Haroldo Moreira JuniorClass of English

Is this a mirage in the Middle East?

Dubai City

Dubai City is currently undergoing an unbelievable transformation right in the heart of the Arab world.

Dubai, population one million, produces some of the best modern architecture in the world.

Among the accomplishments are the Burj Al Arab Hotel, considered the world’s most expensive and beautiful hotel.

Dubai City is located on the shores of the Persian Gulf. It is the capital of Dubai which is one of seven "Emirates" or states that form a country known as the United Arab Emirates. The 'Emirate of Dubai' is about the size of America's Rhode Island.

Dubai City does not have a particularly long history. Since it is located in an unbelievably harsh terrain, there have been very few battles fought here since no one wanted any part of this land!

Dubai first gained distinction in the 1800s as a stopover

for ships making their way to and from England to India.

Dubai was under the protection of the British Empire until 1971 when

Britain left the area peacefully.

Shortly after, oil was discovered just off the coast.

Suddenly Dubai was rich beyond anyone's wildest imagination. It was like

winning the lottery.

Dubai is a very unusual city for many reasons. The majority of its population is from "somewhere else". Citizens of the UAE are in a distinct minority.

Naturally the Muslim religion predominates, but apparently religious tolerance is very high in this area which is rather unusual given the state of the world

today. As a result, people of all religions feel welcome here.

One fascinating part of this bizarre desert city is the unbelievable construction boom. Since 2000, Dubai's municipality has initiated a

plethora of construction phases and plans across the entire city of Dubai. In many areas, it is not easy to see Dubai's sky without at least one crane in your view; some say 16% of the world's large construction cranes reside in Dubai. Construction in Dubai and the UAE in general is being done at a

much faster process than in any Western country.