Karl WP Beyer Seven states form the Federation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). With an area of 3.885 km², Dubai is the second largest of the Emirates. The miniature state is located in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula between the Emirates of Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. According to the Dubai Statistics Center, 2021 million people lived in Dubai at the end of 3,43.
State yacht in front of the Duibai City skyline
Dubai-City - Dubai's metropolis
According to estimates, two million people live in Dubai City. In contrast to similarly large metropolitan areas in Europe, the city has not grown homogeneously; it is a cluster of individual city districts with residential and commercial buildings. In between there are extensive open spaces. Possibly these are intended for the next mega structures. Generously dimensioned highways, a modern metro system as well as bus and tram lines connect the individual parts of the city. Inexpensive and always available taxis are essential for getting around the metropolis.
Dubai Mall metro station
Dubai-City - capital of gigantomania
The capital of the emirate is phenomenal and full of contrasts. On the one hand, visitors marvel at the convergence of multiple Ferraris and Lamborghinis in front of drive-thru health testing centers. On the other hand, porters with wheelbarrows or handcarts are waiting for orders in the historic parts of the city. In the souks on both sides of Dubai Creek, picturesque, traditional shops sell textiles, spices, jewelery and souvenirs. In the modern parts of the city, shops in huge, magnificent shopping arcades offer the luxury goods of the world. The Dubai Mall lures visitors with an artificial ice rink the size of a hockey rink, a huge three-story seawater aquarium and an underwater zoo. The Mall of the Emirates offers its visitors an indoor ski hall with a total of one and a half kilometers of slopes and three ski lifts.
Souq Al Kabeer
Aquarium in the Dubai Mall
The city's silhouette changes from year to year. It is said that a quarter of the world's crane capacities (25.000 units) work in Dubai. Most of the towering structures were built in the last 15 years. The Burj Khalifa has dominated the backdrop of the skyscrapers since 2008. The needle-shaped, 828 meter high building is the world's tallest structure. From two viewing platforms at heights of 456 and 555 meters, paying visitors enjoy incredible views of and over the city.
Dubai - the city of construction cranes
From October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022, the emirate held the "Expo 2020". The world exhibition, which was postponed by a year due to the corona pandemic, had the motto "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future". The exhibition organizers gave impetus for improvement of the world and to shape the future.
Dubai - Expo 2020
Tourist stronghold, transport hub and port city
Among the world's busiest airports, Dubai ranked fifth in 2022. More than 66 million passengers used the emirate's international airport. And in the foreseeable future, according to the will of the government, it is likely to be significantly more. In the ranking of the most popular travel destinations worldwide, Dubai ranks first (source: Tripadvisor).
Dubai - AL Seef Heritage Hotel by Hilton
Dubai, the former fishing settlement on Dubai Creek has been a trading port since 1833. The moorings of the dhows along the creek are a testament to the emirate's maritime traditions. Significant infrastructure measures have been taken in Dubai's deep sea port in recent years. It is becoming increasingly important in terms of freight and passenger handling.
Dhows on Dubai Creek
Restaurant ship on Dubai Creek
Port Rashid Terminal handles more than 600.000 passengers annually. With the Dubai Harbor Cruise Terminal, 30 kilometers away next to Palm Jumeirah, a second terminal for cruise ships was opened in autumn 2021. It results from a strategic partnership between Carnival Corporation and Shamal Holding. The terminal will be the main hub for the activities of the shipping companies belonging to the Carnival group. Which is currently not stopping Costa ships from docking regularly at the Rashid Terminal.
Dubai City is not a romantic destination. The metropolis is a change to the future. This is where petrodollars were and are poured into concrete in a lavish and unimagined way. Under Dubai attractions we report on the attractions of the metropolis.
Update June 2023
