The CityDubai has rapidly evolved as a cosmopolitan city and continues to grow in terms of size and opportunities. With a stable government committed to the prosperity of the Emirate, laws are fair and society is welcoming. It is the commercial and leisure capital of the United Arab Emirates and beyond it, the Middle East. Dubai was the first to introduce foreign ownership of land in the region, and is home to some of the finest leisure facilities in the world. Quality of life is extremely high.

Climate Far from being the boiling caldron of popular imagination, weather for the majority of the year (October-June) is lovely. It rains only a few times a year, mainly in winter (average 13 centimetres a year). Temperatures range from a low of about 10 degrees Celsius to a high of 48 degrees Celsius (July and August).

Language English is spoken by the vast majority of people living and working in Dubai. All service staff – be they taxi drivers, waiters, hotel or retail staff – speak English. Both Arabic and English are considered the official business languages. Hindi, Urdu, Tagalog, Malayalang, Farsi, Pashtu, Russian, French and a host of other languages are widely spoken – reflecting Dubai’s extraordinarily rich culture.

Money The currency is the United Arab Emirate Dirham (AED or DHS). It is fixed to the United States Dollar at a rate of 3.65.

Visas Dubai has very simple visa regulations. Thirty-three European, North American and Asian nationalities can automatically receive visit visa stamps in their passports upon arrival, at no charge. Other nationalities can arrange visas through hotels or UAE embassies and consulates world-wide.

Entertainment Bars, clubs and restaurants crowd Dubai’s streets and hotel foyers like nowhere else in the region. Alcohol is freely available in most quality outlets. The sexes can mingle freely. All the authorities ask is that residents and visitors are respectful of the national religion, Islam. What this means is that displays of public drunkenness are quite rightly frowned on.

Freedom of worship Freedom of worship is allowed to all religions. Christian churches of many denominations have existed in Dubai for years.

Safety Dubai is internationally recognized as one of the top five safest cities in the world. Crimes against a person and thefts are extremely rare.

Population Dubai’s population is approximately 1.5 million.