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Dubai (in Arabic: دبيّ, Dubayy) can either refer to one of the seven emirates that constitute United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the eastern Arabian Peninsula, or that emirate's main city, sometimes called "Dubai city" to distinguish it from the emirate. The modern emirate of Dubai was created with the formation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971. However, written accounts documenting the existence of the city have existed at least 150 years prior to the formation of the UAE. Dubai shares within a federal framework, legal, political, military and economic functions, with the other emirates, although each emirate has jurisdiction over some functions such as civic law enforcement and provision and upkeep of local facilities. Dubai has the largest population and is the second largest emirate by area, after Abu Dhabi and, with Abu Dhabi, is one of only two emirates to possess veto power over critical matters of national importance in the UAE. Dubai has been ruled by the Al Maktoum dynasty since 1833. The city's current ruler, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is also the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE.

Geography: The Dubai creek runs northeast-southwest through the city. The eastern section of the city forms the locality of Deira and is flanked by the emirate of Sharjah in the east and the town of Al Aweer in the south. The Dubai International Airport is located south of Deira, while the Palm Deira is located north of Deira in the Persian Gulf. The western section forms the locality of Bur Dubai and is bordered almost entirely by the emirate of Abu Dhabi. Much of Dubai's real estate boom has been concentrated to the west of this region, on the Jumeirah coastal belt and along Sheikh Zayed Road (E11). Port Rashid, Jebel Ali, Burj Al Arab, the Palm Jumeirah and theme based free zone clusters such as Business Bay are all located in this section. The Sheikh Zayed Road and Emirates Road (E311) are the main arteries of Dubai; and run roughly parallel to each other in the western section of the city, before eventually diverging sharply near Jumeirah. The eastern and western sections of the city are connected through the Al Maktoum bridge, the Al Garhoud bridge and the Al Shindagha tunnel. A large new bridge (the 'Business Bay Bridge') with 6 lanes in each direction was opened in May 2007 , across the creek a little to the south of the Al Garhoud Bridge. It is the first new bridge to be built in thirty years.

Economy / Property / Real Estate: The government's decision to diversify from a trade-based but oil-reliant economy to one that is service and tourism-oriented has made real estate more valuable, resulting in the property appreciation from 2004–2006. Large scale real estate development projects, undertaken by firms such as Emaar Properties, have led to the construction of many skyscrapers such as the Emirates Towers and the world's tallest hotel, the Burj al-Arab. Burj Dubai, also being constructed by Emaar Properties, is expected to become the world's tallest structure.

The Dubai Expat Diaries

Latest Posts from: The Dubai Expat Diaries: The Dubai Expat Diaries is an online expatriate journal for expats moving to, living and working in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates

Terror threats Burj al Arab and Palm Jumeirah - Is the Dubai UK Terror Alert Media Hype?

There’s been quite a lot of coverage as well as rhetoric in the British media of late, regaring Dubai and a possible terror threat, posed to the Palm Jumeirah and the Burj al Arab hotel. Some snippets from various media reports: From The Telegraph: Expats â€“ who make up perhaps as much as 90 per cent of [...]

UAE Hurricane Hoax - Hurricane coming from the Indian Ocean hit the island within the Arabic Tuesday evening

Please be warned! There is a hoax / false email being circulated warning of a Hurricane and possible thunderstorms this weekend in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and most parts of the UAE. Do not take it seriously!!! IT IS A HOAX. Please check weather.com or any popular site for the actual weather forecast and avoid circulating [...]

Westin Dubai ATM party draws over 2,000 - Bash declared â€˜hottestâ€™ party of the year in Dubai

Westin ATM party draws over 2,000: Pre-ATM bash declared â€˜hottestâ€™ party of the year DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, May 6, 2008 â€“ It was Open House at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina last night as the five-star resort flung open its doors to welcome in the worldâ€™s travel industry and give them [...]

Disneyâ€™s High School Musical - Auditions - Dubai

The West End Stage Experience â€“ Live the Dreamâ€¦ Popular Productions Ltd & West End Stage Experience are seeking talented actors, singers and dancers aged between 10 and 23 to audition to be part of one of the most exciting and successful musicals of recent years â€“ Disneyâ€™s High School Musical. The West End Stage Experience is [...]

