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About Dubai
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About Dubai |
Dubai is a vibrant cosmopolitan city where ultra modern glass tower blocks sit alongside traditional markets (souks) and well-preserved heritage sites. It is also one of the fastest growing cities in the Middle-East with recent initiatives in the financial, tourism, real-estate and logistics sectors attracting worldwide interest and investment in the Emirate.
Regarded widely as one of the safest cities in the world, Dubai offers its residents an unsurpassed lifestyle in a secure, nurturing environment. Add to this Dubai’s all-year-round sunshine, sophisticated urban standard of living, tax-free economic environment, cutting-edge infrastructure, an advanced communication network, progressive transport services, and abundant recreational facilities – and you get a city that offers a lifestyle second to none.
Geography
Dubai is located along the Arabian Gulf, in the north-western region of the United Arab Emirates. The second largest of the seven Emirates, Dubai is divided by a long creek, and has a total area of roughly 3,900 square kilometres. It is located strategically at the crossroads of trade and commerce between East and West and serves as a central access point to countries spanning the Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent, Africa and Eastern Europe.
Economy
Aggressive growth strategies and diversification programmes have resulted in a reduction in the Oil and Gas sector’s contribution to total economic output of Dubai. International Trade, financial services, retail and manufacturing and services, tourism and hospitality, real-estate, aviation, logistics and media are sectors that dominate the economy now. A politically stable and forward-looking administration has led to the city developing a pro-business attitude and a strong commitment to the private sector. A favourable tax regime, business-friendly regulations and a relatively low-cost business environment have played a key role in attracting business investment from all over the world in practically every sphere of economic activity. This is reflected in the Emirate’s consistently strong economic indicators.
Local Time
The UAE is four hours ahead of GMT. Its time zone gives it an unparalleled advantage in connecting countries and business as disparate as the Far East and the USA.
Population
In 2008, the population of the United Arab Emirates was estimated at 4.76 million. The population of Dubai alone is currently estimated at 1.56 million. Dubai is a truly cosmopolitan city with people from over 185 nationalities choosing to live and work here. This progressive and multi-cultural society is tolerant to the beliefs and needs of its highly cosmopolitan community.
Lifestyle
Dubai boasts the award-winning airline – Emirates Airlines and the world’s first seven star hotel, the Burj al Arab. Home to major sporting events including the Dubai World Cup (the world's richest horse race), the Dubai Desert Gold Classic and the Dubai Rugby Sevens, Dubai is also a leading venue for world-class business forums. In September 2003, Dubai hosted the 2003 Annual Meetings of the Board of Governors of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund. Amongst the most recent attractions in Dubai are projects such as The Palm Jumeirah, (the world’s largest man-made island), Burj Dubai, (the tallest building in the world), Dubailand, (the largest theme and sports park in the world) and the Dubai Mall, (the largest shopping mall in the world). In September 2009, Dubai becomes the first city in the region to run a fully automated rail system, the Dubai Metro, the second longest driverless system of its kind in the world.
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