Dubai Facts
The
population of Dubai is growing at an impressive rate. Projects like the
Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Waterfront are creating living areas that will
provide homes to over 3.5 million people by 2010.A large majority of Dubai's population are from overseas. Something in the region of over 80% of Dubai’s population are foreigners, and of the expatriates something in the region of 80% are from Asian.
With almost 200 differing nationalities in Dubai, the City is a wonderfully cosmopolitan place, featuring expatriates such as Europeans, South Africans, Australians, New Zealanders, Russians and Americans.
Dubai’s natural coastline currently stretches out to around 72 miles (115 km) of the Gulf coast, with a total area somewhere near the region of 2,428 square miles. And with the Palm Trilogy and The Dubai Waterfront further extending the coastline by a significant level, there certainly is no shortage of beautiful beaches in Dubai!
Whereas
a large majority of the Middle East and some of the other Emirates that
from the UAE are all largely dependant and the petroleum industry,
Dubai’s economy doesn’t to any great extent depend on oil, with oil
representing no more than 6% of Dubai's GDP. Where as other might be
more focused on perusing the wealth that oil brings, Dubai has
diversified and now hopes to attract international investment from the
many projects that are currently underway within the Emirate. It hard to obtain such breathtaking levels of development without the equipment to do so. And now estimates suggest that a quarter of the world's cranes are now based and operating in Dubai. Just look skywards to see them all dotted around the skyline.
With millions of guests now staying in Dubai hotels every year, the already booming hotel market looks to continue to strengthen on the back of the increasing number of tourism projects and initiatives. It has been estimated by the Dubai Government that by around 2010, there will be in the region of 15 million tourist and visitors to the Emirate, and even up to 40 million people by 2015
Dubai's iconic Burj Al Arab Hotel is not only the world's first 7 star hotel, but is also the tallest offshore structure in the world, on top of being one of the tallest hotel buildings in the world.
And talking of tall, there is then the Burj Dubai. Still under construction, this building became the worlds tallest a good while back, and has since achieved the status of world's tallest freestanding structure. And as of yet, developer Emaar hasn’t even relieved the final height of this hugely impressive building.
Just as the rest of the seven Emirates that make up the UAE, Dubai is four hours ahead of GMT.
The local currency throughout the UAE is the Emirati Dirham (Dhs). This is pegged to the US dollar at a rate of 3.67Dhs to 1 US Dollar.
Before the introduction of freehold law back in 2002, foreigners to Dubai were a little short in regards to property options. Renting was the only choice available to Expatriates, but a lot has changed in a short time here. Now you can purchase an extensive range of property in the many freehold developments on offer throughout Dubai, many of which will also provide you with a residency visa upon your purchase.
This therefore gives everyone the option of making Dubai their new dream home.