Cosmopolitan City Dubai is a bustling centre of excellence, recognised as the commercial capital and tourism centre of the region, and one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world.

It is a city of contrasts, where outstanding modern architecture and soaring skyscrapers stand alongside traditional Arabic buildings and suburban villas.

Dubai's many and varied attractions provide visitors with a unique experience. Choose between clean, uncrowded sandy beaches, towering sand dunes, barren rocky mountains, velvety, green, PGA-standard golf courses, fascinating, winding souqs, brand new shopping malls, ancient Arabic forts and modern five star hotels. Timeless majesty of the desert contrasts with a spectacular nightlife of restaurants and nightclubs.

The city has a strong service-driven economy, offering every business amenity from banking to telecommunications. International trading and industrialisation are encouraged by the provision of seaports and specialist free trade zones. Recent projects, such as Dubai Media City and Dubai Internet City, are bringing 21st century technology and communication to Dubai in the world's first Free Zone dedicated to e-business.

In October 2003, Dubai was voted safest holiday destination in the world by Condé Nast Traveller magazine, which boasts of a readership of two million high-spending, well-travelled individuals. Dubai bagged the award – for the second year in a row – ahead of cities such as Stockholm, Bangkok, Madrid, Las Vega sand Berlin.

Please visit www.explocity.com/dubai.asp, www.dubai.com, www.godubai.com

Dubai voted safest holiday destination in the world
Dubai has been voted the safest holiday destination in the world by a leading travel magazine. The award was voted by readers of Conde Nast Traveller, which boasts of a readership of two million high-spending, well-travelled individuals.

Dubai bagged the award – for the second year in a row – ahead of cities such as Stockholm. Bangkok, Madrid, Las Vegas and Berlin.

This global acclaim is a new addition to our achievements. Dubai is a destination of choice for business and leisure travellers around the world, said Eyad Ali Abdul Rahman, DTCM manager, Media Relations.

Dubai hotel establishments played host to over 4.76 million guests in 2002, a 31.15 per cent increase compared with the previous year. The first quarter of 2003 witnessed a 5.15 per cent increase in visitors to Dubai compared to the corresponding period.

More than a shopping stopover or a beach holiday, Dubai is a phenomenon, a Muslim, Arab society reinventing itself with all the ethnic diversity, economic energy, and architectural ambition of early 20th-century Los Angeles, Manhattan, and Chicago. Burj Al Arab is the hotel aficionado’s Mount Everest, wrote the magazine.

Climate

Dubai has a sub-tropical and arid climate, with sunny blue skies most of the year. It rains infrequently, falling mainly in winter. Temperatures range from a low of about 10.5°C (50°F) to a high of 48°C (118°F). The mean daily maximum in January is 24°C/75.2°F rising to 41°C/105.8°F in July with high humidity levels.

Cultural Heritage

Dubai's culture is firmly rooted in the traditions of Islam. Traditional dress is still worn among many local citizens and many Arabic cultural activities and sports are still practiced. Dubai is a very tolerant and welcoming place for foreigners, with visitors free to follow their own religions. Drinking alcohol in hotels and licensed health and sports clubs is permitted for non-Muslims.

The dress code is liberal for visitors to the emirate and women are allowed to drive and go out unescorted. Despite being a very relaxed place to visit and live, it is important for visitors to respect their hosts and abide by local regulations. Courtesy and hospitality are evident everywhere in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and visitors will be charmed by the warmth and friendliness of its people.

Please visit www.uaeinteract.com/culture

Each year Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Holy Koran during the Holy Month of Ramadan. The timing is not in line with the Western calendar and moves by about 11 days. During Ramadan Muslims abstain from eating, drinking and smoking between dawn and dusk. This is to appreciate the plight of the poor, so as to appreciate one's more fortunate situation. The fast is broken each day with the Iftar feast at sunset.

During Ramadan visitors also must not eat, drink or smoke in public places between dusk and dawn.

Religious Festivals, Holy Days & Public Holidays
The dates of Islamic holidays are not fixed dates on the Hijri (Islamic) calendar as they are based on the sighting of the moon. Holidays are frequently announced less than 24-hours in advance, although some non-Muslim holidays are fixed according to the Gregorian calendar. Below is a list of some of the main festivals and holy days. Please note that this list is not exhaustive.

Religious Festivals
Eid-al-Fitr is a celebration marking the end of Ramadan and lasts for three days.
Eid-al-Adha is 70 days later, after the Hajj (pilgrimage) to Mecca. This lasts four days.

Holy Days
Lailat-al-Qader The 'night of power of determination' falls on one of the odd-numbered nights during the last 10 days of Ramadan (usually the night of the 27th) and commemorates the night on which the first divine revelations of the Koran were given to the Prophet Mohammed.

