Dubai, located in the Persian Gulf on the southeast coast, is the UAE’s largest and most populous city. UAE stands for the United Arab Emirates. It is a cosmopolitan city and the Middle East’s major business hub. Dubai is also one of the world’s leading centers for cargo and airline passengers.
Although the city is famous for its oil exports, today fossil fuels represents less than five percent of the city’s revenue.
Some events, such as the Dubai Food Festival, International Film Festival (DIFF), and the National Day Celebrations attract visitors from all over the world. Visitors need to carry a Dubai Visa before entering the city.
Dubai – brief history
The first humans to settle in what today is Dubai were nomadic cattle herders about five thousand years ago. The Sassanid Empire ruled from the 3rd to 7th century. In the 7th century, Islam was introduced into the region when the Umayyad Caliphate took over.
For a period of one thousand years, the local economy consisted mainly of pearl diving and fishing.
Abu Dhabi
In 1799, the dependency of Abu Dhabi was established by the Bani Yas clan. In 1833, Dubai separated from Abu Dhabi as an independent Sheikhdom. The Bani Yas clan, which initially came from Abu Dhabi, took control peacefully.
In 1926, artificial pearls were invented, which had a negative effect on the country’s pearl divers and traders. During the Great Depression, which began in 1929, the international pearl market collapsed.
Sheik Saeed needed to diversify the local economy, so he invited Iranian and Indian traders to settle in Dubai tax free. The city eventually became one of the world’s leading re-export ports.
Oil
In 1966, Dubai began to change dramatically after oil was discovered. Within a few decades, it became one of the wealthiest, most prosperous, vibrant, and business-centered cities in the world.
Let’s look at a some events that modern Dubai has to offer:
Dubai Shopping Festival
According to blinkvisa.com, which arranges Dubai tourist visas, the Dubai Shopping festival is one of the city’s major events, attracting visitors from all over the Middle East and beyond. It attracts over two million visitors just from the other emirates.
Dubai is known globally as a shopper’s paradise. There are bargains to be had throughout the city’s best malls. The event also includes firework shows, children’s entertainment, and various types of concerts. It takes place annualy in January/February.
Dubai Jazz Festival
In February 2019, the city hosted its Jazz Festival at the Dubai Media City Amphitheatre. Famous names such as Mariah Carry, Ricky Martin, John Legend, Alicia Keys, and Duran Duran have performed at this festival in front of thousands of excited fans.
The Festival, which takes place every year in February/March, lasts ten days.
Dubai World Cup
One of the biggest events in the city, the Dubai World Cup is a famous horse race that takes place once a year. The annual race began in 1996, and today has a first prize of ten million US dollars. It is the richest horse race in the world.
The event, which takes place in March/April, is famous for its hat fashion parade – women try to outdo each other by wearing extravagant hats.
Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF)
DIFF is the region’s leading film festival. Many original movies from the Middle East are showcased during this event, which takes place in December every two years.
Hollywood stars, including Ben Affleck, Morgan Freeman, and Cate Blanchett are just some of the many international film stars who have attended the event.
As you can see, there is a lot more to Dubai than business, trade, real estate, and airline traffic.
Author Bio: Snehal Tanwar is an experience writer, editor, and author dedicated to her work. She works for Mind Mingle, a digital marketing agency. She also writes on trends related to travel, news, technology, cinance, and health related topics.
Digital marketing means the same as online marketing or Internet marketing.