Dubai is located in the desert and covers an area of approximately 4,114 square kilometers. Desert areas account for more than 90 percent of its total area. The sand dunes are shifting southward. The Hajar Mountains rise in the eastern part of the emirate. These are key facts about Dubai. Below, we’ll take a closer look at its location and landscape and answer an important question about Dubai: which continent it belongs to.
Geographic Location
Dubai is located on the Arabian Peninsula, directly on the Persian Gulf. It is not an independent country, but one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates.
If we look at the map, we can pinpoint the location more precisely:
- Latitude: 25.2697
- Longitude: 55.3094
- GPS coordinates: 25° 16′ 10.92 N 55° 18′ 33.84 E
Its location at 25° north latitude places it almost entirely within the tropics. More than 90 percent of Dubai consists of desert, and it is one of the hottest regions in the world. Summer in Dubai begins when the sun reaches 23.5° at the Tropic of Cancer. Summer begins on June 21.
Geographically and geologically, on which continent is Dubai located?
Anyone looking for Dubai on a map will also want to identify the continent. The Dubai continent can be viewed from different perspectives.
- Geographical location: Dubai is located on the Arabian Peninsula. The continent is Asia. More specifically, Dubai is part of South Asia.
- Geological Classification: Geologists view the Dubai continent differently. Dubai, and specifically the Arabian Peninsula, are part of the Arabian Plate. From a geological perspective, the Arabian Plate is considered part of Africa.
This means that the United Arab Emirates is part of Southwest Asia, even though geologically it belongs to Africa.
National borders
There are no actual borders between the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates.
The UAE shares land borders with the following countries:
- Saudi Arabia – Border length: approximately 460 kilometers
- Oman – Border length approximately 410 kilometers
- Qatar – Maritime border; strip of land controlled by Saudi Arabia
Dubai has a coastline along the Persian Gulf that is approximately 70 kilometers long. This does not include the approximately 100 kilometers of coastline added by the construction of the artificial islands Palm Jumeirah, Palm Deira, Palm Jebel, and The World.
Persian Gulf
Dubai’s location right on the Persian Gulf has always shaped the city. Initially, its coastal location was of primary importance for the economy and the expansion of trade relations with Asia and Africa. Later, tourism gained in importance, and Dubai evolved from a small fishing village into a dazzling metropolis.
The Persian Gulf lies between Iran and Iraq. To the south, the Strait of Hormuz leads into the Gulf of Oman and from there into the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. In total, the Persian Gulf covers an area of 235,000 square kilometers. Its greatest width from east to west is about 60 kilometers. Its length from north to south, at approximately 990 kilometers, is considerably greater.
The deepest point in the Persian Gulf is about 90 meters. With an average depth of 50 meters, the Gulf is a relatively shallow body of water. The Persian Gulf contains a volume of 6,000 cubic kilometers of water.
In addition to the United Arab Emirates, the following countries share a maritime border with the Persian Gulf:
- Iran
- Iraq
- Kuwait
- Saudi Arabia
- Bahrain
- Qatar
- Oman (Musandam exclave)
During the last Ice Age, the Persian Gulf did not yet exist. At that time, the Euphrates and Tigris rivers flowed into the Strait of Hormuz. About 11,000 years ago, the water level began to rise, and the Persian Gulf took on its present form.
Today we’ll look at which “Dubai continent” the map refers to. Back then, the modern worldview did not yet exist, and the region was significant as the cradle of humanity. The Persians and Sumerians settled there and established a far-reaching ancient civilization. In later times, the territory came under British influence. The Persian Gulf also made its mark on history.
Dubai Creek location
Let’s not just look at the “Dubai continent”; let’s take a closer look at its geographic location. The location of Dubai City is defined by Dubai Creek. This inlet of the Persian Gulf is about 14 kilometers long and up to 1,300 meters wide.
