Dubai is a destination loved for its stunning architecture, fancy hotels and majestic skyscrapers. It is also the go-to place for the shopping spree of a lifetime.
Apart from its glitz and luxury, the world-class city has many interesting things to offer. Its people and their way of life are also just as interesting.
If a trip to Dubai is on your bucket list, these fun facts may be of use:
Foreigners love Dubai
Dubai’s population stands at just over 3 million people. However, only 15% of the population consists of native UAE residents.
Most people are from countries such as Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. They moved from their countries of origin to pursue business opportunities in Dubai.
You can also find a whole lot of British people, together with Americans. There are also many people from Africa, particularly Somalians.
It is home to the world’s largest building
Photo by ZQ Lee on Unsplash
When in Dubai, you will get to see the Burj Khalifa. It stands as the world’s largest building at 2,722 feet.
It is a multi-use building, so you can find a number of attractions inside. These include the world’s fastest elevators and the world’s highest restaurant.
A paradise for flower lovers
If you love flowers, you are bound to have the time of your life at the Dubai Miracle Garden. It is the world’s biggest natural flower garden and contains more than 500 million flowers spread across 780 000 square feet.
The garden contains flowers of many different types and you’re most likely to find your favourite there too.
Don’t expect too much rain
Dubai’s climate is similar to the climate you’ll find throughout the Middle East.
On average, February is the month with the most rain. Even then, the amount of rainfall cannot be compared to South Africa’s rainiest month.
Arabic…and many languages too
The official language in the UAE is Arabic. Speaking a bit of Arabic to the locals can help you in getting around and in breaking the ice when having conversations.
However, the city is very multicultural and many people are familiar with English. Other languages spoken include Urdu, Hindi and Chinese.
There’s wildlife for animal lovers
Despite the city’s rapid development, different animals can still be found in and around Dubai.
Although camels are the most popular animals known to be found at the destination, you can also see wolves, leopards and falcons. It is also the natural habitat of the Arabian oryx.
