Did you know these Dubai facts?

Generally speaking, tourist photography is acceptable and to be expected, what with all the beautiful things there are available to photograph in Dubai.

Photographs of government buildings, military installations, ports and airports should not be taken, as it generally customary in most places, and like anywhere else in the world, one should always remember that it is polite to ask permission before photographing people. It is considered also generally considered offensive to photograph Muslim women.

The culinary experience in Dubai is eclectic and varied, as there exist many restaurants of many varying persuasions. Arabic cuisine comprises many types of cooking from countries different countries, like Morocco, Egypt, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Tunisia, and more. Throughout the city, vendors can be found selling shawarma’s, a hot sandwich with lamb or chicken, carved from a rotating spit and served in pita bread with vegetables.

To drink, there are a variety of fresh fruit juices on offer, ranging from pineapple, banana, mango, or a mixed cocktail can be ordered from fresh juice vendors.

Alcohol is also available and served in licensed premises like restaurants and bars. It is also served in a number of recreational clubs.

Shisha pipes are also a means of recreation and a rich part of Dubai’s culture, and are smoked at most establishments. Shisha pipes are traditional water pipes that make use of flavored tobaccos like strawberry or apple, and are usually enjoyed while sitting at a cafe or restaurant with a few friends and a few laughs.

What to remember when in Dubai

Dubai being a cosmopolitan city allows for visitors the opportunity that they can dress however they like. However, a fair amount of respect for the local customs is, and should always be shown and appreciated.

In accordance with the local customs and norms of Dubai, it is a good idea for visitors to refrain from wearing “very short, tight clothing”, at least until they feel they are comfortable with the city and its regulations.

UAE nationals will generally speaking adorn their traditional dress. For the men this is the ‘dishdasha’ or ‘khandura’, which is in effect a white full-length shirt-dress. It is usually accompanied when worn with a white or red checked headdress, locally known as a ‘gutra’.

When in public, local women adorn the black ‘abaya’, which consists of a long black robe that covers their normal clothes. They are also prone to wearing a headscarf.

More on Dubai’s climate:

Situated on the Persian Gulf coast in the northwest of the United Arab Emirates, Dubai is the capital of the emirate of the same name and is often time referred to as Dubai City.

Dubai, having the largest population is also the second largest emirate by area, the largest being Abu Dhabi. The Dubai emirate measures at around 3,900 sq km, while the city itself is approximately 35 sq km.

Dubai lies on the borders of Abu Dhabi, to the south, while Sharjah lies to the northeast borders of Dubai, and the Sultanate of Oman in the southeast.

Dubai Creek is a natural inlet from the Gulf, which divides the city in two. It runs northeast-southwest through the city. The eastern section of the city forms the locality known as Deira and is flanked by the emirate of Sharjah in the east and the town of Al Aweer in the south.

This exact positioning Dubai has, and its sub-tropical, arid climate makes for superb conditions most year round. Rainfall is not common, as is expected in such regions. From November through to March will have
Dubai see weather that is balmy, warm and sunny whilst remaining moderate enough so that is not unbearably hot. Winter temperatures are around 23 degrees C in the daytime, while nights tend to be considerably cooler.

Dubai’s Economy today

Dubai's economy was built on the oil industry, revenues from oil and natural gas currently account for less than 6% of the emirate's revenues.
In response to the ever growing factors in Dubai, economically, the government has decided to set up industry-specific free zones throughout the city.

There are reports showing just this, with “Dubai Internet City, now combined with Dubai Media City as part of TECOM (Dubai Technology, Electronic Commerce and Media Free Zone Authority) is one such enclave whose members include IT firms such as EMC Corporation, Oracle Corporation, Microsoft, and IBM, and media organisations such as MBC, CNN, Reuters, ARY and AP. Dubai Knowledge Village (KV) is an education and training hub is also set up to complement the Free Zones other two clusters, Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City, by providing the facilities to train the clusters' future knowledge workers. Internet access is restricted in most areas of Dubai with a proxy server filtering out sites deemed to be against cultural and religious values of the UAE - this includes any .domains. However, areas served by TECOM (an internet service provider) are currently not filtered.”

Dubai, and its pivotal role in the international arena at present, is an important tourist destination and port (Jebel Ali). With the steady development of Dubai as a city into a hub for service industries such as IT and finance, and with the new Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Dubai is yet to see many more years of fruition and profitable gain.

Dubai’s Nightlife unraveled

It could be because of the immense diversity of people and cultures the city encompasses, but it comes as little surprise then that Dubai has an excellent nightlife scene with a large choice of bars and nightclubs for all to be able to enjoy whilst there.

