Dubai is one of the seven Emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates. It was formed on December 2, 1971 when Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al-Qaiwain and Fujairah entered into a union; they were joined the following year by Ras Al-Khaimah.

Since the discovery of oil in the 1960’s the country has seen phenomenal growth - in recent years the economy has grown at around 6% per annum. Abu Dhabi is the capital city and home to a majority of the oil and gas reserves.

However it is Dubai, through dynamic vision and innovative development that has become the region’s economic, media, tourism and entertainment magnet. A safe, clean, exciting cosmopolitan city, it has a modern legal system and infrastructure, and was the first to introduce foreign ownership of land in the region. With a high income per capita and year-round sunshine, a superb quality of life is assured.

Currency

The currency is the United Arab Emirate Dirham (AED or DHS). It has been fixed to the US$ at a rate of 3.671 for many years, therefore the US$ and many other major currencies are widely accepted.

Visas

English is spoken by the vast majority of people living and working in Dubai. All service staff – be they taxi drivers, waiters or hotel staff – speak English. Alongside Arabic, English is the language of commerce. Hindi, Urdu, Tagalog, Malayalang, Farsi, Pashtu and a host of other languages are widely spoken – reflecting Dubai’s extraordinarily rich culture.

Population

Due to the burgeoning economy, the population is growing at around 7% per annum. The 2005 census will see Dubai’s population reach approximately 1.5 million out of the UAE’s total population of approximately 5 million.

Entertainment

Dubai has become the Middle East’s leisure capital, building its reputation on the ability to offer both tourists and residents a uniquely enjoyable lifestyle. It offers some of the world’s largest and most exciting shopping malls, including one with an indoor ski-slope. It is bustling with modern, world-class nightclubs, bars and restaurants, as well as an array of theme attractions that is rapidly expanding. Dubai’s climate and warm sea offer outstanding watersports, while the desert is enjoyed by campers and off-road enthusiasts.