The Westin Dubai opens, supported by over 500 Dubai Taxi Drivers!

The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina showed the Dubai Taxi Drivers the Westin difference, when they invited them to experience a breakfast- to- go compliments of The Westin. Over 500 taxi drivers showed their support ahead of the opening and were met by key management staff of The Westin and handed a [...]

Weddings in Dubai and the UAE - Phenomenal Growth and Opportunities, The Bride Show Dubai

The Bride Show and Emirates Business 24/7 report thatÂ the wedding industry grew 20 % in 2007: The cost of tying the knot can be anything from Dh20,000 for a small expat union to Dh500m for the most extravagant Emirati nuptials. But according to IIR â€“ the Bride Show event organisers â€“ the average cost is Dh300,000. [...]

Twitter.com now blocked in Dubai and the UAE

Twitter has now been blocked in Dubai and the UAE!Â Twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging service that allows users to send “updates” (or “tweets”; text-based posts, up to 140 characters long) to the Twitter website, via short message service (e.g. on a cell phone), instant messaging, or a third-party application such as Twitterrific [...]

Madonna to perform in Dubai at $133,333 per minute this November!

Media reports indicate that popstarÂ Madonna may perform in Dubai in November, with a record $24 million 2 concert deal, that would have her earning over $133k per minute!!! How’s that for a great job!?

Barasti Bar Dubai - Six lucky Barasti customers enjoy three-day rugby extravaganza

Barasti at Le MÃ©ridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina is back on tour once again, with the first set of Barasti on Tour winners returning slightly hoarse from a three-day rugby spectacle after attending the Wales Vs France Six Nations match in Cardiff on March 15. Charl and Eugene Roberts, Robin Ali, Nigel Smith, Stuart [...]

Hotel eMarketer tips for driving an internet culture in hotels

Hotel eMarketing and Internet â€˜eâ€™volution â€“ Creating an Online Culture at Hotels: Are you a hotel eMarketer looking for ways to better communicate, educate and develop the role at your property/ies? This article explores some of the issues surrounding these efforts, complemented by a dose of perspective and a generous helping of best practices, all [...]

Latest updates from the Property and Real Estate Sector:
AME Info | Real Estate

Dubai housing market overheating

Standard Chartered Bank is warning that Dubai's housing market is becoming overheated, particularly in the off-plan sector. The signs of overheating, it said, are related to the 'ultra loose monetary conditions which distort economic incentives and encourage risk-taking behaviour'. It says the government needs to address speculative behaviour.

Dubai rent increases slow

No significant residential rental increases were seen in the second quarter in Dubai, following a pattern that began in the first quarter of this year, according to property services company Asteco's quarterly real estate report. However, year-on-year average residential rents in Dubai climbed by almost 22%. Sheikh Zayed Road continues to be one of the most coveted residential areas, recording the highest annual rental growth of 51%. Bur Dubai and Ghusais areas follow close with yearly rent increases of 42% and 40% respectively.

Limitless to build Jordan's tallest towers

Dubai-based developer Limitless has announced that Sanaya Amman, its $300m twin tower project in Amman, will be Jordan's tallest building with a height of more than 200 metres. Unveiled in February under the name Limitless Towers, Sanaya Amman, which is located in the Abdoun district of Amman, will also be the first in Jordan to meet world environmental standards, with a host of eco-friendly initiatives that will save $2m a year in running costs, the developer said.

Kuwait real estate sales jump in June

Real estate sales in Kuwait saw a significant jump in June following a sharp drop the previous month, according to a report by National Bank of Kuwait. A total of 432 sales transactions were registered at a value of KD 177.4 million. Although unit sales and values were up by 30% and 22% respectively from the previous month, they were down 53% and 28% respectively on a year ago. June's strong performance was largely due to a buoyant month in the apartments and commercial property segment, which saw sales rise 28% by value and 63% by number of units sold, the report said.

Pearl of Kuwait Real Estate profit up 72%

Pearl of Kuwait Real Estate, a Kuwaiti property investment firm, has reported that its second-quarter profit increased 72%, reported Bloomberg. Net income climbed to 8.1 million dinars ($30.5m), or 32.2 fils a share, from 4.7 million dinars, or 21 fils, a year earlier, the company said. First-half profit more than doubled to 12 million dinars.