The city of
Dubai never ceases to amaze with its amazing transformation, from a city in
course of development, as it was in 1991, into the pearl of the United Arab
Emirates, as it is seen today, holding records that are almost impossible to
break.
For
example, it hosts Burj Khalifa, also known as Khalifa Tower, the tallest
building in the world, built using the latest innovations in construction
materials and tools and reaching a height of more than 2,700 feet.
The town’s
architecture is imposing, some of the buildings being real displays of contemporary
design and architecture and attracting visitors from around the world. What is
the story behind this amazing progress? How did it all begin?
Early History of Dubai
The
archaeological research performed within the town perimeter found proofs of
human settlements dating as early as 3000 BC, the population belonging to nomadic
tribes of cattle herders. More recent discoveries suggest that the area was
inhabited around the year 7000 BC.
The
Sassanid Empire controlled the territory from the 3rd to the 7th
century AD, when the area was taken over by the Umayyad Caliphate. The new
rulers introduced the Islam in the area for the first time, and they also turned
Dubai into a famous trading center, where merchants from all over the world
came and sold or exchanged an incredible variety of products. However, this glory
did not last much, pearl diving and fishing becoming the inhabitants' main
sources of income throughout the following millennium.
Development and Progress
1799 was
the year when Dubai was recorded for the first time in official documents, as a
territory depending on the Abu Dhabi emirate, ruled by the Bani Yas clan at the
time. In 1833, the city became the capital of Dubai Sheikhdom, with the
Al-Maktoum family, belonging to the same Bani Yas clan, as rulers.
The apparition
of the artificial pearls in 1926 and the Great Depression in 1929 were two
events that had a dramatic impact on the city's economy, determining Sheikh
Saeed to look for other income sources. As a result, Dubai became one of the
most famous re-export ports in the world. The discovery of the oil resources in
1966 was another moment of reference marking the irreversible transformation of
the city.
The Road to Modernity
The end of
the Iraq - Kuweit war was the time when the rulers of Dubai, now part of the
United Arab Emirates, understood that exploiting oil was only a short term solution
to sustain the local economy. As a result, a policy of attracting financially
potent companies that could contribute to the development of the region and of
the city was implemented.
Today, some
of the most important IT firms, such as IBM, Oracle, Hewlett-Packard or
Microsoft have important centers in Dubai, not to mention the famous fashion
designers that have established their headquarters here. A great part of the
income generated from these activities is invested in infrastructure, the
city's subway network, built in only 18 months, being just one of the outcomes.
Tolerance and Multiculturality - Important Ingredients of Dubai's Success
According
to a report published in 2007 by the U.S State Department, Christians,
Buddhists and Baha'i were granted religious freedom, having the permission to set
up their own houses of prayer and worship. According to the document, "the
Government followed a policy of tolerance toward non-Muslim groups, and, in
practice, intervened very little in their religious activities".
This
encouraged people from all over the world to come and work in Dubai, bringing
an important contribution to the city’s development. The working force is
formed mainly of immigrants, especially Indians, Pakistanis, Filipinos and
Chinese.
Dubai as It Is Today
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According
to statistics, the population of Dubai currently numbers more than 2,100,000
people, out of which 1,400,000 men and over 700,000 women. It is certainly
remarkable, considering that 1822 records only mention 1,200 people.
The surface
of the city was also expanded from 1,500 square miles to 1,588 square miles,
mainly by reclaiming land from the sea and by building artificial islands, Palm
Jumeirah being the most famous structure of this type.
The right
to education is granted to all Dubai inhabitants, regardless of their social
condition or gender, over 80 public schools functioning under the direct
supervision of the Ministry of Education, the number of private schools being
almost double.
China, US
and India are the most important partners of Dubai when it comes to commercial
import operations, with Switzerland, India and Saudi Arabia as main
destinations for the products exported from here. The Jebel Ali port is the
most important center of commercial operations in the city.
Dubai -
An Irresistible Tourist Attraction
Starting
with the first decade of the 21st century, the city became one of
the most visited places in the world. The successful combination between
tradition and modernity is one of the secrets behind its huge popularity as a
tourist destination.
Besides, a
great number of festivals are held here every year. One of them is the Dubai
International Film Festival, a major event in the world’s cultural calendar,
while Dubai Shopping Festival is a great occasion for tourists and local to find
the best deals in cosmetic and fashion products.
According
to www.dubai.ae, Dubai Summer Surprises is another
popular festival, dedicated to families, children and people of all ages, this
being the main reason why it is held during the summer holiday. The event brings
together people from all over the world and offers them high level
entertainment, numerous concerts and shows being organized.
Little Known Facts about Dubai
l A themed park similar to
Disneyland is planned to be opened in the city, after the American company
refused to come here and build one. The new amusement park is expected to
attract a number of about 200,000 visitors every day.
l The natives here, called Emiratis,
benefit from numerous facilities, receiving education for free and not having
to pay any kind of taxes. For those who live as tenants, the value of the rent is
covered by the government.
l The Dubai Mall is the biggest
shopping centre in the world, with more than 1,200 stores and tens of thousands
of people visiting it every day.
l Dubai is the 22nd most
expensive city in the world, and it occupies the first position among the
Middle East cities from the same point of view.
The great,
progressive vision and the will of giving up rigidity and embracing new ideas
manifested by the ruling class are the ones that turned Dubai into the star of
the Orient, a symbol of modernity, wealth and well being.
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