). Ministry cracks the whip Gulf News, 20 Sep 2005 In December 2005, the Indian consulate in Dubai submitted a report to the Government of India detailing labor problems faced by Indian diaspora in the emirate. The report highlighted delayed payment of wages, substitution of employment contracts, premature termination of services and excessive working hours as being some of the challenges faced by Indian workers in the city. On 21 March 2006, workers at the construction site of Burj Dubai, upset over bus timings and working conditions, rioted damaging cars, offices, computers, and construction tools. Labour unrest hampers Burj Dubai work Khaleej Times (AP report), 22 March 2006 "Burj Dubai workers who protested may be sued" Khaleej Times, 24 March 2006 LABOUR IN THE UAE Gulf News articles on Labour Law in the UAE, protests, etc

Prostitution, though illegal by law, is conspicuously present in the emirate because of an economy that is largely based on tourism and trade. Research conducted by the American Center for International Policy Studies (AMCIPS) found that Russian and Ethiopian women are the most common prostitutes, as well as women from some other African countries, while Indian prostitutes are part of a well organized trans-Oceania prostitution network.{{cite web| url = http://www.amcips.org/PDF_books/BookIV22.pdf| title = Globalising Prostitution in the Middle East| accessdate = 2007-05-10| author =| last = Stoenescu| first = Dan| authorlink =| coauthors =| date =| year =| month =| format =| work =| publisher = American Center For International Policy Studies| pages =| language =| archiveurl =| archivedate =| quote =--> A 2007 photo-documentary reported that prostitution in clubs is tolerated by authorities and many foreign women work there without being coerced, attracted by the money.Mimi Chakarova. Dubai: Night Secrets, Frontline (US TV series), 13 September 2007

Transport .The main road that connects one side of Dubai with the other is Sheikh Zayed Road. In July 2007, Salik (Road Toll) collection points were installed on the Sheikh Zayed road and on Al Garhoud bridge, which emphasizes the system’s congestion management objectives as well as the choice of technology for the toll system. The new system utilizes the latest technology to achieve free flow operation with no toll booths, no toll collectors, and no impact to traffic flow, allowing vehicles to move freely through the tolling point at highway speeds. Each time one passes through a Salik tolling point, the toll of United Arab Emirates dirham 4 will be deducted from her or his prepaid toll account using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.

Dubai International Airport (IATA airport code: DXB), the hub for Emirates Airlines, services the city of Dubai and other emirates in the country. The airport served a total of over 28 million passengers and over 230,000 flights in 2006. Government of Dubai Statistics Center The Dubai International Airport ranks 17th among international airports for total cargo traffic in 2006. World's Busiest Airports - Preliminary Rankings (PDF). Airports Council International A third terminal is currently under construction and is due to open in 2007. The new terminal will be dedicated to Emirates Airline and will fully support the new Airbus A380. The development of the Dubai World Central International Airport, currently under construction, was announced in 2004. The first part is expected to be completed by 2008.), Bur DubaiDubai has a large bus system that services 69 routes and transported over about 90 million people in 2006. The (RTA) announced in 2006 that an additional 620 new buses will be added to its fleet of 170 double decker buses. Fleet of new buses for Dubai 7days 2007 Although the main mode of transportation in Dubai is by private vehicle, Dubai also has an extensive taxicab system.

A $3.89 billion Dubai Metro project is under construction for the emirate. The Metro system is expected to be partially operational by 2009 and fully operational by 2012. The metro will comprise two lines: the Green Line from Rashidiya to the main city center and the Red Line from the airport to Jebel Ali. The Dubai Metro (Green and Blue Lines) will have 70 kilometers of track and 43 stations, 33 above ground and ten underground. Dubai Municipality signs Dhs12.45 billion Metro contract. Dubai Metro. May 29, 2005 One of the more traditional methods of getting across Bur Dubai to Deira is through Abra (boat), small boats that ferry passengers across the Dubai Creek, between abra stations in Bastakiya and Bani Yas road.

Education .The school system in Dubai does not differ from that of the United Arab Emirates. As of 2006, there are 88 public schools run by the Ministry of Education that serve Emaratis and expatriate Arab peoples as well as 132 private schools. The medium of instruction in public schools is Arabic with emphasis on English language as a second language, while most of the private schools use English as their medium of instruction. Most private schools cater to one or more expatriate communities. Delhi Private School, Our Own English High School, the Dubai Modern High School, and the Indian High School, Dubai offer either a CBSE or an Indian Certificate of Secondary Education Indian syllabus. Similarly, there are also several reputable Pakistani schools offering FBISE curriculum for expatriate children. Dubai English Speaking School, Jumeirah Primary School, Jebel Ali Primary School, Jumeirah English Speaking School, King's School and the Horizon School all offer British primary education up to the age of eleven. Dubai British School, Dubai College, English College Dubai, Jumeirah College and St. Mary's Catholic High School are all British eleven-to-eighteen secondary schools which offer General Certificate of Secondary Education and Advanced Level (UK)s. Emirates International school provides full student education up to the age of 18, this is an International school and offers International General Certificate of Secondary Education and The International Baccalaureate program. Dubai American Academy also offers the International Baccalaureate program.

