Dubai

The UAE is changing because it is opening itself to the modern world. The most vivid example is Dubai. Its skyline features some of the wildest architecture this side of Shanghai - fantasy buildings that seem to float in the air like the sails of an Arab dhow. The city is a place of contrast, a land where the old and the new, traditional and modern, east and west blend seamlessly to produce a fascinating, mysterious, exciting city with a distinct personality of its own. Refreshingly, as opposed to the conflict swirling around it, Dubai is also a tolerant place. There are few areas where the Arabia of old co-exists so well with that of the 21st century. The past 40 years have been a triumph of adaptation for Dubai.

Dubai

Area: 4,114 sq km

Government: Constitutional Monarchy

Population: 1.422 million Dubai (2006 figures) has the largest population compared to the other six emirates.

Time Zone: Dubai is 4 hours ahead of GMT

Current GDP growth: AED 198 billion in 2007

Inflation: 2007 - 10.1% (expected to hit 12% in 2008)

Official languages: Arabic is the official language although English is widely used.

Religion: Islam is the official religion of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the majority being Sunni Muslims. Dubai is one of the most liberal places in the Gulf and followers of other religions (except Judaism) are tolerated. The holy day is Friday with most government offices, companies and schools remaining closed on Friday.

Geography: Dubai is located on the Persian Gulf coast of the United Arab Emirates and shares borders with Abu Dhabi in the south, Sharjah in the northeast, and the Sultanate of Oman in the southeast. Hatta, a tiny village of Dubai, is surrounded on three sides by Oman and by the emirates of Ajman in the west and Ras Al Khaimah in the north. Dubai's topography is emphasized by sandy desert consisting mainly of crushed shell and coral. The desert gives way to the Western Hajar Mountains that run alongside Dubai's border with Oman near Hatta. Devoid of any natural bodies of water, the natural inlet - Dubai Creek, has been dredged to make it deeper for large vessels to navigate and divides the emirate in two.

Climate: Dubai has a subtropical and arid climate with the weather usually hot and often humid. The temperature ranges from a pleasant 10°C (50°F) in winter to over 40°C (104°F) in the daytime during summer. The mean humidity in Dubai is roughly 60% in the summer. Rainfall in the emirate is sporadic and light, with rainfall primarily occurring in the first quarter of the year. However, Dubai experienced an unprecedented record rainfall in January 2008 - 105mm of rain in two days (average rainfall for January in Dubai is 15.6mm).

Banks and foreign exchange: Dubai has a large network of local and international banks offering a wide array of commercial and personal banking services. All the banks are controlled by the UAE Central Bank. Banking hours are usually Saturday - Thursday, 8.00am - 2.00pm with some banks offering services until 8.00pm

Taxes: There is no income tax or corporate tax in Dubai (except for oil producing companies and branches of foreign banks). However, the main forms of tax are the rent tax by Dubai Municipality (5%) as well as in-built 10% on food and beverage bills at hotels. In July 2007, Dubai's Road and Transport Authority (RTA) introduced a toll system - Salik - in order to ease traffic congestion. A fee of AED 4 is deducted from a prepaid toll account every time one passes through the Salik toll zones.

Currency: The legal tender in Dubai is the UAE dirham (AED or Dhs)

Exchange Rate: The Dirham is pegged to the US dollar; One US$=AED 3.67 (30 April 2008)

Country Dialing Code: +971 (04)

Internet domain: .ae

Credit cards and cash: Most retail outlets, hotels and restaurants accept major credit cards (MasterCard, Visa, Diners Club and American Express). Smaller retail stores are less likely to accept and some even charge processing fees on transactions. It is advisable to check before hand. In the third quarter of 2007, all petrol stations across the emirate ceased accepting credit or debit cards for payment.

Telecommunications: Dubai has a healthy telecommunications industry with two telecom operators - Etisalat and the new entrant, ‘du’. Both providers offer comprehensive services that include landline, mobile, broadband and pay TV.