Dubai Creek is a defining feature of Dubai’s cityscape. The creek divides Dubai into the two districts of Deira and Bur Dubai. There are several bridges outside the city center. The small passenger ferries known as “abras” are also popular with locals and tourists. At the head of the Creek, there is a road tunnel, and pedestrians can use an underpass.
Dubai Creek is now home to Dubai Creckside Park, a green oasis featuring numerous themed gardens. Along Dubai Creek, ambitious construction projects such as Culture Village, Business Bay, and the Jewel of the Creek have been completed.
Islands and Their Significance
In recent years, several artificial islands have been created in Dubai, and numerous luxury developments have been built. This has given the emirate another unique selling point within its region in Asia.
Burj Al Arab Hotel
The luxury hotel has become a landmark of Dubai and is known throughout Asia. Burj Al Arab translates to “Tower of the Arabs.” The building was constructed in 1999 on an artificial island. The island is located 280 meters from the mainland. The structure, which resembles an inflated boat sail, is 321 meters tall and can be reached via a causeway.
The hotel is considered one of the most exclusive in the world and bills itself as a 7-star hotel, even though it is officially classified as a 5-star hotel. Guests can stay in one of the 202 multi-day suites for 1,500 euros per person per night. Visitors can be chauffeured to the hotel’s Al Mahara restaurant as part of a three-minute simulated ride, during which they can admire an enormous marine aquarium.
Palm Islands
The Palm Islands were built off the coast of Dubai between 2001 and 2004. A unique feature found nowhere else in Asia: all three artificial islands are shaped like palm trees. The total area of The Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali, and The Palm Deira is 50 square kilometers.
It took 100 million cubic meters of sand and rock to build the islands. This also altered the geography of Asia to some extent, as Dubai’s official coastline grew from about 70 to 170 kilometers.
The islands play a major role in Dubai’s real estate market. Thousands of villas and vacation rentals have been built there. Marinas, sandy beaches, and shopping malls enhance the infrastructure. The Atlantis Hotel opened in 2008. It offers 1,500 guest rooms, and its 17 restaurants serve a variety of cuisines that go far beyond Asian cuisine.
The Word and The Universe
This one-of-a-kind construction project has attracted attention far beyond Asia. Three hundred artificial islands have been created, arranged to resemble a map of the world, allowing one to recognize individual countries, as well as Dubai and the Asian continent. The islands are named after countries, cities, and famous personalities. Among them is a Michael Schumacher Island. Investors can purchase a stake in the islands for about 15 million U.S. dollars. The most expensive island currently for sale is priced at 50 million dollars.
Outline
It is not only Dubai’s location within a continent that should be considered; its internal divisions are also significant. The city of Dubai can thus be divided into nine sectors. These sectors comprise approximately 130 neighborhoods of varying sizes and population figures. The individual neighborhoods are separated from one another by the main roads.
A closer look at the sectors:
- Sector 1: approximately 460,000 residents
- Sector 2: approximately 630,000 residents
- Sector 3: approximately 1.2 million residents
- Sector 4: approximately 77,000 residents
- Sector 5: approximately 426,000 residents
- Sector 6: approximately 364,000 residents
- Sector 7: approximately 13,000 residents
- Sector 8: approximately 39,000 residents
- Sector 9: approximately 8,500 residents
Time difference
Anyone traveling to Asia needs to take the time difference into account.
There are various time zones on the continent:
- Japan Standard Time: Time difference +9 hours
- China Standard Time: Time difference +8 hours
- Western Indonesian Time: Time difference +7 hours
- Indochina Time: Time difference +7 hours
- Bangladesh Standard Time: Time difference +6 hours
- Indian Standard Time: Time difference +5.3 hours
- Iran Standard Time: Time difference +3.3 hours
- Arab Standard Time: Time difference +3 hours
This means that Dubai has the smallest time difference from Central Europe among all cities on the continent.
Summer Time
Most Asian countries do not observe daylight saving time. Daylight saving time has been abolished in Russia, South Korea, Singapore, and Turkey.