One only needs to know that most of the bars that can serve alcohol are only in hotels. Important to note are the interesting laws Dubai has regarding clubs; they all must close at 3 am, you must be 21 to drink alcohol, 25 to enter a nightclub.

Examples of popular bars/restaurant in Dubai:
Alamo
Situated at the Dubai Marine Beach Resort and Spa is this Tex/Mex restaurant bar. Being quite popular with the locals, this particular spot can get busy especially at the weekends from 10:30 onwards. The crowd is quite eclectic and caters to most everyone, locals and foreigners alike. One can expect to hear live music and there is also a quaint dancing area.

Atlantis
This restaurant is located right next door to the Hard Rock Cafe, and is a popular disco that really starts to get busy around midnight. One will be treated to performances such as dancing girls and drum masters, all of which only further add to the lively atmosphere. They have ladies night on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays and the crowd is young and hip and happening.

Carter's
If on the prowl for something with class and elegance, look no further than this stylish restaurant/bar. Situated inside the opulent ‘Pyramid complex’, at Wafi City. This rendezvous joint opens for lunch at 12 and closes its' doors at 2 am and 3 am Thursdays. As the evening progresses the restaurant slowly transforms into one of the hottest bars in town, and a DJ starts playing at 10 pm.

Dubai and its Culture:

Embedded in Islamic traditions, Dubai’s culture is rich in the complicated tapestries that forms this country – one of the seven that constitutes the United Arab Emirates. Although staunch in their customs and beliefs, the UAE is tolerant and welcoming to foreigners who do not practice the religion of Islam.

Expatriates have the freedom to practice their own religion, and even alcohol is served in hotels and when it comes to fashion, the dress code is liberal.

Women are not subject to sub-standard conditions and or treatment, and they are entitled to non-discrimination, as should right-fully always be so....

It seems that it is also customary for all in Dubai to be treated with Courtesy and Hospitality - as these are one of the many virtues of Dubai.

The Rulers of Dubai seem adamant in keeping and maintaining their culture and ensure this through a number of practices. One of these practices is through the promotion of sporting events that are representative of their past. Falconry, camel racing and dhow sailing are popular examples of these ancient sports still practiced and revered in Dubai today.

The immense tradition that Dubai has as a tourist destination is congruent with the fact that although the official language of the country is Arabic, most people in and out of the workplace communicate in English.

With the vast majority of different nationalities in Dubai; English seems to be the common ground with most people. Another very visual countenance and reverence this country shows towards tourists is that fact that the majority of road and shop signs, restaurant menus etc. are in both English and Arabic.

Dubai being a cosmopolitan city allows for visitors the opportunity that they can dress however they like. However, a fair amount of respect for the local customs is, and should always be shown and appreciated.
In accordance with the local customs and norms of Dubai, it is a good idea for visitors to refrain from wearing “very short, tight clothing”, at least until they feel they are comfortable with the city and its regulations.

UAE nationals will generally speaking adorn their traditional dress. For the men this is the ‘dishdasha’ or ‘khandura’, which is in effect a white full-length shirt-dress. It is usually accompanied when worn with a white or red checked headdress, locally known as a ‘gutra’.
When in public, local women adorn the black ‘abaya’, which consists of a long black robe that covers their normal clothes. They are also prone to wearing a headscarf.

Dubai

Dubai can refer either to one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE) - or the UAE's premiere city, sometimes called Dubai City.
The emirate of Dubai was created when the UAE formed in 1971 - although records show that the some settlements existed there up to 150 years prior to the existence of the UAE.

It is the largest emirate in terms of population, with 1.422 million people within its borders - and the second largest by area, behind Abu Dhabi.

Last year, Dubai's revenues totalled $46 million - with revenues from oil and gas accounting for just under three per cent of that total. The emirate produces 240,000 barrels of oil per day and large amounts of gas, but its reserves are expected to run out in the next 20 years.

Most of Dubai's banking and financial centres are located around the city's port area Jebel Ali, which was constructed in the 1970s and is the world's biggest man-made port. The city is becoming a hub for IT and financial businesses, with the government setting up industry-specific free zones, with relaxed jurisdiction, throughout the city.

Tourism is also a booming industry in the emirate - with the construction of private real estate projects lending the city an impressive skyline.

Along with Abu Dhabi, it is the only emirate to possess a veto over critical matters of national importance in the UAE. Since 1833, the region has been ruled by the Al Maktoum dynasty. The city's current ruler Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is also the vice president and prime minister of the UAE.

Dubai has an arid subtropical climate, enjoying blue skies and sunshine all year round.