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Dubai is the second largest of the United Arab Emirates, after neighboring Abu Dhabi. It is located on the Persian Gulf, between Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. Dubai is part of the seven states that comprises the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the second largest.

Dubai, with an area of 3,885 square kilometres, is situated on the banks of the Dubai Creek which is a natural inlet from the Gulf that divides the city into The Deira district to its north and Bur Dubai to the south. The city ranks as the UAE 's most important port and commercial centre.

To differentiate it from the emirate, the main city is sometimes known as Dubai City. Dubai is divided into nine sectors, and each of these is subdivided into communities. There are 132 communities, the borders of which are major roads. Around the Creek are some of the oldest parts of the town, and it is a fascinating mixture of ancient and modern. North of the Creek, the Deira area houses the spice, fish and gold souks. On the south side of the Creek is Bur Dubai, an area with a strong modern feel. Many expatriates live in the Jumeirah area, where there is a good choice of international schools and high quality accommodation.

Dubai city is one of the fastest growing in the world and major construction projects constantly add to its impressive array of skyscrapers and high-tech buildings. The city's evolution from a collection of Bedouin settlements around the creek, to a modern city with over 500 skyscrapers and has been dramatic. The rulers of Dubai have taken their responsibilities for development seriously, resulting in a well-managed and carefully thought out city, designed to meet every modern need.

Dubai is unusual, in that its population consists mainly of expatriates, the majority of whom come from south and South East Asia. UAE nationals are in a minority, at just 20% of the total population. There are some 100,000 Western European expatriates in Dubai, many of them British.


Location:   Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia

Geographic coordinates:   24 00 N, 54 00 E

Map references:  Middle East

Area:  total: 82,880 sq km
           land: 82,880 sq km
           water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative:  slightly smaller than Maine

Land boundaries:  867 km

Border countries: Oman 410 km, Saudi Arabia 457 km

Coastline: 1,318 km

Maritime claims:       territorial sea: 12 nm
                                  contiguous zone: 24 nm
                                  exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
                                  continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate:  desert; cooler in eastern mountains

Terrain:  flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert wasteland; mountains in east

Elevation extremes:     lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m
                                      highest point: Jabal Yibir 1,527 m

Natural resources:   petroleum, natural gas

Land use:    arable land: 0.6%
                   permanent crops: 2.25%
                   other: 97.15% (2001)

Irrigated land:   720 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards:   frequent sand and dust storms

Geography - note: strategic location along southern approaches to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil

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