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Dubai is the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates. It’s situated on the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf and is the capital of the Emirate of Dubai. Dubai is among the most developed and cosmopolitan cities in the Middle East. It is the country’s main business hub and cultural centre. Since the oil boom in the 1960s, Dubai is renowned for its rapid development and inspiring architecture. It is famous for its breathtaking skyscrapers, luxurious lifestyle, and rich, traditional culture. Some of the places that make it famous include the Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Mall, and the Dubai Marina.
Dubai is one of the most diverse cities in the world. According to the data of 2020, Dubai had a population of 3,411,200. This population is made up of a large number of expatriates, with Emiratis being the minority. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Philippines are the top four countries of origin of expatriates in Dubai. When it comes to religious beliefs, Dubai, like the rest of the UAE, is predominantly Muslim. However, due to its diverse expatriate population, other religions such as Hinduism, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, and others are also practiced. The official language of Dubai is Arabic, but English is widely spoken and understood. Other languages such as Urdu, Hindi, Bengali, Tagalog, Persian, and many others are spoken among the diverse population. The Burj Khalifa in Dubai is currently the tallest building in the world, standing at a height of 828 meters (2,717 feet).
Dubai is one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates, and each emirate is governed by an absolute monarchy, with the ruler of Dubai being the prime minister of the UAE. The government operates under a unique system of a vision-led governance, with a strategic plan that lays down the city's goals. Dubai's government is constantly working towards developing the city's infrastructure, increasing public and private sector partnership, and improving the living standards of its citizens and residents. The governance of Dubai is unique in the way that it is heavily centralized around the vision of the ruler and his strategic plan for the city.
Dubai's economy was initially built on the oil industry, but currently, its main revenues come from tourism, real estate, and financial services. It also has a thriving retail sector, which is supported by the large number of tourists that visit the city each year. The city's GDP as of 2019 was about $105 billion. Dubai is also known for its gold trade, with the Gold Souk in Deira being one of the largest retail gold markets in the world.
Dubai boasts of a state-of-the-art infrastructure, with the city's strategic plan focusing on creating an excellent living environment for its residents. The city has a well-developed transport system, which includes the Dubai Metro, taxis, and buses. Dubai International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world in terms of international passenger traffic. The city is also home to the world's largest man-made marina, the Dubai Marina. The city is also working towards becoming a smart city, with digitalization being a key focus.