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What On Earth Is A Dubai?

Dubai used to be little more than dunes at the foot of the barren Hajar Mountains and a small fishing village with a few residents eking out a living in the harsh desert. Today it is a thriving metropolis filled with the finest hotels and entertainment, state of the art infrastructures and beautiful beaches framed by a warm ocean.

Perhaps the most fantastic accomplishment of Dubai is the Palm Islands, man-made islands that attract millions of tourists each year to Dubai. What was once a wasteland has become the finest oasis of comfort, education, innovation and entertainment in the civilized world. Tall buildings soar into a azure sky, galleries filled with fine art and priceless treasures are scattered throughout the city like priceless gems and the streets are lined with five star restaurants as well as more humble family eateries.

From nomadic tents to exotic resorts, barren sand to pristine ocean beaches, Dubai has transformed itself like no other city has ever done before. The ingenuity and vision shown by the people of the United Arab Emirates in building this fantastic marvel is nothing short of determined genius.

A Short History Of Dubai sticky icon

Wild Wadi and Jumeirah Beach Hotel
The future of that modern miracle known as Dubai is inexorably tied to its past as the city itself predates formation of the United Arab Emirates by more than 150 years. The first recorded mention of Dubai was in the Book of Geography published in 1095 by the geographer Abu Abdullah al-Bakri. No real city existed but the area referred to as Dubai was well known for its pearling industry as early as the 16th century. Dubai City was founded early in the 19th century by the House of Al-Falasi.

The location of Dubai City made it a natural regional trading center which when combined with the pearling and fishing industry turned this place into a beehive of activity during the first couple decades of the 20th Century. World War 1, increased use of artificial pearls and the Great Worldwide Depression put an end to this prosperity, but all was not lost. With true Arab determination and resourcefulness Dubai managed to establish electrical service, an airport and telephone service in the 1950’s which brought the city into the modern era and attracted immigrants from the world over. It seems history was repeating itself as all those improvements brought a flood of commerce and started the city on the path to becoming a modern metropolis and business center. Dubai City was now set to leave its past behind and forge ahead into the future.

Dubai News Headlines


3 Filipino journalists awarded by Dubai mall
Inquirer.net
MANILA, Philippines—Three Filipino journalists working in United Arab Emirates newspapers received awards at the closing ceremonies of the Dubai Shopping ...
Dubai Mall attracts record visitors in shopping festivalThaindian.com
• The Dubai Mall records weekly visitor footfall of over 1 million during DSF ...Dubai City Guide
Visiting doctor scoops largest DSF prizeTrade Arabia

all 14 news articles »

Posted on 9 March 2010 | 6:25 pm


Times Online

Dubai issues 16 more int'l warrants for Hamas murder suspects
Xinhua
ABU DHABI, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Dubai's public prosecutor has issued international arrest warrants for 16 more suspects involved in the killing of a top ...
After Dubai Hit, Sales of Mossad Merchandise SoarABC News
Dubai accuses Israel of 'vast falsification' of passportsAFP
Interpol joins international task force investigating Dubai assassinationChristian Science Monitor
Press TV -Ynetnews -TIME
all 666 news articles »

Posted on 9 March 2010 | 4:17 pm


Globe and Mail

Air Canada takes aim at Emirates' expansion plans
Reuters
UL] airline on Tuesday of wanting to "flood" Canadian skies with airline seats so it can scoop up travelers and divert them through Dubai. ...
Dubai's Emirates to hire 2000 staff in 2010Reuters India
Air Canada, Emirates war of words escalatesCBC.ca
Rovinescu slams Emirates planGlobe and Mail
CANOE (blog) -Voxy
all 46 news articles »

Posted on 9 March 2010 | 3:41 pm


7DAYS

Debt Deal Won't Undo Dubai Damage
Wall Street Journal
Dubai is expected to present a deal in the next 10 days to restructure Dubai World's $22 billion of debt. A settlement may lift a dark ...
Dubai World May Ask Banks to Take 20% "Haircut," Delay Payments to Solve its ...Money Morning
UAE gov't backs Dubai; Abu Dhabi help may lagToday's Zaman
Federal government says it will support Dubai7DAYS
OANDA Forex (blog) -Emirates Business 24/7
all 16 news articles »

Posted on 9 March 2010 | 1:51 pm


GulfNews

Fleet of hundreds at Dubai yacht show
National
Luxury yachts, including several superyachts, were for sale at the Dubai International Boat Show yesterday. Amy Leang / The National DUBAI // There were ...
'Dubai Runs' to promote physical fitnessGulfNews
Expectations High as Dubai Boat Show OpensKhaleej Times
Maktoum Bin Mohammed opens Dubai International Boat ShowWAM - Emirates News Agency
Superyachts.com -Al-Bawaba -Zawya
all 28 news articles »

Posted on 9 March 2010 | 12:35 pm


Reuters

Dubai World creditors face painful choices
Arab News
By UNA GALANI | REUTERS LONDON: Dubai World creditors face painful choices. The conglomerate is close to a proposal for restructuring $26 billion of debt. ...
UAE government backs Dubai; Abu Dhabi help may lagReuters
JPMorgan Sees Haircut, Extension on Dubai World DebtBusinessWeek
Dubai World outlines debt plan to leading creditorsAFP
Reuters UK (blog) -National -This is London
all 196 news articles »

Posted on 9 March 2010 | 12:32 pm


Emirates Business 24/7

Dubai World Extension Shouldn't Exceed Eight Years
BusinessWeek
March 9 (Bloomberg) -- Dubai World, the state-owned holding company seeking to renegotiate terms on $26 billion of debt, should delay loan ...
UAB calls for more bank mergers in UAEEmirates Business 24/7

all 3 news articles »

Posted on 9 March 2010 | 6:06 am


Pakistan Delays Buying Sugar From Dubai Using Deferred Payment
BusinessWeek
March 9 (Bloomberg) -- Pakistan delayed a plan to buy as much as 650000 metric tons of white sugar from the government of Dubai on the ...
Sugar import tender awarded to second lowest bidderThe News International

all 4 news articles »

Posted on 9 March 2010 | 4:03 am


The Hindu

Media Giants Converge on Abu Dhabi
Wall Street Journal
DUBAI—World media leaders, facing falling revenues in crucial markets like the US and Europe, will gather in Abu Dhabi ...
PREVIEW-Top media head to Abu Dhabi as Dubai still strugglesReuters
Abu Dhabi Hosts Media Chiefs Amid 'Draconian' Press Law DebateBusinessWeek
Abu Dhabi overshadows Dubai with media summitMaktoob Business
Reuters
all 389 news articles »

Posted on 9 March 2010 | 2:06 am


Foreign Digest: Pakistan, Iran, China, Guantanamo, Dubai, Haiti
Washington Post
The Pakistani Taliban, an umbrella militant group that had been weakened in recent months, staged a forceful resurgence Monday with an attack that killed at ...

and more »

Posted on 8 March 2010 | 11:16 pm