The Ministry of Education of the United Arab Emirates is responsible for school's accreditation. The Dubai Education Council was established in July 2005 to develop the education sector in Dubai. HH Sheikh Mohammed issues decree establishing Dubai Education Council, DEC, 14 July 2005 The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) was established in 2006 to develop education and human resource sectors in Dubai, and license educational institutes. KHDA Q&A, KHDA, 2006

Approximately 10% of the population has university or postgraduate degrees. Many expatriates tend to send their children back to their home country or to Western world for university education. However, a sizable number of foreign accredited universities have been set up in the city over the last ten years. Some of these universities include the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS Pilani), American University in Dubai (AUD), The American College of Dubai, SPJCM,University of Wollongong in Dubai and Institute of Management Technology, Dubai. In 2004, the Dubai School of Government in collaboration with Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government and Harvard Medical School (HMSDC) were established in Dubai.

Media Dubai has a well established network of print, radio, television and electronic media to cater to the needs of the city. Dubai has courted many media and technology companies which has allowed the city to become a major media hub. The city has over half a million telephone and facsimile subscribers. There are about 180,000 internet subscribers in the city. While there are multiple international channels available to residents through cable, satellite and radio connections, local channels are available from the Arabian Radio Network and Dubai Media Incorporated.

Many international news agencies and network news channels operated out of the Dubai Media City and Dubai Internet City. building at Dubai Internet CityReuters, Associated Press Television News, Middle East Broadcasting Center, CNBC Arabiya, Bloomberg L.P., BMG, Showtime Arabia, The British Broadcasting Corporation and CNN have all set up regional offices in the area. There are also a number of local publishing companies, including Explorer Publishing, ITP and Motivate. Etisalat currently is the leading internet provider in the emirate. Du (telco), a new telecommunication company, will also provide internet services in the emirate. Internet content is strongly regulated for pornography and for content that might be considered offensive in an Islamic state. Emirates Media and Internet (a division of Etisalat) notes that as of 2002, 76% of internet users are male. About 60% of internet users were Asian, while 25% of users were Arab people. Dubai enacted an Electronic Transactions and Commerce Law in 2002 which deals with digital signatures and electronic registers. It prohibits Internet Service Providers (ISPs) from disclosing information gathered in providing services. The penal code also contains some provisions; however it does not address cyber crime or data protection. Silenced - United Arab Emirates. Privacy International.

See also

• Dubai Festival City
• Dubai Financial Market
• Dubai Healthcare City
• Tourism in Dubai

References

• Congressional Research Service Report to Congress

External links

• Ansar Burney Trust - human rights organisation operating in Dubai
• dubai.ae - Official Website of Dubai Government
• - Jobs In Dubai
• DTCM - Dubai Government Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing
• Sheikh Mohammed - Official website of the ruler of Dubai
• Dubai Municipality - Official website
• Dubai Electricity & Water Authority - Official website
• "Dubayy", Encyclopædia Britannica, 2005 - Reference source for historical information
• Schools in Dubai, UAE - Education Resources
• "Boom town" - The Guardian, 13 February 2006
• Urbanization of Dubai at NASA Earth Observatory

{{Infobox City |official_name = Emirate of Dubai |native_name = إمارة دبيّ |image_skyline = Dubai night skyline.jpg|350pximagesize = |image_caption = Dubai's nightime skyline |image_flag = Flag of Dubai.svg |image_map = Tc-map.png |image_map1 = LocationUnitedArabEmirates.png |subdivision_type = Emirates of the United Arab Emirates|subdivision_name = Dubai|leader_title = Sheikh ] |area_magnitude = |area_metro_km2 = 4114 |area_footnotes = Area of Emirates of the United Arab Emirates, includes artificial islands.|population_as_of = 2006 |population_metro = 1492000 |population_density_km2 = 345.65 |population_density_sq_mi = ||population_footnotes = " Statistics Centre: Dubai emirate population is 1,422,000", UAE Interact: UAE Ministry Of Information and Culture, 2006-08-30Density of Emirates of the United Arab Emirates|utc_offset = +4 |timezone = Dubai Standard Time |latd= 25|latm= 16|lats=|latNS=N |longd= 55|longm= 20|longs=|longEW=E |latitude = 25°16?N |longitude = 55°20?E |website =
Dubai Emirate
Dubai Municipality |footnotes = |-->

