Lying on the calm, blue waters of the southern Gulf and flanked by majestic desert, Dubai offers year-round sunshine and five-star luxury along with the adventure of a unique Arabian experience.

Dubai is the second largest of the emirates comprising the United Arab Emirates. It was established in the late 1950's to serve a tiny coastal settlement. Today, Dubai is a modern metropolis with a population of over 700,000. It offers its citizens the finest in modern comforts. It is known internationally as a premier tourist destination.

Dubai is really two towns separated by Dubai Creek (Khor Dubai), an inlet of the Gulf. Deira lies to the north and Bur Dubai to the south. Both districts are packed with traditional architecture and bustling souqs, but the city center is in Deira. Glittering new office buildings along Shaikh Zayed Rd in Bur Dubai form the core of another burgeoning city center.

Twenty nine years ago the southern coast of the lower Gulf was a barren, under-populated land comprised of several autonomous states. Today, as the United Arab Emirates, it has become a dynamic, modern society with the infrastructure of contemporary twenty-first century life. Geographically, the region which is now the UAE stretches from the Indian Ocean in the east to the ends of the Empty Quarter in the west and from the mountains of the Sultanate of Oman in the south to the temperate waters of the Arabian Gulf in the north.

In the sixties the oil boom began the process of change, and in 1971 the Federation of the United Arab Emirates was formed, uniting seven Emirates, namely: Abu Dhabi (the capital and has the bulk of oil reserves), Dubai (the commercial center), Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah and Ajman. The Federation replaced the old association of the Trucial States which had been under British mandate and set out immediately to bring the benefits of the new world to people throughout the land. A new political structure was introduced, bringing closer together the individual Emirates which until then had each lived separate and independent life under the rule of their own Sheikhs.

The great wealth derived from the UAE's oil and gas production has given the country one of the highest per capita incomes in the world. This wealth from oil and gas has been spent over the past twenty years on construction and development which has proceeded at an amazing rate. All of the original settlements have become dynamic urban centers and Dubai has grown into a large, cosmopolitan center. Rural villages have been reconstructed; many nationals (natives of the UAE) have new homes which feature modern conveniences of typical major urban lifestyles. A network of multi-lane highways link the main centers. The more remote regions are accessible by all-terrain vehicles and both the desert and the mountains are popular destinations for leisure and recreational activities.

Where ever you are in Dubai, you will not be far from a supermarket which offers most of what can be found in North America, Australia and Europe. In fact you are likely to find more variety as goods are imported to suit the needs of many different nationalities. Prices are comparable to most western countries

Known in the region as 'the city of merchants', Dubai has welcomed seafarers and traders to its shores for generations. Today, this tradition of courtesy and hospitality lives on. Dubai's streets are clean and safe, and travelers are sure to be charmed by the city's warmth and friendliness.

Dubai has something for everyone, from holidaymakers seeking a relaxing break away from the pressures of work, to active tourists looking for a new, exciting experience. The emirate is also rapidly emerging as an international conference, exhibition and leisure travel destination.

Dubai has a seemingly endless variety of unique vacation opportunities! Some of the highlights are desert safaris, dune driving; exploring wadis (dry river beds) in four-wheel-drive vehicles; sand-skiing; moonlit Arabian desert barbecues, complete with traditional entertainment; camel racing, horse racing and falconry; cruises in traditional wooden dhow on Dubai Creek or into the Gulf; exploration of the old city souks (markets) and creekside dhow quays. Photographic possibilities include traditional architecture; majestic mosques, magnificent palaces, brightly dressed children, camel and goat herds, ancient windtowers, dusty Bedouin villages, lush oases and palm groves, and dramatic sunsets.

Dubai has facilities for swimming, sailing, fishing, windsurfing, water-skiing, jet-skiing, scuba-diving and snorkeling. There is golf on five championship-standard grass courses. Other sports include squash and tennis; horse back riding; trekking, paragliding, cycling, ice-skating, shooting, archery and bowling.

Families will enjoy the incomparable child- friendly parks and playgrounds. Driving in the desert, mountains or river beds (wadis) is a favorite weekend pastime for many people in the Emirates. There are numerous well known places for camping and picnicking. Shopping attractive traditional Middle Eastern gifts is easy and enjoyable. Offerings include rugs, silverware, jewelry, brass, inlaid rosewood furniture and much more.

Dubai is a modern city without any of the negative aspects often associated with city life, such as air pollution, traffic jams, poverty or crime. It is truly a vacation paradise.