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74-441: Kalba Ice Factory was originally constructed in the 1970s as a fish feed mill and then used as an ice production and storage facility by local fishermen, allowing fish caught on Kalba's extensive coastline to be transported to Dubai for sale. It fell into dereliction until the shell of the building was bought by Sharjah Art Foundation in 2015. The development of the ice factory includes a series of six apartments, social spaces and

148-590: A Dhs. 484 million ( US$  132 million) extension of the creek was finished, which now ends just south of the Metropolitan Hotel and projects on Shaikh Zayed Road. A final 2.2-kilometre extension, called the Dubai Water Canal was inaugurated 9 November 2016, crossing Shaikh Zayed Road in a northerly route, passing through Safa Park and then through Jumeirah 2. The channel is expected to continue through Jumeirah Beach Park where it will reach

222-529: A tropical , hot desert climate ( Köppen BWh). Summers in Dubai are extremely hot, prolonged, windy, and humid, with an average high around 40 °C (104 °F) and overnight lows around 30 °C (86 °F) in the hottest month, August. Most days are sunny throughout the year. Winters are mild to warm, with an average high of 24 °C (75 °F) and overnight lows of 14 °C (57 °F) in January,

296-487: A 200 square-metre workshop as well as a branch of the Foundation's Fen Café. Inaugurated by the ruler of Sharjah, Dr Sultan Al Qasimi , it has since been called 'a testament to the power of adaptive reuse and preservation.' The Ice Factory was used as an informal venue for two previous Sharjah Biennial events, an exhibition by Argentinian sculptor Adrian Villar Rojas titled Planetarium during Biennial 12 in 2015, and

370-500: A 2019 performance by South African film maker Mohau Modisakeng, Land of Zanj, during Sharjah Biennial 14. Sharjah Art Foundation commissioned Peruvian architects 51-1 Arquitectos in 2017 to refurbish the derelict buildings as a permanent art space and construction started in 2020. Kalba Ice Factory is situated by Khor Kalba (Kalba Creek) and overlooks the Al Qurm Nature Reserve, a mangrove and wildlife sanctuary that

444-518: A construction boom that brought a massive influx of foreign workers, mainly Asians and Middle Easterners. Between 1968 and 1975, the city's population grew by over 300%. As part of the infrastructure for pumping and transporting oil from the Fateh field, located offshore of the Jebel Ali area of Dubai, two 500,000-gallon storage tanks were built, known locally as "Kazzans", by welding them together on

518-510: A disastrous occurrence in a town where many family homes were still constructed from barasti – palm fronds. The conflagration consumed half the houses of Bur Dubai, while the district of Deira was said to have been totally destroyed. The following year, more fires broke out. A female slave was caught in the act of starting one such blaze and was subsequently put to death. In 1901, Maktoum bin Hasher Al Maktoum established Dubai as

592-556: A free port with no taxation on imports or exports and also gave merchants parcels of land and guarantees of protection and tolerance. These policies saw a movement of merchants not only directly from Lingeh, but also those who had settled in Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah (which had historical links with Lingeh through the Al Qawasim tribe) to Dubai. An indicator of the growing importance of the port of Dubai can be gained from

666-496: A lot of money." According to Fedel Handhal, a scholar on the UAE's history and culture, the word Dubai may have come from the word dabba ( Arabic : دب ) (a past tense derivative of yadibbu ( Arabic : يدب ), which means "to creep"), referring to the slow flow of Dubai Creek inland. The poet and scholar Ahmad Mohammad Obaid traces it to the same word, but to its alternative meaning of "baby locust " ( Arabic : جراد ) due to

740-512: A natural saltwater creek , tidal inlet, and watercourse or waterway in Dubai , United Arab Emirates (UAE). It extends about 9 miles (14 km) inwards and forms a natural port that has traditionally been used for trade and transport. The creek ranges from 200 to 1,200 metres (660 to 3,940 ft) in width while the average depth is about 6.5 to 7 metres (21 to 23 ft). Previously, it extended to Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary but as part of