Dubai (in Arabic language: دبيّ, Dubayy, in English language) can either refer to one of the seven Emirates of the United Arab Emiratess that constitute the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the eastern Arabian Peninsula, or that emirate's main city, sometimes called "Dubai city" to distinguish it from the emirate.The modern emirate of Dubai was created with the formation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971. However, written accounts documenting the existence of the city have existed at least 150 years prior to the formation of the UAE. Dubai shares law, politics, military and economy functions with the other emirates within a Federation framework, although each emirate has jurisdiction over some functions such as civic law enforcement and provision and upkeep of local facilities. Dubai has the largest population and is the second largest emirate by area, after Abu Dhabi. United Arab Emirates: metropolitan areas With Abu Dhabi, it is one of only two emirates to possess veto power over critical matters of national importance in the UAE.The Government and Politics of the Middle East and North Africa. D Long, B Reich. p.157 Dubai has been ruled by the Al Maktoum dynasty since 1833. The emirates' current ruler, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is also the Prime Minister and Vice President of the UAE. With his vision, Dubai was able to attract foreign investment with the creation of free trade zones and the lack of taxes. These policies have turned Dubai into a tourist and business hub for the Middle East.

Revenues from petroleum and natural gas contribute less than 6% (2006) Oil share dips in Dubai GDP AMEInfo (9 June 2007). Retrieved on 15 October 2007. of Dubai's United States Dollar 37 billion economy (2005). Dubai economy set to treble by 2015 ArabianBusiness.com (3 February 2007). Retrieved on 15 October 2007. A majority of the emirate's revenues are from the Jebel Ali Free Zone .:: Dubai Trade ::., Dubai Trade and, increasingly, from tourism and other service businesses. As of 2007, 800 new residents were setting up home in Dubai every day. 800 new residents setting up home in Dubai everyday. gulfnews.com, Retrieved 7/21/2007] Dubai has attracted world-wide attention through innovative real estate projects Dubai map with upcoming freehold developments and sports events. This increased attention, coinciding with its emergence as a world business hub, has also highlighted human rights issues concerning its largely foreign workforce.

History ]Very little is known about pre-Islamic Arabiaic culture in the south-east Arabian peninsula, except that many ancient towns in the area were trading centres between the Eastern world and Western worlds. The remnants of an ancient mangrove swamp, dated at 7,000 years were discovered during the construction of the Sheikh Zayed Road. The area had been covered with sand about 5,000 years ago as the coastline retreated inland, becoming a part of the city's present coastline. History and Traditions of the UAE Prior to Islam, the people in this region were idol worshippers, who worshiped Bajar (or Bajir). History and Background of the UAE The Byzantine and Sassanian empires constituted the great powers of the period, with the Sassanians controlling much of the region. After the spread of Islam in the region, the Umayyad Caliph, of the eastern Islamic world, invaded the south-east Arabia and drove out the Sassanians. Excavations undertaken by the Dubai Museum in the region of Al-Jumayra (Jumeirah) indicate the existence of several artifacts from the Umayyad period. The Coming of Islam and the Islamic Period in the UAE. King, Geoffrey R. The earliest recorded mention of Dubai is in 1095, in the "Book of Geography" by the Spanish people-Arab geographer Abu Abdullah al-Bakri. The Venice pearl merchant Gaspero Balbi visited the area in 1580 and mentioned Dubai (Dibei) for its Pearl hunting industry. Documented records of the town of Dubai exist only after 1799. Economic and Environmental Impacts of tourism on Dubai and Hawaii. McEachern, Nadeau, et al

In the early 18th century, the Al Abu Falasa clan of Bani Yas clan established Dubai, which remained a dependent of Abu Dhabi until 1833. Country Profile: United Arab Emirates. United States Library of Congress On 8 January 1820, the sheikh of Dubai and other sheikhs in the region signed the "General Maritime Peace Treaty" with the British government. However, in 1833, the Al Maktoum dynasty of the Bani Yas tribe left the settlement of Abu Dhabi and took over Dubai from the Abu Fasala clan without resistance. Dubai came under the protection of the United Kingdom by the "Exclusive Agreement" of 1892, with the latter agreeing to protect Dubai against any attacks from the Ottoman empire. Two catastrophes struck the town during the mid 1800s. First, in 1841, a smallpox epidemic broke out in the Bur Dubai locality, forcing residents to relocate east to Deira, Dubai. Then, in 1894, fire swept through Deira, burning down most homes. Modernity and tradition in Dubai architecture. Karim, Luiza However, the town's geographical location continued to attract traders and merchants from around the region. The emir of Dubai was keen to attract foreign traders and lowered trade tax brackets, which lured traders away from Sharjah and Bandar Lengeh, which were the region's main trade hubs at the time.THE EMIRATES OF ABU DHABI AND DUBAI:CONTRASTING ROLES IN THE INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM. Davidson, Christopher. March 2007

