Dubai at a glance…

Country:
United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Area:
Dubai covers an area of 3,885 sq.km

Location:
It is situated on the west coast of the United Arab Emirates, in the south – western part of the Arabian Golf, and lies at longitude 55 degrees east and latitude 25 degrees north.

Population:
Dubai’s population is estimated at 1.2 million people.

Nationalities:
Dubai is a land where expatriates make us the majority of the population, including more than 180 different nationalities, which mainly come from the Indian subcontinent, Europe and neighboring Arab countries.

Language:
The official language of Dubai is Arabic. However, English is widely spoken and understood, being the main language used in business.

Local Time:
Dubai is 4 Hours ahead of GMT and there is no adjustment for daylight saving time.

Electricity:
220/390 volts AC

Currency:
The currency unit in Dubai is UAE Dirham (Dhs) = Arab Emirates Dirham (AED). Currency notes are: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, one dirham is divided into units of 100 fils and coins are 25 and 50 fils and 1 dirham.

Approximate Exchange Rates are:
US $1 = AED 3.67
UK £1 = AED 6.00
EUR € = AED 4.96

Climate:
Dubai has a sub-tropical, hot and dry climate; however, between November and April the weather is quite cool comparing with the rest of the year when temperature may reach 47 degrees C. Sometimes rain showers during winter and sand storms can be occasionally seen.

Government:
The United Arab Emirates is a constitutional federation of seven emirates:
Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Qaiwain, Ra's al-Khaimah and Fujairah, each one with its own ruler. The federation was established on 2 December 1971.

Economic climate:
The U.A.E. has experienced remarkable economic growth in the past two decades oil and gas and tourism revenues have climbed. Investment by foreign companies has been encouraged by a free trade philosophy and continues to grow. GDP on average increases by 7-8% a year. The infrastructure is very modern with excellent amenities and hospitality services.

Taxes:
There is no income or property related tax although there are associated registration, transfer and residence visa fees and charges for offshore company set up for property purchase.

Property ownership regulation:
A federal property law governing the sale of property to foreign owners has been drafted but remains to be ratified and released. Meanwhile individual Emirates have adopted different approaches toward ownership for example both freehold and leasehold in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah and pure leasehold in Abu Dhabi.

Religion:
Dubai’s official religion is Islam, and the call to prayer is heard five times a day. However, other religions are well respected.

Ramadan:
Ramadan is the holy month in Islamic tradition and commemorates the revelation of the Holy Quran, and during this month people of the Muslim faith fast from dawn to dusk every day. All this time, Muslims abstain from all food, cigarettes, drinks and unclean thoughts same from dawn to dusk. Evening time, the fasting time is finished with the Iftar feast. As a sign of respect, visitors are advised to observe the restrictions obeyed by locals, as it is considered highly disrespectful and offensive to break them in public.

Holidays:
Holidays and Festivals Dubai are an Islamic state, therefore Muslim holidays and festivals are very important. Since Muslim holidays are timed according to local sightings of phases of the moon, they tend to vary from year to year and the exact dates for Islamic religious holidays are approximate and the precise dates are usually announced through mass-media a day or so before.