Vacation in Dubai! - Your online Emirates travel resource -

Dubai Local Facts and Figures

" A nation's glory is measured by its past and present and its civilised development, perpetuating the memory of the past, the construction of the present and the planning of the future." H.H General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai , Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE."

Local Facts & Figures

The Ruling Families The ruler and president of the UAE is His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan, the eldest son of the hugely popular Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan who died in 2004. The ruler of Dubai is His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Sheikh Mohammed is also the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE.

Population The estimated population of Dubai is 1.4 million people of which about 80% are expatriates from various countries who are attracted by the tax-free working conditions, the booming economy and the relaxed, relatively crime-free lifestyle. The population of Dubai is only expected to rise in the years to come due to the increase in construction and development.

Language

Arabic is the national language of the United Arab Emirates and Dubai, but English is often used in business. Hindi, Urdu and Farsi are also widely spoken. Dubai now has a population made up of more than 70 nationalities.

Economy

The UAE is one of the world's wealthiest countries, with a GDP of US $54 billion (2000), and has the third-largest proven oil reserves in the world. While oil and gas production form its foundation, Dubai is increasingly broadening its economic activity to include: real estate, tourism, trading and manufacturing.

Aiport

Dubai International Airport, is a total 4 kms from the city centre.

Metered taxis are readily available at the airport. Most hotels operate courtesy coaches or limousines for guests with confirmed reservations. Emirates also offers its own complimentary chauffeur-driven car service, for full fare Business or First Class passengers.

More information about the new construction project at the airport in Development in Dubai

Customs

Visitors of Dubai and United Arab Emirates may import 2,000 cigarettes or 400 cigars or 2 kgs of tobacco and 150g of perfume. Only Non-Muslims can import 2 litres of spirits or 2 bottles of wine.

Currency

The currency is the Emirati Dirham which is linked to the US Dollar. The Dirham is commonly referred to as either AED or DHS when shown in written forms as on price tags or menus.

There are 100 fils to one Dirham and coins issued are 5 fils, 10 fils, 25 fils, 50 fils and one dirham. Notes are issued in denominations of Dhs 5, Dhs 10, Dhs 20, Dhs 50, Dhs 100, Dhs 200, Dhs 500 and Dhs 1,000.

Always try to have a selection of smaller notes available for cheaper items as it's not always easy trying to get change for a 500 or 1,000 dirham note.

Banking and Money Exchange

Exchanging cash or travellers cheques is relatively easy in Dubai; however individual banks operate during different hours. The main banks opening hours are either 8am to 1pm or as in the case of HSBC, 8am to 3pm, Saturday to Thursday; all banks are closed on Friday. Personal cheques are not widely used in the UAE so please don't expect retail outlets to accept a cheque even when presented with a personal cheque guarantee card.

Clothing

It is usual to wear a suit and tie when conducting business in Dubai. Otherwise dress is generally informal, although ladies should avoid wearing low-cut dresses or shorts in public places out of respect for local religion and customs. Regular swimwear is acceptable around hotel pools and on beaches.

Yearly Climate and Weather

Many tourists want to go home looking healthy with a lasting golden tan. In that case Dubai is a great choice for a vacation with a sub-tropical, arid climate and the weather is sunny pretty much all year round. Rainfall is infrequent, irregular and usually averages about five days a year.

Most residents will say that the best time to visit Dubai is between mid -October until the end of May, this is obviously because during the summer months it tends to get very hot with high humidity. When you walk outside your air-conditioned hotel your sunglasses immediately fog up!

Tourists still flock to Dubai throughout the summer months, presumably because that is when their children are on holiday, and the hotel prices are slightly cheaper. A major disadvantage, is that many of the excellent restaurants close their al fresco dining facilities due to the hot and humid weather.

Temperatures vary from an average of 22 degrees Celsius in January, the coldest time of the year, to an average of 40 degrees Celsius in July, although temperatures have been known to climb to well over 45 degrees Celsius quite regularly during the summer months. It is highly recommended that you stay out of the sun during the hottest times of the day, between 12 noon and 3pm.

Getting around

Self-drive cars are available from car rental companies for visitors who have an international driving licence. Renters must produce their passport along with a valid licence. Visitors without an international driving licence may obtain a temporary local driving licence, as long as they hold a valid national licence from one of the following countries;

Shopping and Business Hours

Shopping and business hours have tended to vary considerably in Dubai , however this changed with effect from 1 st September 2006 when the whole of the government sector, including schools, changed their weekend from Thursday/Friday to Friday/Saturday. The major supermarkets such as Spinneys, Choithrams, Safestway, and the Union Co-Op open from 8am to 10pm seven days a week.