The following countries in Asia observe daylight saving time:
- Jordan
- Syria
- Turkey
- Mongolia
- Israel
- Lebanon
The United Arab Emirates does not observe daylight saving time. However, the time in Dubai is three hours later than in Germany. The difference stems from Central European Summer Time. If the clocks in Germany are set forward by one hour, it is consequently only two hours later upon arrival in Dubai than it was at departure from Germany.
Character and Description
Dubai holds a special place within the United Arab Emirates. The name “Dubai” refers not only to the emirate itself but also to its main city. Dubai is the second-largest emirate in the UAE after Abu Dhabi.
Compared to the other emirates, Dubai has followed a somewhat different path. The other emirates owe their wealth directly to oil. Only about 10 percent of Dubai’s gross domestic product comes from oil production.
Today, Dubai is one of Asia’s most modern cities. Numerous luxury properties make the city an attractive destination for investors. Expats from Germany find an attractive job market there and benefit from many tax advantages.
Dubai’s city center is located in the Deira neighborhood. You can explore the area by water using motorized water taxis (abras). The harbor district can also be explored on foot. When traditional fishing boats are unloaded in the shadow of the skyscrapers, the city’s unique character—which blends modernity, cultural traditions, and a high quality of life—becomes clear.
Flora and Fauna
The flora and fauna of Asia cannot be compared to the vegetation in Europe. Dubai, with its desert climate, has another distinctive feature. Only a few plants and animals are adapted to the extreme weather conditions. The deserts are almost devoid of vegetation, except for a few drought-tolerant plants. Date palms grow in the oases. Numerous plant species have been introduced in Dubai City.
These include:
- Golden Ivy
- Chinese fig
- Oleander
- Oscher
The United Arab Emirates is home to wild sheep, striped hyenas, Arabian wolves, and leopards, as well as desert-dwelling antelope and gazelle species. More than 40 different species of fish and crustaceans are native to the Persian Gulf. You may encounter sperm whales, dolphins, sea turtles, or—with a little luck—even the rare manatees.
Dubai – Between Tradition and Luxury
Within Asia, Dubai sets the standard for exclusivity and unique projects that investors from around the world have brought to life in the Emirates. The Burj Khalifa is one of Asia’s most famous attractions. The structure stands 828 meters tall, making it by far the tallest building in the world. Visitors with a head for heights can enjoy one of the most beautiful views of Dubai and the Persian Gulf from the observation decks on the 124th and 125th floors.
As you approach the Burj Khalifa, Lake Burj Dubai is impossible to miss. The lake is man-made and has become famous for its water fountains. The spectacle is especially worth seeing in the evening, when the area is impressively illuminated.
Palm Jumeirah, the man-made palm-shaped island, is said to be visible even from space. Some of the most famous and expensive hotels in all of Asia have been built on the island. These include the Atlantis Hotel and The Palm.
Dubai is also a top destination for shopping enthusiasts. The Dubai Mall is considered the largest shopping center in Asia and the world. The stores and restaurants are spread out over an area of more than one million square meters.
Shopping in the traditional souks reminds visitors that Dubai is located in Asia. In the Deira district, the Gold Souk draws visitors. Here, you can purchase precious metals, gemstones, jewelry, or coins. The Spice Souk also offers a unique shopping experience. Here, visitors can immerse themselves in the myriad aromas of Asian spices. As in many places in Asia, the atmosphere here is authentic, colorful, and lively.
Bur Dubai, one of the oldest neighborhoods, is home to historic sights. Here, you can visit a museum, explore traditional Arab houses, dine at traditional restaurants, and mingle with the locals.
A visit to Dubai also offers the opportunity to experience numerous exclusive and unique recreational activities. You’ll experience striking contrasts when you go on a desert safari followed by a stroll through the Miracle Garden. There, countless plants have been arranged into impressive figures, and visitors can stroll through a heart-shaped floral archway.
Photo credit: Depositphotos.com – vampy1 (Marco Maggioni)