Lailat-al-Miraj The 'night journey to heaven' falls on 27 Rajab (7th month) and commemorates Prophet Mohammed's journey to Jerusalem and then to heaven.

Mawlid-al-Nabi The 'Prophet's birthday' falls on 12 Rabi' al-Awwal (5th month), but its observance is traditional, rather than Islamic, as Islam does not centre on any human being.

Ras as-Sana (New Year) The Islamic new year falls on 1 Muharram (1st month) and marks the Prophet Mohammed's migration from Makkah to Medina.

Geography

Dubai is one of seven emirates that make up the UAE, which lies at the north-eastern part of the Arabian peninsular. The country is bordered by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the south and west and the Sultanate of Oman on the east and north. Dubai is situated on the south of the Arabian Gulf.

Dubai occupies around 3,900 square kilometres. The area outside the city is sparsely inhabited flat desert. To the east lie the Hajar Mountains, which are close to the Gulf of Oman.

Dubai’s Creek, a natural inlet from the sea, winds through the centre of the city, dividing the central business district into Deira to the north and Bur Dubai to the south. Much of the trading activity for which old Dubai depended on to develop can still be seen on the Creek today.

Government

The Supreme Council of the UAE is comprised of the hereditary rulers of the seven emirates and is the highest federal authority. It is responsible for general policy matters involving education, defence, foreign affairs, communications, development and the establishment federal laws.

The President of the UAE is HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan who is also the Ruler of Abu Dhabi. The Vice President is HH Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai. Both are elected by the Supreme Council from among its members.

The Federal Council of Ministers is responsible to the Supreme Council. It has the executive authority to initiate and implement laws and is a consultative assembly of 40 representatives who are appointed for two years by the individual emirates. The council monitors and debates government policies, but has no power of veto.

Visit: www.dm.gov.ae, www.dnrd.gov.ae/dnrd/default.htm

History

Dubai is unquestionably the commercial, leisure and sporting capital of the Gulf. The capital of the UAE is Abu Dhabi, with Dubai being the second largest emirate. In 1830 Dubai was taken over by a branch of the Bani Yas tribe from the Liwa oasis, led by the Maktoum family, who still rule the emirate today.

In 1894 Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Maktoum Bin Hasher Al-Maktoum, exempted foreign traders from taxes. This caused a huge change around the turn of the century, with Dubai's modern development starting with the establishment by local merchants of an entrepôt trade, selling such things as pearls, fish, spices and dates. Traders from India and Persia were attracted to Dubai because of the liberal attitudes of the rulers and soon began to settle in the growing town, which developed a reputation as the leading commercial centre for the region.

Most trading was based on the safe, natural anchorage of the Creek. The Creek is both the visual and commercial heart of the city, with numerous dhows still sailing and trading to other countries.

Dubai is simultaneously a dynamic international business centre and a relaxing tourist destination. These features make Dubai a truly cosmopolitan place to live, but at the same time provide a culture deeply rooted in the Islamic traditions of Arabia.

Law & Order

Dubai is recognised globally as one of the safest cities in the world and a relatively crime-free place to live. The Dubai Police, while not always highly visible, are very efficient at ensuring safety and security. On the roads, the Dubai Police will, when needed, attend vehicle incidents and accidents and watch for dangerous driving. Speed cameras are positioned on major roads within the city. Cameras are also positioned at certain traffic lights. Traffic offences incur both fines and penalty points. If you receive 12 points within 12 months your licence is withdrawn and your must pass a strict test before it is reissued.

Anyone committing a serious crime will be punished with imprisonment and/or deportation. For example, drink driving or the possession or use of any narcotics are treated severely.

For more information www.dubaipolice.gov.ae

International Events

Emirates plays host to many international sporting and retail and entertainment events held annually:

• ATP and WTA Tennis Championships
• Dubai Desert Classic Golf Tournament
• Dubai Desert Classic (rally driving in the desert) in February
• Emirates World Series Racing Championship (EWSRC)
• The Dubai World Cup
• Emirates Grand Prix Powerboat Race in November
• Dubai Airshow in November
• The Dubai Rugby 7s in November/December
• Dubai Shopping Festival
• Dubai Summer Surprises June - August

Population

The population of Dubai is estimated at around 1,204,000 people. Dubai is made up of more than 130 nationalities, bringing a richly cosmopolitan character to the city.

Language

Arabic is the national language, however, English, Urdu, Hindi and Farsi are spoken widely. Arabic and English are the main business languages. These are some common Arabic words useful to visitors to Dubai:

Arabic word	Translation
Marahaba	Hi
Keef halak	How are you
Law semaht	Excuse me
Ma salamah	Goodbye
shokran	Thank you
Afwan	Glad to help you