Location and Area
Dubai is located on the
southern shore of the Gulf in the southeastern
part of the Arabian Peninsula in the Middle East
. It is the second largest of the seven emirates
that make up the United Arab Emirates and ranks
as the country's leading commercial center.
Climate
Dubai
has a sub tropical arid climate. It is sunny
throughout the year. Temperatures range from 10
- 25 degrees Celsius in winter and can reach as
high as 45 degrees Celsius in summer. Rainfall,
if at all, occurs in the winter months Dec -
Mar.
Local Time
The UAE is four hours ahead of
Greenwich Mean Time.
Currency
The Abu Dhabi International
Exhibition Centre has hosted some of the most
prestigious international events like IDEX
(International Defense Exhibitions) etc. The Abu
Dhabi Shopping Festival held every year in early
March is filled with fantastic bargains, sale
and prizes from all the shopping malls.
The monetary unit is the Dirham (Dh),
which is divided into 100 fils. The official
exchange rate is US$ 1 = Dh 3.675.
Language
The
national language is Arabic but English is
widely used in business.
Shopping
Dubai
is a veritable shopper's paradise! Home to the
Dubai Shopping Festival and Dubai Summer
Surprises, Dubai is famous for offering top
international brands at unbelievably reasonable
prices. Independent shops are generally open
from 10am until 1pm and from 4.30pm until 10pm.
Opening hours at shopping malls is throughout
the day from 10am - 10pm. However, on Fridays,
they open from 2pm - 10pm. Some even stay open
until midnight!
Dubai is an important
regional retail centre attracting shoppers from
the Middle East and as far a field as Russia and
Thailand. A vast range of products is available,
from clothing to cosmetics, toys, books and
electronic products, usually at attractive
rates.
Dubai's diversity means that
visitors can enjoy a whole range of different
experiences. From the beautiful undulating
desert sands to the bustling downtown areas -
the vast unspoiled beaches and the mountains to
the east - Dubai is a city of adventure,
contrast, discovery and surprise.
Leisure activities
A truly cosmopolitan city,
Dubai offers a varied and enjoyable social life,
and dinner parties and barbecues are popular
forms of private entertainment. Hotels offer a
wide range of facilities including dinner,
theatre and concerts. Cultural interests are
well catered for and a number of clubs and
societies exist for those interested in art,
music and drama.
Recreational and
sporting facilities in Dubai are excellent. The
area is ideal for all types of water sports -
diving, boating, sailing, fishing and
water-skiing. Such activities can be arranged
both through specialized clubs or the leading
hotels and tour operators.
On land,
Dubai is the pioneer of golf in the Middle East
and has three championship standard courses: one
at the Emirates Golf Club and one each at Dubai
Creek Golf and Yacht Club and Dubai Golf and
Racing Club. Golf may also be played on sand at
the Nad Al Sheba Club. There is another grass
course at the Jebel Ali Hotel and Golf Resort.
Sports lover will find a range of
tennis, squash and health-club facilities in
Dubai. It is also possible to ride, ice-skate,
bowl, go-kart and play rugby, soccer, polo or
cricket.
Media
There are two English language
newspapers published in Dubai - Gulf News and
Khaleej Times. International newspapers,
magazines and journals can be bought at
bookshops and supermarkets.
Medical Care
Medical services in Dubai are
of an International standard. The very best of
medical care is available in Dubai.
Sports Facilities
As Dubai enjoys sunshine all
year round, outdoor sports are extremely
popular. Sports enthusiasts are well catered for
and the city's facilities for golf, diving,
go-karting, tennis, cricket, jet skiing, flying,
horse riding, water-sports and deep-sea fishing
are truly magnificent.
Visas
All visitors except AGCC
nationals require a visa sponsored by a local
entity such as a hotel or company. Visitors may
apply for a transit visa (for 14 days), a visit
visa (for 30 days renewable), or a tourist visa
(for 30 days non-renewable). British citizens
with a right of abode in the UK and expatriate
residents of the AGCC who meet certain criteria
may obtain 30 days visas on arrival. All current
regulations should be checked before travelling,
as they are subject to change.
In and around Dubai
Camel rides, camel races, gold
souks, silver souks and fabrics from around the
world can be seen availed here. From Barren
mountains and remote villages - red sands,
yellow sands, oasis and wadis - water-parks and
wonderful architecture - Dubai is like no other
city in the world - to visit Dubai is to
experience both the traditional and the ultra
modern - the sophisticated city and the rugged
terrain of mountains and desert. A true
adventure which attracts increasing numbers -
both on business and in pursuit of a new and
exciting holiday destination.
The desert
is an opportunity to experience an adventure
like no other - take a four wheel drive vehicle
to spectacular desert terrain where the dunes
reach 100 metres and the landscape is at once
awesome and picturesque. Guests enjoy candle-lit
suppers in traditional bedouin tents whilst
being entertained by exotic belly-dancers. And
no trip to the desert would be complete without
a camel ride.
Water sports in Dubai are
truly impressive. On the Jumeirah beach a coral
reef has been constructed some 2 kilometres
off-shore and diving is just part of a huge
range of water based activities. Sailing,
water-skiing and of course swimming are
available at numerous locations.
Variety
is at the heart of the Dubai experience -
whether its peace and quiet on secluded beaches
- or adventure and challenge on a desert safari
- has sufficient depth to satisfy even the most
seasoned traveller.
Dubai has rapidly
become a vital real estate hub in the world and
is considered by many as home. Dubai attracts
millions of tourists every year with its sunny
skies, blue sea and 5-star services and
amenities.
Renowned for traditional Arab
hospitality, the UAE boasts a stable economy
backed by oil industry, state-of-the-art
infrastructure, superior living standards, and
endless opportunities.
Amongst the
emirates that form the UAE, Dubai has positioned
itself as the? Commercial hub of the region? The
largest manmade seaport in the world, one of the
biggest airports, and up-to-the-moment
logistical facilities have been instrumental in
Dubai ? senviable status.
The emirates
offers one of the safest and most secure living
environments in the world. Coupled with this,
world-class educational and healthcare
facilities also make Dubai an ideal place to
raise a family.
International Air Show,
International Motor Show, Powerboat Racing,
Desert Classic Golf, Dubai Tennis Open, Dubai
Shopping Festival, Dubai World Cup sporting the
biggest prize money for horse racing in the
world?
Dubai always has something to
keep itself under the limelight. No wonder, over
300 of the Fortune 500 companies have their
corporate presence here.
With a clear
vision of its future, Dubai presents great
potential for progress and promises an exciting
future. Some of the most ambitious projects in
the region such as the Palm Islands , the World
Project, DubaiLand and the tallest tower in the
world are taking shape in Dubai .
Some Important
Facts |
| Language: |
Arabic (Official),
English |
| Religion: |
Islam |
| Currency: |
Dirhams |
| Exchange Rate: $ 1 |
Dhs 3.67 |
| Climate |
winter 15-25C Summer
27-45C |
| Time Zone: |
GMT +4 hrs |
| Added Benefit: |
Tax Free |