Medical facilities: There are approximately 20 primary health care centres located around Dubai. The Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS) offers convenient eServices including online health card renewal and online medical fitness reports. Additionally, Dubai Healthcare City was recently established - this is the world's first healthcare free zone with two complementary communities - the Medical Community and the Wellness Community. The Medical Community occupies and area of 4.1 million square feet and focuses on acute care services. The Wellness Community covers 19 million square feet and completes DHCC's healthcare field by housing hospitals, outpatient clinics, luxury spa resorts, and the entire spectrum of wellness services.

With 45 percent of Emiratis less than 15 years of age, the next few years will see increasing numbers of nationals entering the job market. Unemployment rates amongst the locals are very high, but there are trends showing an increase in adolescents who want an improved lifestyle and recognition within society. Working for them is perceived as presenting a means of attaining a Courtesy Lilly Bandak personal identity.

Alcohol: Dubai's licensing laws require that alcohol can only be served in licenced venues primarily attached to hotels and private leisure clubs (golf clubs, sports clubs) and associations and where the legal drinking age is 21. Non-Muslim residents can purchase alcohol from licenced outlets provided they have a valid liquor licence. The liquour permit or licence is valid for a year and allows the holder to purchase a certain amount of alcohol per month. Purchases from retailers that do not have official approval are illegal. During the holy month of Ramadan, sale of alcohol is only permitted after dusk.
The two major distributors in the emirate are Maritime & Mercantile International (MMI) and African & Eastern NE BVI Ltd (A&E). Liquor licences can be purchased from either outlet.

Crime: Dubai is renowned for its low crime rate and many residents regard the emirate as a very safe place. Although it would be ridiculous to declare that any city to be absolutely devoid of crimes, these usually occur however on a very small scale.
A major offence is driving under the influence ofalcohol. The UAE government have enforced a zero-tolerance policy with random checks occurring more frequently. Driving the morning after a heavy night of drinking is also risky. In the course of an accident, regardless of whose fault it is, both parties will be arrested. If any level of alcohol is detected in the blood. The standard penalty is a month in prison with a fine.

Travelling or consuming illegal narcotics is also a major offence in the emirate. Legislation enacted in January 1996 imposes the death sentence for convicted drug traffickers. Since January 2006, possession of even trace amounts of illegal drugs has resulted in sentences of four years imprisonment for foreign citizens transiting the emirate and UAE. If caught, the penalty is more stringent with a minimum of four years followed by deportation. The penalty is usually a life sentence and sometimes even death if found guilty of dealing or smuggling illegal substances.

Some drugs normally taken under a doctor's supervision in the other countries (including over-the-counter drugs and medications) are classified as narcotics in the UAE and are illegal to possess. A doctor's prescription should be carried along with any medication brought into the country. An individual may be subject to arrest and prosecution if possession of prescribed medicines (especially those containing codeine and similar narcotic-like ingredients) if brought to the attention of local authorities.

There are a few other crimes which may incur time in prison or massive fines although they could be disregarded in some cases. These are

• Purchasing alcohol without a liquor licence
• Bouncing cheques
• Public displays of affection (kissing, lewd behaviour)
• Unmarried couples living together
• Homosexual behaviour
• Eating, drinking or smoking in public during Ramadan
• Distributing non-Muslim religious material

Traffic accidents: In addition to the above, traffic accidents earn numerous penalties. If someone is fatally injured or killed in the event of an accident, both parties are incarcerated until an investigation is completed. Once the party at fault is determined, the verdict varies depending if the offender has consumed alcohol or not. In most cases, the offender is imprisoned until the blood money (diya) has been paid to the victim's family or if the family pardons the offender.

The Sharia law states that if one causes the death or injury to another, compensation should be paid to the victim (or his family) in the form of blood money (diya). The value is determined under Sharia law and is intended to both punish and compensate.

Generally, the life of a Muslim is valued higher than a non-Muslim, although the value in the UAE is the same regardless of religion or ethnicity and is set at AED200,000 for all males and AED100,000 for all females. The blood money can only be claimed if a criminal prosecution has taken place, and the judge may revise the value. Blood money is not paid if a person kills another while trying to defend himself, his family, his property or other individuals and their property from harm.