Geography

• The second largest of the seven emirates which make up the United Arab Emirates, Dubai is located on the southern shore of the Arabian Gulf. It has an area of some 3,900 square kilometres.
  Outside the city itself, the emirate is sparsely inhabited and characterised by desert vegetation.

Economy

• Oil contributes just 20 per cent of economic production.
  Trading, manufacturing and services — including tourism — now dominate the economy.

Climate

• Dubai has a sub-tropical, arid climate. Sunny, blue skies can be expected most of the year. Rainfall is infrequent and irregular, falling mainly in winter.
  Temperatures range from a low of about 10.5°C/50°F to a high of 48°C/118°F. The mean daily maximum is 24°C/75.2°F in January rising to 41°C/105.8°F in July.

Population

• The population of Dubai was estimated at 971,000 in 2001.
  (Source: Ministry of Planning).

Language

• The official language is Arabic but English is widely spoken and understood. Both languages are commonly used in business and commerce.

Local Time

• The UAE is four hours ahead of GMT.

Religion

• Islam is the official religion of the UAE and there are a large number of mosques throughout the city.
  
  Other religions are respected and Dubai has two Christian churches, St Mary’s (Roman Catholic) and Holy Trinity (Inter-denominational).

Getting There

• Dubai’s location at the cross-roads of Europe, Asia and Africa makes for easy accessibility. London is seven hours away, Frankfurt six, Hong Kong eight and Nairobi four.
  
  Most European capitals and other major cities have direct flights to Dubai, many with a choice of operator.
  
  More than 80 airlines take advantage of Dubai’s open skies policy, and operate to and from Dubai International Airport to more than 130 destinations, making it one of the world’s busiest.
  
  Dubai is the home base of Emirates, the award-winning international airline of the UAE, which operates scheduled services to more than 45 destinations.
  
  A $540 million expansion programme is currently under way to offer passengers a state-of-the-art terminal in the year 2000.
  
  Dubai International Airport has comprehensive facilities for people with physical disabilities.

Getting Around

• Taxis
  
  Taxis are the most common way of getting around. Metered cabs from Dubai Transport Corporation, recognised by their cream colour, are efficient and have well-trained and courteous drivers.
  
  The fare is Dh3.00 for pick-up (Dh3.50 from 10.00pm to 6.00am), followed by Dh1.17 per kilometre. It is also possible to hire a taxi for a 12-hour period for a fixed fee of Dh500. Alternatively, Dubai Transport Corporation operates a fixed-fare minibus service to and from the other emirates.
  
  The fares of non-metered taxis are negotiated between driver and passenger, starting at a minimum of around Dh5 for short local journeys, while Dh10 to Dh15 is the rule of thumb if you cross the Creek from one side of the city to the other.
  
  Dubai Transport taxis also operate a service from the airport. The pick-up fee is Dh16 and the fare then accrues at Dh1.17 per kilometre.
  
  Most hotels operate transport for their guests. There are also several radio taxi companies which have cars on call and whose numbers are available at all hotels.
  
  Car-hire
  
  Self-drive cars are available from car rental companies for visitors who have an international driving licence. Renters must produce their passport along with the valid licence.
  
  Visitors without an international driving licence may obtain a temporary local driving licence as long as they hold a valid national licence from one of the following countries: Germany, Spain, Belgium, Austria, Italy, Netherlands, Ireland, France, Switzerland, Greece, Turkey, UK, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland, USA, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. The passport, valid national licence and two photographs are also required.
  
  Driving in the UAE is on the right-hand side.
  
  Roads and highways
  
  Over the past two decades, Dubai has built an impressive network of first-class roads connecting all parts of the city and surrounding areas.
  
  There are two bridges and a tunnel linking the two main districts of Dubai and Deira on either side of the Creek.
  
  Roads to all major towns and villages are excellent and a multi-lane highway heads southwards from the city to Abu Dhabi.
  
  Water taxis
  
  An interesting way to travel between Dubai and Deira is by water taxi across the Creek. The cost of this experience is 50 fils.

Banks

• Both the local banks and the many international banks represented by branches in Dubai provide the usual commercial banking services. Transfers can be made without difficulty as there is no exchange control and the dirham is freely convertible.
  
