Local Facts & Figures of Dubai

Dubai, is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates. Located on the Eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, in the South West corner of the Arabian Gulf.
Dubai has a total area of approximately 2,428 sq miles. The seven independent emirates are: Abu Dhabi , Dubai , Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah. They came together to form the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the year 1971. While Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the UAE, Dubai is unquestionably the commercial, leisure, shopping and sporting capital of the Gulf.

Language

Arabic is the national language of the United Arab Emirates and Dubai, but English is often used in business. Hindi, Urdu and Farsi are also widely spoken. Dubai now has a population made up of more than 70 nationalities.

Economy

The UAE is one of the world's wealthiest countries, with a GDP of US $54 billion (2000), and has the third-largest proven oil reserves in the world. While oil and gas production form its foundation, Dubai is increasingly broadening its economic activity to include: real estate, tourism, trading and manufacturing.

Airport

Dubai International Airport , is a total 4 kms from the city centre.

Metered taxis are readily available at the airport. Most hotels operate courtesy coaches or limousines for guests with confirmed reservations. Emirates also offers its own complimentary chauffeur-driven car service, for full fare Business or First Class passengers.

Customs

Visitors of Dubai and United Arab Emirates may import 2,000 cigarettes or 400 cigars or 2 kgs of tobacco and 150g of perfume. Only Non-Muslims can import 2 litres of spirits or 2 bottles of wine.

Currency

The UAE Dirham (AED) is divided into 100 fils. Notes are issued in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 Dirhams; coins in 5, 10, 25 and 50 fils and 1 Dirham. Foreign currency and travellers cheques can be converted at all banks and hotels. International credit cards are accepted just about everywhere except at a few shops in the souks, however to prevent creditcard fraud we suggest to use cash whereever possible. There are no currency import or export restrictions.

Clothing

It is usual to wear a suit and tie when conducting business in Dubai. Otherwise dress is generally informal, although ladies should avoid wearing low-cut dresses or shorts in public places out of respect for local religion and customs. Regular swimwear is acceptable around hotel pools and on beaches.

Yearly Climate

Dubai enjoys 365 days of warm sunshine, with cooler evenings and occasional showers in the months between November to March.

The UAE has a sub-tropical, arid climate with infrequent and irregular rainfall, amounting to less than 13 centimetres a year. Temperatures range from a low of 10 degrees (Celsius) to a high of 48 + degrees. The average daily maximum is 24 degrees in January, rising to 42 degrees in July.

Getting around

Taxis
Three companies operate metered taxis in Dubai and they are easy to find on the street - Dubai Transport Corporation recognisable by their cream cars, National Taxis with silver cars and Cars Taxi with white and a blue/red stripe on their cars. The fares of non-metered taxis are negotiated between driver and passenger, starting at a minimum of around Dhs10 for short local journeys, while Dhs20 to Dhs30 is the rule of thumb if you cross the Creek from one side of the city to the other. Dubai Transport taxis also operate a service from the airport. The pick-up fee is Dhs16 and the fare then accrues at Dhs1.17 per kilometre.

Car-hire
Self-drive cars are available from car rental companies for visitors who have an international driving licence. Renters must produce their passport along with a valid licence. Visitors without an international driving licence may obtain a temporary local driving licence, as long as they hold a valid national licence from one of the following countries; Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, USA. Passport, valid national licence and two photographs are also required.

Driving in the UAE is on the right-hand side.

Roads and highways
Over the past two decades, Dubai has built an impressive network of first-class roads connecting all parts of the city and surrounding areas. Two bridges and a tunnel link the two main districts of Bur Dubai and Deira on either side of the Creek. The standard of roads to all major towns and villages is excellent and a 4-lane highway (Sheikh Zayed Rd) heads southwards from the city to Abu Dhabi . During peak times the major roads and highways become extremely conjested so leave with plenty of time spare.

Working Hours

Regular Businesses in Dubai
Although an increasing number of organisations now work Sunday to Thursday, the working week is still mainly Saturday through to Wednesday. Office hours vary widely, but are usually 0700-1300 and 1500-1800 or 1600-1900 with a 'siesta' in between.

Banks
0800-1300 Saturday-Thursday. Some banks re-open in the afternoon.

Government
0800-1400, Saturday to Wednesday.

Shops
0900-2000 or later. Many close for a couple of hours at lunchtime, reopening at four or five. Some are closed on Friday, although the downtown souks and major shopping malls tend to remain open.

