Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The city of Dubai is located within the emirate of Dubai.  The city is on the emirate's northern coastline, in the Arabian Desert.  Dubai is the country's largest city and is home to over 2.1 million people. 

Dubai, دبي, is a global city.  In trying to diversify its economy from its lucrative oil industry, the main revenues now come from tourism, financial services and real estate.  Dubai is one of the world's fastest growing cities.  With only around 17% of the people being UAE nationals, it has the largest immigrant population in the world.  Almost everyone you come in contact with is from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, or the Philippines.

Dubai is known for its many large, and quite innovative, construction projects.  It is also known as the Middle East's premier shopping destination.  The city has more than 70 shopping malls, including Dubai Mall which is the largest shopping mall in the world.



Union House is where the first constitution was signed and the UAE was established, complete with a golden flag pole.






The oldest building in Dubai is the Al Fahidi Fort.  It was built in 1799.  Today it is part of the Dubai Museum.


The Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House is the former residence of the former ruler.  The house became the seat of the Al Maktoum family around 1894.  Today it is a museum detailing the old town.


The Jumeirah Mosque was built in 1976.  It can accommodate 1,300 people.  It is the only mosque in Dubai which is open to non-Muslims.


Architecture really sets Dubai apart from the rest of the world.  Here are some videos I found out on YouTube which give way more detail that I ever could.


The Atlantis is the first resort built on the Palm Jumeirah.  The 46 hectar (110 acres) five-star resort opened in 2008.

The Palm Jumeirah is an artificial archipelago that extends Dubai's shoreline in to the Persian Gulf.  It is shaped like a palm tree.  The Palm is the world's largest artificial island and can be seen from space.

The World is another artificial archipelago built off of the coast.  The World obviously resembles a world map.  The global financial crisis has put the +$14 billion project on hold.

The Burj Khalifa, at 829.8 meters (2,722 feet), is the tallest man-made structure in the world.  It's the tallest for now, until Sky City opens in January 2014, in Changsha, China.  Sky City will be about 10 meters (90 feet) taller.  Construction on Burj Khalifa began in September 2004, and it was officially opened in January 2010, at a cost of $1.5 billion.

The Burj Al Arab is the world's fourth tallest hotel.  It stands at 321 meters (1,053 feet) and, it too, is built on an artificial island.  It is designed to look like the sail on a ship.  It is referred to as the only 7-star hotel in the world.