Area:  The total area of Dubai is approximately 2,428 sq miles.
History:  The seven independent emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah came together to form the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the year 1971. While Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the UAE, Dubai remains its commercial centre.
Location:  Dubai is located on the Eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, in the South West corner of the Arabian Gulf. The second largest of the seven emirates which make up the United Arab Emirates, Dubai is located on the southern shore of the Arabian Gulf. It has an area of some 3,900 square kilometres. Outside the city itself, the emirate is sparsely inhabited and characterized by desert vegetation.     View Map
Weather:  Dubai enjoys 365 days of warm sunshine, with cooler evenings and occasional showers in the months between November to March. 5 day forecast
Climate:  The UAE has a sub-tropical, arid climate with infrequent and irregular rainfall, amounting to less than 13 centimetres a year. Temperatures range from a low of 10 degrees (Celsius) to a high of 48 degrees. The average daily maximum is 24 degrees in January, rising to 42 degrees in July.
Time zone:  The UAE is 4 hours ahead of GMT (+4 GMT)
Population: 757,000 (estimated)
Dubai is home to a little less than 1 million residents with 79% of the population employed.
Currency: The monetary unit is the dirham (AED) which is divided into 100 fils. The dirham is linked to the Special Drawing Right of the International Monetary Fund. It has been held constant against the US dollar since the end of 1980 at a mid-rate of approximately US$1= Dh3.67.  
Transport:  Dubai offers a variety of inexpensive and efficient public transportation and you can choose between metered local taxis, intra-city and inter-city buses, private car hire services and abras (local boats).
Economy:  The UAE is one of the world's wealthiest countries, with a GDP of US $54 billion (2000), and has the third-largest proven oil reserves in the world. While oil and gas production form its foundation, Dubai is increasingly broadening its economic activity to include: real estate, tourism, trading and manufacturing. Trading, manufacturing and services - including tourism - now dominate the economy.
Cultural mix:  Owing to the resources and foreign enterprises located in Dubai, more than 80% of the population are expatriates from across the globe and the city is home to almost 200 nationalities.
City Information 
Country: United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Main language: Arabic; English is also widely spoken.
Type of government: Federation of emirates
Government leader: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahayan, President
Political subdivisions: 7 emirates
Economy: Oil contributes just 20 per cent of economic production. Trading, manufacturing and services - including tourism - now dominate the economy.
Life expectancy: Women, 74; Men, 70
Visas: Citizens of GCC countries (Gulf Cooperation Council: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and the Sultanate of Oman) and British nationals with the right of abode in the UK do not need visas to enter the UAE. GCC nationals can stay more or less as long as they like. Britons can stay for a month and can then apply for a visa for a further two months. For others, the easiest and most common way to enter the UAE is on a hotel-sponsored visa. This means either a 15-day transit visit or a 30-day visit visa. The difference is that the transit visas cannot be extended. The visit visa can be extended for another 30 days by the hotel that initially acted as sponsor.
Religion:  Islam is the official religion of the UAE and there are a large number of mosques throughout the city. Other religions are respected and Dubai has two Christian churches, St Mary's (Roman Catholic) and Holy Trinity (Inter-denominational).
Alcohol:  Alcohol is available in hotel and club restaurants and bars. However, restaurants outside the hotels are not permitted to serve alcoholic beverages. Alcohol is prohibited for Muslims, yet the UAE is lenient to foreigners in this regard. Alcoholic drinks are available in private clubs, hotels, and restaurants in hotels. In addition, non-Muslim expatriates can get liquor permits for purchase and consumption of alcohol in their homes; however, as permit holders, they may not sell, serve or give liquor to Muslims.
Telephone:  To call the UAE from abroad, the country code is 971 followed by the city code and the local number.
Average Temperatures (In Fahrenheit):
High Low January - March 80F 54F April - June 97F 65F July - September 103F 77F October - December 92F 58F The best time of the year to visit Dubai is between November and April, when the weather is coolest. The rest of the year you're more likely to be running from one air-conditioned environment to the next instead of getting out and exploring.
New generation entrepreneurs and professionals well driven by the desire to seek out on own also add a sharp weapon to its growing image as a city that has something extra special, something exciting that encourages one to take risks and evolve a new business of their own that generates new products and jobs.