Dubai facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dubai دبي
Metropolis
Dubai's skyline Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai Creek Dubai Marina Palm Jumeirah and The World Islands Burj Al Arab Sheikh Zayed Road
Flag Coat of arms Wordmark
Dubai Location in United Arab Emirates Show map of United Arab Emirates Dubai Location in Persian Gulf Show map of Persian Gulf Dubai Location in Middle East Show map of Middle East Dubai Location in Asia Show map of Asia
Country	United Arab Emirates
Emirate	Dubai
Founded by	Obeid bin Said & Maktoum bin Butti Al Maktoum
Government
• Type	Absolute monarchy
Area
• Metropolis	1,610 km2 (620 sq mi)
• Metro	1,994 km2 (770 sq mi)
Population  (2023)
• Metropolis	3,604,030
• Density	2,239/km2 (5,798/sq mi)
• Metro	5,894,000
• Metro density	2,955.9/km2 (7,655.7/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Dubaian
GDP
• Metropolis	US$ 134.6 billion (2023)
• Metro	US$ 202.8 billion (2023)
Time zone	UTC+04:00 (UAE Standard Time)

Dubai is the largest city in the United Arab Emirates. It is also the capital of the Emirate of Dubai, which is the most populated of the country's seven emirates. About 3.6 million people live in Dubai as of 2022. More than 90% of these people are from other countries.

Dubai started as a small fishing village in the 1800s. By the early 1900s, it grew into a major trading hub. Today, it is famous for tourism and luxury. Dubai's economy relies on trade, tourism, air travel, real estate, and financial services. Oil helped the city grow quickly, but now oil makes up less than 1% of its economy.

Dubai has the second-highest number of five-star hotels in the world. It is also home to the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa, which is 828 meters (2,717 feet) tall. Dubai is located on the coast of the Persian Gulf in the eastern Arabian Peninsula. It is a big global hub for travelers and goods. In 2023, Dubai was the third most-visited city in the world.

Understanding the Name of Dubai

Many ideas explain where the name "Dubai" came from. One idea suggests it means "the souq in Ba." An Arabic saying, "Daba Dubai", means "They came with a lot of money."

Another idea from a scholar named Fedel Handhal is that "Dubai" might come from the word dabba. This word means "to creep," like the slow flow of Dubai Creek inland.

A poet and scholar, Ahmad Mohammad Obaid, thinks it comes from the same word. But he believes it refers to "baby locusts." This is because there were many locusts in the area before people settled there.

A Look at Dubai's Past

People have lived in the area of the United Arab Emirates for a very long time. Old discoveries show that people traded a lot between ancient civilizations. These included the Indus Valley and Mesopotamia.

About 5,000 years ago, sand covered the area as the coast moved inland. This became part of Dubai's current coastline. Old pottery from before Islam has been found from the 3rd and 4th centuries.

An early mention of Dubai was in 1095 by the geographer Abu Abdullah al-Bakri. A pearl merchant from Venice, Gasparo Balbi, visited in 1580. He wrote about Dubai's pearling industry.

How Modern Dubai Began

Dubai likely started as a fishing village in the early 1700s. By 1822, about 700-800 people from the Bani Yas tribe lived there. They were under the rule of Sheikh Tahnun bin Shakhbut of Abu Dhabi. A British surveyor noted that Dubai was an oval-shaped town with a mud wall.

In 1833, a group called the Al Bu Falasah tribe left Abu Dhabi. They settled in Dubai. Obeid bin Saeed and Maktoum bin Butti bin Suhail led them. They became joint leaders until Obeid died in 1836. Maktoum then started the Maktoum family rule.

Dubai signed a treaty with the British government in 1820. This was after a British campaign in 1819. This led to a lasting peace at sea in 1853. Dubai also agreed in 1892 that the United Kingdom would protect it.

In 1841, a smallpox sickness spread in Bur Dubai. People had to move east to Deira. In 1896, a big fire destroyed many homes in Dubai. Many houses were made of barasti (palm fronds). Half the houses in Bur Dubai burned, and Deira was completely destroyed. More fires happened the next year.

In 1901, Maktoum bin Hasher Al Maktoum made Dubai a free port. This meant no taxes on goods coming in or going out. He also gave land to merchants and promised them safety. This made many merchants move to Dubai. The port of Dubai grew quickly. By 1906, it had become the main trading center of the Trucial States.

A big storm in 1908 hit Dubai's pearling boats. Over 100 men and a dozen boats were lost. This was a huge setback for Dubai. Many families lost their main income.

