Dubai: The Jewel of the Middle East

Incredible Dubai

One of the most amazing places to visit in the Middle East is Dubai, as it is becoming a center of culture for many people throughout the world. Not only have many people from around the world moved there to live, but it is also a place where tourism is booming. Before oil was discovered in 1966, Dubai was just a desert with few inhabitants. It is now a modern, bustling, city of business. The Arab kings started to turn what was desert into a rich and fertile land by flooding the desert with water. They filled up the desert with open streams and it began to flourish as a beautiful oasis. Find out more about the people, the climate, and some amazing sites of Dubai below.

The people

The correct name for the native people of the United Arab Emirates is Emiratis. If you go there, you will be shown warm hospitality and the people in Dubai are traditional. You will see the men on the streets wearing a long shirt-dress called Khandura. They are normally white in color and they also wear a headscarf called Ghutra and Agal. Most native women there wear a black-colored Burkha and Hijab. The national religion in Dubai is Islam therefore, guests in their country need to respect their customs and beliefs.

The weather

According to climatestotravel.com, “The climate of Dubai, the most populous of the United Arab Emirates, is subtropical desert, with very mild or pleasantly warm winters, and scorchingly hot summers.” The heat during the summer can make things very uncomfortable. The wind during the summer blows directly from the sea, gives a little moisture. The average temperature in the cooler months is about 67.5°F and during August, it is about 98°F. 

The malls

Dubai takes the average shopping experience very seriously and they have beautiful malls to prove it. They have stores selling every global brand you can think of. People from the Middle East and other parts of the world head to these exquisitely-decorated malls to buy, or at least to window shop. These beautiful malls have one of the world’s largest indoor aquariums and an indoor ski slope. In Dubai, shopping can be an adventure in itself. Make sure you plan it in your travel itinerary. Just remember, however, that if you want to shop, but need a little more money, you can use a money transfer service to get you the amount you need.

The Burj Khalifa

One of the most amazing buildings to see in Dubai is the Burj Khalifa as it is the tallest building in the world and breaks a few other records as well.

  • Tallest free-standing structure in the world
  • The highest number of stories in the world
  • The highest occupied floor in the world
  • Elevator with the longest travel distance in the world
  • Highest outdoor observation deck in the world

It stands at 2716.5 feet and is more than 160 stories high. To put the size in perspective, it is three times as tall as the Eiffel Tower and nearly twice as tall as the Empire State Building. If you took pieces of the building and laid them end to end, it would stretch over a quarter of the way around the world.

The Burj Khalifa is definitely a must-see when in Dubai (but you probably won’t miss it because of its sheer size).

Middle Eastern delights

Make sure you try the food there as they have some amazing restaurants. You cannot go to another country and not want to get a feel for their delicious treats. Dubai also has some of the finest restaurants you will find anywhere. According to elitetraveler.com, “When it comes to food, Dubai is almost too exotic to imagine. There are restaurants serving virtually every national cuisine from around the world, including many specializing in Dubai’s own Arabic delights.” 

Other sights to see

The Jumeirah Mosque – it is located north of the Dubai Marina and towers in beauty with its white façade. Non-Muslims are invited inside to marvel at Jumeirah’s ornate decor.

The Bastakiya Quarter – located in the city’s historic district, this was a former fishing village. It is in a charming neighborhood that houses popular outdoor cafes along with many art galleries.

Dubai Miracle Garden – From mid-November to mid-May, the desert comes to life. It is full of scents and colors that are spectacular. Seeing the garden in full bloom is an amazing sight. It has 150 million flowers arranged in colorful arches and patterns. They form a myriad of shapes. It is something beautiful to behold.

There you have it. Dubai should be on your list of must-see places. It will be one of the best trips of your life.

WE SAID THIS: Find out more about Dubai and get packing!

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