If you are staying in self catering accommodation you cannot fail to be impressed with the range of goods and produce on offer at very reasonable prices in local supermarkets. There are counters especially reserved for pork products and it is fair to say that there is not much in the way of produce that cannot be obtained in Dubai .

The butchers and fishmongers within the main supermarkets are always extremely helpful and will prepare your meat to your liking and gut and fillet fish as per your request.

Public and government sector working days are from 7:30am to 3pm. Privatised companies tend to work from 9am to 5pm. All the major shopping malls are open from 10am until 10pm. Most shops operating outside the main shopping malls are open from 9am until 1pm and from 4pm until 9pm.

Money exchanges are prevalent in Dubai and they will often give a similar, if not better, exchange rate than banks. Money exchanges are open from 10am until 10pm from Saturday to Thursday and 5pm until 10pm on Friday; some money exchanges close between 1pm and 4:30pm.

There are numerous Automatic Teller Machines which are linked to all European countries and cash may be withdrawn as normal via Link or credit cards.

Tipping

With regard to tipping, generally most restaurants seem to include a 15% service charge. However if this is not the case, normally 10% is about the correct amount, but is not obligatory. Taxi drivers usually expect a tip and for an average trip it would be expected to round the tip up to the nearest 5 or 10 dirham note, again tipping is not obligatory. Please make sure that you have some smaller notes in your possession for taxi fares.

Postal Service

There is no direct postal service delivery to addresses currently operating in Dubai and residents have their mail delivered to their post office box.

Stationary, postcards and stamps are widely available from hotels and general stores and may be posted either through the concierge at the hotel or apartment block or in many outlets located at supermarkets. Postboxes in the UAE are red or blue in colour and as sometimes the mail service varies considerably, it may be wise to allow at least 8 days for a postcard or letter to be delivered to your home country.

Depending on destination, sending a postcard will require stamps to the value of between Dhs 1-2 and an airmail letter between Dhs 3-6. stamps can be bought from post offices, card shops and from hotel or apartment reception desks.

Electricity

Electricity services in Dubai are excellent and power cuts in the electrical supply are rare. Normal three-pin 13 amp British-style plugs are used operating on 220/240 volts. If you need to purchase an adaptor, all supermarkets and most hotels will sell these and other useful items.

Water

Water is processed through huge desalination plants and is perfectly safe to drink. Having said that it doesn't taste particularly pleasant and most residents tend to drink either bottled water or have a water cooling machine installed. If you are on a self-catering holiday there is absolutely no problem in using tap water for cooking purposes. Chilled bottled water is sold at supermarkets, shops and petrol stations and is very cheap at about Dhs 1 for a litre bottle and is to be recommended if you are unsure of whether or not to drink directly from the tap. Beware of hotel prices for bottled water, especially when the bottle is suddenly put on the table during lunch or dinner- the price may be heavily marked up.

Alcohol

Alcohol is widely available at many bars, restaurants, hotels, sports and leisure clubs normally where the licence is held by a hotel. Alternatively, there are also many restaurants which are not licensed, so if you are out of your hotel, and in doubt, it may be wise to check with the waiter before ordering your meal.
You cannot purchase alcohol from any supermarket or off-licence unless you have an alcohol licence. This facility is strictly regulated and is open to non-muslim residents only who have been issued with a alcohol licence by the police department. It is against the law to walk in the street drinking alcohol or to be drunk in a public place.
Drinking and driving is also against the law, which literally means that you are not allowed to drive with any quantity of alcohol in your system. If you are caught drinking and driving you could face a prison sentence. Always bear in mind if you have been drinking the night before and intend driving early the next day. If you are in any doubt take a taxi.

Drugs

Dubai has a very strict policy of zero drugs tolerance. By European standards, penalties and sentences are extremely harsh for possession of the slightest amount of an illegal substance and the death penalty, although rarely imposed, is still available to the courts in cases of importation of any form of illegal drug into the country.

Making Telephone Calls

All local calls from one landline to another are free in Dubai. However if you are calling a friend on a local mobile phone remember to add 050 before the number. Similarly, if you are calling a landline from a mobile phone remember to add 04 before dialling the last 7 digits. The international dialling code to a Dubai landline is 00 971 4. Similarly, the international dialling code to call a Dubai mobile phone is 00 971 50. It is now possible to make and receive calls through a GSM handset with Etisalat's 'Speak Easy' card. This card is rechargeable and is available at all Etisalat offices and other selected outlets accessible by dialling 101 from your handset.

Emergency Services

Police: 999
Fire: 997
Ambulance: 998

Local time

The UAE is 4 hours ahead of GMT during winter months and 3 hours ahead during daylight saving in the summer months.

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