Nepedia
Back to Discover
Advanced Reader
🗺️

Emirate of Dubai

geography Maturity 11-13 religion Next article →

This article covers sensitive topics: religion. Parents can manage visibility in Parental Controls.

The Emirate of Dubai is a major territory within the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is the most populous emirate in the federation. The capital of the emirate is the city of Dubai. This city is located on the coast of the Persian Gulf.

Dubai by Copernicus Sentinel-2 in false-colour
Dubai by Copernicus Sentinel-2 in false-colour

Dubai is governed as an absolute monarchy. The Al Maktoum family has held power since 1833. The Ruler of Dubai also holds high federal roles. He serves as the Vice President and the Prime Minister of the UAE. This creates a direct link between the emirate and the federal government.

Geographically, the emirate shares borders with several neighbors. To the south lies the emirate of Abu Dhabi. To the northeast is the emirate of Sharjah. The emirate of Ajman is to the east. Ras Al Khaimah sits to the north. The country of Oman borders the southeast.

Dubai Sectors
Dubai Sectors

The emirate is divided into nine numbered sectors. Sectors 1 through 6 are classified as urban areas. Sectors 7 through 9 are considered rural. These sectors contain 224 different communities. One notable area is Hatta. Hatta is an exclave located about 134 km east of Dubai city. It is bordered by Oman, Ajman, and Ras Al Khaimah.

History shows how Dubai transformed into a trading hub. In the 19th century, the economy relied on the pearl trade. Commerce reached a peak in 1897. In 1901, Maktoum bin Hasher Al Maktoum established Dubai as a free port. This meant there were no taxes on imports or exports. This policy attracted merchants from places like Lingeh. By 1906, Dubai had replaced Lingeh as a chief trading center.

Dubai by Copernicus Sentinel-2 in false-colour
Dubai by Copernicus Sentinel-2 in false-colour

The pearl industry eventually crashed due to cultured pearls from Japan. This caused an economic collapse and a famine. New hope arrived with oil exploration. An oil contract was signed in 1937. However, oil was not struck until 1966 at the Fateh oil field. In 1971, the emirates united to form the UAE. This ended their status as British Protectorates.

Dubai has a specific legal and law enforcement structure. The Dubai Police Force was founded in 1956. The force is under the command of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Dubai Police at work (cropped)
Dubai Police at work (cropped)

They are known for using a fleet of exotic cars. The judicial system includes the Court of First Instance, the Court of Appeal, and the Court of Cassation. The Court of First Instance contains Civil, Criminal, and Sharia courts. Non-Muslims do not appear before the Sharia Court.

While Dubai is a prosperous hub, it faces international scrutiny. Some reports suggest the city is used by organized crime for money laundering. Factors like banking secrecy and low taxes are cited. Groups like the Kinahan cartel have been linked to the area. Additionally, there are concerns regarding human rights. Some foreign laborers have faced difficult living conditions. The government has denied many of these accusations of injustice.

Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (II)
Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (II)
472 words

Where will your curiosity go next?

Keep exploring at your chosen reading level.

🖼️ Images & Media (4)
File:Dubai Sectors.png
Dubai Sectors.png
File:Dubai by Copernicus Sentinel-2 in false-colour.jpg
Dubai by Copernicus Sentinel-2 in false-colour.jpg
File:Dubai_Police_at_work_(cropped).jpg
Dubai_Police_at_work_(cropped).jpg
File:Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (II).jpg
Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al...
More to explore

What is Nepedia?

A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.