Dubai is the capital of the Emirate of Dubai, one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).Located on the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf, it is the most populous city in the country. The city is widely known for its neo-futuristic architecture and technologies along with some of the world’s largest shopping malls and tallest skyscrapers.This metropolitan with its spectacular Palm Islands is one of the most unique cities in the world. With its focus on pure innovation, Dubai has managed to include sci-fi-inspired technologies, from autonomous flying taxis to robotic police forces to its daily lifestyle. It is the home of the world’s tallest building Burj Khalifa, the second largest shopping mall the Dubai Mall, largest indoor theme and amusement part, largest airport terminal, largest suspended aquarium, biggest frame, largest gold chain, and the first seven-star hotel along with most popular man-made island Palm Jumeirah. In short, Dubai has the best of everything.If you’re willing to explore more fun facts like this one, check out our similar articles on Turkey facts and South Korea facts.History Of DubaiAlthough the civilization began with the help of agriculture, the significant elements of the historical evolution of Dubai are pearl trading and the discovery of oil along with the influence of great political leadership.During the bronze age’s early Minoan Period, there used to be a widespread mangrove swamp on sea level where now lies the land of skyscrapers. It is believed that nomadic cattle herders started settling in after the swamp completely dried off and became inhabitable during 2500 BCE. The nomadic tribes were the first to plant a palm tree there as it could survive in the desert climate. Agricultural growth followed with the plantation of date palm trees as the civilization thrived.In 1095, Andalusian-Arab geographer Abu Abdullah al-Bakri mentioned Dubai in the Book of Geography. The name was also mentioned by Venetian Pearl Merchant Gaspero Balbi in his journals in 1580. Back then, boat repairing, pearl treading, and fishing was the primary source of income. In 1793 Dubai became a dependency of Abu Dhabi where the Bani Yas tribe settled as political rulers.Till 1820 Dubai was a completely walled town before Britain made a sea trade truce with the local rulers. The wall was stretched from Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood to Old Souk on one side and on the other side it covered the Al Ras area. However, after the treaty trading helped the town get exposure to the world. In 1833 Maktoum bin Butti of the Bani Yas tribe led the local population to the Shindagha Peninsula to settle without the political influence of Abu Dhabi and it became a free fishing village. The Al Maktoum dynasty continues to be Dubai’s ruler to date.In 1894, a tax exclusion for expatriates led a huge number of traders from other countries to settle there and to involve in business with the town. Fish and pearls were the main export items but the business eventually started getting downhill after the invention of artificial pearls in Japan. In 1966 oil was discovered at the offshore Fateh Field and Dubai never had to look back from there.The modernization of Dubai started under the rule of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum. Dubai World Trade Centre, Jebel Ali Port, Rashid Port, all were developed at that time, which allowed Dubai to grow into a modern port and commercial hub just under the span of 50 years.How Was Dubai Built So FastDubai, once a small fishing village is now one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. It is true that the discovery of oil helped it advance into the metropolitan it is today but it’s only half the story as Dubai is not the only country in the Middle East with oil reserves within its perimeters.The fundamental growth of Dubai started when it became a major trade route to the Persian Gulf. Although during the Great Depression, the crashing of the pearl export industry put it to a halt. At that time the other Emirates of UAE were on the rise with the newfound oil business while the industrial infrastructure of Dubai was declining. Dubai was losing its population rapidly. Everything changed in the year 1966 when Dubai discovered oil under its soil. From 1968 to 1975 Dubai’s population growth rate became 300%.Dubai, with its custom duty privileges, tax breaks, and no limitations of foreign ownership policies, has grown into a global business hub hosting offices of countless multinational companies. Being positioned at the entrance of the Gulf of Persia, Dubai has become the busiest trading port of the Middle East. Dubai’s maritime industry is one of the main