The major part of the Dubai emirate consists of rolling sand dunes lapping the foothills of the arid Hajar mountains in the east. Dubai city is built along the edge of a narrow 10-kilometre long, winding creek which divides the southern section of Bur Dubai, the city's traditional heart, from the northern area of Deira.

The population of the U.A.E. is around 3,488,000 in 2001, and Dubai's population is approximately 1,029,00.

Only 22% of the emirate’s population, at the last count, were actually ethnically emirate in a population mixture that has to be one of the world’s most cosmopolitan. There are large groups of Indians, Pakistanis, Iranians and Southeast Asians.

The sex ratio of Dubai’s male to female is 1.46 to 1.

The literacy rate in Dubai is around 80%.

English, Urdu and Hindi are widely spoken and understood. Arabic and English are the official business languages.

The non-oil sector of the economy currently contributes some 80% of the total produced domestic products of Dubai and is continuing to expand in importance. This long trading tradition earned Dubai the reputation within the Middle East as the “City of Merchants” remains an important consideration for foreign companies looking at opportunities in the region today.

Despite a relatively small population, Dubai's total imports in 1994 exceeded $14 billion. It is not only because Dubai is the major re-export centre for the region, but also due to Dubai's rapidly developing role as a supplier to such emerging markets as India, the CIS, Central Asia and South Africa.

A parliament known as the Federal National Council (FNC) was established on 13th February 1972 and is considered a landmark in the country's constitutional and legislative process. The FNC advises the Cabinet and the Supreme Council but cannot overrule them. According to the constitution, the FNC consists of 40 members who are drawn proportionately from each of the seven emirates. Each ruler appoints the members for his emirate.

There are no elections or legal political parties in the UAE.

While Abu Dhabi is the centre of federal government activities, most ministerial departments also maintain offices in Dubai.

Dubai has civil, criminal and Shariah (Islamic) Courts of first instance. All court decisions may be brought to the Dubai Court of Appeal. Thereafter, a final appeal may be made to the Dubai Court of Cassation. For the Union Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the president.

The Civil Court (as opposed to the Shariah court) has jurisdiction over labour, civil and commercial transactions, as well as personal matters (e.g. wills, divorces etc) relating to non-Muslims. The language of the Courts is Arabic and advocates admitted to plead are Arab nationals.

The principle corporate legislations is Jebel Ali Free Zone Offshore Companies Regulations 2003. According to the regulation, there is no corporate tax in Dubai. The only exceptions to this are for oil producing companies and branches of foreign banks. Likewise, there are no personal taxes. Direct taxation is against the traditions of the UAE and it is highly unlikely that it will be introduced in the near future.

The postal system in the UAE is very modern and the post offices are among the most efficient in the Gulf. Between the UAE and Europe or the USA, mail takes about ten days. To Australia, mail takes about eight to ten days.

There is an excellent telephone system and you can phone anywhere in the world from the most remote areas. Throughout the country there are telephone offices which are equipped to send and receive fax, telex and telegraph messages.

Dubai has a rapidly developing high quality manufacturing sector and a buoyant and prosperous domestic market. In a nutshell its infrastructure and services match the highest international standards.