Dubai, city and capital of the emirate of Dubai, one of the wealthiest of the seven emirates that constitute the federation of the United Arab Emirates , which was created in 1971 following the independence from Great Britain.

Interesting Facts About Dubai

1. Dubai remained a desert for centuries. It came to life only a few decades ago. When gold, oil, and jewels were found in Dubai, the previous sheik was concerned about what would happen if they ran out of oil. However, the current sheik came up with the idea of making Dubai  a global village. The city now earns more from tourism than from selling oil.

2. Palm Jumeirah is one of the most daring developments that added 520 km to Dubai’s shoreline and required an astonishing 10.5 million truckloads of sand to create. The man-made island can be seen from Space !! The Palm Jumeirah is featuring some of the most extravagant hotels, restaurants, and residential buildings. 

3.  The Burj Khalifa , at 2,722 feet, it is the world’s largest building. You can ride one of the world’s fastest elevators up to an observation deck that is nearly 1,500 feet off the ground , or you can eat at Atmosphere Burj Khalifa, the highest restaurant in the world.

4. The Dubai Miracle Garden contains more than 50 million flowers spread across 780,000 square feet of space. It is the world’s biggest natural flower garden, and you find virtually every species of flower inside the garden.

   The garden also contains the world’s biggest floral installation, a life-size version of the Emirates A380 made entirely of flowers. 

   

5. The UAE’s population growth has been exponential over the last few decades and the reason may not be particularly what you think. The main reason is because of governmental policies that allow foreigners and businesses to relocate and provide them with security and opportunities. Almost 90% of the population is foreigners and this number could even be higher in Dubai.
6. Being a trading center for centuries has meant that food from all over the world has influenced Dubai cuisine. Along with traditional Arabic food, you’ll find spices from India, ingredients from Persia, and eastern Mediterranean influences. You may join a food tour to taste different cuisines and learn foodie facts about Dubai. For an authentic start of your day join a traditional Emirati breakfast experience and for your dinner don’t miss a romantic one at a Bedouin Camp.

       7.  The Burj Al Arab’s interiors boasts 1,790 square metres of 24-carat gold leaf – that’s the equivalent to seven full-sized tennis courts.

      8. A unique Aquarium is  located in Atlantis, The Palm which is home to more than 65,000 marine animals and offers a host of interactive            experiences. 

9. Dubai Water Canal is a 3.2km long waterway which winds its way from the creek through Business Bay. A top romantic spot, the canal includes a mechanical waterfall as well as five pedestrian bridges that offer great vantage points. 

10. Shopping is one of the best things to do in Dubai. The Dubai Mall is one of the biggest malls in the world, covering more than five million square feet of space. You can purchase luxury items from retailers like Louis Vuitton as well as electronics and home furnishings. 

If you want to shop and then visit some attractions, you should visit the Mall of the Emirates. The mall offers several clothing and fashion stores alongside theaters and VR experiences.

11. The bustling Dubai Creek has been the lifeblood of locals for generations, as the favoured site for early settlers and where the city’s first port and pearling industry thrived. Today, it is still a lively spot, continuing to attract visitors year-round. 

You can hop aboard one of many traditional ferry boats, known as abras, to cross the creek that separates Bur Dubai from Deira which is Dubai’s city centre. The journey is one of the most affordable and authentic experiences in the city.

An abra, which means “to cross” in Arabic, runs every few minutes throughout the day between four stations along Dubai Creek. The first route goes from Deira Old Souk Abra Station (near the Spice Souk) to Bur Dubai Abra Station (west of the Textile SOUK). The second runs from Al Sabkha Abra Station (just southwest of Baniyas Square) to Dubai Old Souk Abra Station.

12. Dubai is a paradise for shopping lovers. You can buy precious metals, spices, dry fruits, perfumes and other interesting things. The best place to buy these goods in the city is the souks. Souks are Arab markets or marketplace, better described as bazaars. They are spread all over the city. While glitzy jewellery and lustrous gold bars would attract you to the Gold Souk, soothing aromas of scents would guide you towards Perfume Souk. 

Some of the most famous souks are: 

Gold Souk : There are hundreds of shops and vendors next to each other on the street selling premium quality gold. 18K, 20K, 21K, 22K, 24K are available as per requirement and are sold at the current market rate mentioned outside the stores. Shopkeepers tend to raise the price when they see a tourist so bargain the most you can.

Perfume Souk: Scents mean a lot to the Arabs and it speaks a lot about their luxurious lifestyles. Located just next to the Gold Souk at Sikkat Al Khali Street, the Perfume Souk in Dubai has scents and aromas that are enchanting enough to make you check them out and of course buy them. The shops here have perfumes that date back to ancient Arabic civilisation to modern branded ones.

Spice Souk: Located beside the Gold Souk, it is an ancient market filled with exotic and homegrown spices. You’ll be greeted by a rich palate of spices sourced from organic farmers and enthusiasts.

Textile Souk: Head over to the city’s famous textile souk in Dubai located near the Creek in Bur Dubai. Lear about the distinctive Arabic fashion by looking overprints and feeling the premium quality silk, cotton, and other materials. This is the oldest souk in Dubai and you should not miss it.

Souk Madinat: While souks all over Dubai are about local and low-cost goods, Souk Madinat combines the ancient feel of a souk with luxurious goods. Located in Jumeirah, Souk Madinat is all about narrow lanes filled with designer stores, rare art pieces, souvenirs, sculptures, and more.