 | Dubai Today Glitz, glamor, gloss! All this comes to mind when you talk about Dubai, the city which has risen from the vast stretches of barren Arabian sands to the bustling metropolis it is today. From gypsum and lime houses with their distinctive wind towers to cool them, to high-rise, high-powered buildings, Dubai has come a long way. Today Dubai, the commercial capital of the UAE, enjoys the distinction of being a city where people of 200 nationalities co-exist in peace and harmony. A city which has many ‘firsts’ in its serpentine list of achievemnets – the world’s tallest building-Burj Dubai, |
 | Dubai back then Dubai is one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates and is the most important tourist destination among them. Less than a century ago, this region was a barren wasteland, home to bedouin tribes. Hundreds of years ago, a few settlers had made the mouth of the creek their base and it is from here that the city of Dubai flourished. Dubai was strategically located on the ancient trading route between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley and soon became a populated place. The main occupation of the people in those times was commerce, hunting, and raising sheep. Its geographical locat |
 | Burj Al Arab This iconic structure is the symbol of a modern Dubai. Shaped like a boat with a billowing sail and |  | Madinat Jumeirah Tradition and opulence combine to form a resort that is both luxurious and impressive. Styled to rep |
 | Al Maha Resort For those who like to go ‘far from the madding crowd’, the Al Maha Resort, named for the Arabian |  | Al Murooj Rotana Hotel Conveniently located off Sheikh Zayed Road opposite The Dubai Mall and Burj Dubai, Al Murooj Rotana |
 | Jumeirah Emirates Towers Conveniently located in the business district of Dubai, the Jumeirah Emirates Towers is ideal for th |  | Raffles Hotel Conveniently located next to Wafi Mall, the Raffles hotel boasts luxurious suites and hotel rooms wh |
 | Emirates Towers Boulevard If exclusivity is what you desire, then the Boulevard is just the right place for you. With two floo |  | Saks Fifth Avenue Enjoy the elegance of New York as you shop at Saks Fifth Avenue. Though half way across the |
 | Wafi City Wafi City is in a league of its own. Three pyramid shaped atrium roofs and the stained-glass window |  | Boutique 1 This boutique provides a chic atmosphere for you to browse through cutting-edge brand names as you s |
 | Al Liali Think jewelry, think Al Liali! The name Al Liali is synonymous with jewelry and stands out way above |  | Ounass This shop stocks ready-to-wear and accessories from all over the world. Some of the brands retailed |
 | Emirates Airlines International Festival of Literature It’s a celebration of the written word at the first ever Literature Festival in Dubai where over 6 |  | Ramadan Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting is a special time for all Muslims and is observed with great r |
 | Dubai Summer Surprises Summers in Dubai are full of fun and excitement as the city is in a grip of Summer Surprises, a pop |  | Desert Rock Festival Different styles of rock and heavy metal music meet on one stage at the Desert Rock Festival, the on |
 | Dubai Rugby Sevens The Dubai Rugby Sevens is a sell-out event and has been voted the city’s best sporting event 5 yea |  | Bride Show The Bride Show is an event looked forward to by not just brides to be, but all those interested in f |
 | Deira City Centre Food Court A large variety of cuisines from around the world are on offer at Deira City Center Food Court. From |  | India Palace Want to try out a place that is far from the madding crowd yet close enough to reach without traveli |
 | Da Vinci's Restaurant If its Italian you want then pay a visit to Da Vinci’s where you’ll be served authentic, t |  | Peacock Sheraton Jumeirah Beach, Jumeirah Beach Tel: (04) 399 5533. Website: www.starwoodhote |
 | Verre If it is a Gordon Ramsay’s venture, nothing can go wrong, right? The focus on this restauran |  | Al Mahara What better way to enjoy seafood than being among the fishes, well almost! To get to Al Mahara |
 | Fast Facts Location : Dubai is situated on the Arabian Gulf, in the northeastern part of the UAE. It is bordered by a 115 km coastline on one side and is surrounded by the Hajjar mountains on the other. Dialing code: Country code for the UAE -- +971 City code for Dubai – 04 For eg. if you are dialling from outside the UAE, you will dial 00971 4 xxx xxxx. Landline to landline phones within Duabi are free except in hotels. Emergency /Information numbers: Police -- 999 Fire -- 997 Ambulance – 998/999 Tourist Information Helpdesk -- 04 223 0000 Tourist Police – 800 4438 Coastguard – 04 345 0520 Car Breakdown Service -- Best to contact your car hire company. Arabian Automobile Association (800 4900 free phone) can also assist. Highway Patrol -- Telephone Directory Services -- 180/181 Telephone Assistance -- 100 Dubai International Airport -- 04 224 5555 Flight Enquiry -- 04 216 6666 Dubai Taxi -- 04 2080808 Population: Languages: Arabic is the official language in the UAE. However English is widely spoken by the diverse community of people residing here. English is also used in business communications. Urdu, Hindi, Farsi and Tagalog is also spoken by a large number of the expat community. Time zone: GMT +4 all the year round There is no daylight saving time. Average January temperatures: High 23°C Low 14°C Average July temperatures: Hig |
