The 13 things you didn't know about Dubai

Extravagant, eccentric, exceptional: here are the most incredible anecdotes on the city of Dubai.

Dubai did not exist to say just fifty years ago. This metropolis of the Persian Gulf was only a simple fishing village. The unmeasured ambition of local political leaders made it a world city that became so!

Dubai is the city where everything is possible, the megalopolis of all records. It is a first-rate tourist, economic and commercial centre. This city of all records is full of anecdotes more crazy than others. To shine in society, we offer some of the fun facts The most incredible on Dubai. You are not at the end of your surprises...

1. The Palm Jumeirah is visible from space

Palm Jumeirah is an artificial archipelago built off the city of Dubai. It welcomes luxury hotels and residences for the most fortunate. Its palm shape obviously does not jump in the eyes when you go by boat... But from the sky, it is quite characteristic. And it can be seen from a distance as sumptuous photographs have been taken from the ISS (International Space Station). Some are even due to Thomas Pesquet, a legend astronaut from home.

2. 90% of its inhabitants do not have Emirian nationality

Dubai is a metropolis populated with enormment of foreigners like all the United Arab Emirates. Whether they come to work in tourism, construction, finance or simply enjoy a golden retreat, they are the overwhelming majority of the “locals”. In fact, there are many French people who are attracted to the tedious life or the multiple professional opportunities.

3. The metropolis is only 40 years old

The photographs taken in the 1980s speak for themselves! Dubai was built in about 50 years in the middle of the sand dunes. Before the demeasured towers, there were only a few fishermen’s boats bordering the Indian Ocean. Over the years, the government has decided to pursue an aggressive urban expansion policy to attract foreign capital. This is a rather successful bet given the current result, right?

4. Crime does not exist

A very strict set of laws and regulations coupled with Islamic standards (always more or less in force) make the city of Dubai an extremely safe metropolis. We walk here without fear of being assaulted, stolen or swindled... because the penalties are very heavy for the guilty. Today, the Emirian city is one of the safest in the world, despite ostentatious wealth that can appeal to lusts. Few tourist destinations can say so!

5. We find the only seven stars in the world

The Burj-al-Arab is not officially a “seven stars”. That being said, it is considered the most luxurious hotel establishment on the planet. Its giant sail shape (321 meters!) seeming to float on the Indian Ocean is recognizable between a thousand. A heliport and a panoramic restaurant sit at its top. Access prices to suites are hallucinating, but the promised level of service is one of the highest in the world. To take advantage of this, it is better to have some savings...

6. The police are moving in supercar

Dubai is the city of eccentricity. Even the police must be at the height of the reputation of the place. For this, they have luxury vehicles far from our European vans! Lamborghini, Mercedes AMG, Brabus, Audi R8 and even Bugatti are among the brands used by the police. You will have understood, if you commit any misconduct, it will be difficult to escape them...

7. There is no address or mailbox in Dubai

In the city of all excesses, everything exists or almost. I mean, except... postal services, quite absent in Dubai. There are no factors, no mailbox. To be easily delivered a wrap or package, one solution: to be delivered directly to your home by courier. It is also possible to use the remaining post systems or the "P.O Box" proposed in certain businesses.

8. At the vending machine, we can remove gold...

These original distributors do not exist in Europe but bloom in Dubai. The ATM “Gold to Go”, distributed in a few key locations, allows to buy small ingots and gold coins. The course is reassessed frequently and these devices are very successful. In this world city where money is king, gold is a safe value and a curved means of payment. Let's be frank, who will it surprise?

9. The largest shopping centre in the world is in Dubai

Dubai Mall? 1 124 000 sqm, 800 000 sqm of welcoming commercial surface... 1,200 shops. It is easy to find it: not only it is gigantic, but located at the foot of the Burj Khalifa. Here, the lèche-vitrine is similar to a true marathon. It would take whole days to discover everything! There is also one of the largest aquariums in the world and an Olympic ice rink. The children will be delighted to explore the 930 m2 of the world’s largest candy store.

10. The Burj Khalifa has the shape... of a flower

Recognisable between a thousand, the Burj Khalifa is the skyscraper of all records. It is the largest of the planet with its 160 floors and it has the fastest elevator. Its construction, completed in 2010, required more than 12,000 people. What is less known is that its form was inspired by a flower of the desert named Hymenocallis . This architectural masterpiece of 500,000 tons, all of metal and concrete, includes a piece of poetry.

11. We don’t pay taxes in Dubai

Dubai, capital of king money? Yes, that, we will not learn it to anyone. What is less known is that in Dubai, taxpayers do not pay any income tax. Even more, no corporate taxes are required. This obviously explains the massive influx of foreign investments in this economic lung of the Arabian Peninsula...

12. It's raining banknotes.

Since we don’t pay taxes, some throw the money out of the windows. Well, we tell you right now, don’t reserve a flight just to enjoy a rain of tickets. This happened only once in February 2015. Nearly 680 000 euros in 500 dirhams tickets fell from the sky, causing a real riot. The origin of the spoil was never identified... Mystery!

13. We find luxury cars to abandon in the desert

Not only does money fall from heaven but beautiful sums literally rot in the wilderness. You are explained: entrepreneurs who have found themselves in default of payment have fled the country, abandoning their luxury vehicles in the desert. The reason? The very strict laws that can send them to prison in case of bankruptcy... The leak is more comfortable, even losing its supercar.