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Dubai is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates on
the Persian Gulf. The other constituent parts of UAE that came into existence
in 1971 as result of the unification of these emirates are- Abu Dhabi, Sharjah,
Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah and Umm al-Qaiwain. Among all these Dubai has
emerged as a dream destination for leisure and business travelers across the
globe. Known also as The city of Gold because of its huge open Gold markets
Dubai offers a multitude of tourist attractions, a happening and rocking night
life, numerous shops, parks and gardens and a wide range of recreational activities.
Dubai is distinct from other six emirates of this oil rich nation in the Middle
East in the sense that oil accounts for only 6% of its gross domestic product.
Its major source of revenue is the Jabel Ali Free Zone and tourism. Although
Abu Dhabi is the largest emirate in terms of size, Dubai is the most populous
emirate of the nation. But ironically expatriate communities make up the most
of its 1.2 million population. This fact makes Dubai one of the most cosmopolitan
cities of the world. The liberal values of Dubai is also reflected in the fact
that although Arabic is the official language German Hindi, Urdu, Malayalam,
Tamil, Persian, Russian and Tagalog are widely spoken. The signboards of business
establishments and cars appear in both Arabic and English. Although Islam is
the religion of majority of the people Dubai some expatriate communities also
belong to Hindu Christian and other religion. Dubai is also the only emirate
in UAE that has Hindu temple and Sikh Gurudwaras.
Dubai is also regarded as a place where one witnesses a harmonious existence
of tradition and modernity. Camels and abras are still used as modes of transportation,
its nightlife and sky scrappers are equally fascinating.
Dubai is truly believed to be the ideal place to free oneself from the curse
of monotony. A mere retrospection of the Dubai itinerary remains a treasure
for itself to the travelers.
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