About Dubai

Welcome to Dubai - where anything is possible.

Once a small fishing village in the Arabian Gulf, Dubai shares the spotlight with some of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. One of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates, the city is home to more than 200 nationalities and offers an unforgettable experience to all visitors. Whether it is by the banks of the Creek, or at the top of Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, Dubai lives and breathes a sense of possibility and innovation. And with an unparalleled coastline, beautiful desert and magnificent cityscapes, memories are just waiting to be made here. 

Browse through our guide for fascinating information about Dubai – find out more about its traditions, transformations and the people who call this place home. Before you're through, you'll be inspired by our journey and better equipped to be a part of our growing narrative.

A brief history of Dubai

More information about Dubai

• Before oil was discovered in Dubai in the late 1960s, the city's main trade was pearl diving. In the early 20th century, there were around 300 dhows working from Dubai Creek, employing more than 7,000 men. By 1917, this included almost the entire male population of Dubai.
• Archaeological finds such as spearheads have revealed there were humans in the area that is now Dubai over 100,000 years ago. Discover more ancient history at the fascinating Saruq Al-Hadid Museum. 
• The city's oldest building is Al Fahidi Fort, whose construction dates back to 1787.
• Dubai is home to the world's first fully functional 3D-printed building. Built in less than a month and inaugurated in 2016, The Office of the Future measures 250sqm and includes innovative working spaces, meeting rooms, a lounge and a cafe. 
• Expo 2020 Dubai was the first World Expo ever held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region. The six-month celebration welcomed 192 nations and 24 million visitors, as well as global superstars including Coldplay, Alicia Keys, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lewis Hamilton and many more. The futuristic Expo City Dubai continues its legacy and is well worth a visit. 
• Dubai International Airport (DXB) is the world's busiest international airport. It handles over 90 million passengers annually, with over 6,500 flights weekly operated by over 140 airlines to more than 270 places around the world.
• Terminal 2 of DXB has the largest solar energy system in the Middle East, reducing almost 30 percent of its energy consumption.
• Dubai holds numerous Guinness World Records. As well as being home to the world's tallest building, Burj Khalifa, Dubai's other records include the world's deepest swimming pool (60.02 metres at Deep Dive Dubai) and the world's tallest landmark sign in Hatta, which at 19.28m tall is larger than the famous Hollywood sign in Los Angeles.

What is the location of Dubai?

Dubai is one of seven emirates that comprise the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The other six emirates are Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain. Specifically, Dubai is positioned on the northern coastline of the UAE, facing the Arabian Gulf. It is bordered by Abu Dhabi to the south, Sharjah to the northeast and the Sultanate of Oman to the southeast. Dubai is easy to reach from Africa, Asia and Europe – and within an eight-hour flight for two-thirds of the world's population – which has helped to turn the city into a global hub and a popular holiday destination.

What is the population of Dubai?

Dubai currently has a population of approximately 3.6 million people, according to the Government of Dubai's Statistics Center website. People from more than 200 nationalities live and work in Dubai, helping to create a multicultural and inclusive society.

What is the flag of the UAE?

Throughout Dubai, you will see the United Arab Emirates flag flying proudly. Adopted in 1971 to mark the creation of the UAE, the flag has three horizontal stripes – green at the top, white in the middle and black at the bottom. To the left, there is a vertical red stripe. As stated on the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, the green stands for hope, joy, optimism and love. The white stands for peace and honesty, the black for the defeat of enemies and strength of mind, and the red for courage and strength.

For even more ideas to make your visit unforgettable, see our guide to exploring Dubai, plus the very best places to visit and things to do in the emirate.