814-480: A natural inlet, Dubai Creek , which has been dredged to make it deep enough for large vessels to pass through. Dubai also has multiple gorges and waterholes, which dot the base of the Western Al Hajar mountains. A vast sea of sand dunes covers much of southern Dubai and eventually leads into the desert known as The Empty Quarter . Seismically , Dubai is in a very stable zone—the nearest seismic fault line,

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888-518: A negative financial impact on the city, with depositors and traders withdrawing money and trade. However, Dubai rebounded in a changing political climate and prospered. In the late 1990s, various foreign trading communities—initially from Kuwait , during the Gulf War, and later from Bahrain , amidst the Shia unrest—relocated their businesses to Dubai. Dubai served as refuelling base for allied forces at

962-402: A new airport terminal building was constructed which included Dubai's first duty-free shops . Throughout the 1960s Dubai was the centre of a lively gold trade, with 1968 imports of gold at some £56 million. This gold was, in the vast majority, re-exported – mainly to customers who took delivery in international waters off India . The import of gold to India had been banned and so the trade

1036-481: A pipeline from wells at Awir and a series of storage tanks and, by 1968, Dubai had a reliable supply of piped water. On 7 April 1961, the Dubai-based MV Dara , a five thousand ton British flagged vessel that plied the route between Basra (Iraq), Kuwait , and Bombay (India), was caught in unusually high winds off Dubai. Early the next morning in heavy seas off Umm al-Quwain, an explosion tore out

1110-569: A time when the tribes of the interior were also experiencing poverty. In a letter to the Sultan of Muscat in 1911, Butti laments, "Misery and poverty are raging among them, with the result that they are struggling, looting and killing among themselves." In 1910, in the Hyacinth incident , the town was bombarded by HMS Hyacinth , with 37 people killed. Dubai's geographical proximity to Iran made it an important trade location. The town of Dubai

1184-444: A town centre, all of which could feasibly be built with the limited financial resources at the time. 1959 saw the establishment of Dubai's first telephone company, 51% owned by IAL (International Aeradio Ltd) and 49% by Sheikh Rashid and local businessmen and in 1961 both the electricity company and telephone company had rolled out operational networks. The water company (Sheikh Rashid was chairman and majority shareholder) constructed

1258-687: Is an important area of biodiversity and home to endangered species including the Arabian-Collared Kingfisher, the Blandford's lizard and endangered hawksbill and green turtles which nest on the nearby beach. The Kalba Ice Factory project is one of a number of 1970s and '80s buildings under restoration by Sharjah Art Foundation and the Sharjah Architecture Triennial, including the Flying Saucer ;

1332-569: Is in the Book of Geography by the Andalusian - Arab geographer Abu Abdullah al-Bakri . The Venetian pearl merchant Gasparo Balbi visited the area in 1580 and mentioned Dubai ( Dibei ) for its pearling industry. Dubai is thought to have been established as a fishing village in the early 18th century and was, by 1822, a town of some 700–800 members of the Bani Yas tribe and subject to

1406-600: Is situated on the Persian Gulf coast of the United Arab Emirates and is roughly at sea level (16 m or 52 ft above). The emirate of Dubai shares borders with Abu Dhabi in the south, Sharjah in the northeast, and the Sultanate of Oman in the southeast. Hatta , a minor exclave of the emirate, is surrounded on three sides by Oman and by the emirates of Ajman (in the west) and Ras Al Khaimah (in

1480-755: The Al Bu Falasah tribe seceded from Abu Dhabi and established themselves in Dubai. The exodus from Abu Dhabi was led by Obeid bin Saeed and Maktoum bin Butti , who became joint leaders of Dubai until Ubaid died in 1836, leaving Maktoum to establish the Maktoum dynasty . Dubai signed the General Maritime Treaty of 1820 with the British government along with other Trucial States , following

1554-801: The Arabian Gulf . Including the most remarkable buildings alongside the Deira side of the Creek are the Deira Twin Towers , the old Dubai Creek Tower , Sheraton Dubai Creek , National Bank of Dubai , and Chamber of Commerce . On the other side of Al Maktoum Bridge along Dubai Creek is Dubai Creek Park, one of the largest parks in Dubai. The creek is also home to the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club , comprising an 18-hole tournament golf course, clubhouses, residential development and