Dubai Before Oil Was Found

Dubai was close to Iran, making it an important trade spot. It was a key stop for foreign traders, especially from Iran. Many of them settled in Dubai. By the early 1900s, it was a busy port. In the 1920s, more Iranians moved to Dubai. The town grew, and a new area called Al Bastakiya was built.

Dubai was famous for its pearl exports until the 1930s. But the 1929 Great Depression and new cultured pearls hurt the pearl trade badly. Dubai faced hard times, and many people became poor or moved away.

In 1937, a contract was signed to look for oil. This promised payments to Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum. But oil was not found until 1966 due to World War II.

Even without oil, Dubai's ruler from 1958, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, used trade money to build things. Companies were set up for electricity, phones, ports, and the airport. A simple airport was built in the 1950s. Dubai's first hotel, the Airlines Hotel, opened in 1959.

In 1959, the city's first master plan was created by John Harris. He imagined a Dubai with many roads and organized areas. In 1961, electricity and phone networks were working. By 1968, Dubai had a steady supply of piped water.

On April 7, 1961, a ship called the MV Dara was caught in a storm near Dubai. An explosion happened, and 238 people out of 819 were lost. Small boats from Dubai and nearby areas helped rescue survivors.

The first airport terminal opened in September 1960. In 1962, a British official noted that many new buildings were being built. He said the ruler was determined to build a jet airport. More European and Arab companies were opening.

In 1962, Sheikh Rashid borrowed money to build the first bridge over Dubai Creek. It finished in May 1963. People paid a small fee to cross it.

By 1965, the asphalt runway at Dubai Airport was ready. This opened Dubai to more flights. In 1970, a new airport terminal was built with Dubai's first duty-free shops.

In the 1960s, Dubai was a busy center for gold trade. In 1968, about £56 million worth of gold was imported. Most of this gold was then sent to customers in international waters near India.

The Oil Era in Dubai

After many years of searching, oil was found in Dubai's waters in 1966. It was a smaller amount than in nearby Abu Dhabi. The first oil field was called "Fateh," meaning "good fortune." This discovery sped up Sheikh Rashid's plans to build more. Many foreign workers, mainly from Asia and the Middle East, came to Dubai. Between 1968 and 1975, the city's population grew by over 300%.

To store and move oil from the Fateh field, two huge storage tanks were built. They were called "Kazzans." These were built on the beach and then floated out to sea. This allowed large oil tankers to load oil even in bad weather.

Oil money started flowing in 1969. Sheikh Rashid used this money to build roads, bridges, schools, and hospitals. He wanted to create a strong trading economy before the oil ran out. Oil made up 24% of Dubai's economy in 1990, but only 7% by 2004.

One of the first big projects was Port Rashid. This was a deep-water port built by a British company. It was a huge success, and ships lined up to use the new facilities. The port opened in 1972. It was expanded in 1975 before the even larger Jebel Ali port was built.

Forming the United Arab Emirates

Dubai and the other "Trucial States" were protected by the British government. The British handled their foreign policy and defense. But on January 16, 1968, the British announced they would leave the region. This led to talks among the emirates, along with Qatar and Bahrain, to form a new union.

The idea of a union was first agreed upon by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi and Sheikh Rashid of Dubai. They met on February 18, 1968. They agreed to work to bring other emirates into the union. After many meetings, six of the seven "trucial" emirates agreed to unite on July 18, 1971.

On December 2, 1971, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Quwain, and Fujairah joined to form the United Arab Emirates. The seventh emirate, Ras Al Khaimah, joined on February 10, 1972.

In 1973, Dubai and the other emirates started using one currency: the UAE dirham.

Dubai Today

Throughout the 1970s, Dubai continued to grow. Money from oil and trade helped. Many people also moved to Dubai because of the Lebanese civil war. Border disagreements between the emirates continued even after the UAE was formed. They were finally settled in 1979.

In 1979, the Jebel Ali port was built. This deep-water port could handle very large ships. To help it succeed, Sheikh Mohammed started the JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone) around the port in 1985. This allowed foreign companies to easily import workers and export money. At the same time, Dubai's airport and airline industry kept growing.

The Gulf War in 1991 affected the city's money. But Dubai recovered and did well in the changing world. In the late 1990s, many foreign trading companies moved their businesses to Dubai. Dubai also helped allied forces during the Gulf War and the 2003 Invasion of Iraq. High oil prices later made Dubai focus more on free trade and tourism.

Dubai's Geography

Dubai is on the Persian Gulf coast of the United Arab Emirates. It is about 16 meters (52 feet) above sea level. The emirate of Dubai borders Abu Dhabi to the south and Sharjah to the northeast. Hatta, a small part of Dubai, is surrounded by Oman and other emirates. The Persian Gulf is to the west. Dubai covers an area of 1,588 square miles (4,113 square kilometers). This is much larger than its original size due to land added from the sea.

