Another Article From A Travel To...

Dubai - Precious Pearl Of The Gulf

by Fawaz Rimman
http://www.fwcdubai.com

For many Dubai is merely a far away place, located somewhere in the Middle East. Its name conjures exotic images, but how many people know the splendid beauty tucked away in this corner of the world?  Nestled between the Persian Gulf and miles of sandy oil fields, Dubai has evolved through the centuries. Yet, it has always remained the "Pearl of the Gulf."

Dubai is seeped in ancient tradition that tells how the Arabs immigrated to the Arabian Peninsula from either the north or the south.  Southerners are said to have descended from Himyar, the son of Qahtan. These southerners are often considered the real Arabs. Northerners are believed to be descendants of Ishmael, the son of the prophet Abraham. This group is generally considered assimilated Arabs. Most Arabs do differentiate whether they are from the north or the south, but this distinction causes no friction between the two, allowing everyone to live in harmony.  Interestingly, it is the majority of the northerners in Dubai who declare they are from the north.

Like much of the rest of the world, Dubai's population has expanded considerably over the years.  In 1965, the population was a mere 59,000. Forty years later, in 2000, that number shot up to 938,000.  Many people made their way to Dubai in the 1970s during the oil boom.  Prior to the population expansion, more than half of Dubai's population was 20 years old or younger.  Both the birth rate and death rate were much higher than the world average.

Interestingly, Dubai was home to a very young population, with more than half of its citizens 20-years-old or younger, before the oil boom and subsequent population explosion. While Dubai was home to the world's highest birth rate, it also had a higher than average death rate.

Unfortunately, Dubai's deeply rooted tribal organization of society has all but been eliminated by the discovery of oil. This oil boom led to an insurgence of people, who all brought with them new cultures and new ways of thinking. Refining and petrochemical industries - as well as the oil industry, aluminum smelting and shipbuilding - has given Dubai the prestigious stature of having one of the world's highest national incomes per capita.

As in many other parts of the world, Dubai has transitioned into the 21st century. Once a tribal organization, Dubai is now like most Western societies. Tribal life is all but extinct as people are focused on making the most of the petroleum and refining industries. The economy is also boosted by Dubai's smelting and shipbuilding industries. It's no surprise then, that citizens of Dubai earn the highest national income per capita.

The shift toward Westernization also means people dress like westerners while only the upper-class remain true to tradition by wearing their robes and head gear. No matter how much western society pokes itself into Dubai, however, Islam is still strong - and will most likely remain strong - in the region.Dubai earned its nickname "Pearl of the Gulf" as its citizens once devoted their lives to pearling. The other two big trades in Dubai's days gone by - prior to the oil boom - were fishing and trade. Today, Dubai is a westernized state with thriving industries and a strong economy.