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1628-624: The British campaign in 1819 against Ras Al Khaimah . This led to the 1853 Perpetual Maritime Truce . Dubai also – like its neighbours on the Trucial Coast – entered into an exclusivity agreement in which the United Kingdom took responsibility for the emirate's security in 1892 . In 1841, a smallpox epidemic broke out in the Bur Dubai locality, forcing residents to relocate east to Deira . In 1896, fire broke out in Dubai,

1702-530: The Jebel Ali port, a deep-water port accommodating larger ships, marked a significant development. Initially facing challenges, Sheikh Mohammed initiated the JAFZA ( Jebel Ali Free Zone ) around the port in 1985, facilitating unrestricted import of labour and export of capital for foreign companies. Simultaneously, Dubai airport and the aviation industry continued their expansion. The Gulf War in early 1991 had

1776-565: The Persian Gulf . The traditional form of transport between the eastern and western sections of Dubai via the creek was through abras , which continue to operate in Dubai. In addition, the eastern and western sections are linked via four bridges ( Al Maktoum Bridge , Al Garhoud Bridge , Business Bay Crossing , and Floating Bridge ) and one tunnel ( Al Shindagha Tunnel ). The creek has been extended by 13 km (8.1 mi) through Business Bay , Dubai Canal and through Jumeirah into

1850-481: The Taipei 101 and officially gaining its title as the tallest skyscraper in the world. Dubai's smart city initiatives, which include smart tourism, play a key role in advancing the city’s growth ambitions, primarily through its Smart Dubai project. In 2016, the world's first functioning 3D-printed office building was opened in Dubai, as part of a drive to boost the Persian Gulf's main tourism and business hub. Dubai

1924-690: The 3rd and 4th centuries. Prior to the introduction of Islam to the area, the people in this region worshiped Bajir (or Bajar ). After the spread of Islam in the region, the Umayyad Caliph of the eastern Islamic world conquered south-east Arabia and drove out the Sassanians . Excavations by the Dubai Museum in the region of Al-Jumayra ( Jumeirah ) found several artefacts from the Umayyad period. An early mention of Dubai in 1095

1998-635: The Act of Union to form the United Arab Emirates . The seventh emirate, Ras Al Khaimah, joined the UAE on 10 February 1972, following Iran 's annexation of the RAK-claimed Tunbs islands. In 1973, Dubai joined the other emirates to adopt a uniform currency: the UAE dirham . In that same year, the prior monetary union with Qatar was dissolved and the UAE dirham was introduced throughout

2072-544: The British government resulted in a cessation of hostilities. Despite a lack of oil, Dubai's ruler from 1958, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum , used revenue from trading activities to build infrastructure. Private companies were established to build and operate infrastructure, including electricity, telephone services, and both the ports and airport operators. An airport of sorts (a runway built on salt flats)

2146-471: The British withdrawal would leave behind. The principle of union was first agreed upon between the ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan , and Sheikh Rashid of Dubai on 18 February 1968 meeting in an encampment at Argoub Al Sedirah, near Al Semeih, a desert stop between the two emirates. The two agreed to work towards bringing the other emirates, including Qatar and Bahrain, into

2220-743: The Creek, including across the Creek to the Dubai Festival City Mall. The creek's initial inlet into mainland Dubai is along the Deira Corniche and Al Ras areas of eastern Dubai and along the Al Shindagha area of western Dubai. It then progresses south-eastward through the mainland, passing through Port Saeed and Dubai Creek Park. The creek's natural ending is at the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary , 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) from its origin at

2294-525: The Emirates. Throughout the 1970s, Dubai experienced continued growth fueled by revenues generated from oil and trade, even as the city witnessed an influx of immigrants fleeing the Lebanese civil war . Border disputes between the emirates persisted even after the formation of the UAE; it was only in 1979 that a formal compromise was reached, putting an end to disagreements. In 1979, the establishment of