Electricity

220 V AC, 50 Hz

International Direct Dialing code

00971 4

Emergency Services

Police : 999
Fire : 997
Ambulance : 998

Local time

GMT +4

Seasonal Highlights of Dubai

Dubai has a very eventful social calendar. With international sporting events, shopping and entertainment festivals, music and cultural programmes held at various indoor and outdoor venues all year around.
Varying from the world's richest horse race - The Dubai World Cup, and international jazz festivals, to the home grown Dubai Shopping Festival, Dubai also hosts regionally significant exhibitions and trade shows on a regular basis.
While the actual dates of many important events are timed to match the season, the Lunar calendar and the holy month of Ramadan change from year to year. The list below provides a guideline to Dubai's many events:

Yearly Event Calender

• January - The Dubai Marathon, Dubai Shopping Festival, Dubai International Jazz Festival, Emirates Cup Traditional Dhow Sailing Race, Dubai International Sailing Week Regatta
• February - The Dubai Terry Fox Run, Dubai Tennis Championships
• March - Dubai Desert Golf Classic, Dubai World Cup, Dubai International Kite Surfing Challenge
• April - International Jewellery exhibition
• May - Local and international events
• June - Dubai Summer Surprises, UAE National Sailing Championship
• July - Dubai Summer Surprises
• August - Dubai Summer Surprises
• September - Local and international events ( Dubai , the City that Cares festival)
• October - Gulf IT Exhibition (GITEX), UAE Desert Challenge
• November - Horse racing season, Dubai Traditional Dhow Sailing Race
• December - Rugby 7s, Dubai Air Show, Dubai Grand Prix, National Day celebrations
  

Sightseeing in Dubai

Dubai offers visitors a multitude of attractions, from the mystery of the desert and its sand dunes and surrounding mountain ranges to the five star beaches and hotels to the original Dubai featuring old houses complete with wind towers and contrasting modern high tech buildings and shopping malls.

Bastakiya

Get a glimpse of old Dubai , by wandering around the old Bastakiya district. Built in narrow lanes, the traditional courtyard houses with wind-towers give a good insight into how people lived. The wind-towers as well as looking attractive were functional as they provided a form of 'air conditioning' by filtering the air down into the house.

Excavation sites

Sites in Dubai of historical interest, are at Al Ghusais, Al Sufooh and Jumeirah. The first two are graveyards dating back more than 2,000 years. The Jumeirah site reveals artefacts from the seventh to 15th centuries.




Sheik Saeed's House

Dates from the late 1800s, was built near the sea, as an observation post of all the shipping activity below. It was built around a central courtyard with the traditional wind-towers.




Dubai Museum


The museum is housed in Al Fahidi Fort, which was an important landmark 150 years ago, as it once guarded the city's landward approaches. Built around 1799, it has served as a palace, garrison and prison. In 1970 it was converted for use as a museum. The museum is very innovative and imaginatively designed, in the fact that it depicts Dubai in the past, by showing how people lived during pre-oil days. There are purpose built areas showing typical scenes from traditional Arab houses and schools, mosques, the spice souks and people at work. The desert and the animals that inhabit it are depicted in an interactive way which is fun for both adults and children. A huge room is dedicated to marine life and the activities of the pearl divers.

Dubai Mosques

One of the largest and most beautiful of Dubai 's numerous mosques is Jumeirah Mosque which is a spectacular example of modern Islamic architecture. It is built of stone in medieval Fatimid tradition with twin minarets and a majestic dome. It stands as a city landmark and is worth visiting at night when it is fully illuminated.

Boasting the city's tallest minaret at 70 metres, the Grand Mosque near the Ruler's Court in Bur Dubai, has 45 small domes in addition to nine large ones, making it a dominant landmark and place of worship.

Heritage & Diving Villages

Go back in time and experience some of Dubai 's heritage. This is a traditional heritage village located near the mouth of the Creek where potters and weavers display their crafts. To keep all the family entertained, the following activities offer fun and interesting pastimes.

Dubai Zoo

The zoo in Jumeirah houses many indigenous Arabian species, including the Arabian Wolf, which is no longer found in the wild. Regional birds of prey can be found in the large aviary. Several Arabian mammals and many species of cats are also in the zoo.

Wonderland

This is a unique amusement and water attraction fun park for all the family. Set in 18-hectares, the theme park includes water rides, speed slides, a roller coaster and a power cart track. It also has a water mist show and water cinema, with videos projected onto a thin film of water.

Magic Planet

This children's entertainment centre in the Deira City Centre shopping mall, is a unique indoor site with ten-pin bowling and a variety of electronic games and even a mini pitch and putt.

Encounter Zone

This is in the Wafi shopping mall. If you fancy something different, both children and adults will be entertained. The Crystal Maze has a horror chamber and exciting 3-D films. There's even a roller coaster simulator, which is so close to the real thing. There are other rides to enjoy and the best being the Komet which shoots around the top of the building.

Water Park - Wild Wadi

Situated next to the Jumeirah Beach Hotel and 20 minutes from the centre of Dubai , this 12-acrewater park combines thrilling rides, a surf area, a wave pool and many more water activities for all ages.16 out of the 24 water rides are inter-connected, which means you never have to leave the water. The park is themed in the style of Sinbad and ancient Arabia and set in an authentic wadi setting.

