Dubai

The United Arab Emirates is one of the most advanced, relaxed and welcoming of the Gulf States. The seven emirates of this compact and accessible desert nation reveal a fascinating mix of ancient and modern lifestyles.
Visitors can luxuriate in glitzy seaside hotels next to gleaming skyscrapers, whiling away the time with Duty Free shopping and watersports. Or they can head into the desert on the fringes of the aptly named "Empty Quarter" and get a feel for the traditional Bedouin way of life among the endless dunes and shady oases, not to mention seeing the national sport of camel racing.
Dubai is the best-known tourist destination and is a fascinating bustling city where the new millennium meets centuries old Bedouin tradition. Abu Dhabi is by far the largest and most powerful emirate with a modern capital that glories in its thirty years of oil-made wealth. Most of the rest of the territory is desert, only interrupted by the date palm oases of Liwa in the south and Al Ain in the east, fascinating settlements in this inhospitable landscape.
Of the other Emirates Sharjah is the most strictly Muslim and is an atmospheric region, with a slightly archaic feel. The capital is a vibrant centre, with fascinating museums and shopping in its souks. Its Eastern Coast, shared with Fujairah, is great for snorkelling and diving. Ras al-Khaimah, on the Northern Coast, is a green and mountainous emirate, whose capital has retained the feel of an old fishing port.

History & Culture

History

The desert and mountain sheikhdoms inhabiting this small corner of the Arabian Peninsular have only been known collectively as the United Arab Emirates since 1971.
Although archaeological evidence shows that a great civilisation prospered here around 4000BC comparatively little is known about the history of the sheikhdoms making up the UAE before AD600.

Bedouin tribesmanThe Greeks and Persians certainly occupied the region sporadically but the most defining event in the UAE's early history was the rise of Islam in the Gulf region, in the 7th century. However, even then the majority of the Islamic movement passed the sheikhdoms by and they remained regional outcasts. The territory and its nomadic population of Bedouin tribesmen was largely left to its own devices until its importance as a land and sea trade route between the Gulf, India and the Far East attracted the Portuguese in the 16th century. These first European invaders were followed three centuries later by the British, who left even more of a mark on the territory.
Britain for a long time struggled to stamp out attacks on its shipping interest along what it called the "Pirate Coast" of the Gulf of Oman - where vessels to and from India had to travel. The exasperated superpower eventually decided to curtail the pirates' activities by bringing the region's autonomous sheikhdoms under its control and forcing them to do the policing of the seas instead of the British Navy. By the end of the 19th century, British military muscle had forced a series of treaties that created the Trucial Coast, which enjoyed military protection in return for an end to piracy. By doing so Britain effectively formed the basis for what would become the UAE.
Capital Abu DhabiOil was first discovered off the coast of Abu Dhabi in the mid-20th century, and other substantial deposits were soon located in other emirates. Oil brought prosperity and world influence to the region and forever changed the dynamics of this previously insignificant corner of the world. In 1968, after several skirmishes with local forces in its other concerns in the region Britain decided to pull out of the entire Gulf. The Trucial sheikhdoms began discussions of a federation. Bahrain and Qatar chose to become independent states, so on December 2, 1971, the United Arab Emirates came into being, with Abu Dhabi proclaimed as its capital. Ras al-Khaimah, which initially opted for independence, joined the union the following year.

Power-struggles and border disputes between the emirates, particularly Dubai and Ras al-Khaimah, and the rise of fundamentalism after the Iranian revolution, threatened the fledgling state's future in the 1970s and 1980s. But the economic and social benefits of enormous oil wealth and close ties to other Gulf states and the West, including participation in the Gulf War against Iraq in 1991, have created greater stability and cemented the UAE's place on the international stage. As of 2007 the President is Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed.

Culture

UAE nationals are polite and unassuming, except for their impressively immaculate dress and penchant for strong perfume. The majority of UAE nationals are Sunni Muslims and their lives are rooted in family values and in Islamic religious culture.
Traditional Emirati dress The Emirates society, however, is the most liberal in the Gulf and far less austere than in Saudi Arabia. Increasing numbers of women are entering the workplace and being given more choice in marriage partners. Western culture and lifestyle - particularly cars, gadgetry, music and sport - are popular, not to mention a love of ostentatious blue glass skyscrapers.

However, amidst all this affluence you'll still find ancient traditions surviving. Camel racing and falconry are still popular sports while many men still choose to wear the distinctive ankle-length shirt (dishdasha), the chequered headcloth (gutra) and the twisted, black rope (agal), holding the gutra in place.
The most striking aspect of the Emirates' population is the number of immigrants from India, Pakistan and the Philippines. They make up 80 per cent of the population, providing cheap labour, but do not share the privileges, rights or wealth of nationals. They do, however, bring vibrancy and variety to UAE life.
The official language is Arabic, but Farsi and English are widely used, and Hindi and Urdu are spoken by many of the Asians. Alcohol and drugs are strictly forbidden for local people although Westerners are permitted to consume alcohol in restaurants and bars attached to hotels (except in Sharjah where alcohol is banned entirely).