Dubai is in the Arabian Desert. But Dubai's land is different from the southern UAE. Most of Dubai has sandy deserts, while the south has gravel deserts. The sand is fine, clean, and white, made mostly of crushed shells and coral. East of the city, flat coastal areas lead to a line of sand dunes. Further east, the dunes get bigger and are reddish from iron oxide.

The flat desert meets the Western Hajar Mountains. These mountains run along Dubai's border with Oman at Hatta. The Hajar mountains are dry and rugged, reaching about 1,300 meters (4,300 feet) high in some places. Dubai has no natural rivers or oases. But it has a natural inlet, Dubai Creek, which has been deepened for large ships. There are also gorges and waterholes at the base of the Western Al Hajar mountains. A large area of sand dunes covers much of southern Dubai.

The sandy desert around the city has wild grasses and some date palms. Desert hyacinths grow in the plains east of the city. Acacia and ghaf trees grow near the Western Al Hajar mountains. Many native trees like date palms and neem grow in Dubai's parks. Imported trees like eucalyptus are also found.

Animals like the MacQueen's bustard, striped hyena, caracal, desert fox, falcon, and Arabian oryx live in Dubai's desert. Dubai is on a path for over 320 types of migratory birds. The waters off Dubai have more than 300 kinds of fish, including the hammour. Other sea life includes tropical fish, jellyfish, coral, dugongs, dolphins, whales, and sharks. Different types of turtles, like the hawksbill and green turtle, are also found here.

Dubai's Climate

Dubai has a tropical, hot desert climate (Köppen BWh). Summers are very hot, long, windy, and humid. The average high in August is around 40°C (104°F), and overnight lows are about 30°C (86°F). Most days are sunny all year. Winters are mild to warm. The average high in January is 24°C (75°F), and overnight lows are 14°C (57°F).

Dubai summers are also known for very high humidity. This can make it feel very uncomfortable. The highest temperature ever recorded in Dubai is 49.0°C (120.2°F).

Dubai is very dry, with an average of 79.2 mm (3.12 inches) of rain each year. However, rainfall has increased in recent decades. In April 2024, record-setting flooding happened in Dubai. This showed that the city needs better drainage for heavy rains.

People and Languages in Dubai

Historical population
Year	Pop.	±%
1822	1,200	—
1900	10,000	+733.3%
1930	20,000	+100.0%
1940	38,000	+90.0%
1960	40,000	+5.3%
1968	58,971	+47.4%
1975	183,000	+210.3%
1985	370,800	+102.6%
1995	674,000	+81.8%
2005	1,204,000	+78.6%
2010	1,905,476	+58.3%
2015	2,446,675	+28.4%
2019	3,355,900	+37.2%
c-census; e-estimate

As of September 2019, Dubai's population was 3,331,420. This was a 5.64% growth rate from the previous year. The population density is very high, more than eight times that of the whole country. Dubai is the second most expensive city in the region. It is the 20th most expensive city in the world.

As of 2013, only about 15% of Dubai's people were UAE nationals. The rest were people from other countries. Many of these people have lived in the UAE for generations or were born there. About 85% of the people from other countries are Asian. This includes many Indians (51%) and Pakistanis (16%). Other groups include Bangladeshis (9%) and Filipinos (3%). About a quarter of the population has roots in Iran. Over 100,000 British people live in Dubai, making them the largest group of Westerners.

Arabic is the official language of the United Arab Emirates. The local people speak the Gulf dialect of Arabic. English is widely used as a second language. Because many people have moved to Dubai, many other languages are spoken. These include Malayalam, Hindi-Urdu, Gujarati, Persian, Sindhi, Tamil, Punjabi, Pashto, Bengali, Balochi, Tulu, Kannada, Sinhala, Marathi, Telugu, Tagalog, and Chinese.

Religion in Dubai

Islam is the official state religion of the UAE. The government helps fund almost all mosques and employs all Imams (religious leaders). The UAE's Constitution allows for freedom of religion.

Dubai has many Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Baháʼí, and Buddhist communities. There is also a small but growing Jewish community. In 2014, over 56% of Dubai residents were Muslims. 25% were Christians, and 16% were Hindus. About 2% followed other religions. The Churches Complex in Jebel Ali Village has many churches and temples for different religions.

Non-Muslim groups can build their own places of worship. They can also use facilities of other religious groups or worship in private homes. They are allowed to advertise events and share religious books.

Dubai's Economy

Dubai has one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. Its total economic output was over US$177 billion in 2021. Even though Dubai built its trading system with oil money, oil and natural gas now make up less than 5% of its income. Dubai's oil reserves are expected to run out in 20 years.

