About Dubai
About Dubai
Population:757,000 (estimated)
Country:United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Main language:Arabic; English is also widely spoken.
Type of government:Federation of emirates
Government leader:Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahayan, President
Political subdivisions:7 emirates
Economy:Oil contributes just 20 per cent of economic production. Trading, manufacturing and services - including tourism - now dominate the economy.
Health requirements:
No health certificates are required for entry to Dubai, but it is always wise to check before departure, as health restrictions may vary depending upon the situation at the time.
Life expectancy:
Women, 74; Men, 70
Currency:
The monetary unit is the dirham (AED) 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.
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.
The holy month of Ramadan:
In many Muslim countries, labor laws stress that Muslims may be required to work a maximum of six hours daily during the holy month of Ramadan. Offices, shops, and other places of employment adjust to the reduced working hours. Restaurants close and food may not be consumed during the day by non-Muslims. Night turns into day with prayer and family life being the focus of activities. In the UAE, shopping centers are open late into the night, the streets are crowded with people, and television offers special late night viewing for the entire family.
Time zone:
GMT + 4 hours (When it is noon in NY City by Eastern Standard Time; it is 8pm in Dubai) Daylight saving time is not observed.
Climate:
The climate is hot and dry. The mean January temperature is 65°F. and the mean temperature in July is 92°F. The average annual rainfall is 6in.
Location:
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 characterized by desert vegetation.
Visas:
Citizens of GCC countries (Gulf Cooperation Council: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and the Sultanate of Oman) and British nationals with the right of abode in the UK do not need visas to enter the UAE. GCC nationals can stay more or less as long as they like. Britons can stay for a month and can then apply for a visa for a further two months.
For others, the easiest and most common way to enter the UAE is on a hotel-sponsored visa. This means either a 15-day transit visit or a 30-day visit visa. The difference is that the transit visas cannot be extended. The visit visa can be extended for another 30 days by the hotel that initially acted as sponsor.
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).
Alcohol:
Alcohol is available in hotel and club restaurants and bars. However, restaurants outside the hotels are not permitted to serve alcoholic beverages. Alcohol is prohibited for Muslims, yet the UAE is lenient to foreigners in this regard. Alcoholic drinks are available in private clubs, hotels, and restaurants in hotels. In addition, non-Muslim expatriates can get liquor permits for purchase and consumption of alcohol in their homes; however, as permit holders, they may not sell, serve or give liquor to Muslims.
Photography:
Normal tourist photography is acceptable but it is considered offensive to photograph Muslim women. It is also courteous to ask permission before photographing men. In general, photographs of government buildings or military installations should not be taken.
Telephone:
To call the UAE from abroad, the country code is 971 followed by the city code and the local number.
Average Temperatures (In Fahrenheit):
High Low
January - March 80F 54F
April - June 97F 65F
July - September 103F 77F
October - December 92F 58F
The best time of the year to visit Dubai is between November and April, when the weather is coolest. The rest of the year you're more likely to be running from one air-conditioned environment to the next instead of getting out and exploring. Ramadan, which takes place at a different time each year on the western calendar, is the Muslim month of fasting and is strictly adhered to throughout the UAE. That means that it's illegal, not to mention rude, to eat, drink or smoke in public from sunrise to sunset during your stay. (In the year 2001, Ramadan falls between November 16 and December 14). The good news is that during that time hotel rates drop up to 70%.
Visiting in high summer (July and August) can be very uncomfortable. From May to September, daytime temperatures are in the low to 104-113 °F range. In the winter months, temperatures average in the low to 68-77 °F range. It can get very windy during these months.
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. Lightweight summer clothing is suitable for most of the year, but sweaters or jackets may be needed for the winter months, especially in the evenings.
Compared with certain parts of the Middle East, Dubai has a very relaxed dress code. However, care should be taken not to give offence by wearing clothing which may be considered revealing. At the pool or on the beaches, trunks, swim-suits and bikinis are quite acceptable.
Good quality sunglasses are advised, and photo- chromatic lenses for those who wear spectacles. Hats or some protection for the head are advisable when in direct sunlight.
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.
Getting There:
The airport is on the mainland, about 18.6 mi north-east of the city centre. Dubai International Airport (DXB) has recently undergone a US$540 million expansion. New facilities include a spa, business and conference rooms, a five-star hotel and, of course, an expanded duty-free store, enlarging what was already one of the biggest in the world. The airport has a long-standing reputation as the Gulf's travel hub. The national carrier is Emirates, which flies to some 45 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, Australia, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent.. There is no departure tax leaving Dubai International Airport, although there may be in the future.
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