Overview: The United Arab Emirates on the southeastern tip of the Arabian
Peninsula is a bit of an anathema in the Middle East. This union of
seven sovereign sheikhdoms was formed when the British withdrew
from the Gulf in 1971, and today it is a modern, trend-setting
conglomeration of high-rise cities with state-of-the-art tourist
infrastructure, magnificent beaches and a paradise of duty free
shopping. Unlike other Arab states the UAE actually courts and
encourages tourists, constantly adding and upgrading events and
attractions to complement its renown as the shopping capital of the
world. The sun always shines on the UAE and its gleaming cities, the
most popular of which is cosmopolitan, wealthy Dubai, which is
characterised by a ten-mile long (16km) deep creek that forms a
natural harbour. In Dubai resides the Jebel Ali Free Trade Zone,
which makes the city a must for shop-a-holics. A major attraction
is the annual Dubai Shopping Festival. Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE and one of the most modern
cities in the world. Visitors revel in large gardens and parks,
green boulevards, sophisticated high-rise buildings, modern
communication services and transport, international luxury hotels,
rich shopping malls and cultural centres. The city's airport ranks
as one of the finest in the world. Just in case travellers forget they are actually in Arabia, the
UAE also offers a host of experiences and attractions that utilise
its historic Bedouin heritage, including camel treks, henna
tattoos, desert stargazing, 4x4 trips through sand dunes and
cruises aboard a dhow. Hundreds of tour companies offer a variety
of excursions and adventure packages to suit all tastes and
persuasions.
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