Dubai's culture

What really makes Dubai so special?



         Besides the hype, the questionable architectural innovations and indoor ski resort, who are the people, where are they all from? Is the population diverse, and if so has Dubai always been diverse, or is it a direct result of globalization and Capitalism? 






Where are Dubai's best restaurants? Clubs? hotels? parks? and do the troubles of the Middle East in terms of the war in Iraq have the people concerned or are they oblivious?




From this point on, this blog will be dedicated to answering all of these questions. Serving as an up to date data base on Dubai and it current world affairs as well as local, late braking news! 




Welcome to Dubai!

Well, why is it that everyone talks about Dubai and rarely refers to the U.A.E? There are many explanations but the most obvious answer would be "development". The rate at which Dubai is developing in all sectors of international commerce, and domestic infrastructure is unsurpassed by its neighboring Emirates, in fact, the architectural development in Dubai is so close to the "experimental" level of development, that some people would say that Dubai is in a world of it own innovations.

**The following facts were derived from the CIA World Factsbook**

First, as mentioned before Dubai, is in fact a section/Emirate of seven others which formulate the nation of the U.A.E.

A result of their declaration of independence which was formally arrived at by the original Trucial States of the Persian Gulf Coast when they seperated from the United Kingdom in 1971. An era in which the United Kingdom controlled the land of the present day U.A.E as well as these people's defense and foreign affairs. 


                     

In 1971, six of these states - Abu Zaby, 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah, Dubayy, and Umm al Qaywayn - merged to form the United Arab Emirates (UAE).  They were joined in 1972 

This regions generosity with oil revenues and its moderate foreign policy stance have allowed the UAE to play a vital role in the affairs of the region and paved the road for Dubai's current success.




And now if you care to know some more detailed history on Dubai, please proceed to read. As some people like myself might just find this information very interesting =)

WELCOME TO THE DESERT'S MOST EXCITING CITY

*There are records of the town of Dubai as far back as 1799. 

*Earlier in the 18th century the Al Abu Falasa lineage of Bani Yas clan established itself in Dubai which was a dependent of the settlement of Abu Dhabi until 1833.

*On 8 January 1820, the then sheikh (for those of you that do not know a sheik or sheikh, as used in this context is refering to a man holding a position similar to a lord ot Senator) of Dubai was a signatory to the British sponsored "General Treaty of Peace" (the General Maritime Treaty).

*In 1833, the Al Maktoum dynasty of the Bani Yas tribe left the settlement of Abu Dhabi and took over the town of Dubai, "without resistance". 

*From that point on, Dubai, a newly independent emirate, was constantly at odds with the emirate of Abu Dhabi. An attempt by the Qawasim pirates to take over Dubai was thwarted.

 *In 1835, Dubai and the rest of the Trucial States signed a maritime truce with Britain and a "Perpetual Maritime Truce" about two decades later. Dubai came under the protection of the United Kingdom (keeping out the Ottoman Turks) by the Exclusive Agreement of 1892.

 *Like four of its neighbours, Abu Dhabi, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Qaiwain, its position on the route to India made it an important location.

In March 1892, the Trucial States (or Trucial Oman) were created.

*The rulers of Dubai fostered trade and commerce, unlike the town's neighbors. The town of Dubai was an important port of call for foreign tradesmen (chiefly Indians), who settled in the town. (this is a very important part of Dubai's history becuase it aids in the explanation and understanding of how and why Dubai became so wealthy so fast compared to the rest of the Emirates)

*Until the 1930s, the town was known for its pearl exports.

*After the devaluation of the Gulf Rupee in 1966, Dubai joined the newly independent state of Qatar to set up a new monetary unit, the Qatar/Dubai riyal.

* Oil was discovered 120 kilometres off the coast of Dubai, after which the town granted oil concessions.

**On 2 December 1971 Dubai, together with Abu Dhabi and five other emirates, formed the United Arab Emirates after former protector Britain left the Persian Gulf in 1971. In 1973, Dubai joined the other emirates to adopt a single, uniform currency: the UAE dirham.

Data was gathered from the following website:
www.Dubai.com (under the tool bar labeled history)

On May 3rd, The Today Show’s Matt Lauer traveled to Dubai and did an entire story on this city that just 35 years ago was a plain desert. 




There is no doubt that Dubai has caught the attention of the world through its grand buildings and growing economy, but now with the help of traditional media, it has gained its own presence as an International buzz tpoic. So, this blog/journal will join the press.media and inform those who are misinformed about the events occuring in Dubai and when is the best time to visit =)