DAZZLING DUBAI
Dubai is one of the seven Emirates (states) that joined together in 1971 to form the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The other members are Abu Dhabi (the capital), Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain (each Emirate is named after its main city). Favorable business conditions and shrewd investment decisions have led to Dubai becoming one of the Gulf’s most successful and rapidly expanding economic environments and Dubai is now firmly established as the business, financial and commercial hub of the region. It is a prosperous and diverse market and the employment growth required to match its expansion provides excellent opportunities for both clients and candidates. Indeed, Dubai has the fastest growing population in the world and is home to an exciting, diverse, multi-cultural blend of young, dynamic, professional people all enjoying the unrivaled quality of life the Emirate has to offer. People are drawn to the City as much for lifestyle reasons as for the outstanding employment prospects on offer. In order to know more about this magnanimous city, here are ten facts about Dubai which are larger than life!
THE POPULATION (taedad alsskkan)
The local people, called Emiratis, are just 15% of the total population. Majority of the population is split between India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and European countries. Dubai is unusual in that the most of its population is comprised of expatriates. There are fewer but significant number of professional workers from cities such as the United States of America, United Kingdom, South Africa, Canada, France and Australia.
THE POLICE (shurta)
The Dubai Police Force is the 15,000 strong police force for the city of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates.The Dubai police fleet includes a Lamborghini, Ferrari, and Bentley. They are the cops who make NFS look realistic.
THE TALLEST BUILDING (‘atwal mabnaa)
The Burj Khalifa, known as the Burj Dubai before its inauguration, is a megatall skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It has a roof height of 828 m (2,717 ft), and with its antenna included, it stands a total height of 829.8 m (2,722 ft), making it the tallest building and the tallest structure in the world.
THE ADDRESS SYSTEM (nizam eunwan)
You may have trouble sending a letter to the United Arab Emirates if you don’t have a post office box. That is because Dubai has no street addresses, no zip codes or area codes, and no postal delivery service. Somehow, the city manages to not just survive, but thrive as a major regional hub and international center of finance and commerce. Hence, online shopping is not the right way to shop!
THE GOLD BARs (sabayik dhahab)
There are ATMs in Dubai that dispense gold bars. Gold to go is a product brand made by the TG Gold-Super-Markt corporation designed to dispense items made of pure gold from automated banking vending machines. The first gold-plated vending machine, located in the lobby of the Emirates Palace hotel in Abu Dhabi, dispenses 320 items made of gold, including 10-gram gold bars and customized gold coins.
THE DUBAILAND (‘aradi wa’amlak dubay)
Dubailand is an entertainment complex being built in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, which is owned by Tatweer (which belongs to Dubai Holdings). When announced in 2003 it was one of the most ambitious leisure developments ever proposed anywhere in the world costing $64.3 billion. Current estimates predict that Dubailand will open before 2020. Dubailand will be twice the size of Disneyworld in Florida and is expected to be the largest tourist destination by 2020. Go Alladin!
THE PETS (hiwan alyf)
Do you know what locals prefer to foster as ‘pets’ at home? Keeping wildlife as pets remains a major status symbol in the Persian Gulf region, especially in the UAE despite efforts by government officials and animal protection organizations to stop the banned, dangerous practice. A video online of a lioness trying to get comfortable in the trunk of an SUV on the streets of Dubai have also circulated a couple of times!
THE DUBAI MALL (markaz dubay lilttasuwwuq)
The Dubai Mall is the largest shopping center in the world with over 1,200 stores. Including many major brands such as Gymboree, Pottery Barn, Harley Davidson and a bunch of designers. Twice delayed, Dubai Mall opened on 4th November 2008, with about 1000 retailers, marking the world’s second largest-ever mall opening in retail history behind West Edmonton Mall.
THE BURJ AL ARAB (burj alearab)
The Burj al-Arab is a luxury hotel located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is the third tallest hotel in the world. Burj Al Arab stands on an artificial island 280 m (920 ft) from Jumeirah beach and is connected to the mainland by a private curving bridge. The shape of the structure is designed to mimic the sail of a ship. It has a helipad near the roof at a height of 210 m (689 ft) and a tennis court above ground. Also, a stunning 1,790 sq-mt. of 24-carat gold leaf covers the interior of the Burj Al Arab.
THE GOLD TRADE (tijarat aldhdhahab)
DMCC serves the entire gold value chain, from research and refining to trading and investing. Until a decade or so ago, Dubai’s nickname as the City of Gold was due to its historic Gold Souk. But since DMCC began investing in world-class infrastructure and services, the volume of gold traded in Dubai has been rising. It now accounts for around 25% of global trade, most of it within the Free Zone. 40% of physical gold traded in 2013 occurred in Dubai. All together, it weighed more than 354 elephants.
All in all, no one can deny the advanced position that Dubai has reached throughout its hard journey. Dubai is a beautiful city with world-renowned buildings and tourist attractions. In just 26 years, (1991–2017) Dubai has transformed into one of the richest cities from just an average desert town. All the lavishness in Dubai has its foundation in the hard work of the immigrants and workers who do not have the same social standing as the tourists who come to see the city.
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Post by Ameya Sharma/Travart Blogs