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2368-533: The Jebel Ali Free Zone during the Gulf War and again during the 2003 Invasion of Iraq . Subsequent significant increases in oil prices prompted Dubai to maintain its focus on free trade and tourism. In the early 2000s, construction of artificial islands on the coast of Dubai, known as the Palm Islands and The World Islands , began. The Burj Khalifa was opened in Dubai in 2010, surpassing

2442-610: The Jubail Vegetable Market; the 1970s Khor Fakkan Cinema, being redeveloped as a music school, and a pyramid-roofed kindergarten, being made into a community centre. Dubai Dubai is the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates and the capital of the Emirate of Dubai , the most populated of the country's seven emirates . The city has a population of around 3.79 million (as of 2024), more than 90% of which are expatriates . Beginning in

2516-518: The Persian Gulf. In 1937 an oil exploration contract was signed which guaranteed royalty rights for Dubai and concessionary payments to Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum . However, due to World War II , oil would not be struck until 1966. In the early days since its inception, Dubai was constantly at odds with Abu Dhabi . In 1947, a border dispute between Dubai and Abu Dhabi on the northern sector of their mutual border escalated into war. Arbitration by

2590-424: The Persian Gulf. By then, amenities in the town grew and a modern quarter was established, Al Bastakiya . Dubai was known for its pearl exports until the 1930s; the pearl trade was damaged irreparably by the 1929 Great Depression and the innovation of cultured pearls . With the collapse of the pearling industry, Dubai fell into a deep depression and many residents lived in poverty or migrated to other parts of

2664-957: The Seventh Crossing, the Al Shindagha Bridge, and the Fifth Bridge. The Dubai Festival City Mall on Dubai Creek opened in 2007. Mohammed Bin Rashid Library is being built in the Al Jaddaf area on the Creek. Dhows are constructed in this area too on the bankside. The Green Line of the Dubai Metro terminates at the Dubai Creek metro station . Close to this metro station is the Al Jaddaf Marine Station , operating ferries on

2738-474: The Zagros Fault, is 200 kilometres (124 miles) from the UAE and is unlikely to have any seismic impact on Dubai. Experts also predict that the possibility of a tsunami in the region is minimal because the Persian Gulf waters are not deep enough to trigger a tsunami. The sandy desert surrounding the city supports wild grasses and occasional date palms. Desert hyacinths grow in the sabkha plains east of

2812-518: The abundance of locusts in the area before settlement. The history of human settlement in the area now defined by the United Arab Emirates is complex and extensive. It points to extensive trading links between the civilisations of the Indus Valley and Mesopotamia , and even as far afield as the Levant . Archaeological finds in the emirate of Dubai, particularly at Al-Ashoosh , Al Sufouh , and

2886-684: The beach and then digging them out and floating them to drop onto the seabed at the Fateh field. These were constructed by the Chicago Bridge & Iron Company , which gave the beach its local name (Chicago Beach), which was transferred to the Chicago Beach Hotel, which was demolished and replaced by the Jumeirah Beach Hotel in the late 1990s. The Kazzans were an innovative oil storage solution which meant supertankers could moor offshore even in bad weather and avoided

2960-517: The city's role as a regional hub for trade and ensure smoother, more secure operations for the numerous ships passing through each year. Historically, the creek divided the city into two main sections – Deira and Bur Dubai . It was along the Bur Dubai creek area that members of the Bani Yas tribe first settled in the 19th century, establishing the Al Maktoum dynasty in the city. In

3034-596: The city, the salt-crusted coastal plains, known as sabkha , give way to a north–south running line of dunes. Farther east, the dunes grow larger and are tinged red with iron oxide . The flat sandy desert gives way to the Western Hajar Mountains , which run alongside Dubai's border with Oman at Hatta. The Western Hajar chain has an arid, jagged and shattered landscape, whose mountains rise to about 1,300 metres (4,265 feet) in some places. Dubai has no natural river bodies or oases; however, Dubai does have

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3108-503: The city, while acacia and ghaf trees grow in the flat plains within the proximity of the Western Al Hajar mountains. Several indigenous trees such as the date palm and neem as well as imported trees such as the eucalyptus grow in Dubai's natural parks. The MacQueen's bustard , striped hyena , caracal , desert fox , falcon, and Arabian oryx are common in Dubai's desert. Dubai is on the migration path between Europe, Asia, and Africa, and more than 320 migratory bird species pass through