Dubai's geographical proximity to India and Pakistan made it an important location. The town of Dubai was an important port of call for foreign tradesmen, chiefly those from India, many of whom eventually settled in the town. The town was known for its pearl exports until the 1930s. However, Dubai's pearling industry was damaged irreparably by the events of the First World War, and later on by the Great Depression in the late 1920s. Consequently, the city witnessed a mass migration of people to other parts of the Persian Gulf. Since its inception, Dubai was constantly at odds with Abu Dhabi. In 1947, a border dispute between Dubai and Abu Dhabi on the northern sector of their mutual border, escalated into war between the two states. The UAE: Internal Boundaries And The Boundary With Oman. Archived Editions. Walker, J. Arbitration by the British and the creation of a buffer frontier running south eastwards from the coast at Ras Hasian resulted in a temporary cessation of hostilities.The Middle East and North Africa. Schofield, C. p 175 However, border disputes between the emirates continued even after the formation of the UAE; it was only in 1979 that a formal compromise was reached that ended hostilities and border disputes between the two states.Dubai. Carter, T and Dunston, L. Lonely Planet Publications Electricity, telephone services and an airport were established in Dubai in the 1950s, when the British moved their local administrative offices from Sharjah to Dubai. Dubai City. Melamid, Alexander. Jul 1989 The town joined the newly independent country of Qatar to set up a new monetary unit, the Qatari riyal, after the deflation of the Gulf rupee. Oil was discovered in Dubai the same year, after which the town granted concessions to international oil companies. The discovery of oil led to a massive influx of foreign workers, mainly Indians and Pakistanis, into the city. As a result, the population of the city from 1968 to 1975 grew by over 300%, by some estimates.

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."Six Persian Gulf Emirates Agree to a Federation". New York Times. Jul 19, 1971. pg. 4 In 1973, Dubai joined the other emirates to adopt a single, uniform currency: the UAE United Arab Emirates Dirham. In the 1970s, Dubai continued to grow from revenues generated from oil and trade even as the city saw an influx of Lebanese people immigrants fleeing the Lebanese civil war in Lebanon."Beirut Showing Signs of Recovery From Wounds of War". New York Times. May 26, 1977. pg.2 The Jebel Ali Free Zone, comprising the Jebel Ali port (reputedly the world's largest man made port) was established in 1979, which provided foreign companies unrestricted import of labour and export capital.The United Arab Emirates: Economic Vibrancy and US Interests. Asian Affairs. Peterson, JE. July 2002, Vol 34, Issue 2.

in the west to Sharjah in the east.The Persian Gulf War of 1990 had a huge impact on the city. Economically, Dubai banks experienced a massive withdrawal of funds due to uncertain political conditions in the region. During the course of the 1990s, however, many foreign trading communities — first from Kuwait, during the Persian Gulf War, and later from Bahrain, during the Shia unrest, moved their businesses to Dubai. Dubai provided refueling bases to allied forces at the Jebel Ali free zone during the Persian Gulf war, and again, during the 2003 Invasion of Iraq. Large increases in oil prices after the Persian Gulf war encouraged Dubai to continue to focus on free trade and tourism. Dubai Focus The success of the Jebel Ali free zone allowed the city to replicate its model to develop clusters of new free zones, including Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and Dubai Maritime City. The construction of Burj Al Arab, the world's tallest freestanding hotel, as well as the creation of new residential developments, were used to market Dubai for purposes of tourism. Since 2002, the city has seen an increase in private real estate investment in recreating Dubai's skyline with such projects as The Palm Islands and Burj Dubai. However, robust economic growth in recent years has been accompanied by rising inflation rates (at 6.2% as of 2006 when measured against Consumer Price Index) which is attributed in part due to the near doubling of commercial and residential rental costs, resulting in a substantial increase in the cost of living for residents. Robust growth poses threat of inflation to high-flying Dubai. Kuwait Times. Mar. 8, 2007

