History
Originally a small fishing settlement, Dubai was taken
over in about 1830 by a branch of the Bani Yas tribe from
the Liwa oasis led by the Maktoum family who still rule
the emirate today.
Traditional activities included herding sheep and goats,
cultivating dates, fishing and pearling, but the inhabitants
built up trade too. By the turn of the century, Dubai
was reputed to have the largest souks on the Gulf coast,
with 350 shops in the Deira district alone.
Commercial success allied to the liberal attitudes of
Dubai's rulers, made the emirate attractive to traders
from India and Iran, who began to settle in the growing
town. But, while trade developed, Dubai remained politically
a protectorate of Britain as part of the Trucial States
extending along the northern coast of the Arabian peninsula.
On the British withdrawal in 1971, Dubai came together
with Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah
and (in 1972) Ras Al Khaimah to create the federation
of the United Arab Emirates.
This was shortly after the discovery of oil in 1966, which
was soon to transform the emirate and its way of life.
Dubai's first oil exports in 1969 were followed by a period
of rapid development that laid the foundations for today's
modern society. Much of the credit for this development
can be traced to the vision of the late Ruler, HH Sheikh
Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who ensured that Dubai's
oil revenues, despite being relatively modest by the standards
of the region, were deployed to maximum effect.
His work has been continued by the present Ruler, HH Sheikh
Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and his brothers, Their
Highnesses Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy
Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance and Industry,
and General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown
Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defence. The result
is that Dubai is constantly building up its infrastructure
of transport facilities, schools, hospitals, tourism developments
and other amenities of an advanced society.
Life Style
Expatriates and foreign visitors - both male and female
- can enjoy a relaxed and pleasant lif estyle in Dubai.
There is virtually no crime, the city is clean, there
are few traffic jams, apartments and villas are modern
and spacious and, surprisingly to many, the climate is
not only tolerable, but also extremely pleasant for most
of the year.
There are many clubs and societies in Dubai. Freedom of
worship is allowed to all religions, and Christian churches
have existed in Dubai for many years. Foreign newspapers,
magazines, films and videos are readily available. Alcohol
may be consumed at home, in hotels, and on licensed club
premises. Women can drive and move about unaccompanied.
Transport
It is virtually essential to have a car - or two (for
husband and wife) - as Dubai is a spacious city with most
residences situated some distance from shops, schools
and the office. Most Japanese, European and American models
are readily available and there is an active second-hand
market. Vehicle third party insurance is compulsory. Dubai
has an excellent road system. Driving is on the right
hand side of the road.
A vehicle licence may be secured at Dh.360 for first registration,
then subject to annual renewal - following a road worthiness
test - at a charge of Dh.290.
Taxis are easily obtainable in Dubai. The Dubai Transport
Corporation's ivory coloured cabs are fitted with fare
meters. In the case of all other taxis, fares are subject
to negotiation between driver and passenger.
Driving licences issued by some overseas governments may
be exchanged for a Dubai licence. Where reciprocal arrangements
do not exist, it is necessary to take a driving test to
obtain a licence. Full details about obtaining and exchanging
driving licences are available from the Traffic Department
of the Police, telephone number 692222, or by writing
to PO Box 1493, Dubai.
Heritage and Culture
A trip to Dubai transports you on a journey through time.
Although the early history of the area is not very well
documented, archeological discoveries suggests that, as
long as four thousand years ago, small fishing communities
lived along the coast of the Arabian Gulf on the site
of modern Dubai. It is also believed that the natural
sheltered harbour afforded by the Dubai Creekwa a busy
port of call on the ancient trade route between Mesopotamia
and the Indus Valley. In recent years, archeologists have
unearthedhundreds of artefacts, including pottery, weapons
and coinage, that point to civilised settlements dating
back to the third millennium B.C.
These historic finds have been carefully preserved and
are now permanently housed in the Archeolo- gical Section
of Dubai Museum. Modern Dubai, however, traces its origins
to the 1830's. At that time, the small fishing village
on the Shindagha peninsula at the mouth of the Creek was
settled by a branch of the Bani Yas tribe, originally
from the Liwa oasis to the south, led by the Maktoum family
who still rule the emirates today. By the late 1870's,
Dubai was often referred to as the principal port on the
Gulf coast and, by the turn of the century, was reputed
to have had the largest souks in Arabia. Pearling which
was the mainstay of the city's prosperity for many years,
succumbed to the development of the cultured pearl in
the 1940's. But Dubai's enterprising merchants bounced
back, developing a thriving trade in gold and other commodities.
Much of this history is carefully preserved in myriad
forts, mosques, palaces and other historic monu-ments,
which are on the itineraries of many organized tours.
Archaeological Sites
There are four main excavation site in Dubai, at Al Qusais,
Al Sufooh, Jumeirah and Hatta. The first two are graveyards
dating back more than 2,000 years. The Jumeirah site reveals
artifacts from the 7th to 15th centuries AD. These sites
are not yet open to the public. However tourist or tour
operators may obtain a special permit from Dubai Museum
to visit the digs.
Bur Dubai Creekside
The buildings lining the Bur Dubai side of the Creek provided
the main panorama of the old city. The traditional facades
of these buildings have been restored to their original
state, with wooden windows, decorative gypsum panels and
screens.
Clothing and Jewelry
The Arab national dress worn in Dubai is well adapted
to the high temperatures of the region. The white ankle-length,
loose-fitting garment worn by men is known as the Kandoura
or Dishdasha, while the women's black long-sleeved full-length
robe is also called an abayah. Headcoverings, are used
by both sexes for protection from sand and the midday
sun. Like women everywhere, the women of Dubai too have
a fondness for jewelry and have customarily adorned themselves
with gold and silver necklacee, forehead decorations,
earrings, bracelets, anklets and rings for fingers, noses
and even toes. Henna- a reddish dye obtained from powdered
leaves-is widely used to stain the palms and soles of
the feet for weddings and other special occasions.
Climate
The UAE has a sub-tropical, arid climate. Rainfall is
infrequent and irregular. Falling mainly in winter, it
amounts to some 13 centimetres a year. Temperatures range
from a low of about 10 degrees Celsius to a high of 48
degrees Celsius. The mean daily maximum is 24 degrees
in January rising to 41 degrees in July.
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