Character of the city Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Sheikh Zayed Road Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Sheikh Zayed RoadSheikh Zayed Road at night, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Dubai is a city of skyscrapers, ports, and beaches, where big business takes place alongside sun-seeking tourism. Because of its large expatriate population, it feels like a Middle Eastern melting pot, and the atmosphere is generally tolerant. Religious affiliations are not a prominent aspect of city life. Islam is the majority religion, but churches and Hindu temples coexist with Dubai’s mosques. Explore the expansive cityscape of Dubai Explore the expansive cityscape of DubaiLearn about Dubai city, United Arab Emirates, by watching this overview. See all videos for this article Dubai is a relatively crime-free place where administrative efficiency and openness to business have encouraged astounding growth. However, criticism of Dubai’s authoritarian government and ruling elite is not tolerated, and there persists an atmosphere of discreet corruption. Landscape Palm Jumeirah Palm JumeirahPalm Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, photographed from the International Space Station, 2005. The western area of Dubai benefits from small stretches of sandy beaches, which have helped to catalyze the city’s tourism industry. Dubai’s rulers have sought to increase the city’s limited seafronts, and, in the absence of natural offshore islands, developers were encouraged to construct giant man-made islands off the coast of the city. The most famous of these is Palm Jumeirah, which has the shape of a palm tree. Others include the “World” islands, a cluster of small islands positioned to resemble a world map when viewed from above.