Geography {| style="width: 20%; float: left; font-size: 0.85em; border: 0;"|-|colspan=2|{| class="wikitable sortable sortable" style="width: 97%;"|-!style="background:#A8BDEC;"|No !!style="background:#A8BDEC;" |Month !!style="background:#A8BDEC;"| Min !! style="background:#A8BDEC;"| Max|-|1||align=center|January || 14.6|| 31.8|-|2||align=center|February || 15.3 || 36|-|3||align=center|March || 17.4 || 41.3|-|4||align=center|April || 20.5 || 43.5|-|5||align=center|May || 24.3 || 47|-|6||align=center|June || 27.1|| 46.7|-|7||align=center|July || 29.8 || 47.1|-|8||align=center|August || 30.2 || 47.5|-|9||align=center|September || 27.5 || 44.2|-|10||align=center|October || 23.8 || 41.6|-|11||align=center|November || 19.8 || 36.4|-|12||align=center|December || 16.4 || 32.5|}|-|colspan=2 |{|class="wikitable" style="width: 97%;"|-|align="left|Table 1 OnlineWeather Portal. UAEInteract.com. Retrieved 5/1/2007: Mean recorded minimum and maximum temperatures (in °Celsius) by month in Dubai.|}|}, Sharjah and Oman, the Hajar Mountains and the minor exclave of HattaDubai is situated on the northeast coast of the United Arab Emirates and is roughly at sea level (16 meters above). The emirate of Dubai shares borders with Abu Dhabi in the south, Sharjah in the northeast, and the Sultanate of Oman in the southeast. Hatta, a minor exclave of the emirate, is surrounded on three sides by Oman and by the emirates of Ajman (in the west) and Ras Al Khaimah (in the north). The Persian Gulf borders the western coast of the emirate. Dubai is positioned at and covers an area of 4,114 kilometer² (1,588 mile²).

Dubai lies directly within the Arabian Desert. However, the topography of Dubai is significantly different from that of the southern portion of the UAE in that much of Dubai's landscape is highlighted by sandy desert patterns, while gravel deserts dominate much of the southern region of the country. Environmental Development and Protection in the UAE. Aspinall, Simon The sand consists mostly of crushed shell and coral and is fine, clean and white. East of the city, the salt-crusted coastal plans, known as sabkha, give way to a north-south running line of dunes. Further east, the dunes grow larger and are tinged red with iron oxide. The flat sandy desert gives way to the Western Hajar Mountains, which run alongside Dubai's border with Oman at Hatta. The Western Hajar chain has an arid, jagged and shattered landscape, whose mountains rise to about 1,300 meters in some places. Dubai has no natural river bodies or oases; however multiple gorges and waterholes dot the base of the Western Al Hajar mountains. A vast sea of sand dunes cover much of southern Dubai, which eventually lead into the desert known as The Empty Quarter. Seismically, Dubai is in a very stable zone — the nearest seismic fault line, the Zargos Fault, is 120 km from the UAE and is unlikely to have any seismic impact on Dubai. Earthquake risk in Dubai 'lower than that of London']. UAEInteract.com Experts also predict that the possibility of a tsunami in the region is also minimal because the Persian Gulf waters are not deep enough to trigger a tsunami.

The sandy desert surrounding the city supports grasses and occasional date palm trees. Desert hyacinths grow in the sabkha plans east of the city, while acacia and prosopis cineraria trees grow in the flat plains within the proximity of the Western Al Hajar mountains. Several indigenous trees such as the date palm and neem as well as imported trees like the eucalypts grow in Dubai's natural parks. The houbara bustard, striped hyena, caracal, desert fox, falcon and Arabian oryx are common in Dubai's desert. Dubai is on the migration path between Europe, Asia and Africa, and more than 320 migratory birds pass through the emirate in spring and autumn. The waters of Dubai are home to more than 300 species of fish, including the hammour.

s south of the city of DubaiDubai Creek runs northeast-southwest through the city. The eastern section of the city forms the locality of Deira, Dubai and is flanked by the emirate of Sharjah in the east and the town of Al Aweer in the south. The Dubai International Airport is located south of Deira, while the Palm Deira#The Palm.2C Deira is located north of Deira in the Persian Gulf. The western section forms the locality of Bur Dubai and is bordered almost entirely by the emirate of Abu Dhabi. Much of Dubai's real estate boom has been concentrated to the west of this region, on the Jumeirah coastal belt and along Sheikh Zayed Road (E11). Port Rashid, Jebel Ali, Burj Al Arab, the Palm Jumeirah and theme based free zone clusters such as Business Bay are all located in this section. Sheikh Zayed Road and Emirates Road (E311) are the main arteries of Dubai; and run roughly parallel to each other in the western section of the city, before eventually diverging sharply near Jumeirah. The eastern and western sections of the city are connected by Al Maktoum Bridge, Al Garhoud Bridge, Al Shindagha Tunnel, Business Bay Crossing and Floating Bridge, Dubai.

Dubai has a hot and, at times, humid climate with many months recording temperatures of over 40°Celsius (104°Fahrenheit) (refer to accompanying table for recorded mean minimum and maximum temperatures during the year). Rainfall is generally light, with a mean of about 100 millimeter per year; precipitation is usually centered around January, February and March Average mean rainfall for Dubai. UAEInteract.com The mean humidity in Dubai is about 60%.