3182-500: The construction of a jet airport... More and more European and Arab firms are opening up and the future looks bright." In 1962, with expenditure on infrastructure projects already approaching levels some thought imprudent, Sheikh Rashid approached his brother-in-law, the Ruler of Qatar , for a loan to build the first bridge crossing Dubai Creek . This crossing was finished in May 1963 and

3256-501: The coolest month. Dubai summers are also known for the very high humidity level, which can make it very uncomfortable for many with exceptionally high dew points, which can exceed 30 °C (86 °F) in summer. Heat index values can reach over 60 °C (140 °F) at the height of summer. The highest recorded temperature in Dubai is 49.0 °C (120.2 °F). Dubai Creek Dubai Creek ( Arabic : خور دبي , romanized :  Khūr Dubay ) has been described as

3330-400: The creek as a site of commercial activity was a justification to introduce improvements to allow larger vessels to transit, as well as to facilitate loading and unloading activities. This led, in 1955, to a plan to develop the creek, which involved dredging shallow areas, building of breakwaters , and developing its beach to become a quay suitable for loading and unloading of cargo. The creek

3404-475: The creek. The Dubai Creek, a vital waterway in the heart of the city, plays a significant role in Dubai's growth by handling the passage of more than 13,000 ships annually. As a major artery for maritime trade, it supports the city's commercial operations. Enhancements to the Creek's infrastructure are being made through a project aimed at improving safety and security measures for maritime traffic and commercial activities. These improvements are expected to strengthen

3478-452: The early 20th century, Dubai developed into a significant regional and international trade hub, emphasizing on tourism and luxury. Dubai has been a center for regional and international trade since the early 20th century, and its economy relies on revenues from trade, tourism, aviation, real estate, and financial services. Oil revenue helped accelerate the development of the city. However, oil production contributed less than 1 percent to

3552-421: The early 20th century, the creek, though incapable then of supporting large scale transportation, served as a minor port for dhows coming from as far away as India or East Africa . Although it impeded the entry of ships due to current flow, the creek remained an important element in establishing the commercial position of Dubai, being the only port or harbour in the city. Dubai's pearling industry, which formed

3626-467: The eastern Arabian Peninsula , on the coast of the Persian Gulf , it is a major global transportation hub for passengers and cargo. In 2023, Dubai was the third most-visited city in the world . Many theories have been proposed as to the origin of the word "Dubai". One theory suggests the word used to be the souq in Ba. An Arabic proverb says " Daba Dubai " ( Arabic : دبا دبي ), meaning "They came with

3700-414: The emirate in spring and autumn. The waters of Dubai are home to more than 300 species of fish, including the hammour . The typical marine life off the Dubai coast includes tropical fish, jellyfish, coral, dugong , dolphins, whales, and sharks. Various types of turtles can also be found in the area including the hawksbill turtle and green turtle , which are listed as endangered species. Dubai features

3774-476: The emirate's GDP in 2018. Due to financial secrecy, low taxes, and valuable real estate, Dubai is an appealing destination for money launderers, criminals, corrupt political figures and sanctioned businesspeople to launder or hide money. Dubai has the second-most five-star hotels in the world and the tallest building in the world , the Burj Khalifa , which is 828 metres (2,717 ft) tall. Located in

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3848-523: The first major projects Sheikh Rashid embarked upon when oil revenue started to flow was the construction of Port Rashid , a deep-water free port constructed by British company Halcrow. Originally intended to be a four-berth port, it was extended to sixteen berths as construction was ongoing. The project was an outstanding success, with shipping queuing to access the new facilities. The port was inaugurated on 5 October 1972, although its berths were each pressed into use as soon as they had been built. Port Rashid

3922-402: The main sector of the city's economy, was based primarily on expeditions in the creek, prior to the invention of cultured pearls in the 1930s. Fishing, also an important industry at the time, was also based along the creek, whose warm and shallow waters supported a wide variety of marine life. Dhows used for purposes of fishing were also built on the foreshore of the creek. The importance of

