Dubai
"A nation's glory is measured
by its past and present and its civilized
development, perpetuating the memory
of the past, the construction of the
present and the planning of the future."
H.H General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid
Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, Vice President
and Prime Minister of the UAE.
Area: The total area
of Dubai is approximately 2,428 sq
miles.
History: The seven
independent emirates of Abu Dhabi,
Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah,
Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah came together
to form the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
in the year 1971. While Abu Dhabi
is the capital city of the UAE, Dubai
remains its commercial centre.
Location: Located at the
crossroads of Asia, Africa and Europe,
Dubai lies on the South West corner
of the Persian Gulf.
Weather: Dubai enjoys
365 days of warm sunshine, with cooler
evenings and occasional showers in
the months between November to March.
Climate: The UAE
has a sub-tropical, arid climate with
infrequent and irregular rainfall,
amounting to less than 13 centimeters
a year. Temperatures range from a
low of 10 degrees (Celsius) to a high
of 48 degrees. The average daily maximum
is 24 degrees in January, rising to
42 degrees in July.
Local Time: The UAE is 4
hours ahead of GMT during winter and
3 hours ahead during daylight saving
in the summer month.
Language: The official
language is Arabic, although English
is the most commonly used language
in all areas that incorporate tourism
and commerce.
Currency: The Currency
is the Emirati Dirham which linked
to the US Dollar. The Dirham is commonly
referred to as either AED or DHS when
shown in written from such as on price
tags or menus. There are 100 fils
to one Dirham and coins.
The following Dirham exchange rates
are at the time of going to press:
One US $ = Dhs. 3.68.
Electricity: Electricity
services in Dubai are excellent and
power cuts in the electrical supply
are rare. Normal three - pin 13amp
British style plugs are used operating
on 220 / 240 volts. If the guests
need to purchase an adapter, all supermarkets
and most hotels will sell these.
Making telephone calls: All
local calls from one landline to another
are free in Dubai. However if calling
a mobile, it will be charged. Nevertheless,
the roaming fees (by using international
mobiles) are very high and people
are better off with using local mobile
SIM cards.
Alcohol: Alcohol
is widely available at many bars,
restaurants, hotels, and clubs. But
you cannot purchase alcohol from any
supermarket unless you have an alcohol
license.
Photography: There
are many great photo opportunities
in Dubai. But please bear in mind
however that local people may take
exception to being photographed wearing
their national dress without their
permission.
Cultural mix: Owing to the
resources and foreign enterprises
located in Dubai, more than 80% of
the population comprises of expatriates
from across the globe and the city
is home to almost 200 nationalities.
Transport: Dubai
offers a variety of inexpensive and
efficient public transportation and
you can choose between metered local
taxis, intra-city and inter-city buses,
private car hire services, trains
and abras (local boats).
Economy: The UAE
is one of the world's wealthiest countries,
with a GDP of US $54 billion (2000),
and has the third-largest proven oil
reserves in the world. While oil and
gas production form its foundation,
Dubai is increasingly broadening its
economic activity to include: real
estate, tourism, trading and manufacturing.
Dress code: Visitors
are free to dress according to their
personal choice. Dress sensibly, although
very revealing clothes shouldn't be
worn in public or places of worship.
Shorts and skirts are acceptable for
ladies. Most Emirati men and women
still choose to wear the traditional
national dress. Lightweight summer
clothing can be worn for most of the
year, but the temperature can drop
quite sharply at night during the
winter.
Safety and security:
Dubai is a very safe city for visitors
and residents alike, with minimal
chances of untoward events. However,
locking your car and minding your
personal belongings is always recommended.
Drugs
There is a zero tolerance in Dubai
in relation to drugs and illegal substances.
The penalties are extremely harsh
and should you be found with the slightest
amount of any substance you could
face the death penalty. Passenger
baggage is screened quite thoroughly
when entering Dubai.
Medical Insurance
Make sure you are fully covered for
medical treatment. Although pharmacies
provide medicines quite accessibly,
treatment, hospitalisation and evacuation
can add up to a large amount.
Travel Insurance
Make sure you are covered for unexpected
losses or expenses such as cancelled
flights, lost luggage, lost passport,
stolen cash, or credit cards, as it
can be difficult to request necessary
documentation without it. Keep all
your valuables in a safe place.
Funds
Bring enough funds, for your stay
and return. Although you can use credit
cards, and withdraw from ATMs, bank
transfers can take about a week. Change
your money only from authorized moneychangers
or banks in Dubai. As there are no
currency restrictions in the UAE,
all major world currencies can be
exchanged, with several internationally
renowned banks and hotels.
Water
Always drink bottled water that is
easily available everywhere in UAE.
Tap water is desalinated and safe
for drinking, but drinking bottled
mineral water is advisable.
Useful Link
Department
of Tourism & Commerce Marketing
Dubai
Chamber of Commerce & Industry
WhatsOnWhen
Hospitality:
Dubai is extremely well known for
its warm hospitality and rich cultural
heritage, and the Emirati people are
welcoming and generous in their approach
to visitors.