Demographics According to the census conducted by the Statistics Center of Dubai, the population of the emirate was 1,422,000 as of 2006, which included 1,073,000 males and 349,000 females. Dubai in Figures 2006. Government of Dubai. Statistical Center As of 1998, 17% of the population of the emirate was made up of Emarati. Approximately 85% of the expatriate population (and 71% of the emirate's total population) was Asian, chiefly Indian people (51%), Pakistani people (16%), Bengali people (9%) and Filipino people (3%). "Country and Metropolitan Stats in Brief. MPI Data Hub About 3% of the total population of Dubai was categorized as "Western world". A quarter of the population however reportedly traces their origins to neighboring Iran." Young Iranians Follow Dreams to Dubai" The New York Times, by HASSAN M. FATTAH. Published: December 4 2005 In addition, 16% of the population (or 288,000 persons) lived in collective labour accommodation were not identified by ethnicity or nationality, but were thought to be primarily Asian. The Changing Demographics of the UAE The median age in the emirate was about 27 years. The crude birth rate, as of 2005, was 13.6%, while the crude death rate was about 1%. Basic Vital Statistical Indicators - Emirate of Dubai

Although Arabic language is the official language of Dubai, Farsi, Malayalam, English language, Hindi language, Urdu, Bengali language, and Tagalog language are widely spoken. Article 7 of the UAE's Provisional Constitution declares Islam the official state religion of the UAE. The government subsidizes almost 95 percent of Sunni mosques and employs all Sunni imams; approximately 5 percent of Sunni mosques are entirely private, and several large mosques have large private endowments. Country Profile: United Arab Emirates (UAE). United States Library of Congress

Dubai has large expatriate Hindu, Sikh, and Christian communities. Non-Muslim groups can own their own houses of worship, where they can practice their religion freely, by requesting a land grant and permission to build a compound. Groups that do not have their own buildings must use the facilities of other religious organizations or worship in private homes. Non-Muslim religious groups are permitted to openly advertise group functions; however, proselytize or distributing religious literature is strictly prohibited under penalty of criminal prosecution, imprisonment, and deportation for engaging in behaviour offensive to Islam.

Economy in Dubai.Dubai's gross domestic product as of 2006 was US Dollars46 billion. Although Dubai's economy was built on the back of the oil industry, "Dubai - Overview:", USAToday.com, retrieved 22 July, 2007 revenues from oil and natural gas currently account for less than 3% of the emirate's revenues. It is estimated that Dubai produces 240,000 barrels of oil a day and substantial quantities of gas from offshore fields. The emirate's share in UAE's gas revenues is about 2%. Dubai's oil reserves have diminished significantly and are expected to be exhausted in 20 years. "UAE Oil and Gas"

Historically, Dubai and its twin across the Dubai Creek (tidal), Deira (independent of Dubai City at that time), became important ports of call for Western manufacturers. Most of the new city's banking and financial centres were headquartered in the port area. Dubai maintained its importance as a trade route through the 1970s and 1980s. The city of Dubai has a free trade in gold and until the 1990s was the hub of a "brisk smuggling trade" of gold ingots to India, where gold import was restricted.

Dubai is an important tourist destination and its port, Jebel Ali, constructed in the 1970s, has the largest man-made harbor in the world. Dubai is also increasingly developing as a hub for service industries such as Information technology and finance, with the establishment of a new Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The government has set up industry-specific free economic zone throughout the city. Dubai Internet City, combined with Dubai Media City as part of TECOM (Dubai Technology, Electronic Commerce and Media Free Zone Authority) is one such enclave whose members include IT firms such as EMC Corporation, Oracle Corporation, Microsoft, and IBM, and media organisations such as Middle East Broadcasting Center, CNN, Reuters and Associated Press.

The Dubai Financial Market (DFM) was established in March 2000 as a secondary market for trading securities and bond (finance)s, both local and foreign. As of Q4 2006, its trading volume stood at about 400 billion shares worth US$ 95 billion. The DFM had a market capitalization of about US$ 87 billion.

The government's decision to diversify from a trade-based but oil-reliant economy to one that is service and tourism-oriented has made real estate more valuable, resulting in the property appreciation from 2004–2006. Large scale real estate development projects, undertaken by firms such as Emaar Properties, have led to the construction of some of the tallest skyscrapers in the world such as the Emirates Towers, the Pentominium and the world's tallest hotel, the Burj Al Arab. World's Tallest Hotel Opens Its Doors. British Broadcasting Corporation As of July 2007, Burj Dubai -also being constructed by Emaar Properties- is already the world's tallest structure and is expected to be taller by several hundred feet, once construction is complete.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4081885.stm Samsung to build tallest building. British Broadcasting Corporation.

Recently, the Land Department set up the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) to regulate developers and safeguard consumers from errant parties. All developers are required to register with the RERA, provide documents and verifiable facts about their properties, and setup escrow accounts to protect consumers' money. KM Properties, a member of KM Holding, was the first company to register with the Land Department.

