Dubai - Britannica Online Encyclopedia

23/1/2020 Dubai -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia
Dubai
Dubai, also spelled Dubayy, city and capital of the emirate, one of the wealthiest of the seven emirates that
constitute the federation of the United Arab Emirates, which was created in 1971 following independence from
Great Britain. Area 13.5 square miles (35 square km). Pop. (2016 est.) 2,645,581.
Character of the city

Dubai is a city of skyscrapers, ports, and beaches.
Islam is the majority religion, but churches and Hindu temples coexist with Dubai’s mosques.
Dubai is a relatively crime-free place where administrative eficiency and openness to business have encouraged
astounding growth.
Landscape
The western area of Dubai benefits from small stretches of sandy beaches, which have helped to catalyze the city’s
tourism industry.
City site and layout

Dubai straddles a natural inlet called Dubai Creek on the southern shores of the Persian Gulf.
Climate
The coldest winter month is usually January, with lows of about 15 °C (49 °F), while the hottest summer month is
July, with highs of more than 40 °C (104 °F).
People
Dubai’s population has grown steadily over the past two centuries, from just a few thousand local inhabitants to well
over two million.
Economy
Contrary to popular belief, Dubai does not have an oil-based economy. Activities based there include aluminum
smelting, car manufacturing, and cement production.
Finance and other services

In the 21st century, activities meant to attract foreign investment have increased. Several free zones, like Jebel Ali,
have been established that allow foreign companies to operate from Dubai without needing a local partner.
https://www.britannica.com/print/article/172721 1/3
Transportation
Administration and society

Government
Dubai Municipality is one of the largest government institutions in the country. It is managed by a director general
who in turn is accountable to the chairman of Dubai Municipality, a member of the ruling family. The director
general oversees six sectors and 34 departments, which employ about 11,000 people. The municipality not only
manages services in the city but is a key driver of economic growth in the emirate.
Municipal services
Dubai’s electricity and water provisions have largely kept up with the city’s population growth, though a number of
other services such as waste collection have been criticized for falling behind. Parks and public spaces have been
extensively developed and maintained; the city increased its number of green areas substantially in the 2010s.
Health
For those residents with private medical insurance, health care in Dubai is generally of a high standard, with several
private hospitals, including the American Hospital Dubai. For those without insurance, the government operates a
number of additional hospitals.
Education
Education is divided between the private and public sectors. Public school is generally taught in Arabic, while most
private schools and all universities teach in English. Two universities, the American University in Dubai (1995) and
Zayed University (1998), enjoy good reputations locally.
Cultural life
In the early 21st century, Dubai’s art and lm industries blossomed, with the annual Art Dubai fair showcasing
contemporary art and the Dubai International Film Festival promoting both local and international movies. The Dubai
Museum, housed in an 18th-century fortress, displays artifacts and exhibits related to the area’s early history and
traditional culture. Dubai’s public library system has several branches throughout the city, and there are a number of
bookshops in the city’s shopping malls.
Dubai is home to a large number of international sporting events. These have greatly boosted its status as a tourist
destination. The Dubai World Cup is the world’s most lucrative horse race, and the city’s Dubai Desert Classic is a
popular xture on the European Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) Tour.
History
From humble beginnings as a small shing village rst documented in the 18th century, the city grew rapidly as it
became a major centre of the pearl-diving industry. With its businesssavvy ruling family reducing taxes and
welcoming foreign merchants, the city expanded further in the early 20th century and soon became a re-exporting
hub for Persia and India.
Christopher Davidson
CITATION INFORMATION
ARTICLE TITLE: Dubai
WEBSITE NAME: Encyclopaedia Britannica
PUBLISHER: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
DATE PUBLISHED: 14 febrero 2019
URL: https://www.britannica.com/place/Dubai-United-Arab-Emirates
ACCESS DATE: enero 23, 2020

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23/1/2020 Dubai -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia

Character of the city

City site and layout

Finance and other services

Administration and society

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