The Emirate of Dubai is one of seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates, with around 3.3 million inhabitants. Dubai is the country's most populous emirate and consists of the city of Dubai and the exclave of Hatta, with the associated Hajar Mountains.

The official languages of the emirate are Arabic and English, and the dirham is used as a means of payment. Islam is the state religion throughout the emirate.

After the extinction of oil wealth, Dubai's economy is now based almost 50% on income from tourism. No other city in the world earns more money from international visitors.

Thanks to its liberal policies, the emirate has experienced significant growth over the last 20 years. The Emirate of Dubai does not levy taxes on income, companies, motor vehicles or wages.

The capital of the same name is the glittering metropolis of Dubai, geographically located between the megacities of Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, on the southern coast of the Persian Gulf.

Around 3.5 million people now live in the global metropolis of Dubai. The city is the political, economic and cultural center of the Emirate of Dubai and, with around 20 million foreign tourists, is one of the most visited and most modern cities in the world.

The city of Dubai is home to the most skyscrapers in the world, the airport with the third largest passenger volume and the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa at 828 meters high.

In addition to the Burj Khalifa, the most important sights in Dubai include the Dubai Mall - the largest shopping center in the world, the water features of the Dubai Fountains, the Burj al Arab - the most exclusive hotel in the world, the Dubai Aquarium in the Dubai Mall, the Jumeirah Mosque, the Dubai Autodrome, Meydan Racecourse, Dubai City Walk, Dubai Ferris Wheel, Ethihad Museum, Dubai Marina, Miracle Garden, Mall of the Emirates, Global Village, Gold Market, Dubai Creek – one 11 kilometer long natural sea lagoon, the Emirates Towers, Dubai Frame - a high picture frame with an observation deck, the Dubai Opera, the Dubai Canal with its waterfall, Ski Dubai, the Souk Madinat, the Al-Mamzar Beach Park, the Kite Beach, the Atlantis Hotel with its aquarium and water park “Aquaventure”, the Wild Wadi water park, the man-made Palm Island, The Green Planet, Sheikh Zayed Road with its imposing high-rises, the historic Bastakia district, the Wildlife Sanctuary in Ras Al Khor , the Dubai Butterfly Garden, the Dubai Museum, The World - an embankment in the sea, the Dubai Metro, the Heritage Village with the oldest houses in the city and Legoland Dubai.

The metropolis of Dubai is a city of superlatives and it is guaranteed that it will never be boring there. I have witnessed the city's constant progress for almost 20 years and always enjoy coming back.

The city is ideal for a longer stay. The best times to travel include October to December and March to April. In summer the temperatures occasionally go over 50 degrees Celsius, while in winter it can get quite cool.