Place of Interest
The city of Dubai embraces its namesake
creek, dividing it into two halves.
The main sightseeing circuit in Dubai
is split between
Bur Dubai
and
Deira which lie
on opposite sides of the water, and
the gently curving
Dubai Creek
is an attraction in itself. You will
have plenty of opportunities for some
brilliant views of the city from the
water: gleaming skyscrapers on one
side, and old trading dhows on the
other.
Deira's many attractions include the
historic quarter of
Bastakia,
as well as old
souks
and
covered marketplaces.
Wandering along the alleys, you can
explore the
Spice Souk
and the
Gold Souk.
The
Dubai Museum
is housed within the beautifully restored
Al Fahidi
Fort, and is a must-see for
first time visitors to Dubai. Built
in 1799 to defend the city against
invasion, it has served as both palace
and prison and the museum's collection
includes life-size figures and galleries
depicting Arab houses, mosques, date
gardens, desert and marine life.
On the Bur Dubai side,
Heritage
Village, located in the
Shindagah
area, is a family destination
where you can watch potters, weavers
and artisans at their crafts. The
adjoining
Diving Village
offers a cultural microcosm of pearl
diving and fishing.
Sheikh
Saeed Al Maktoum House, a
museum restored from the house of
Dubai's former ruler and dating back
to the late 1800s, is within the same
complex. With its unusual layered
rooms and authentic wind towers, Sheikh
Saeed's House showcases regional architecture
at its best.
If you drive west from the city centre,
you will reach the popular suburb
of
Jumeira, home
to some of Dubai's finest luxury hotels
and resorts, unspoilt stretches of
sunny beaches and water sports complexes.
In Jumeirah is the
Grand Mosque,
re-built in 1998, with the city's
tallest minaret, nine large domes
and 45 small domes - a distinguished
landmark and an important place of
worship. About 115 kms south east
of Dubai, in the heart of the rocky
Hatta Mountains,
is the 3000 year old
Hatta
Village, an important historical
site for the region. The two towers
overlooking the village used to be
defence fortresses against hostile
invaders, and during a relaxed day
at the Village, you can visit the
Houses of
Traditional Handicrafts
and Palm Products, The Castle Centre,
and the 200 year old
Sharia
Mosque.
In contrast to the traditional attractions
of Dubai and the surrounding areas,
the city boasts world-class business
and leisure facilities.
Ski Dubai
Dubai is home to Ski Dubai - the first
indoor ski resort in the Middle East.
This unique resort spans 22,500 square
metres, which is temperature controlled
at -1° to -2°, and covered
with real snow throughout the year.
The theme of Ski Dubai is that of
a mountain resort - with qualified
instructors to guide you through the
intricacies of learning to ski or
snowboard. Inside the resort, a retail
shop, themed restaurants and the world's
largest Snow Park, offer something
for everyone.
Dubai is a veritable shopper's paradise!
Whether it is for
gold, electronics,
carpets, spices, textiles
or more.The city It is one of the
largest retail gold markets in the
world, selling everything from ingots
to intricately hand crafted Jewellery,
and bargaining is welcomed almost
everywhere. The Gold Souk area in
Deira has glittering Stores sstores
housing smaller shops. The newly built
Gold and Diamond Park
on Sheikh Zayed Road is an attractat
attractive place for serious jewellery
shoppers.
The city is also home to some of the
Middle East region's most prestigious
shopping malls, boutiques
and department stores that
house retailers of
haute couture,
hi-tech electronics, home furnishings
and accessories or traditional Arabic
crafts. Dubai is famous for
offering top international brands
at unbelievably reasonable prices.
The larger shopping mall complexes
also house cinema theatres, food courts,
entertainment centres and play areas
for children, allowing for complete
family shopping experiences.
Choose to browse through the older
markets and the narrow walkways located
in the
Meena Bazaar, Karama
and
Naif areas, dedicated
to
inexpensive leather goods
and textiles; computer and electrical
accessories and Arabic perfumes.
This is an excellent opportunity for
bargain hunting outside the glitz
and shine of Dubai's more well known
shopping arenas.
Most shopping venues and cultural
destinations sell a range of gifts
and souvenirs representing Dubai:
The Seven Sands of the UAE, traditional
Bedouin jewellery, sand art, packaged
dates and date products, Arabic sweets,
wooden crafts and palm leaf handicrafts.
DUBAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT is considered
the Middle East's premier and busiest
airport. Averaging over 280 flights
daily, Dubai International Airport
has more than 105 airlines operation
scheduled and charter services to
145 destinations across the world.
All Electronic devices will
be submitted for check up before immigration
section. Please do not carry any pirated
software, movies, or nude pictures.
This will be subject to confiscation.
Visa regulations: Travellers
holding passports of the following
countries can get a visa on arrival
at Dubai International Airport as
per the governing rules: Andorra,
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei,
Canada, Denmark, Finland, France,
GCC Countries, Germany, Great Britain,
Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland,
Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg,
Malaysia, Monaco, The Netherlands,
New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San
Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland, USA, Vatican
City.
Don't overstay your visa period, as
you will be charged per day.
