Dubai is a megacity that sets the standard with its modern architecture and thriving economy. Not everyone knows right away where Dubai is located on the map. Even when asked whether Dubai is a capital city or even a country in its own right, there is often uncertainty. We’d like to clarify the status of this desert city.
Dubai: Capital or not?
The answer to this question is actually quite simple: Dubai is a city, but not a capital. This means that Dubai is not a country either. Dubai is an emirate, but not an independent country. Since 1971, the Emirate of Dubai has been part of the United Arab Emirates.
- Dubai as a city: With a population of nearly four million, Dubai is the largest city in the United Arab Emirates. However, Dubai is not the capital.
- Dubai as an emirate: Dubai is one of the seven emirates that have united to form the United Arab Emirates.
Dubai and the capital, Abu Dhabi
Since Dubai itself is a metropolis but not a capital, the question arises: What is the capital of Dubai?
As mentioned earlier, the United Arab Emirates consists of various emirates:
- Dubai
- Abu Dhabi
- Fujairah
- Umm al-Qaiwain
- Ra’s al-Khaimah
- Sharjah
- Adschman
Before this federation was formed in the early 1970s, the individual emirates were known as constituent states. Today, Abu Dhabi is the largest emirate in the UAE and also the country’s capital—and thus the capital of Dubai as well. Abu Dhabi is the seat of the government of the United Arab Emirates, and it is from there that the affairs of the state are managed.
Each emirate has its own distinct characteristics but does not have a separate capital.
- Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi is the largest emirate in the UAE in terms of area. The city of the same name, with a population of 1.5 million, is the largest in the emirate and also the capital of the United Arab Emirates.
- Ajman: This emirate is the smallest of the seven emirates. It covers an area of 260 square kilometers. The Nu’aimi family holds power in the sheikhdom. The territory has no oil reserves, nor is it suitable for agricultural use. As the poorest of the emirates, it must therefore rely on subsidies from its neighbors.
- Dubai: Dubai is arguably the most important city in the United Arab Emirates. About 99 percent of the emirate’s residents live in the city of Dubai. Dubai is home to the United Arab Emirates’ most important commercial port. Furthermore, Dubai plays a defining role in the economy and social life of the Emirates.
- Fujairah: Fujairah means “little sunrise.” The emirate consists of two main regions. In 1975, Hamad II came to power, and the federal flag of the United Arab Emirates was adopted.
- Ra’s al-Khaimah: This emirate, too, consists of two distinct territories. The emirate’s long history can be traced through various archaeological sites. Trade, tourism, and agriculture are the leading economic sectors.
- Sharjah: The country’s third-largest emirate comprises five sub-regions. In the 1950s, this emirate was one of the most important. Due to its limited oil reserves, Sharjah lagged behind Dubai and Abu Dhabi in development. Kalba is also part of the emirate. Between 1903 and 1952, this exclave was considered an independent emirate.
- Umm al-Qaiwain: This emirate is not divided into separate territories. Umm al-Qaiwain has the smallest population, and its area accounts for only one percent of the total area of the United Arab Emirates. The emirate’s economy is based on traditional industries, such as date palm cultivation and fishing.
Understanding Dubai: City Meets Countryside
Dubai is not a capital city, but rather a city and an emirate that is part of the United Arab Emirates. Although Dubai has its own local government, major political decisions are made under the authority of the United Arab Emirates. You can now easily answer the question of whether Dubai is a capital city or a country. Dubai is a city that belongs to the United Arab Emirates—whose capital is Abu Dhabi—but plays a central role within that federation.
Dubai has become famous for its spectacular architecture and luxurious lifestyle. Anyone who looks at the United Arab Emirates as a whole will find that each emirate has its own distinct culture and deeply rooted traditions. The landscape of the emirates also varies. Anyone wishing to get to know Dubai better should view the United Arab Emirates as a complex whole and explore the diversity of the individual emirates in order to understand the country as a nation.
Dubai and Its Geography
Good to know: Dubai is not a capital city. But where exactly can you find the city and the emirate on a world map? Dubai is part of Asia. There’s a slight quirk here, too, because geologists often classify the emirate as part of the African continent. On a globe, Dubai can be found on the Arabian Peninsula. There, the emirate stretches along the southeastern coast of the Persian Gulf.
Dubai is defined by its breathtaking architecture. It’s important to remember that the metropolis as we know it today has only emerged in the last few decades. It’s just a short distance from the sandy beaches, skyscrapers, and shopping malls to the desert. Visitors to Dubai will first have to get used to the tropical desert climate. Summers can get very hot. There is hardly any rainfall. The best time to visit the city and the emirate is therefore during the winter months. The peak season in Dubai runs from November through March. Temperatures hover around 25 degrees Celsius, and the Persian Gulf is perfect for swimming.
Here’s something you might not know yet …
Dubai is not a capital city. Now you know how to distinguish between a city and an emirate. We have more fascinating facts about Dubai for you.
- Dubai is home to the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. The skyscraper is 828 meters tall.
- The Dubai Mall is considered the largest shopping mall in the world.
- Not too long ago, many buildings in Dubai did not have addresses, which posed a challenge for delivery services.
- At the Dubai Miracle Garden, there is an Airbus A380 that is completely covered in flowers.
- The police embody the city’s lavish lifestyle and drive Ferraris and Lamborghinis.
- The United Arab Emirates has a Ministry of Happiness.
- Only about 15 percent of Dubai’s residents are locals. The rest of the population consists of immigrants from over 200 countries.
Photo credit: Depositphotos.com – Iakov (Iakov Kalinin)