The biggest parts of Dubai's economy are real estate and construction (22.6%), trade (16%), and financial services (11%).

In 2014, Dubai's trade with other countries (not including oil) was $362 billion. China was Dubai's largest trading partner, with $47.7 billion in trade. India was second, and the United States was third. Saudi Arabia was Dubai's fourth largest trading partner globally.

Historically, Dubai and Deira were important ports for Western goods. Most of the city's banking and financial centers were near the port. Dubai remained a key trade route in the 1970s and 1980s. Dubai also has a free trade in gold. Until the 1990s, it was a hub for sending gold to India, where gold imports were limited.

Dubai's Jebel Ali port, built in the 1970s, is the largest human-made harbor in the world. It ranks seventh globally for container traffic. Dubai is also a center for services like information technology and finance. It has special free zones for these industries. For example, Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City host major tech and media companies.

The Dubai Financial Market (DFM) started in 2000. It is a market for trading stocks and bonds. The NASDAQ Dubai is another stock exchange in the Middle East. It helps companies trade with investors from around the world.

The DMCC was created in 2002. It is a fast-growing free zone. Dubai is also called the "City of Gold" because a large part of its economy comes from gold trading.

In 2007, Dubai was ranked 44th among the world's best financial cities. By 2012, it was the 27th richest city in terms of buying power. Dubai is also an international financial center.

Dubai has started big projects to help its economy. These include Dubai Fashion 2020 and Dubai Design District. The Design District aims to be a home for top designers.

As of March 2024, Dubai started running the world's largest waste-to-energy plant. This plant will power about 135,000 homes. In July 2024, Dubai signed an agreement to build the world's largest logistics hub for food, fruits, and vegetables.

In 2024, Dubai ranked 12th out of 142 cities in the Smart City Index.

Real Estate and Property in Dubai

In September 2019, Dubai's ruler ordered a new committee to plan real estate projects. This was to balance the number of new buildings with what people needed. It was a move to control building speed after property prices went down.

The government wanted to grow beyond oil and trade. It focused on services and tourism. This made property more valuable from 2004 to 2006. However, some properties lost a lot of their value from 2001 to 2008.

Large building projects have led to some of the world's tallest skyscrapers. These include the Emirates Towers, the Burj Khalifa, the Palm Islands, and the Burj Al Arab. Dubai's property market faced a big slowdown in 2008 and 2009. This was due to the global economic crisis. It affected property values, construction, and jobs.

Until 2022, real estate agents and lawyers in Dubai did not have to report large cash or cryptocurrency deals. In September 2024, Dubai made its crypto rules stricter. Companies promoting digital money must now warn about risks.

Tourism and Shopping in Dubai

Tourism is a very important part of Dubai's plan to bring in money. Dubai attracts tourists mainly for shopping. But it also has old and new attractions. In 2018, Dubai was the fourth most-visited city in the world. It was also the fastest-growing. The city had 14.9 million visitors in 2016. It hoped to reach 20 million tourists by 2020. A big attraction is the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building.

Dubai has been called the "shopping capital of the Middle East." It has over 70 shopping centers. This includes The Dubai Mall, which is the world's second-largest. In June 2024, plans were announced to expand The Dubai Mall. This would add 240 luxury stores and new food places.

Dubai is also known for its old souk (market) areas. These are on both sides of Dubai Creek. Traditionally, boats from Asia would unload goods here. People would then bargain for them in the souks. Dubai Creek was very important for the city's growth. As of 2013, Dubai Creek was suggested as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many fancy shops and jewelry stores are also in the city. Dubai is called "the City of Gold" because the Gold Souk has almost 250 gold shops.

Dubai Creek Park is also important for tourism. It has attractions like the Dolphinarium, Cable Car, and Exotic Birds Shows.

Dubai has many parks like Safa Park and Mushrif Park. Mushrif Park shows different houses from around the world. Visitors can see the architecture of each house.

Some popular beaches are Umm Suqeim Beach and JBR Open Beach. A 2019 study found that tourists spend more money in Dubai than in any other country. In 2018, it topped the list for the fourth year.

In October 2019, Dubai made its alcohol laws less strict for tourists. Tourists could then buy alcohol from state-controlled stores. Before, only locals with special permits could buy it.

Expo 2020 in Dubai

On November 2, 2011, Dubai made a last-minute bid to host Expo 2020. Officials who visited Dubai in February 2013 were impressed by its readiness. In May 2013, the Dubai Expo 2020 Master Plan was shown. Dubai won the right to host Expo 2020 on November 27, 2013.