Organizations within Dubai have expressed an intention to invest in [medical tourism, including the Emaar group's plans in India . Within Dubai, there is considerable interest in developing this market, and the Dubai Healthcare City is scheduled to open by 2010. . There will be a corresponding increasing need for attention to quality and to quality control in healthcare within Dubai, including international healthcare accreditation.

Human rights and labor labourers working on real estate development projects such as the Dubai Marina.Living conditions of the over 250,000 expatriate laborers in Dubai who live in conditions described by Human Rights Watch as being "less than human" UAE to Allow Construction Unions have often been criticized. Dubai Fire Investigation Launched NPR reports that workers "typically live eight to a room, sending home a portion of their salary to their families, whom they don't see for years at a time." The BBC has reported that "local newspapers often carry stories of construction workers allegedly not being paid for months on end. They are not allowed to move jobs and if they leave the country to go home they will almost certainly lose the money they say they are owed. "Workers' safety queried in Dubai", by Julia Wheeler, BBC News, September 27, 2004 In September 2005, the Minister of Labour ordered one company to pay unpaid salaries within 24 hours after workers protested, and published the name of the offending company (Al Hamed Company for Development and Projects). Ministry cracks the whip Gulf News, 20 Sep 2005 In December 2005, the Indian consulate in Dubai submitted a report to the Government of India detailing labor problems faced by Indian diaspora in the emirate. The report highlighted delayed payment of wages, substitution of employment contracts, premature termination of services and excessive working hours as being some of the challenges faced by Indian workers in the city. On 21 March 2006, workers at the construction site of Burj Dubai, upset over bus timings and working conditions, rioted damaging cars, offices, computers, and construction tools. Labour unrest hampers Burj Dubai work Khaleej Times (AP report), 22 March 2006 "Burj Dubai workers who protested may be sued" Khaleej Times, 24 March 2006 LABOUR IN THE UAE Gulf News articles on Labour Law in the UAE, protests, etc

Prostitution, though illegal by law, is conspicuously present in the emirate because of an economy that is largely based on tourism and trade. Research conducted by the American Center for International Policy Studies (AMCIPS) found that Russian and Ethiopian women are the most common prostitutes, as well as women from some other African countries, while Indian prostitutes are part of a well organized trans-Oceania prostitution network.{{cite web| url = http://www.amcips.org/PDF_books/BookIV22.pdf| title = Globalising Prostitution in the Middle East| accessdate = 2007-05-10| author =| last = Stoenescu| first = Dan| authorlink =| coauthors =| date =| year =| month =| format =| work =| publisher = American Center For International Policy Studies| pages =| language =| archiveurl =| archivedate =| quote =--> A 2007 photo-documentary reported that prostitution in clubs is tolerated by authorities and many foreign women work there without being coerced, attracted by the money.Mimi Chakarova. Dubai: Night Secrets, Frontline (US TV series), 13 September 2007

Transport .The main road that connects one side of Dubai with the other is Sheikh Zayed Road. In July 2007, Salik (Road Toll) collection points were installed on the Sheikh Zayed road and on Al Garhoud bridge, which emphasizes the system’s congestion management objectives as well as the choice of technology for the toll system. The new system utilizes the latest technology to achieve free flow operation with no toll booths, no toll collectors, and no impact to traffic flow, allowing vehicles to move freely through the tolling point at highway speeds. Each time one passes through a Salik tolling point, the toll of United Arab Emirates dirham 4 will be deducted from her or his prepaid toll account using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.

Dubai International Airport (IATA airport code: DXB), the hub for Emirates Airlines, services the city of Dubai and other emirates in the country. The airport served a total of over 28 million passengers and over 230,000 flights in 2006. Government of Dubai Statistics Center The Dubai International Airport ranks 17th among international airports for total cargo traffic in 2006. World's Busiest Airports - Preliminary Rankings (PDF). Airports Council International A third terminal is currently under construction and is due to open in 2007. The new terminal will be dedicated to Emirates Airline and will fully support the new Airbus A380. The development of the Dubai World Central International Airport, currently under construction, was announced in 2004. The first part is expected to be completed by 2008.), Bur DubaiDubai has a large bus system that services 69 routes and transported over about 90 million people in 2006. The (RTA) announced in 2006 that an additional 620 new buses will be added to its fleet of 170 double decker buses. Fleet of new buses for Dubai 7days 2007 Although the main mode of transportation in Dubai is by private vehicle, Dubai also has an extensive taxicab system.

