From the timeless tranquil desert to the lively lanes of the souk, Dubai offers a kaleidoscope of attractions for everyone. In a single day, one can experience everything from rugged mountains and smooth sand dunes to sandy beaches, blue sea and lush green parks; from dusty villages to luxurious residential districts and from ancient houses with traditional windmills to ultra-modern sky-scrapers and shopping malls. Dubai is both a dynamic international business centre and a laid-back tourist escape and a city where the modernity of the 21st century walks hand in hand with the simplicity of a bygone era. It is these contrasts that give Dubai its unique flavor and personality; a cosmopolitan society with an international lifestyle, yet with a culture deeply rooted in the Islamic traditions of Arabia.
The vibrant and cosmopolitan Dubai we see today is the product of the last 20 years of intensive development. In days gone by, Dubai was a small trading port, clustered around the mouth of the Creek. By the turn of the 20th century, Dubai was a sufficiently prosperous port and attracted settlers from Asia and The Gulf. The souk, situated on the other side of the Creek, was also thought to be the largest on the coast, with an array of about 350 shops.