The main site for Dubai Expo 2020 was a 438-hectare (1,083-acre) area. It was part of the new Dubai Trade Centre Jebel Ali. This area is between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Expo 2020 also created projects to help the city. For example, it started the world's largest solar power project.

The Dubai Expo 2020 was planned for October 20, 2020, to April 10, 2021. It would have 192 country pavilions. These would show stories from around the world.

Because of COVID-19, Expo 2020 was postponed by one year. It took place from October 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022.

Dubai aims to be a city that is easy for everyone to use, including people with disabilities. It has already made changes like wheelchair-friendly taxis. It also has sloped pavements and special floor indicators for visually impaired people at metro stations.

Dubai's Architecture

Dubai has many different kinds of buildings and designs. You can see many modern versions of Islamic architecture here. This is because there has been a big building boom in the Arab World, especially in Dubai. Top architectural firms from around the world have helped. As a result, modern Islamic and world architecture has reached new heights. Dubai now has more tall skyscrapers than any other city.

A major achievement was the Burj Khalifa (Khalifa Tower), finished in 2010. It is the world's tallest building at 829.8 meters (2,722 feet). The design of the Burj Khalifa was inspired by patterns in Islamic architecture. Its three-lobed shape comes from the desert flower hymenocallis, which grows in Dubai.

The completion of the Khalifa Tower gave Dubai the world's tallest skyline as of January 2010. The Burj Khalifa has the world's second-highest observation deck with an outdoor terrace. It is one of Dubai's most popular tourist spots. Over 1.87 million people visited in 2013.

The Creek Tower was planned to keep Dubai at the top for tall buildings. However, its construction was stopped during the coronavirus pandemic. No date has been set for it to continue.

Burj Al Arab Hotel

The Burj Al Arab (Arabic: برج العرب, Tower of the Arabs) is a very luxurious hotel. It is often called the "world's only 7-star" hotel. However, the hotel itself has never claimed this. It calls itself a "five-star deluxe property." A British journalist first used the term "7-star hotel" to describe their experience. The hotel opened in December 1999.

Burj Khalifa Skyscraper

Burj Khalifa was known as Burj Dubai before it opened. It is an 828-meter (2,717-foot) tall skyscraper in Dubai. It is the tallest building in the world. The tower's design was inspired by the Hymenocallis desert flower. Over 30 companies and workers from a hundred countries built it. It is an amazing building, named after Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The building opened on January 4, 2010.

Palm Jumeirah Island

The Palm Jumeirah is an artificial group of islands. It was made by adding land to the sea by Nakheel, a company owned by the Dubai government. It was designed by Helman Hurley Charvat Peacock/Architects, Inc. It is one of three planned islands called the Palm Islands. These islands stretch into the Persian Gulf. The Palm Jumeirah is the smallest and first of the three Palm Islands. It is located on the Jumeirah coast of Dubai. It was built between 2001 and 2006.

The World Islands

The World Islands are a group of small artificial islands. They are built in the shape of a world map. They are located in the Persian Gulf, 4.0 kilometers (2.5 miles) off the coast of Dubai. The World islands are mostly made of sand dug from Dubai's shallow coastal waters. They are one of several artificial island projects in Dubai.

Dubai Miracle Garden

On February 14, 2013, the Dubai Miracle Garden opened in Dubailand. It is a 72,000 square meter (775,000 square foot) flower garden. It is the world's largest flower garden. The garden has over 50 million flowers and more than 70 types of flowering plants. It uses recycled wastewater from the city and waters plants with a drip system. The garden closes during the hot summer months from late May to September.

The Aeternitas Tower

In early January 2024, Dubai announced plans to build The Aeternitas Tower. This will be the world's tallest residential clock tower. It will be 450 meters (1,476 feet) tall, which is four times the height of London's Big Ben. The tallest clock tower right now is the Makkah Clock Royal Tower in Mecca. The tower's name, "Aeternitas," comes from an ancient Roman goddess of eternity. This project is a partnership between London Gate, a Dubai real estate developer, and Franck Muller, a Swiss luxury watchmaker.

Dubai Marina

Dubai Marina is an artificial canal city. It is built along a 3-kilometer (2-mile) stretch of the Persian Gulf shoreline. As of 2018, 55,052 people lived there. When finished, it will house over 120,000 people in towers and villas. It is located between Jebel Ali Port and the areas of Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, and the American University in Dubai. The first part of this project is complete. Dubai Marina was inspired by a similar development in Vancouver, Canada. Sometimes, marine animals like whales and sharks enter the marina because it is close to the open sea.

