National Day Supplement 2014 December 2014 | Page 11

Snapshot Of The Emirates

DUBAI
HH Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al
Maktoum, Founding Father of the UAE
and former Ruler of Dubai.

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al
Maktoum, Vice President and Prime
Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of
Dubai.

Founding Father: HH Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum (1958 – 1990)
Current Ruler: HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (1990 – present)
Important Landmark: Burj Khalifa
Key Industries: Tourism, Shipping Port and Free Zone Business Investment Opportunities

T

oday, travellers from all over
the globe flock to the emirate
of Dubai, which has fast
developed from what was
originally considered to be a place that
was inhabited by nomadic tribes who
left very little trace of their existence, to
an in demand, international destination,
rich with industry and productivity.
In the 18th century, members of the
Bani Yas tribe settled along the banks
of the Dubai Creek and used their
natural commercial instincts and liberal
attitudes to attract neighbouring traders
from India and other Gulf countries.
By the late 1870s, Dubai had become
the main port of the southern coast,
developing major souks to enable
visitors to trade their wares. It was a
chaotic home to Iranians, Omanis and
tribal Bedouins.
Here are some interesting facts
about Dubai:
• Pearl collected from offshore beds and
gold were key contributors to Dubai’s
prosperity during the early years.
• Dubai first received electricity in

1961, approximately 50 years after
Times Square in New York already
had multi-coloured illuminations.

Dubai International Convention and
Exhibition Centre (DICEC) at Dubai
World Trade Centre (DWTC). It is
the region’s largest purpose-built
complex welcoming 2.2 million trade
delegates a year.

• Oil was first discovered in 1966 after
many years of drilling.
• When the pearling industry crashed in
the 1930s, Dubai bounced back from
a deep depression by implementing
favourable tax incentives.
• Port Rashid opened in 1971 out of
a desire to provide access to large
container ships. It had only two
gantry cranes. By 1978, the port was
expanded to include 35 berths, 5 of
which were used by the largest ship
containers of the time. As a result
of continued growth in this industry,
Jebel Ali Port was opened one year
later. Jebel Ali is the world’s largest
man-made harbour and the biggest
port in the Middle East.
• The Sheikh Rashid Tower opened
in 1978 and had 39 stories. It was
the tallest building in the city and
the first high rise building along
Sheikh Zayed Road. Today, this
tower has grown into the renowned

• Emirates Airline was launched in
1985 with two aircrafts. The idea was
received with much scepticism at
the time. Today Emirates has a fleet
of 218 aircrafts flying to over 142
destinations in 80 countries. It is often
lauded as the “World’s Best Airline”.
• In 1999, Dubai grabbed the world’s
attention with the opening of the Burj Al
Arab on an artificial island off Jumeirah
Beach. This sail-shaped building has
become a world-renowned icon and is
dubbed by many as the ‘world’s only
seven-star hotel’.
• The Burj Khalifa opened on January 4,
2010 and is the world’s tallest tower.
It is seen as a symbol of strength,
determination and a demonstration
of Dubai’s capabilities.
Source: Dubai Department of Tourism and
Commerce Marketing.
(Photo Credit: National Archives, UAE)

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