It situated in the North East
of the country. Dubai is one of the 7 emirates that comprise this
country. Dubai is 120 km North East of Abu Dhabi city and is set directly on
the Persian Gulf occupying level terrain. It is bisected by Dubai Creek
(also known as the Khor Dubai), which is really a deep-water inlet. The
area consists of flat desert surrounds; a great expanse of sand dunes
stretches away to the S, and the rugged Hajar Mountains rise to the East.
Without doubt the most popular tourist venue in the
UAE, Dubai is a wealthy, cosmopolitan, multicultural and multinational
city that combines the glamour and entrepreneurial panache of Hong Kong
with the flamboyance of Las Vegas, all served up with an Arabian
flourish.
This liberal, tolerant destination has what it takes
to have a good time, with big-time horse races and sporting events,
first-class tax-free shopping, fine beaches lapped by the Gulf's warm
waters, guaranteed sunshine and lively nightlife. With its array of
striking, ultramodern architecture and brisk pace of life, the casual
observer can be forgiven for thinking that the city is entirely a modern
creation; the fact is that the location has been inhabited for well
over 2 millennia, and old minarets, mosques and traditional dwellings
can be found dotted about the older portions. The city hugs the
coastline for about 15 mls (being about 5 mls at its widest), and
comprises 2 main parts: Bur Dubai (the original section) and, on the
opposite side of Dubai Creek, Deira, now the city centre. Along the
coast to the South West of the centre lies Jumeirah, a residential area that's
home to many Western ex-pats. Around the airport on the North East side of Dubai
Creek is Al-Garhoud, a select suburban area.




Besides that, Dubai is becoming increasingly popular with middle
to upmarket Western tourists seeking a hot, sunny shopping and
sunbathing haven. Large numbers of international business people also
flock here due to it's well catered business environment. Dubai also
hosts arguably the world's most luxurious (7 star) hotel (Burj al Arab
Hotel).
There are more than 2 dozen deluxe hotels and modern
apartment complexes, as well as more modest properties in and around
the city centre. Many of the most modern, luxurious establishments are
dotted along the very extensive sandy shoreline (Jumeirah Beach) to the
SW; most are well equipped and stylish, with their own in-house
entertainment. Dubai really is an upmarket
shopper's paradise. Fine jewellery, gold, watches, designer labels,
fabrics, Persian carpets, sports gear, consumer electronics and even
cars, often at incredibly low prices (thanks to low customs duties). A
proliferation of large air-conditioned shopping malls, plus more
conventional street parades and centres. A number of traditional souks;
the Gold Souk, with its plethora of Arabian, Indian and SE Asian wares,
is an experience in itself, and one of the largest retail gold markets
in the world. Haggling is de rigueur, and watch your back pocket. Prized
local products include Arabian coffee pots, silver and brass swords and
khanjars (curved daggers), shisha pipes, porcelain prayer beads,
antique silver jewellery, brass trinkets, model sailing ships of silver
and wood, and high-quality wooden furniture.