Dubai, United Arab Emirates

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Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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Map from www.lonelyplanet.com
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Map from www.lonelyplanet.com
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Brief History

• The Sassanids, who ruled Persia from AD 224 to
  AD 636, occupied the area until the Umayyads
  supplanted them in the 7th century. They brought
  the Arabic language with them, uniting the region
  with the Islamic worldIn the late 16th century
  Portugal became the first European power to take
  control of the regions lucrative trade routes
  with India and the Far EastThe French and the
  Dutch invaded the area in the 17th and 18th
  centuriesand in 1766 the Dutch gave way to
  Britains East India CompanyThroughout the 19th
  century Dubai remained an enclave of fishermen,
  pearl divers and Bedouin, Indian and Persian
  merchants. In 1892, the British reinforced their
  power through exclusive agreements (or
  truceshence the term Trucial Coast) with the
  sheikhs. In 1894, Dubais ruler, Sheikh Maktoum
  bin Hasher al-Maktoum, exempted foreign traders
  from paying taxes, and created the free port of
  Dubai that exists to this day.

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Recent Events

• The most significant events in Dubais recent
  history were the discovery of oil in 1966 and its
  exportation from 1969, setting in place the
  foundations for an extraordinarily rapid
  development that continues to the present day.
  Before Britain left the Arabian Peninsula in
  1968, it attempted to create a new state
  encompassing the Trucial States (most of which is
  todays United Arab Emirates, or UAE), Bahrain,
  and Qatar. While Bahrain and Qatar opted to
  pursue their own independence, the leaders of Abu
  Dhabi and Dubai committed to forming a single
  state and the UAE was born on 2 December 1971

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Jumeirah Mosque
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• Non-Muslims arent allowed to enter mosques in
  Dubai, so take the opportunity to visit beautiful
  Jumeirah Mosque on an engaging guided visit with
  the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural
  UnderstandingIts a splendid example of modern
  Islamic architecture (building started in 1975
  and was completed in 1978) with the intricately
  detailed stonework thats especially exquisite on
  the two minaretsAimed at fostering better
  understanding between Muslims and other religions
  and culturesthe visit introduces you to Islam
  and Emirati culture

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Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
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Ibn Battuta Mall
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• Fourteenth-century Arab scholar Ibn Battuta
  travelled 75,000 miles from China to Andalusia
  over 30 years, and youll appreciate how tired he
  must have been after trekking through this mall.

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Ibn Battuta Mall
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• Maligned elsewhere, shopping malls make sense
  in the stifling heat of Dubai. Malls have become
  like town squaresgiving travellers a glimpse
  into Dubais social culture and an opportunity to
  mingle with locals.

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Mall of the Emirates/Ski Dubai
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• This opulent mall is one of Dubais best and
  busiestDubais first indoor ski resort (yes,
  theres another coming) has all bases covered a
  kids snowpark, a gentle beginners slope and the
  worlds first indoor black run for those who like
  it steep. A quad lift takes skiers and boarders
  up to two stations and theres a magic carpet for
  beginners. The snow uses no chemicalsits
  real snow that falls overnight at around -10
  degrees Celcius.

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Mall of the Emirates/Ski Dubai
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The Persian Gulf
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Bur Dubai
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• Bustling Bur Dubai is home to the restored
  historical quarters of the Bastakiya and
  Shindaghait was once home to wealthy Persian
  traders, hailing mainly from Bastak in southern
  Iran, hence its name, Bastakiya...With its
  labyrinthe lanes lined with traditional
  wind-tower architecture, the old Bastakiya
  Quarter on the waterfront east of Bur Dubai Souq
  market is a magical place to explore.

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Old and New Dubai
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Quotes from Lonely Planets Dubai Encounter
Guidebook