| T H E C I T Y B Y T H E S E A |
 DUBAI is a desert city-state on the shores of the beautiful Arabian Gulf, replete with clean, sandy beaches and clear, blue-green waters. It has an ancient heritage that survives amidst the skyscrapers and highways of a modern, cosmopolitan city of almost 700,000 people. Dubai is a city still firmly rooted in the rich Islamic traditions of its past but one that has adapted to the times: dress-codes and rules are much more relaxed here than in the rest of the Middle East. For instance, women are not required to always completely cover themselves, and they are not barred from driving or walking around in public; and there are no restrictions on the practice of other religions. Also, alcohol is served to non-muslims in bars and hotels and expatriate residents may obtain permits for purchasing alcohol in certain stores.DUBAI offers a breath-taking variety of attractions and activities for visitors. From the almost 200-year old Al Fahidi fort that houses Dubai Museum to the Emirates Golf Club--a wonder in the desert-- there are a multitiude of experiences to be had. Apart from golf and museums, tourists can also water-ski, go "dune sufing," swim, tan, sail, camel-ride, fish, go on safari and attend many international sporting and entertainment events.
 Information on other World Cities. |
| B E D O U I N H O S P I T A L I T Y |
IN the time-honoured tradition of the bedouins, the people of the city greet visitors with warm, friendly smiles and offer them unreserved hospitality.  A wide variety of lifestyles and beliefs are practiced in the city. Dubai has both Christian churches and Hindu temples-- an indication of the unusual degree of freedom and tolerance here as compared to other countries in the region. And the only thing the people ask in return is that vistors respect their customs and traditions during their stay in the city.
Especially during the Holy month of Ramadan, non-muslims are expected not to eat or drink in public between the hours of sunrise and sunset. Fasting officially ends at sunset with the customary firing of a cannon from the shore of the creek. Ramdan occurs at different times each year, according to the Islamic calendar which is based on the cycles of the moon.
 The Clock Tower has long been one of the most distingushable features of the city, perhaps second only to the Dubai World Trade Centre. Situated
on a roundabout that directs traffic to all parts of the city, the Clock Tower is a collusion of modern and traditional architecture. |
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THE Creek divides the city in two
-- Deira and Bur Dubai. The Creek was dug many years before the
sea ports of Rashid and Jebel Ali were built and it has been
mainly responsible for bringing the sea trade to Dubai. 
A Creek-side view of Deira, in the foreground are the small trading ships and dhows that dosk along the creek, and in the background is the Deira Tower, with the rotating restaurant at its top. |
Even today many
fishing boats and small ships dock along the Creek, whether to sell their
catch at the fish market or to offload merchandise from India, Pakistan
and other countries. Though the smaller vessels still use the Creek,
most of the large ocean going ships, including tankers and container ships,
as well as Medical and Passenger ships, like the one shown below, use Port
Rashid or Port Jebel Ali, which are among the busiest ship ports in the
Middle East.
 The Dubai World Trade Centre is the tallest building in the Arabian Gulf. It houses apartments, offices, restaurants, and convention halls. Numerous International events and exhibitions, like the World Chess Olympiad have been held there |
THE Jebel Ali Free Trade Zone also lies
along the Port of the same name, providing an attractive location for international
businesses to etablish their manufacturing facilities or representative offices. With no corporate or income taxes, and with the possibility of 100% foreign
ownership in the Free Zone Area(outside, most businesses require at least
51% ownership by a UAE citizen), a large number of companies have taken the
city up on its offer.
| W E A T H E R : i N F O R M A T I O N & T I P S |
DUBAI has a sub-tropical, arid climate-- meaning that it has little or no rain for most of the year. Much of the yearly rainfall occurs in winter, between the months of December and March; total rainfall usually does not exceed 13cm a year. Dubai's average temperatures range from a low of about 10°C(50°F) during winter to a
high of 48°C(118°F) during the summer months. Mean daily temperatures fluctuate between 24°(75°F) in January and 41°C(106°F) in July. Because it is usually very hot and dry, light, well-ventialted clothing is recommended for summer visits; layered clothing, and sweaters is appropriate for cool winter nights.
| T R A N S P O R T A T I O N |
EVEN though a public transportation system exists, it is more common to use taxis to get around Dubai. Fares for travel within the city may range anywhere from 5 to 15 Dhirams, the higher fare applying to trips that cross the Creek. Cars are also availale for rent, from both local and many of the world's leading car rental companies. Most visitors can obtain a temporary local driving license through their hotels by producing a passport, two other pieces of identification, and a valid driver's license from their home country.
There is an extensive, well maintained system of roads and highways throughout the city with easily understandable traffic signs and directions in both English and Arabic. A popular and, at 50fils a trip, an inexpensive means of crossing the Creek is by water taxi, in small boats called abras.
THE UAE currency is the Dhiram(Dh.), with 100 fils equivalent to 1 Dh. The Dhiram has a fixed value relative to the US Dollar(US$1 = Dh3.67, approximately).  Many major international banks have branches in Dubai, including Barclay's Bank, Citi Bank, Royal Bank of Canada and ANZ Grindlays Bank. Normal business hours are between 8am and 1pm from Saturday to Wednesday, but vary from bank to bank (some branches are open until 6pm). Since Friday is the weekend in this part of the world, most banks close at around 1pm on Thursdays.Most major credit cards and traveller's cheques are accepted at department stores, hotels, and some restaurants.
| S H O P P E R ' S P A R A D I S E |
  THE city is literally a shopper's paradise. Its many bazaars and souks(arabic for market) offer incredible deals on just about anything for even the most insatiable bargain hunter. From aromatic spices to glittering gold and jewellery, you can buy to your heart's content. The low tariffs for imported goods and tax-free shopping attract people from around the world; prices are rarely fixed, and most merchants expect customers to haggle over prices, especially in the souks. Electronics and gold are among the most sought after goods in Dubai, as well as clothes and the latest technological gadgets from around the world.
| C O M M U N I C A T I O N S |
 DUBAI has an advanced telecommunications network built and maintained by the Emirates Telecommuncations Corporation(ETISALAT), which offers a wide range of services, including International Direct Dialling, mobile communications and Internet access services through Emirates Internet. The Government of Dubai operates an English television station(Channel 33) and radio station(FM 92), both of which broadcast signals regionally and worldwide. Foreign channels, like BBC World Service, CNN and Hong Kong based Star TV are available via satellite along with a host of other services.
There are also 3 Arabic channels, as well as programming from stations in other emirates and from around the region.
| M I S C E L L A N E O U S |
U T I L I T I E S
WATER: Dubai gets most of its water from ground water resources and the rest from the desalination plant operated by DUBAL, the Dubai Aluminium Company. Bottled mineral water is also widely available
POWER: Electric power is supplied at a voltage of 220-240 volts
at 50Hz, similar to Europe and Asia; and it is very reliable.
H E A L T H C A R E
The Government of Dubai's Department of Health & Medical Services operates several major world-class hospitals and clinics which provide both emergency, in-patient and out-patient care.
These facilities are staffed by professionals trained in both the Western and Eastern hemispheres. There are also a numebr of privately run Health clinics for non-emergency cases.
No special vaccinations are required for entry into the UAE, though this policy is subject to change.
V I S A S
Excepting citizens of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain, all vistors require Visit visas
This type of Visa is normally issued for 30 days, and can be renewed. Visas can be obtained through local hotels(usually with confirmation of booking) and travel agencies or, for US and German citizens, from the UAE embassy in their country. At present, only citizens of Israel, and those with Israeli stamps in their passports, are barred from entering the United Arab Emirates.
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