United Arab Emirates (UAE) - Dubai and Abu Dhabi have grown rapidly over the last 50 years. The sheer size of shopping malls, skyscrapers and luxury hotels is astounding.
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Despite its glitz and glamour, old skyscrapers can still be seen winding its way through the souks and the vast void of desert that surrounds the city. Here's how to navigate both sides of this ever-growing city.
Dubai
Dubai has become a hub for international trade and transit, attracting millions of visitors every year. It is a place where various cultures gather and trade is mainstay. Although it is not the capital of the United Arab Emirates, it is a neighbor of Abu Dhabi; it is perhaps the most famous of the union's seven constituent members.
The city is known for its bizarre developments, man-made archipelagos of hundreds of islands built out of sand off the coast and the 2,717-foot-tall Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.
The Dubai Mall is the largest mall in the world and attracts a large number of visitors every year. Dubai's bustling streets are a maze of shops, with more than 1,200 of them to explore. This is a great place to beat the heat and admire the luxury shops.
Burj al-Arab is one of Dubai's most iconic buildings, and its unusual shape is said to resemble a ship's sail. It is an iconic symbol of Dubai and an important part of the city's landscape.
Abu Dhabi has grown to be one of the richest cities in the world. It is a beautiful and culturally rich destination where visitors can see some of the world's most impressive architecture such as palaces, mosques and museums.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is an architectural icon that beautifully captures the unique interaction between Islam and the rest of the world's cultures.
Emirates Palace is a beautiful gem and well worth a visit when visiting the city. Its impressive architecture and grandeur is something to behold.
Louvre Abu Dhabi is the first universal museum in the Arab World, and is dedicated to fostering a spirit of openness between cultures.
