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Dubai is the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the capital of the Emirate of Dubai and is undoubtedly the area’s beating heart.
Established in the 18th century as a small fishing and pearl diving village, in 1822 it had a population of about a thousand people living in a wind-swept town (most buildings made of interwoven palm fronds known as barasti) surrounded by a crude mud wall.
Until the 1930’s Dubai was known for its pearl exports, but the Great Depression that began in 1929 combined with the invention of cultured pearls sank what was once a very lucrative income.
Where once goats and camels roamed the 18th-century dusty village pathways, now many of the world’s most expensive motor cars travel on well-built, well-maintained roads to vie for parking space outside the city’s many prestigious and most luxurious establishments. This transformation can be mainly attributed to the city being declared a free port in 1901 (no taxes levied on imports and exports), and merchants being given incentives to trade in the area.
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By the time offshore crude oil was discovered (1966) Dubai was already a major trading and global transport hub for cargo and passengers. Oil revenue was influential in fast-tracking the development of the city that graces the coast of the Persian Gulf in modern times. Today, Dubai’s economy is driven by revenues generated by trade, tourism, aviation, real estate, and financial services while, interestingly, oil production currently accounts for less than 1% of the area’s gross domestic product.
Modern-day Dubai is indeed a marvel. From its spectacular man-made islands, impressive architecture – including the world’s tallest skyscraper, world-class hotels, spectacular water parks, underwater hotel rooms, indoor snow-skiing slopes, indoor theme parks, a stunning museum housed in an ancient fort, fabulous golf courses, both horse and camel racetracks, to desert safaris, dune bashing and, of course, its numerous souks offering shoppers a mouth-watering variety of products at sometimes unbelievably low prices.
Looking for a new pair of shoes, perfumes, luxury wristwatches, bespoke jewellery, electronics or hand-woven rugs or anything else for that matter? The souks will spoil you for choice! To add to the city’s attraction as a must-visit shopping destination, Dubai hosts an annual shopping festival during January/February each year where prices are even lower! The no-tax policy of Dubai resulted in the dazzling Gold Souk where it is possible to purchase gold items at perhaps the cheapest gold price in the world; furthermore, the price is even “negotiable” and can be haggled over! Just around the corner from the Gold Souk is covered Spice Souk where vendors sell aromatic frankincense, dried citrus, incense, chillies, exotic herbs, and spices, like saffron.
As a foreign visitor it’s safe (ranked the seventh safest city in the world in 2019) and easy to get around the city. Crossing the Dubai Creek to Deira by abra (a rough and ready, crowded floating “taxi”) is a cheap and fun experience, while on land there are about 3000 taxis patrolling the streets that can be hailed, it has a metro rail service, a monorail and tramway.
