The Growth of Dubai

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The Growth of Dubai

Geographical Location of Dubai

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Dubai is situated in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where it is the

second largest emirate with an area of 3,885 square kilometres.

The UAE is situated along the south-eastern tip of the Arabian

Peninsulabetween 22.5° and 26° N and between 51° and 56.25° E.

Qatar lies to the west and north-west, Saudi Arabia to the west and

south and Oman to the north, east and south-east.

The total area of the UAE is about 83,600 square kilometres, much of

it in Abu Dhabi emirate.

Map Showing the Arabian Peninsular and the Middle East

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Map Showing UAE and the Arabian Peninsular

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Map Showing Dubai and the UAE - see attached map

The major part of Dubai consists of rolling sand dunes along the

foothills of the Hajar Mountains in the east. The city of Dubai is

situated on the banks of the Dubai Creek, a natural inlet from the

Gulf which divides the city into the Deira district to its north, and

Bur Dubai on its south. The city ranks as the UAE's most important

port and commercial centre.

Historical Background of Dubai

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Dubai's origins go back into the distant past. The town's museum has a

collection of objects found in graves at nearby Al-Qusais dating from

before 1000BC, while a caravan station from about 600 AD has been

excavated in Jumeirah. Until a few decades ago, the surrounding sand

dunes were inhabited by nomadic Bedouin roaming with their flocks and

herds. Today the nomads have mostly settled in villages in the few

fertile oases or valleys, or else in the city.

The village really began to grow in the early 19th century, when some

800 members of the Bani Yas tribe, the Al Bu Falasah, moved north in

1833 and settled in Dubai at the mouth of the creek. Dubailacked the

fertile surroundings of Abu Dhabi, and so its inhabitants were

committed to life on the coast, and looked to the sea for their

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