The United Arab Emirates is a country that is composed of a number of emirates that have united into a single country. Of these Dubai and Abu Dhabi are perhaps the most well-known. Each of these emirates has its own Sheikh who rules the emirate. Dubai has famously grown explosively and is now one of the most popular tourists attractions anywhere in the Middle East. Whereas many of the other attractions in the region are archeological sites (like the mesmerizing site of Petra in Jordan), the main attractions in Dubai are its hot coastal beaches, its shopping, and the magnificent new and modern city that has arisen out of the desert.

About Dubai

  • Largest City: It Is The Largest City Of The UAE (But Not The Capital) Population 3.4 Million
  • Capital: Capital Of The Emirate Of Dubai
  • Established: In The 18th Century As A Small Fishing Village
  • Records: Tallest Building In The World (Burj Khalifa) And Second Most Five Star Hotels

While Dubai's growth was fueled by oil revenue, today its main economy is tourism, trade, aviation, financial services, and the like.

Unlike many of the other countries and neighboring emirates in the region, Dubai is comparatively open and progressive. Alcohol is permitted and dress codes for western tourists are not so strict. Remember this is still a deeply religious Muslim state and so one should dress modestly and not reveal too much skin. T-Shirts are fine and headscarves are certainly not required.

It is worth noting that Dubai is more relaxed than its neighboring emirates, so if one is planning to travel around the country. It is important to check the rules about clothing, eating during Ramadan, alcohol, etc. of those emirates.

Related: 25 Things To Do In Dubai (That Don't Involve Going To A Mall)

Visiting Dubai

Visiting Dubai is not about seeing the traditional architecture, nor is it about seeing ancient history. Dubai is strictly a glittering and sparkling modern city. It is tailored to the luxury end of travelers (so don't expect the city to be cheap). Its weather is very hot, although all the buildings are comfortably air-conditioned. Massive artificial islands have been constructed so that be people can relax out of the city on the beach in the Persian Gulf.

Planning one's trip here is very simple and straightforward as the downtown and waterfront parts of the city are compact and it is easy to get anywhere one wants to go in this geographically small emirate. Dubai is about luxury, luxury shopping, parties, fine dining, and the beach.

The Burj Khalifa

The Burj Khalifa is currently the tallest building in the world. This monstrous skyscraper dominates the skyline and is visible for miles around. The area where the Burj Khalifa is one of the main leisure, luxury shopping, and dining precincts of the city. The building has some 57 elevators and 8 escalators.

  • Height: 2,722 Feet Or 829.8 Meters

Artificial Islands

Dubai has also been developed as a stunning beach resort city. They have built the Palm Islands and the World.

The Palm Jumeirah is one of the Palm Island that has been built as an artificial archipelago. The land has been reclaimed and is one of the three planned Palm Islands. This is the original one and the smallest of them. It was built between 2001 and 2006.

The World Islands is another artificial archipelago that has been built to resemble the world map.

Dubai Miracle Garden

Somewhat surprisingly for a sun-baked desert, Dubai also boasts a massive flower garden called the Dubai Miracle Garden. It is reportedly the world's largest flower garden and displays over 50 million flowers with more than 70 species of these flowering plants.

  • Number of Flowers: 50 Million

Related: Abu Dhabi: What It Offers That Dubai Doesn't

The Dubai Mall

The Dubai Mall is both one of the most famous shopping malls in the world as well as the world's largest mall by land area (although not the largest by gross leasable space). The mall is one of the main features of a $20 billion dollar complex called Downtown Dubai and is just next to the Burj Khalifa. It has its own massive aquariums that one can dive in and have one's Instagram's pics taken. It even has its own in-house ski field.

  • Number Of Shops: 1,200
  • Number Of Visitors: 84 Million (Making It The World's Most Visited Building)

There are scores of interesting buildings in this city some of the places of note while in Downtown Dubai are the Rainforest Cafe (inside the Dubai Shopping Mall), Dubai Dino (features a full Diplodocus skeleton), Dubai Creek Tower Replica, VR Park Dubai (an amusement park), Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo (inside the Dubai Shopping Mall).

Visiting Dubai is a chance to see a completely different side of the Middle East than one experiences in Egypt or Jordan.

Next: 20 Surprising (But Important) Things To Keep In Mind Before Traveling To Dubai