sources of its income and growth.Not only is Dubai easily accessible from Europe but also the warm climate adds to its being a year-round luxury tourist destination. In the last 30 years, Dubai’s population growth rate has skyrocketed to 569%. Like the rest of the Gulf area, Dubai is being built by a majority of ex-pat workers.Land ReclamationLand reclamation in the Emirates of Dubai has made it one of the most unique and beautiful places in the world. Countless projects have changed the geographical appearance of Dubai in the past 15 years. The process involves dredging sand from the Persian and Arabian Gulf floors which then is shaped into an entire island with the help of GPS technology. Millions of tons of rock give this landmass the required structure and security.These massive sand dredged projects, some finished, some under development are already hugely successful with the guidance of the prime minister of UAE and Emir of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The World Islands, composed of dredged shallow water-sand is an archipelago of small artificial islands developed by Nakheel Properties. Shaped like a world map, this project is located off the coast of Dubai.Managed by the Jumeirah hotel group, the Burj Al Arab is described as the world’s only seven-star hotel. Resembling the sail of a ship, it is one of the tallest hotels in the world. Burj Al Arab is located on an artificial island that is connected to the mainland by a private bridge.A part of the larger Palm Islands series, the Palm Jumeirah is an archipelago of artificial islands, located on the Jumeirah coastal area of Dubai. The population of Palm Jumeirah was 10,500 according to the census of 2016. The construction of Palm Jumeirah was jointly done by two Dutch specialist companies named Van Oord and Boskalis. The Palm Tower, a luxury hotel cum residential building is the centerpiece of Palm Jumeirah.Palm Jebel Ali, 50% larger in area than Palm Jumeirah is also a part of the larger Palm Islands series which is under construction. This project’s biggest attraction will be the four parks, SeaWorld, Aquatica, Busch Gardens, and Discovery Cove, which together will be called the world of Discovery. It will also include homes built above water, six marinas, and a water theme park named Sea Village.Four undeveloped islands off the coast of Deira are also planned to be a part of the Palm Islands which will individually be known as Deira Islands. The project is named Palm Deira and it is going to be the largest of the Palm Island trilogy. Deira Islands will include is a 1.2 mi (1.9 km) marketplace called The Deira Night Souk and a 6458346 sq ft (600,000 sq m) mall named Deira Mall.Located near Dubai Marina, Bluewaters Island is an artificial island that opened in November 2018. The island includes residential and retail zones along with entertainment and hospitality zones. There is a total of 10 residential buildings on the island and two five-star hotels. The Ain Dubai, a 689 ft (210 m) tall Ferris wheel is under development which is going to be the world’s tallest Ferris wheel.How Was Dubai Built On SandDubai is a modern city that rose from the desert with the help of its skillful engineering ventures. The city’s topography overall consists of deserts and a flat coastline. Even though sand covers the surface of Dubai city, it tactfully used it for its benefit.The huge land recycling projects of the city used shallow water sand as the base of the artificial islands. It took 4237.76 million cu ft (120 million cu m) of sand to build the world’s largest manmade island, Palm Jumeirah which also is a part of the larger Palm Island Series. The Burj Al Arab, the iconic figure of Dubai, stands on a manmade island that was also built on the base of Vibro-compacted sand.The taller buildings in the city sit on the mattress of piles of concrete slabs drilled into the bedrock of the land while the low-rising ones sit on concrete slabs securely placed on the sand. 105.94 million cu ft (3 million cu m) of sand were excavated for the construction of the Dubai Canal, which is basically an extension of Dubai Creek.The fast-rising city, famous for its real estate growth and luxury hotels has more fascinating projects like Downtown Dubai, World Expo 2020, and Safa Park. These challenging projects required huge manpower and professionals to work together. 3000 companies and contractors along with 3500 blue-collared workers were involved in the construction of Burj Khalifa.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for how was Dubai built then why not take a look at world facts, or Dominica facts.
Dubai is the capital of the Emirate of Dubai, one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
