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Bookmark & shareArabesque and Disneyesque, Dubai is the fastest growing city in the world.
Dubai today is flashy, fun and slightly surreal. Renowned for its sand, sun and shopping, it was once a tranquil town of coral-and-gypsum courtyard houses built by Persian traders and palm-frond huts housing Bedouin fisherman and pearl divers. Today shiny new skyscrapers reflect the mosques and wind towers of Old Dubai.
The audacity of the city's rulers is breathtaking. Running out of coastline to build hotels? Build vast artificial islands with 120km (74.5mi) of new beachfront. Need better connections with the world? Build up an award-winning international airline in 15 years.
Fast Facts
Population
1,400,000
Currency
Name: United Arab Emirates dirham
Code: AED
Symbol: Dh
Electrical Plugs
220V 50Hz
Languages Spoken
Official: Arabic
Time Zones
GMT/UTC +4 (Standard Time)
Country Dialing Code
+971
Weights & Measures
Metric
Dubai - Free Guidebook Chapter
Download the free Getting Started chapter or buy individual chapters from our Dubai guide, in our online Shop.
› Go to the Dubai download page.
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Disclaimer: We've tried to make the information on this web site as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information (like visas, health and safety, customs and transportation) with the relevant authorities before you travel.
