The United Arab Emirates (UAE) comprises seven members: Abu Dhabi (the capital city), Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Dubai is the most popular destination of them all.

Location

It is situated on the southern shore of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula. Dubai is the second largest Emirate after Abu Dhabi and is usually recognized as the 'Pearl of the Persian Gulf'.

Area

The total area of the country is about 83,600 square kilometers, much of it in Abu Dhabi emirate. Dubai, with an area of 3,885 square kilometers, is the second largest emirate. It is situated on the banks of the Dubai Creek, a natural inlet from the Gulf, which divides the city into the Deira district to its north, and Bur Dubai on its south, the city ranks as the UAE's most important port and commercial centre.

(http://www.germantravelnetwork.com/Html/D/Arabia/Dubai/background.htm)

Population

The current population is 1.4 million. Of these, 25% are Emirates citizens, 12% are other Arabs and 3% Western expats. Expatriates make up 80% of Dubai's population, 60% of which are Indians, Pakistanis and Filipinos who take the low-wage jobs.

(http://www.bradmans.com/Page/middleeastafrica/dubai/background/background.aspx)

Language

Language is the most important marker of identity for a country and the National Language in Dubai is Arabic. According to the Constitution of the country the official language in Dubai is Arabic, yet English is widely spoken and different regional languages namely Hindi and Urdu are also often used.

Economy

Dubai is the second largest and wealthiest emirate in the UAE. The discovery of oil in 1996 led to rapid economic growth, but Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed al-Maktoum (Dubai's ruler from 1958 to 1990) wisely diversified by ploughing the proceeds from oil into building infrastructure.

In 2004, 93% of Dubai's GDP came from non-oil sources and this share is increasingly in real estate, banking and tourism.

Dubai's real gross domestic product (GDP) surged to a record Dh198 billion in 2007. The main driver of this remarkable growth - outpacing the average growth rate forecast for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) - will be the non-oil sector, growing at a spectacular pace. According to Hisham Abdullah Al Shirawi, Second Vice-Chairman, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the key sectors fuelling the growth include tourism, retail, infrastructure, knowledge industry, transportation, logistics, manufacturing, professional and government services. He said Dubai's GDP growth was higher than other Gulf countries and major global economies even in 2005. After growing at an average of around 8.5 per cent in 2003, 5.9 per cent in 2004, 6.8 per cent in 2005, and 6 per cent in 2006, GCC's GDP growth averaged at 5.0 per cent in 2007. In 2020, the nominal GDP of GCC is projected to soar three-fold from US$773 billion to roughly US$2.3 trillion in 2020 at an average oil price of US$70 per barrel, according to McKinsey & Company Middle East.

( http://www.uaeinteract.com/docs/Dubai_set_to_sustain_11pc_GDP_growth/29323.htm )

Currency

The Currency in Dubai is the UAE Dirham (Dh), or the United Arab Emirate Dirham (AED), as it's termed in the international market. One Dirham is equal to 100 Fils. Dubai currency notes are available in denominations of 5,10,20,50,100,200,500 and 1000 Dirhams. The coins come in 1,5,10,25 and 50 fils and 1 dirham.

International Dialing Code for Dubai is +971 4