Address Beach Resort and Residences

This building has two towers connected at the bottom. They are also connected by a sky bridge at the top, from the 63rd to the 77th floors. The sky bridge has luxury apartments on the world's highest usable sky bridge floor, at 294.36 meters (966 feet). It is called Jumeirah Gate and opened in December 2020. It is located along the beach. The towers also have the world's highest infinity pool on a building's roof, at 293.906 meters (964 feet) high.

Getting Around Dubai

Transportation in Dubai is managed by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). This is a government agency formed in 2005. In the past, public transport had problems with traffic and being on time. But a large investment of over AED 70 billion (about $19 billion) was planned to fix this by 2020. In 2009, there were about 1,021,880 cars in Dubai. In January 2010, only 6% of Dubai residents used public transport.

Roads in Dubai

Five main roads run through Dubai. These connect the city to other towns and emirates. They are E 11 (Sheikh Zayed Road), E 311 (Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road), E 44 (Dubai-Hatta Highway), E 77 (Dubai-Al Habab Road), and E 66 (Oud Metha Road). Many important roads inside the city connect different areas. These include D 89 (Al Maktoum Road), D 85 (Baniyas Road), and D 75 (Sheikh Rashid Road). The eastern and western parts of the city are connected by several bridges and a tunnel.

The RTA runs Dubai's public bus system. The bus system has 140 routes. It carried over 109 million people in 2008. By the end of 2010, there were 2,100 buses in the city. In 2006, the transport authority announced plans to build 500 air-conditioned bus shelters. They planned 1,000 more to encourage people to use buses.

All taxi services are licensed by the RTA. Dubai taxis are cream-colored. Their roof colors show which company operates them. Dubai Taxi Corporation is the largest operator. There are also private operators like Metro Taxis and Arabia Taxis. A special Ladies and Families taxi service has female drivers for women and children. Over 3,000 taxis operate in Dubai. They make about 192,000 trips daily, carrying about 385,000 people.

Air Travel in Dubai

Dubai International Airport (IATA: DXB) is the main airport for Dubai and the UAE. It is the hub for the Emirates airline. The airport is the third-busiest airport in the world for passenger traffic. It is also the world's busiest airport for international passengers. Besides passengers, it is the sixth-busiest cargo airport, handling 2.37 million tons of cargo in 2014. Emirates is Dubai's national airline. As of 2018, it flew to over 150 places in more than 70 countries.

The Al Maktoum International Airport (IATA: DWC) was announced in 2004. The first part of the airport has one runway for large planes. It also has a cargo terminal and a passenger terminal for five million people per year. When finished, it will be the largest airport in the world. It will have five runways and capacity for 160 million passengers.

Rail Transport in Dubai

The Dubai Metro has two lines: Red and Green. They run through the city's business and living areas. It opened in September 2009. The trains are fully automated and have no drivers. The Red Line is the main one, with 29 stations. The Green Line has 20 stations. An extension to the Red Line opened in June 2021, connecting to the EXPO 2020 site. A Blue and a Purple Line are also planned.

A monorail line connects the Palm Jumeirah to the mainland. It opened on April 30, 2009. It is the first monorail in the Middle East. An extension to connect to the Dubai Metro's Red Line is planned.

A tramway in Al Sufouh will run for 14.5 kilometers (9 miles). It will go along Al Sufouh Road from Dubai Marina to the Burj Al Arab. It will connect with the Dubai Metro's Red Line. The first part opened in 2014.

Dubai has announced it will complete a link to the UAE high-speed rail system. This system plans to connect with the whole GCC region. It could then connect to Europe. The high-speed rail will carry both people and goods.

Waterways in Dubai

Dubai has two main commercial ports: Port Rashid and Port Jebel Ali. Port Jebel Ali is the world's largest human-made harbor. It is the biggest port in the Middle East and the 7th-busiest port globally.

One traditional way to cross Dubai Creek is by abras. These are small boats that carry passengers between Bur Dubai and Deira. The Marine Transport Agency also has the Dubai Water Bus System. This is an air-conditioned boat service across the creek. You can also take a tourist water bus. The newest addition is the Water Taxi.

Dubai is improving its ports and logistics to boost trade between Europe, China, and Africa. Ports like Jebel Ali and Mina Rashid are being expanded. They are also investing in new technology. The country is part of the Maritime Silk Road. This route goes from the Chinese coast to the Red Sea and then to Europe.

Dubai's Culture

The culture of the UAE mostly reflects traditional Arab culture. Arab and Islamic influences are strong in its buildings, music, clothes, food, and way of life. Five times a day, Muslims are called to prayer from mosques. Major holidays include Eid al-Fitr, which ends Ramadan, and National Day (December 2), which celebrates the UAE's formation.

Dubai's culture changed from a small pearling community. First, Iranians arrived in the early 1900s. Then, Indians and Pakistanis came in the 1960s. In 2005, 84% of Dubai's city population was born outside the UAE. About half of them were from India.

