History of Dubai: From Fishing Village to Global Wonder

• Dubai began as a small fishing village in the year 1833, with the population consisting of 800 individuals of the tribe Bani Yas.
• Finding oil in 1966 changed everything and helped Dubai become super-rich and modern
• Dubai Creek was like the main street where everything happened - fishing, trading, and boat rides
• Smart rulers built amazing roads, airports, and tall buildings to make Dubai a world-famous city 
• Today's Dubai has incredible attractions like Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall, which millions of people visit

By 1894, Dubai grew busier as traders and foreign workers arrived, making it a lively, international village. However, things changed downward as Japan started producing artificial pearls, which had destroyed the pearl trade in Dubai, the primary source of revenue. The leaders of Dubai realised they could not only rely on the pearls. So, they started to look for other opportunities. What they did not know was that it would be a game-changing discovery that was buried under the sand.

In 1966, something incredible happened!! They found oil, or the liquid gold, under Dubai's sand, which changed everything. Instead of being dependent on the oil sales, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum invested the funds in developing roads, airports, and skyscrapers, making Dubai a global icon. His visionary strategy transformed Dubai from a deserted village to a modern metropolis today.

The longest road in the UAE is Sheikh Zayed Road. It is one of the major projects of Dubai, which was constructed between 1971 and 1980 and connects Dubai to the rest of the cities of the emirates. It can be referred to as the backbone of the city. Surrounded by some of the well-known tall structures, driving on the Sheikh Zayed Road feels like going through a canyon of skyscrapers.

The rulers of Dubai had already been looking forward even before the discovery of oil. Dubai constructed its first airport in 1960, which is Dubai International (DXB), with a packed sand runway. Can you imagine planes landing on sand? The earliest flight that landed there must have been a great adventure. It began as a small airport but has now become one of the busiest airports in the world that serving millions of travellers around the world. There are more than 5 airports in Dubai, making it a giant international meeting place in the sky.

In 1963,  Dubai tourism built the very first landmark- the Deira Clock Tower. It was the symbol of progress, standing by itself in the middle of the sand.  On the one hand, the clock tower itself is surrounded by crowded streets, stores, and eateries today. It is really surprising that this tower has witnessed such a splendid history of Dubai, from a desert to a megacity.

Built in 1979, Dubai's World Trade Centre is the city's first skyscraper. This 38-storey high building used to be the tallest building in the UAE until Burj Khalifa came into place in the year 2010. It is among the best places in Dubai to conduct a business conference and a trade exhibition.

The city begins its history with Dubai Creek. This creek divides Dubai into two large regions: Deira and Bur Dubai. It runs through the city,  creating two neighbourhoods of different character. You may still experience Dubai's past by enjoying the ride on old abra boats.

Dubai's engineers performed a miracle by creating Dubai Marina, a brand-new waterfront development. They diverted the ocean water and designed a 3-kilometre-long artificial canal city. It seems like a little version of Venice in the middle of the desert. The world's largest artificial harbour is Dubai Marina. It also boasts of famous towers, which include Princess Tower, Marina 101 and Ocean Heights. It is like having a journey through a water city as one walks around Dubai Marina.

Dubai rulers did not forget about their culture and religion when making all these modern wonders. They have constructed one of the most beautiful mosques in Dubai, the Jumeirah mosque, constructed in the traditional Islamic style of construction, with white stone, two towers, and a big dome. This is an open mosque where people of any faith have an opportunity to enjoy watering their eyes with beauty and gain new knowledge.

Downtown Dubai was once a barren desert, but today it is home to some of the most renowned attractions in the world, including the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. The Dubai Mall and the musical Dubai Fountain are two more attractions. This city is where individuals can live, work, shop and have fun in a single location. With millions of visitors each year, it has emerged as the hub of Dubai's tourism industry

The history of Dubai and its development from a fishing village into a world marvel did not occur by chance. The city's leaders made smart decisions:

• They spent money smartly to develop infrastructure rather than consuming it all.
• They invited people from across the world to work and stay in Dubai.
• They concentrated on making Dubai a pleasant city to visit with wonderful attractions and experiences.
• They had never quit dreaming big and being forward-looking

The history of Dubai tells us that with the best planning, diligence, and grand aspirations, incredible things can be achieved. You can observe conventional dhows plying the waters of Dubai Creek today next to ultramodern skyscrapers. The realistic combination of ancient and modern is what makes Dubai so special. If you ever want to witness the historical site of Dubai, plan a trip with pickyourtrail by considering the top Dubai tour packages for a memorable experience.