Vital Statistics

The Persian Gulf War in 1990-91 had many effects on the city. The UAE forces joined the allies against Iraq, after the invasion of Kuwait. Over the next decade, many foreign traders moved their business to Dubai, rather than Kuwait or Bahrain.

Oil was discovered in Dubai the same year it established its new currency along with Qatar: 1955.

The first concrete building was built in 1956.

Dubai International Airport was inaugurated in 1960.

Dubai’s population numbers 674,000.

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the UAE Prime Minister and Vice-President, and Ruler of Dubai, becomes heir apparent to the throne.

Dubai launched its Dubai International Financial Exchange (DIFX) and opened it as DIFC in 2005.

Work on Dubai Metro also began.

Dubai put a 15 per cent cap on rental increases as other living expenses doubled in 2005. Dubai’s population numbered about 1.5 million.

Ski Dubai opens, the world’s third largest indoor ski slope, measuring 400 metres and using 6,000 tonnes of snow.

Dubai’s population was 58,971 in 1968, 183,000 in 1975 and 370,800 in 1985.

In 1979 it was decided that Abu Dhabi would take control of the rest of the UAE, and Dubai would rule many of its own affairs, in particular those related to trade.

During the 1970s, many road, drainage, housing and commercial building projects began.

HH Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum rules Dubai from 1958 to 1990.

In 2000, the first Starbucks opens in Dubai.

Over 4.7 million tourists visit Dubai in 2002.

Chicago Beach Village, built for the city’s oil workers, is demolished in 2002. The Madinat Jumeirah replaces it later on.

Construction of the Palm Jumeirah begins in 2001, residents begin to move in by 2006.