3996-475: The movements of the steamer of the Bombay and Persia Steam Navigation Company, which from 1899 to 1901 paid five visits annually to Dubai. In 1902 the company's vessels made 21 visits to Dubai and from 1904 on, the steamers called fortnightly – in 1906, trading 70,000 tones of cargo. The frequency of these vessels only helped to accelerate Dubai's role as an emerging port and trading hub of preference. Lorimer notes

4070-481: The need to pipe oil onshore from Fateh, which is some 60 miles out to sea. Dubai had already embarked on a period of infrastructural development and expansion. Oil revenue flowing from 1969 onwards supported a period of growth with Sheikh Rashid embarking on a policy of building infrastructure and a diversified trading economy before the emirate's limited reserves were depleted. Oil accounted for 24% of GDP in 1990 but had fallen to 7% of GDP by 2004. Critically, one of

4144-489: The new Business Bay Canal and Dubai Canal , it extends a further 13 km (8.1 mi) to the Persian Gulf . In the 1950s, extensive development of the creek began, including dredging and construction of breakwaters . A number of bridges allow movement of vehicles across the creek while abras are used as taxis. The banks and route alongside the creek houses notable government, business and residential areas. A number of tourist locations and hotels are situated along

4218-405: The north). The Persian Gulf borders the western coast of the emirate. Dubai is positioned at 25°16′11″N 55°18′34″E  /  25.2697°N 55.3095°E  / 25.2697; 55.3095 and covers an area of 1,588 sq mi (4,110 km ), which represents a significant expansion beyond its initial 1,500 sq mi (3,900 km ) designation due to land reclamation from

4292-635: The notably rich trove from Saruq Al Hadid show settlement through the Ubaid and Hafit periods, the Umm Al Nar and Wadi Suq periods, and the three Iron Ages in the UAE. The area was known to the Sumerians as Magan and was a source of metallic goods, notably copper and bronze. The area was covered with sand about 5,000 years ago as the coast retreated inland, becoming part of the city's present coastline. Pre-Islamic ceramics have been found from

4366-497: The other dominant trading centre in the region at the time. Al Maktoum Bridge , the first bridge connecting Bur Dubai and Deira was constructed in 1963. Although the importance of the creek as a port has diminished with the development of the Jebel Ali Port , smaller facilities, such as Port Saeed , continue to exist along the creek, providing porting to traders from the region and the subcontinent . In September 2007,

4440-485: The rule of Sheikh Tahnun bin Shakhbut of Abu Dhabi . In 1822, a British naval surveyor noted that Dubai was at that time populated with a thousand people living in an oval-shaped town surrounded by a mud wall, scattered with goats and camels. The main footpath out of the village led to a reedy creek while another trailed off into the desert and merged into caravan routes. In 1833, following tribal feuding, members of

4514-465: The rulers of the Eastern Gulf, the result of a treaty signed in 1892 named the "Exclusive Agreement". This was to change with Prime Minister Harold Wilson 's announcement, on 16 January 1968, that all British troops were to be withdrawn from "East of Aden". The decision was to pitch the coastal emirates, together with Qatar and Bahrain , into fevered negotiations to fill the political vacuum that

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4588-469: The sea . Dubai lies directly within the Arabian Desert . However, the topography of Dubai is significantly different from that of the southern portion of the UAE in that much of Dubai's landscape is highlighted by sandy desert patterns, while gravel deserts dominate much of the southern region of the country. The sand consists mostly of crushed shell and coral and is fine, clean and white. East of

4662-409: The second class cabins and started fires. The captain gave the order to abandon ship but two lifeboats capsized and a second explosion occurred. A flotilla of small boats from Dubai, Sharjah , Ajman , and Umm al-Quwain picked up survivors, but 238 of the 819 persons on board were lost in the disaster. The construction of Dubai's first airport was started on the northern edge of the town in 1959 and

4736-484: The shores of the Persian Gulf. The extension is part of the Dubai's Business Bay development. Additionally, a new project consisting of seven islands known as Dubai Creek Harbour was proposed to be built on Dubai Creek. The centerpiece of this project would be the Dubai Creek Tower , which is set to become the tallest building in the world. Three additional bridges are being planned for Dubai Creek, which are

