Dubai is the metropolis of the emirate of the same name and is considered the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates. About four million people live in Dubai. Dubai covers an area of 4,100 square kilometers. But how big is Dubai really? We’ll provide specific figures and compare Dubai and its size to other destinations.
Dubai on the World Map
Dubai is located in the Middle East, more specifically in the southeastern part of the Arabian Peninsula. The city lies directly on the Persian Gulf and boasts a 60-kilometer-long coastline. Geographically speaking, Dubai is situated at an elevation of 16 meters above sea level and can be located at approximately 25.28 degrees north latitude and 55.30 degrees east longitude.
The emirate of Dubai’s immediate neighbors are Abu Dhabi to the south and Sharjah to the northeast. To the west lies the maritime border with the Persian Gulf. Dubai is divided by Dubai Creek. This natural inlet splits the city into Deira in the north and Bur Dubai in the south.
About 85 percent of the emirate’s residents live in Dubai City. It is difficult to obtain accurate figures because the numbers fluctuate widely and tens of thousands of immigrants arrive each year. Dubai is known as the city with the tallest skyscrapers in the world and is home to the fifth-largest airport globally.
Dubai and Its Area in Comparison
Dubai covers exactly 4,114 square kilometers. This refers to the emirate of Dubai. Dubai City is significantly smaller, with an area of 35 square kilometers. One square kilometer covers an area of 1,000,000 square meters and corresponds to a square with sides 1,000 meters long.
To get an idea of just how big Dubai really is, a few comparisons can be helpful. Dubai covers an area three times the size of Los Angeles. By comparison, Lower Saxony is significantly larger than Dubai. Less than one-tenth of the state’s area is equivalent to the size of Dubai. Dubai is part of the United Arab Emirates. The federation has a total area of 83,600 square kilometers. This total area is roughly equivalent to that of Portugal.
Dubai and Its Landscape
Dubai’s landscape is largely characterized by the Arabian Desert. The city is surrounded by vast sandy deserts. To the west, the Hadjar Mountains stand out against the otherwise flat desert landscape. The highest peaks rise to 1,300 meters.
Dubai’s landscape is multifaceted and characterized by the following features:
Dubai City Skyline
Dubai’s skyline is world-famous. The city has undergone rapid development, transforming from a modest fishing village into a cosmopolitan metropolis. Some of the world’s tallest skyscrapers rise from the desert sand. The most famous of these is the Burj Khalifa, currently the world’s tallest building.
Location on the Persian Gulf
Dubai has a coastline along the Persian Gulf that stretches about 60 kilometers. The city has always benefited from this. In the past, its coastal location was important for the development of trade relations. Today, tourism is a major factor. Beaches and marinas enliven the cityscape. The man-made Palm Jumeirah, with its exclusive residential properties, is of great interest to real estate investors.
- Desert Landscape: The desert covers a large part of the emirate. The vast desert landscape, with its dunes, is a popular spot for camel rides, dune bashing, and other activities offered to tourists.
- Parks and Gardens: Dubai is not entirely surrounded by desert. Gardens and parks make up a significant portion of Dubai’s total area. For example, the Dubai Miracle Garden, with its millions of plants, is one of the world’s largest flower gardens.
- Wetlands and Mangroves: In certain areas of Dubai, the landscape reveals another surprising facet. In the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, mangroves and wetlands dominate the landscape. These are vital to Dubai’s ecosystem. Numerous bird species have made their homes in the wetlands. Flamingos can also be spotted there.
How big is Dubai, and does it have districts?
Dubai is large and requires a certain degree of organization. However, unlike in German cities, Dubai is not divided into city districts. Instead, it is typically divided into neighborhoods and sectors.
Dubai is divided into nine sectors:
- Sectors 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 = predominantly urban
- Sectors 7 and 9 = predominantly agricultural
- Sector 8 = Location of the Jebel Ali luxury hotel; Dubai World Central Airport is under construction
Each sector is divided into communities. These vary in size and are separated from one another by numbered main streets.
For example:
- Al Awir First – No. 711
- Al Barsha Third – Number 375
- Al Garhoud – Number 214
- Al Merkad – Number 347
- Jumeira Third – Number 352
Within the communities, the houses and streets are numbered. The odd-numbered streets run perpendicular to the coast, while the even-numbered streets run parallel to the Persian Gulf.
Dubai’s Most Important Neighborhoods
Each of Dubai’s neighborhoods has its own unique character and reflects the city’s diversity.
- Deira: Deira is one of the oldest parts of Dubai. The neighborhood is known for its market and the Dubai Creek.
- Dubai Marina: The marina was built on reclaimed land. It features numerous high-rises and maritime recreational activities.
- Jumeirah: This neighborhood runs right along the coast. It is home to luxury hotels and well-maintained beaches, such as Jumeirah Beach.
- Bur Dubai: This is the historic heart of Dubai. This is where the city’s cultural roots lie, and it is home to a city museum.
- Downtown Dubai: This modern district in the heart of Dubai is home to numerous attractions, including the Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall.
The following facts are also worth noting when it comes to renting real estate in Dubai:
Deira Neighborhood
- Rental rates: affordable
- Beach: No
- Transportation options: car, taxi, metro, bus, water taxi
- Neighborhood: lively, traditional
- Attractions: Dubai Creek, Gold Souk, Spice Souk
Bur Dubai neighborhood
- Rent: moderate
- Neighborhood: rich in culture and history
- Beach: No
- Transportation options: car, taxi, bus, water taxi, metro
- Attractions: Dubai Museum, Bastakiya Quarter, Al Fahidi Fort
Marina Neighborhood
- Rent: expensive
- Neighborhood: modern, upscale
- Beach: yes
- Transportation: Car, taxi, water taxi, bus, metro, streetcar
- Attractions: JBR Beach, Yacht Club, The Walk
Jumeirah District
- Rent: very expensive
- Neighborhood: family-friendly, luxurious
- Beach: yes
- Transportation options: car, taxi, bus
- Attractions: Dubai Marina, Kite Beach
Emirates Hills Neighborhood
- Rent: very expensive
- Neighborhood: quiet, exclusive
- Beach: No
- Transportation: Car, Taxi
- Attractions: Emirates Golf Club, Montgomerie Golf Club
Photo credit: Depositphotos.com – Kesu01 (Lukas Gojda)
