Southern Shore of the Arabian Gulf, North Eastern United Arab Emirates. (United Arab Emirates : Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia)

GMT +4

10 - 30 degrees Celsius in winter (50 - 86 Fahrenheit). 48 degrees Celsius (118.4 Fahrenheit) in summer

2 million (approximate.)

Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu

Muslim 96%, Christian, Hindu, and other 4%

971

220 or 240 volts AC, 50Hz

The monetary unit of the UAE is the Dirham (Dhs.), which is divided into 100 fils. The dirham is pegged to the US dollar at the rate of Dhs. 3.67 to $1.00.

  Tax Free Shopping

The world famous Dubai Duty Free offers cheapest prices for cosmetics, electronics, tobacco and alcohol. Dubai Duty Free also offers departing, arriving & transiting passengers the chance to win luxury cars.

  Transport

Hiring a car is recommended for getting around in Dubai. International driving licenses are accepted by most car hire agencies. Metered taxis are abundant. Airport taxis and taxis standing at hotels charge a surcharge.

  Business Hours

Office hours vary but are generally from 8am to 1pm and from 4pm to 7pm from Sunday to Thursday. Most government offices are open from 7:30am to 2:30pm from Sunday to Thursday and are closed on Fridays and Saturdays. Banks are open from 8am to 1pm from Sunday to Thursday; some remain open later. Friday is the weekly holiday for all office workers. Some companies also close on Thursday afternoons; others, notably in the service sector, work all day on Saturday.

  Airport

Dubai International Airport is served by some 70 airlines, which fly to more than 100 destinations around the world. Flights in and out of the city are frequent and traveling is easy.

  Wild Wadi Water park
Tel: 04 3484444
When it comes to excitement, you just can't get enough at Wild Wadi! For one adrenalin rush after another, try the 80 km's/hr downhill hurtle on the 33 meter high Jumeirah Sceirah; the 1.5 meter high waves at Breakers Bay; the 170 meter white-knuckle ride at Rush down Ravine; or any of the 14 awesome interconnected rides. For the not so brave and the laid back, Wild Wadi offers hours of relaxation. It's the perfect place to unwind, sit back and have a great time.

  Ski Dubai
Tel: 04 409 4000
An amazing 22,500 square meters covered with real snow all year round. Ski Dubai has 5 runs that vary in difficulty, height and steepness, the longest run being 400 meters with a fall of over 60 meters. Test your skills on the world’s first indoor black run or practice your turns on the gentle beginner slopes. Skiers and snow boarders of all skill levels will enjoy these various slopes and snow boarders can also practice their stunts on the 90-metre long quarter pipe. Kids and parents alike will have fun in the huge interactive Snow Park, which at 3000 square meters is the largest indoor snow park in the world.

  Parks & Beaches

  Al Mamzar Beach Park
It is a spacious park with plenty of trees and greenery. It has an amphitheater, with open grassy spaces and paths winding between picnic areas and children's playground. There are beaches, that have sheltered areas for swimming supervised by lifeguards as well as separate changing rooms. The park also provides a barbecue area.

  Safa Park
One of Dubai's oldest public parks, the 60-plus hectare Safa Park was established in 1976 and quickly became one of the city's favorite places to play. Indeed, this family-friendly park features facilities for tennis, volleyball, football, and track; a children's play area that has a Ferris wheel, a maze, bumper cars, and a video arcade; and expansive green spaces that are ideal for a mid-afternoon laze. The park is uniquely characterized by its vast green lawns covering 80% of its total space. Many kinds of trees were cultivated in the park, such as palms, almonds, and many other, as well as bushes and multi colored roses.

  Zabeel Park
Zabeel Park in Dubai is the first recreational park in the region with a technology theme, The park features a series of high-tech interactive displays including educational and recreational exhibits grouped into three zones: alternative energy, communications and techno. Watch out for the most intriguing structure, the giant cube designed as a tribute to the Arabic chess game. It comprises 6 panels made up of 384 panels of copper and mirror-polished stainless steel, and balances on one corner.

  Sports and recreation

  Golfing
Dubai is a golfer’s paradise. Even for the non-golfer, Dubai's golf clubs are worth a visit, both for the spectacular architecture of their clubhouses and as examples of the successful greening and landscaping of the desert. Some of the popular golf courses in the city are Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, Montgomery Golf Club, Nad Al Sheba Golf Club and others.

  Horse racing
Dubai Racing Club; Tel: 04 3322277
Dubai hosts the world's richest race, the US$6,000,000 Dubai World Cup (Gr.I) at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse. Along with the Dubai World Cup, there are a further five Thoroughbred Group races and a Group One for Purebred Arabians, that ensures a day most significant in global Thoroughbred horse racing.

  Tours and Excursions

  Desert and Overnight Safaris
Knight Tours; Tel: 04 2686555
A trip to the desert offers you a real adventure into the magnificent landscape of the unique sands of Arabia. This safari tour takes you right into the heart of the desert where you experience the excitement of a roller-coaster tour down the astonishing high dunes. A stop for a breathtaking view of the endless desert will give you an opportunity to watch the sun-set over this tranquil scenery.

  Adventure rides & experiences
Blue Banana; Tel: 04 3616 422
From Hot Air Ballooning to Scuba Diving, Luxury Spas to flying lessons, Sailing lessons to Photography classes, Alternative therapy to Motor Racing, Wow! Blue Banana has it all!