  Bank opening hours are 8.00am to 1.00pm, from Saturday to Wednesday, although some also open from 4.30–6.30pm. On Thursdays, banks operate only from 8.00am to noon.
  
  Exchange houses are open from 8.30am–1.00pm and 4.30–8.30pm.

Currency

• The monetary unit is the dirham (Dh) which is divided into 100 fils. The dirham is linked to the
  
  Special Drawing Right of the International Monetary Fund. It has been held constant against the US dollar since the end of 1980 at a mid-rate of approximately US$1= Dh3.67.

Tipping

• Tipping practices are similar to most parts of the world. Some restaurants include service; otherwise 10 per cent is adequate.

Credit Cards

• American Express, Diners Club, Visa, MasterCard, etc are generally accepted in the main hotels and larger shops but some retailers offer better bargains for cash.

Business Hours

• The weekend has traditionally been Thursday afternoon and Friday, but some organisations now close on Friday and Saturday, working through Thursday afternoon instead. Government offices are open from 7.30am– 1.30pm (7.30am–12.00 noon on Thursday).
  
  Private sector office hours vary, but are generally from 8.00am–1.00pm, re-opening at either 3.00pm or 4.00pm and closing at 6.00pm or 7.00pm.
  
  Shop hours are similar in their opening times, but most shops remain open until 9.00–10.00pm. Department stores, boutiques, souks and many food shops remain open on a Friday, apart from prayer times (between 11.30am and 1.30pm), while larger shops re-open on a Friday afternoon at around 4.00–5.00pm.
  
  Embassies and consulates are generally open from 8.45am–12.30pm and are closed on Fridays and in most cases on Saturdays, but usually leave an emergency number on their answering machines.

Weights and Measures

• Officially the metric system is followed, although British and American standard weights and measures are understood by most merchants.
  
  Local weights and measures are also used occasionally but seldom for international trade

Television

• Most leading hotels now receive international news and entertainment broadcast via satellite. Star TV, Orbit and Showtime are among the satellite networks which transmit a wide variety of programmes, including BBC World and CNN.
  
  Locally, there are four channels: Dubai 2, 10 and 41 which show Arabic programmes, and Dubai 33, which broadcasts in English. Emirates Dubai Television broadcasts through satellite in many parts of the world in Arabic and English.
  
  Reception from Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Qatar and Bahrain is usually possible and programme details are published in the local press.

Newspapers

• Gulf News, Khaleej Times, Emirates News and The Gulf Today are daily English-language newspapers. Arabic newspapers include Al-Bayan, Al-Ittihad and Al-Khaleej.
  
  Foreign newspapers and magazines, especially British and Asian, are readily available in hotel bookshops and supermarkets.

Electricity

• The electricity supply in Dubai is 220/240 volts at 50 cycles. US-made appliances may need a transformer.

Radio

• The English-language service of UAE Radio Dubai broadcasts daily on 92MHz FM 24 hours a day. Channel 4FM also broadcasts 24 hours a day on 104.8MHz.

Medical Care

• Dubai has many well-equipped hospitals. The Dubai Department of Health and Medical Services runs Dubai, Rashid, Maktoum and Al Wasl hospitals.
  
  Dubai Hospital is one of the best medical centres in the Middle East, with specialised clinics; Al Wasl is a specialised maternity and gynaecology hospital. The department also operates a number of out-patient clinics, of which one is situated in Jebel Ali.
  
  In addition, there are a number of well-equipped private hospitals with in- and out-patient facilities.

Water

• Tap water is quite safe to drink but visitors usually prefer locally-bottled mineral water and this is generally served in hotels and restaurants.

Facilities for the Handicapped

• An increasing number of public areas now have access and facilities for people with disabilities.
  
  Several of the city’s leading hotels also have specially adapted rooms and facilities for the handicapped. These are: City Centre Hotel, Crowne Plaza Dubai, Hilton International Dubai, Hyatt Regency Dubai, Jebel Ali Hotel & Golf Resort, The Jumeirah Beach Hotel, JW Marriott Hotel, Metropolitan Palace Hotel, Oasis Beach Hotel, Radisson SAS Hotel Jumeira Beach, The Ritz-Carlton Dubai and Renaissance Hotel Dubai. For more detailed information about available facilities, see each hotel’s individual entry in the section Places To Stay.