From 2006 to 2022, the weekend was Friday and Saturday. This was a mix of Friday being holy for Muslims and the Western weekend. On January 1, 2022, Dubai changed to a four-and-a-half-day work week. The weekend now includes Friday afternoon, Saturday, and Sunday.

Because many people visit Dubai, its culture has become known for luxury and grandness. Dubai is also known for its nightlife. Clubs and bars are mostly in hotels due to alcohol laws. The New York Times called Dubai a city where you might see famous people.

Yearly events like the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) attract over 4 million visitors. They bring in more than $2.7 billion. Dubai was named IFEA World Festival and Event City, 2012 for cities with over one million people.

Large shopping malls like The Dubai Mall (the world's largest) attract shoppers. Traditional souks like the Dubai Gold Souk are also popular.

Food in Dubai

Arabic food is very popular everywhere in Dubai. You can find it from small shawarma shops to fancy hotel restaurants. Fast food, South Asian, and Chinese foods are also very common. Pork is sold only to non-Muslims in special areas of supermarkets and airports. Alcoholic drinks are also regulated. Shisha and qahwa (coffee) shops are popular. Biryani is also a favorite dish, especially among Indians and Pakistanis in Dubai.

The first Dubai Food Festival was held from February 21 to March 15, 2014. This event aimed to celebrate Dubai as a food capital. It showed off foods from over 200 different countries.

Entertainment in Dubai

The Dubai Opera opened on August 31, 2016. It is in Downtown Dubai. It is a 2000-seat center for performing arts. It can host shows, concerts, operas, weddings, and conferences. Arabic movies are popular in Dubai. Since 2004, the city has hosted the annual Dubai International Film Festival. This festival shows films from Arab and Middle Eastern filmmakers.

Dubai has a lively contemporary art gallery scene. Since 2008, galleries like Carbon 12 Dubai and Green Art have made the city known in the international art world. Art Dubai is a growing art fair in the region. The Theatre of Digital Art Dubai (ToDA) opened in 2020. It shows immersive digital art.

Media in Dubai

Many international news agencies have offices in Dubai Media City. These include Reuters, APTN, and Bloomberg L.P.. Local TV channels like Dubai One and Dubai TV offer programs in English and Arabic. Dubai is also home to several newspapers. Dar Al Khaleej and Al Bayan are major Arabic newspapers. Gulf News and Khaleej Times are the largest English newspapers.

Etisalat, a government-owned company, used to control almost all phone services in Dubai. But other companies like Du started in 2006. The internet came to Dubai in 1995. Dubai has two of the country's four Domain Name System (DNS) data centers. The government controls internet content. It filters content that it believes goes against the country's values.

Sports in Dubai

Football and cricket are the most popular sports in Dubai. The headquarters of the International Cricket Council is in Dubai. Three football teams from Dubai play in the UAE Pro-League. These are Al Wasl FC, Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai FC, and Al Nasr SC.

Dubai also hosts yearly tennis tournaments like the Dubai Tennis Championships. It also has golf tournaments like the Dubai Desert Classic. The Dubai World Cup, a horse race, is held every year at the Meydan Racecourse. Dubai's top basketball team is Shabab Al Ahli Basket. Dubai also hosts the Dubai Sevens rugby tournament. In 2009, Dubai hosted the 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens. Auto racing is also popular in Dubai. The Dubai Autodrome hosts many racing events. It also has an indoor and outdoor Kartdrome. The Indian Premier League cricket competition was held in the UAE in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dress Code in Dubai

The traditional clothes in Dubai are similar to other countries in the Arabian Peninsula. Women usually wear the "abaya", a long black robe. They also wear a hijab, which covers the neck and part of the head. Some women might also wear a niqab, which covers the mouth and nose, leaving only the eyes showing. Men wear the "kandurah" (a long white robe) and a headscarf (ghotrah). The traditional UAE ghutrah is white. It is held in place by an "egal", a black cord. Younger Emirati men sometimes wear red and white ghutrah tied like a turban.

This dress code is not always required. Many people wear Western or other Eastern clothes without problems. However, visitors to Dubai are expected to dress modestly in most public places. This means not showing too much skin. These rules are part of Dubai's laws.

Learning in Dubai

The school system in Dubai follows the rules of the United Arab Emirates. As of 2009, there were 79 public schools run by the Ministry of Education. These schools serve Emirati and Arab students. There were also 207 private schools. Public schools teach in Arabic, with English as a second language. Most private schools teach in English. Only the Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai offers classes in English/French or English/German. Most private schools serve specific groups of students from other countries.