A $3.89 billion Dubai Metro project is under construction for the emirate. The Metro system is expected to be partially operational by 2009 and fully operational by 2012. The metro will comprise two lines: the Green Line from Rashidiya to the main city center and the Red Line from the airport to Jebel Ali. The Dubai Metro (Green and Blue Lines) will have 70 kilometers of track and 43 stations, 33 above ground and ten underground. Dubai Municipality signs Dhs12.45 billion Metro contract. Dubai Metro. May 29, 2005 One of the more traditional methods of getting across Bur Dubai to Deira is through Abra (boat), small boats that ferry passengers across the Dubai Creek, between abra stations in Bastakiya and Bani Yas road.

Education .The school system in Dubai does not differ from that of the United Arab Emirates. As of 2006, there are 88 public schools run by the Ministry of Education that serve Emaratis and expatriate Arab peoples as well as 132 private schools. The medium of instruction in public schools is Arabic with emphasis on English language as a second language, while most of the private schools use English as their medium of instruction. Most private schools cater to one or more expatriate communities. Delhi Private School, Our Own English High School, the Dubai Modern High School, and the Indian High School, Dubai offer either a CBSE or an Indian Certificate of Secondary Education Indian syllabus. Similarly, there are also several reputable Pakistani schools offering FBISE curriculum for expatriate children. Dubai English Speaking School, Jumeirah Primary School, Jebel Ali Primary School, Jumeirah English Speaking School, King's School and the Horizon School all offer British primary education up to the age of eleven. Dubai British School, Dubai College, English College Dubai, Jumeirah College and St. Mary's Catholic High School are all British eleven-to-eighteen secondary schools which offer General Certificate of Secondary Education and Advanced Level (UK)s. Emirates International school provides full student education up to the age of 18, this is an International school and offers International General Certificate of Secondary Education and The International Baccalaureate program. Dubai American Academy also offers the International Baccalaureate program.

The Ministry of Education of the United Arab Emirates is responsible for school's accreditation. The Dubai Education Council was established in July 2005 to develop the education sector in Dubai. HH Sheikh Mohammed issues decree establishing Dubai Education Council, DEC, 14 July 2005 The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) was established in 2006 to develop education and human resource sectors in Dubai, and license educational institutes. KHDA Q&A, KHDA, 2006

Approximately 10% of the population has university or postgraduate degrees. Many expatriates tend to send their children back to their home country or to Western world for university education. However, a sizable number of foreign accredited universities have been set up in the city over the last ten years. Some of these universities include the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS Pilani), American University in Dubai (AUD), The American College of Dubai, SPJCM,University of Wollongong in Dubai and Institute of Management Technology, Dubai. In 2004, the Dubai School of Government in collaboration with Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government and Harvard Medical School (HMSDC) were established in Dubai.

Media Dubai has a well established network of print, radio, television and electronic media to cater to the needs of the city. Dubai has courted many media and technology companies which has allowed the city to become a major media hub. The city has over half a million telephone and facsimile subscribers. There are about 180,000 internet subscribers in the city. While there are multiple international channels available to residents through cable, satellite and radio connections, local channels are available from the Arabian Radio Network and Dubai Media Incorporated.

Many international news agencies and network news channels operated out of the Dubai Media City and Dubai Internet City. building at Dubai Internet CityReuters, Associated Press Television News, Middle East Broadcasting Center, CNBC Arabiya, Bloomberg L.P., BMG, Showtime Arabia, The British Broadcasting Corporation and CNN have all set up regional offices in the area. There are also a number of local publishing companies, including Explorer Publishing, ITP and Motivate. Etisalat currently is the leading internet provider in the emirate. Du (telco), a new telecommunication company, will also provide internet services in the emirate. Internet content is strongly regulated for pornography and for content that might be considered offensive in an Islamic state. Emirates Media and Internet (a division of Etisalat) notes that as of 2002, 76% of internet users are male. About 60% of internet users were Asian, while 25% of users were Arab people. Dubai enacted an Electronic Transactions and Commerce Law in 2002 which deals with digital signatures and electronic registers. It prohibits Internet Service Providers (ISPs) from disclosing information gathered in providing services. The penal code also contains some provisions; however it does not address cyber crime or data protection. Silenced - United Arab Emirates. Privacy International.

See also

• Dubai Festival City
• Dubai Financial Market
• Dubai Healthcare City
• Tourism in Dubai

References

• Congressional Research Service Report to Congress

External links

• Ansar Burney Trust - human rights organisation operating in Dubai
• dubai.ae - Official Website of Dubai Government
• - Jobs In Dubai
• DTCM - Dubai Government Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing
• Sheikh Mohammed - Official website of the ruler of Dubai
• Dubai Municipality - Official website
• Dubai Electricity & Water Authority - Official website
• "Dubayy", Encyclopædia Britannica, 2005 - Reference source for historical information
• Schools in Dubai, UAE - Education Resources
• "Boom town" - The Guardian, 13 February 2006
• Urbanization of Dubai at NASA Earth Observatory

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