About the UAE and Dubai

The United Arab Emirates is a constitutional federation of seven emirates; Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Quwain, Ras al-Khaimah and Fujairah. The federation was formally established on 2 December 1971. The capital and the largest city of the federation, Abu Dhabi, is located in the emirate of the same name.

Four-fifths of the UAE is desert, yet it is a country of contrasting landscapes, from awe-inspiring dunes to rich oasis, precipitous rocky mountains to fertile plains.

The United Arab Emirates, one of the world’s fastest growing business and tourist destinations, has all the right ingredients for an unforgettable stay: an intriguing traditional culture, a safe and welcoming environment, top-class hotels and restaurants, unbeatable shopping, sun, sand, sea, sports.

Dubai is the second largest of the seven Emirates that make up the remarkably stable conglomeration that is the United Arab Emirates. In just over three decades, Dubai has transformed from a small settlement of palm frond and sea stone dwellings into an ultramodern city of gleaming skyscrapers, air-conditioned malls and luxury hotels.

Dubai today is a confident city. Traces of the old way of life still filter through however, with spice-filled souks (markets) and ancient trading dhows (wooden fishing boats) a common sight. The Emirate is a place of endless contrasts, a distinctive blend of modern city, timeless desert, east and west, old and new, merging the past, present and future. Lying on the blue waters of the southern Gulf and backed by the majestic desert, Dubai offers visitors a unique Arabian experience.