About 36 schools offer an international education using the International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. These are for students aged 3–19. Many schools also offer the IB Career-related Programme.

There are more UK-curriculum schools in Dubai than any other type. However, more students attend Indian-curriculum schools. These schools are usually larger and cost less. There are 34 Indian-curriculum schools in Dubai. Most offer the CBSE syllabus. Some offer the ICSE Indian syllabus. Examples include IHS and DPS. A few Pakistani schools offer the FBISE curriculum for children from Pakistan.

A total of 18 schools offer British primary education up to age 11. There are 64 schools that offer British secondary education. This includes GCSE and A-Levels, or I/GCSE up to age 16, and then the IB Diploma. Some schools, like The American School of Dubai, also offer the United States curriculum.

Dubai has an active education regulator called the KHDA. It is known for its school ratings. It works to improve school quality in Dubai. Its inspections are important, and school quality has improved because of them. As of 2020, 17 schools were rated "Outstanding," and 40 were rated "Very Good." Parents generally rate schools highly.

The top 10 largest universities in Dubai by student numbers (2024) include Middlesex University Dubai, Heriot-Watt University Dubai, and University of Wollongong in Dubai. They offer courses in many subjects. The most popular areas are Business, Information Technology, and Engineering. Most universities in Dubai are in special education zones.

Only 4 Dubai universities are in the QS World University Rankings 2024/2025. To help assess more UAE universities, the Ministry of Education launched a classification system. This system ranks UAE universities based on their research and teaching.

Healthcare in Dubai

Healthcare in Dubai has two parts: public and private. Each Emirate can set its own healthcare rules. Public hospitals in Dubai were first built in the late 1950s. They have grown with public health efforts. There are now 28 hospitals in Dubai: 6 public and 22 private. Three more major hospitals are planned by 2025.

By the end of 2012, there were also 1,348 medical clinics. 97% of these were private. In 2015, Dubai made health insurance required for everyone living there. This led to more demand for medical services.

Dubai Hospital is a public hospital and part of the Dubai Department of Health and Medical Services. It was decided to build Dubai Hospital in 1977. It started taking patients in March 1983. The hospital has 14 floors. The bottom two are for emergencies and outpatients, and the top ten are for patient wards.

Dubai's Sister Cities

Dubai is twinned with these cities:

Images for kids

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  Bronze and iron alloy dagger, Saruq Al Hadid archaeological site (1100 BC)

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  Al Fahidi fort in the 1950s

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  Al Fahidi Fort, built in 1787, houses the Dubai Museum.

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  A watchtower in Bur Dubai, c. 19th century

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  The Al Ras district in Deira and Dubai Creek in the mid 1960s

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  The Al Ras district in Deira and Dubai Creek in the mid 1960s

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  Adi Bitar in a meeting with Sheiks Rashid Al Maktoum, Mohammad Al Maktoum and Maktoum Al Maktoum in Dubai, 1968

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  Dune bashing in one of the deserts of Dubai

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  Dubai by Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite in false-colour in 2024

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  Mosque in Al Barsha

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  United Christian Church of Dubai

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  Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai

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  Sheikh Zayed Road

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  Dubai Marina

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  Port of Jebel Ali

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  National Bank of Dubai

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  Hotel Atlantis in Dubai

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  Ain Dubai

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  The Dubai Mall Aquarium

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  The Dubai Fountain in Burj Khalifa lake, Downtown Dubai

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  View of the Palm Jumeirah and Burj Al Arab

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  Sign of Expo 2020 Dubai UAE at Dubai International Airport

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  Skyline of Downtown Dubai from a helicopter in 2015

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  Interior of a Dubai Metro station

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  Museum of the Future

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  Dubai Police Agusta A-109K-2 in flight near Burj Khalifa

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  The Palm Jumeirah

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  Dubai Marina

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  Tolerance Bridge of Business Bay

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  E 11 Road

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  Dubai International Airport is the busiest airport in the world by international passenger traffic.

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  Dubai Metro is the first kind of rail transportation in the UAE, and is the Arabian Peninsula's first urban train network.

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  Dubai Tram is one of the first completely ground-level power supply-based tram networks in the world.

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  Abras and dhows are traditional modes of waterway transport.

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  Museum of the Future

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  Meydan Beach Club, Jumeirah

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  Traditional Middle Eastern spices at the Dubai Spice Souk in Deira, Old Dubai

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  Dubai Opera

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  Etisalat's headquarters in Dubai

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  Dubai Tennis Stadium

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  Men wearing the kandurah and the traditional ghotrah, held in place by an egal

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  University of Wollongong in Dubai

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  The Dubai Hospital

See also

In Spanish: Dubái (ciudad) para niños