4810-554: The terminal building opened for business in September 1960. The airport was initially serviced by Gulf Aviation (flying Dakotas , Herons, and Viscounts ) but Iran Air commenced services to Shiraz in 1961. In 1962 the British Political Agent noted that "Many new houses and blocks of offices and flats are being built... the Ruler is determined, against advice [from the British authorities] to press on with

4884-512: The transfer from Lingeh "bids fair to become complete and permanent", and also that the town had by 1906 supplanted Lingeh as the chief entrepôt of the Trucial States. The "great storm" of 1908 struck the pearling boats of Dubai and the coastal emirates towards the end of the pearling season that year, resulting in the loss of a dozen boats and over 100 men. The disaster was a major setback for Dubai, with many families losing their breadwinners and merchants facing financial ruin. These losses came at

4958-554: The union. Over the next two years, negotiations and meetings of the rulers followed—often stormy—as a form of union was thrashed out. The nine-state union was never to recover from the October 1969 meeting where British intervention against aggressive activities by two of the Emirates resulted in a walk-out by Bahrain and Qatar. They dropped out of talks, leaving six of the seven "trucial" emirates to agree on union on 18 July 1971. On 2 December 1971, Dubai, together with Abu Dhabi, Sharjah , Ajman , Umm al-Quwain , and Fujairah joined in

5032-514: Was $ 35 an ounce but its market price in India was $ 68 an ounce – a healthy markup. Estimates at the time put the volume of gold imports from Dubai to India at around 75% of the total market. After years of exploration following large finds in neighbouring Abu Dhabi , oil was eventually discovered in territorial waters off Dubai in 1966, albeit in far smaller quantities. The first field was named "Fateh" or "good fortune". This led to an acceleration of Sheikh Rashid's infrastructure development plans and

5106-400: Was an important port of call for foreign tradesmen, chiefly those from Iran, many of whom eventually settled in the town. By the beginning of the 20th century, it was an important port. At that time, Dubai consisted of the town of Dubai and the nearby village of Jumeirah , a collection of some 45 areesh (palm leaf) huts. By the 1920s, many Iranians settled in Dubai permanently, moving across

5180-468: Was characterized as smuggling, although Dubai's merchants were quick to point out that they were making legal deliveries of gold and that it was up to the customer where they took it. In 1966, more gold was shipped from London to Dubai than almost anywhere else in the world (only France and Switzerland took more), at 4 million ounces. Dubai also took delivery of over $ 15 million worth of watches and over 5 million ounces of silver. The 1967 price of gold

5254-458: Was established in Dubai in the 1950s and, in 1959, the emirate's first hotel, the Airlines Hotel, was constructed. This was followed by the Ambassador and Carlton Hotels in 1968. Sheikh Rashid commissioned John Harris from British architectural construction firm Halcrow , to create the city's first master plan in 1959. Harris imagined a Dubai that would rise from the historic centre on Dubai Creek, with an extensive road system, organised zones, and

5328-423: Was first dredged in 1961 to permit 7-foot (2.1 m) draft vessels to cross through the creek at all times. The creek was dredged again in the 1960s and 1970s so that it could offer anchorage for local and coastal shipping of up to about 500 tons. The dredging opened up the creek to much more continuous traffic of merchandise, including the development of re-export, and gave Dubai an advantage over Sharjah ,

5402-484: Was paid for by a toll levied on the crossing from the Dubai side of the creek to the Deira side. BOAC was originally reluctant to start regular flights between Bombay and Dubai, fearing a lack of demand for seats. However, by the time the asphalt runway of Dubai Airport was constructed in 1965, opening Dubai to both regional and long haul traffic, a number of foreign airlines were competing for landing rights. In 1970,

5476-451: Was to be further expanded in 1975 to add a further 35 berths before the larger port of Jebel Ali were constructed. Port Rashid was the first of a swath of projects designed to create a modern trading infrastructure, including roads, bridges, schools, and hospitals. Dubai and the other " Trucial States " had long been a British protectorate where the British government took care of foreign policy and defence, as well as arbitrating between

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