Dubai

Known by many as the home of Burj Al Arab, Dubai is one of the 7 emirates of the United Arab Emirates. Dubai is also one of the United Arab Emirates’ main cities, sometimes being called the "Dubai City" to distinguish it from the emirate. The current emirate of Dubai was created as a result of the formation of the United Arab Emirates in early 1971. Yet, there are written accounts which show that the city had existed at least 150 years before the date it was thought to have been created (1971).

Dubai shares political, legal, military, and economic functions with the other emirates in U.A.E. within a federal network, although each emirate has its own jurisdiction over a few of the functions such as civil law enforcement and the upkeep of local areas. Out of all the emirates, Dubai has the second largest area and population after Abu Dhabi. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the two emirates that possess veto power over important matters in the country's legislature. Additionally, Dubai has been ruled by the Al Maktoum dynasty since 1833. The emirates' current ruler, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is also the Vice President of the U.A.E. as well as prime minister.

The majority of the Dubai’s revenues are a result of trade, manufacturing and services. The revenues from oil and natural gas provide less than 6% as of 2006 of Dubai's US$ 37 billion economy. This emirate has largely attracted world-wide attention through hugely popular real estate projects and sporting events. This increased travel, coinciding with its emergence as a world-wide hub. This has also highlighted the human rights concerns over the largely foreign workforce in Dubai.

Not much is known about the pre-Islamic culture in the south-east Arabian peninsula, except that there were many ancient towns in the area that were trading centres between the Eastern and Western worlds. That specific area had been covered with sand around 5,000 years ago. Before the Islamic religion arouse, the people in this region worshiped Bajir.

Dubai is an important tourist destination. Additionally, Dubai has been increasingly developing as a large hub for special service industries such as finance and IT. The government has set up industry-specific free zones throughout the city. Some of these zones include parts such as the Dubai Internet City, combined with Dubai Media City as part of TECOM (Dubai Technology, Electronic Commerce and Media Free Zone Authority).