Dubai is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates. It has a population comprised mainly of expatriates from places like Iran. While Arabic is the official language, English and other languages are also widely spoken. Dubai has shifted away from an oil-reliant economy to one focused on tourism and real estate development, transforming the city through large construction projects like the Burj Al Arab hotel and Palm Islands developments. Megaprojects currently under construction include Burj Dubai, which will be the world's tallest building when completed.

1. DU BAI one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates on the Persian Gulf

3. Demographics Dubai is unusual in that its population is comprised mainly of expatriates A quarter of the population reportedly trace their origins to neighbouring Iran Dubai is also home to some 100,000 British and other western expatriates

4. Language and religion The official language is Arabic but English, German, Hindi are also widely spoken Islam is the majority religion of the Emiratis and while a vast majority of the locals are Sunnis

5. Economy Oil reserves in Dubai are less than one-twentieth those of Abu Dhabi , and oil income represents a small proportion of the emirate's income . A majority of the emirate's revenues are from tourism .

6. Real estate and property Today, Dubai is an important tourist destination and port ( Jebel Ali , constructed in the 1970s, has the largest man-made harbour in the world). The government's decision to diversify from a trade-based but oil-reliant economy to one that is service- and tourism-oriented has made real estate more valuable

7. Construction on a large scale has turned Dubai into one of the fastest growing cities in the world

8. Burj hotel The Burj al-Arab (Tower of the Arabs) is a luxury hotel in Dubai Was briefly marketed as "the world's first seven-star hotel"

9. it is the tallest building used exclusively as a hotel. It stands on an artificial island 280 m The client wanted a building that would become an iconic or symbolic statement for Dubai

10. It was built to resemble the sail of a dhow The interior of the hotel is dominated by a massive atrium formed between the V shaped structure and its fabric sail Other features include a helipad , suspended near the top of the building

11. interior guest space is a compilation of lavish and luxurious architectural styles from both the east and the west

12. hotel boasts of 8,000 square meters of 22-carat gold leaf 24,000 square meters of 30 different types of marble

13. The building becomes not only an icon for Dubai but symbolizes the growing importance of capitalism as well

14. The atrium is so large !

15. The building accomplishes some of its goals becoming a recognizable architectural form serving as an icon for Dubai symbolizing the on-going architectural transformation symbolizing the wealth of the community

16. The property boom is largely driven by many projects planned for Dubai. Off-shore such as Palm Islands and The World (archipelago) .

17. Palm Island palm trees will shelter nearly 500 apartments, 2 000 villas, 25 hotels and 200 shops of luxury. will be completed as of the end of 2005. Hundred twenty-five kilometers of coast additional will be thus created.

20. The World With broad of Dubaï, nearly 300 artificial islands, seen sky will form a planisphere. If you want to acquire one of these islands, it will cost some to you between 6,2 to 36,7 million dollars. should be completed at the end of 2005

22. The aspirations of the ruling sheikh are reflected by the ultra-modern architecture of the city ,such as Burj al-Arab located on its very own island in the Persian Gulf and currently the tallest hotel in the world.

23. Dubai Marina. new city, of a total cost of 10 billion dollars It will be able to lodge 120 000 people. Three principal towers will be set up and will

24. Emaar Properties is currently constructing what will become the world's tallest structure, the Burj Dubai . The final height of the skyscraper is a closely guarded secret , but estimates so far point to a height upwards of 810m. Burj Dubai is expected to be completed in 2008

28. Madinat Al Arab Here the representation of the one of the districts of the future greater sea front in the world, Dubai Waterfront. This sight accounts for the architectural ambition and the spectacular development of real constructions with Dubaï