Dos and Don'ts

• It's best to dress conservatively, particularly women - nothing too revealing or body-hugging. Shorts (preferably down to the knee) and T-shirts are acceptable, particularly in cities, although the more revealing a woman's dress, the more local men will stare. On private beaches and in hotels Western style prevails. In smaller villages women should cover up arms and legs.
• Local people are generally polite and do not take offence by our ignorance of their etiquette. But, to avoid potential embarrassment, men should not offer to shake the hand of a local woman. Western women may occasionally find that a local man will not shake her hand, or will cover his with his dishdasha - stricter Muslims have no contact with women outside their family.
• Do not point the soles of your shoes or feet to anyone, it is considered rude. Likewise do not use your left hand to eat or to offer things with.
• A Western woman on her own will receive a lot of attention, most of it harmless but it can be irritating and sometimes unpleasant. If it becomes a problem try wearing a wedding ring and telling people you are married. It genuinely will discourage the local males.
• Alcohol is served in hotels but avoid being drunk in public - it is illegal and you could end up under arrest.

For more detailed information on local laws and customs we recommend that you contact your Foreign Office.

UAE See & Do

Dubai

Dubai is inarguably the tourist centre of the UAE. A fascinating city built on the expensive spice and pearl trading routes even before the discovery of oil, it has an almost regal air. Most of the city is surprisingly young, the oldest buildings only date back over the last 200 years, but the old quarters of the city look like living pieces of the desert that stretches away from the city inland.

The best of Dubai is found in the amazing and eclectic souks that litter Deira and the immediate opposite bank of Bur Dubai. The Old Souk transports you back in time, with hawkers and traders selling just about everything you could possibly desire. The dhow trading boats that chug up and down the deepwater creek complete the image.
Meanwhile, Jumeirah beach is a beautiful expanse of golden sand, and the city has an ever growing range of entertainment, nightlife and world class restaurants, all centred on the many international hotels that have sprung up over recent years.
See our Dubai guide for more details of the city.

Liwa

The oasis hamlet of Liwa in the south of Abu Dhabi Emirate sits on the edge of the Empty Quarter, the largest area of continuous sand in the world equal to the size of France. The town was once the headquarters of the family that still rules Abu Dhabi today, but the main attraction for visitors is, not surprisingly, the awe inspiring desert.
You can arrange an extensive safari into the bleak sandscape if you wish, but if you don't fancy bumping along in a 4-wheel-drive, there are tarmac roads cutting through the dunes. Whether you choose to explore or not, being this close to the most vast emptiness on land is an undeniable thrill.

Desert Safari

A lot of the territory of the UAE is covered with desert, and taking a desert safari, whether an extensive expedition or an afternoon trip, is a fantastic experience.
Once you're in the desert proper you'll find a variety of experiences available, from a sedate couple of hours onboard a camel to noisily revving 4-wheel-drive vehicles up and over sand dunes that tower 100m high. Many people find the desert landscape surprisingly varied, and a typical trip may take in scrub grassland and rocky mountains as well as the familiar oceans of sand. Enjoying a Bedouin barbecue far into the desert is a great way to round off a day's safari.
Be aware that the desert is a dangerous place for the uninitiated. Never travel alone or in a single vehicle and always carry spare food and water if venturing independently from professional tour groups.

Dibba

The road from Masafi to Dibba, in the Northeast, cuts through stunning scenery and makes the trip worthwhile in itself.
Dibba was one of the last places to resist the tide of Islam sweeping the Arabian Peninsula in the 7th century and today it feels more like a Mediterranean fishing village than an Arabian town. The bay sits on the border between two Emirates (Sharjah and Fujairah) and Oman, which might explain the different kind of ambience compared to the rest of the country. In terms of things to do the beach is good for relaxing and the surrounding mountains are spectacular.
If you feel like exploring, walk or drive over to the Omani side of the bay and visit the villages of the beautiful Musandam Peninsula.

Hatta

The mountain town of Hatta, an enclave of Dubai emirate in the East of the country, is a popular escape from the humidity of the coastal cities.
Swimming in the beautiful rock pools south of the village is a great way to kill an hour or two. There's also a heritage centre and plenty of craft workshops and buildings recreated from the settlement's 200-year history. The fort in the centre of the town has recently been renovated and can now be visited. Hatta is also a good base to go off-road into the Hajar Mountains or to indulge in a bit of Wadi-bashing.

Camel Racing

It's odd to think that these lanky ships of the desert are strong runners and the stars of the most popular national sport - camel racing.
Race meets take place on the outskirts of Dubai in the coolest months (Nov-Mar) of the year. Races are always early in the morning and are quite a sight, particularly when excited fans in their 4-wheel drives tear off alongside the animals to get a rolling trackside view. Although Dubai is the most accessible of the camel meets for tourists, Al Ain and Ras Al Khaimah also offer some excellent racing in season.

The United Arab Emirates sits on the Northeast tip of the Arabian Peninsular, on the opposite side of the Persian Gulf to Iran. The territory is bordered by Oman to the east and Saudi Arabia to the south and west.
There are seven Emirates in the union; Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Ajman and Umm Al Qaiwain. They vary enormously in size and importance: Abu Dhabi accounts for 85% of the country, while Ajman is barely 250 sq km. In all the combined territory of the country measures approximately 83000 sq km, about the size of Scotland.
The UAE's biggest cities - Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah - lie along the Persian Gulf coast on the west side of the tip. Much of the interior is uninhabited desert, except for the odd date palm oasis such as Liwa and Al Ain. The monotony of coastal salt flats and low-lying desert is broken by the Hajar mountains in the east, creating a lush landscape. The Eastern Coast, bordering the Gulf of Oman, is shared by Fujairah and Sharjah Emirates and is considered the most beautiful part of the country.

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