Parks and Picnic Areas in Dubai

Around Dubai are numerous public parks and gardens offering a peaceful respite from urban life. Particularly popular with families, they offer attractive picnic spots and children's play areas with avariety of entertainment facilities. The largest of the city's parks are Jumeirah Beach Park , Dubai Creekside Park , Mushrif Park , Al Mamzar Park and Safa Park , while many smaller ones throughout the city provide pleasant green oases.

Golf Courses in Dubai

Even for the non-golfer, Dubai 's golf clubs are worth a visit, both for the spectacular architecture of their clubhouses and as examples of the successful greening and landscaping of the desert. More detail of the courses is given in the Sporting section.

A nine-hole 'country' course is available at the Hatta Fort Hotel where golfers have a unique fun experience of playing in craggy mountain scenery.

The Desert & Mountains

The desert provides numerous opportunities with four-wheel drive excursions, in your own vehicle, or with a tour company. Pack a picnic and explore what is over the other side of the dunes, but remember to take lots of water and a shovel in case you get stuck! Book a dune dinner with Arabian Adventures and experience a traditional Arabic meal in the desert under the stars. Or for a slightly slower mode of transport, ride a camel in the desert and imagine how the bedouins got about many years ago.


Winter is a good time to explore the beautiful scenery around the Hajar Mountains and its rock pools or drive through the wadis - dry beds of streams filled with water. Camping is also very popular in the winter months, when the weather is cooler. Full day and half day tours to Dubai 's neighbouring emirates and other places of interest are available, covering Abu Dhabi , Al Ain, Sharjah, Ajman , Wadi Hatta, Ras-al-Khaimah and the East Coast. Aerial sightseeing, dhow cruises, and special interest activities are also available.

Eating Out in Dubai

Dubai 's restaurants provide cuisine of every nationality possible, ranging from typical Arabic food, European, Indian to Far Eastern and American - the list is endless. Whether it's fine dining or fast food you want, Dubai has an outstanding choice of restaurants to choose from. Local and Arabic food is available in the smartest hotel to the humblest café. Locally caught seafood is plentiful and the quality unbeatable. Only restaurants in hotels and leisure complexes are licensed to sell alcoholic beverages.

Many restaurants provide a buffet where you will find an array of Middle Eastern dishes from Lebanon , North Africa , Iran and neighbouring Gulf countries. Typical dishes are hoummous, tabbouleh, stuffed vine leaves, roasted meats such as lamb or chicken, spiced rice dishes, stuffed vegetables such as courgettes and for dessert, the popular Umm Ali a type of sweet bread pudding or many desserts made of nuts.

There are numerous international fast food chains such as McDonalds, Burger King, Hardee's, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut, Round Table Pizza and Pizza Corner. Theme restaurants such as TGI Friday's, Planet Hollywood, Hard Rock Café and Henry J Bean's can also be found around the city. Recently, international coffee outlets have sprung up such as Costa Coffee and Starbucks plus hundreds of local tea and coffee shops.

Tipping

Restaurants, bars and hotels add a service charge. Additional gratuities are entirely discretionary and not necessary. Porters and bellboys expect modest tips. Taxi drivers do not expect a gratuity.

Entertainment

Dubai has a lively after-dark scene. Bars are situated in hotels or leisure complexes and offer upmarket cocktail bars, wine bars, themed bars and typical British or Irish pubs. You can eat in many of them and bands play regularly in some of them.

The young at heart can dance the night away, with popular DJs playing in numerous nightclubs around the city. There are also Middle Eastern, Indian and Asian nightclubs with singers and dancers performing regularly.

Famous singers and entertainment acts come to Dubai regularly and cater to all tastes and ages, while theatre tour groups perform their plays in Dubai as part of their world tour. Major dance groups from Europe and Asia and ballet and opera companies from around the world are regular visitors to the Emirates.

Sports in Dubai

The sun, sea and sand are the perfect combination for sporting activities in Dubai . The warm waters of the Arabian Gulf are ideal for sailing, windsurfing, water-skiing, fishing, snorkelling or scuba diving. Many of the beach hotels and specialised beach clubs offer facilities for water sports and lessons or use your own equipment on one of the many stretches of public beaches.

Alternatively on land, there are limitless sports you can play, or enjoy as a spectator. Choose to play golf on several courses around the Emirate. Dubai prides itself on having championship courses and annually hosts the Dubai Desert Classic, which recently attracted Tiger Woods as one of the main players. The three main courses are; Emirates Golf Club on the edge of the city which boasts two 18-hole courses, complete with water hazards and daunting bunkers.

Dubai Creek Golf Yacht Club another championship course is close to the centre of the city. Again, this features water hazards and cunning dog-legs. It also has a 9-hole par-three floodlit course. Nad Al Sheba Club, only 10 minutes from the city centre, is the Middle East 's only floodlit 18-hole course. For views over the Gulf, Jebel Ali Hotel and Golf Resort has a 9-hole course.

For a different type of skiing, try sand-skiing in the desert using a snowboard. Trips can be arranged by Arabian Adventures. Also try go-karting, ice-skating, archery, target shooting, bowling, tennis, off-road driving.