However, Dubai's geographical location hinders growth. It's a tiny desert state with a 37-mile-long coastline. In the 1990s, high-rises and hotels engulfed Dubai's Persian Gulf shoreline, becoming a wall of structures. In 1993, work began on Dubai's first man-made island, which would eventually house the world-famous Burj Al Arab hotel. The $140 million project was undertaken by Zaha Hadid, who also designed the tower.
The island's design required much of the land to be reclaimed from the sea. Underneath the island, where the hotel stood, tunnels were dug out under the sand to connect it to the mainland. The main entrance is at the base of the 207-foot-high tower. Inside the lobby, which is decorated with marble from all over the world, guests are given black abaya robes to wear upon arrival.
Dubai has been called the "city without nightlife" because there are no bars or nightclubs. However, people can go clubbing at other cities around the UAE, including Abu Dhabi, where there are several clubs open to the public, and Ras al Khaimah, which is known for its annual music festival.
Do check the laws before you travel to make sure what kind of entertainment you can have on your own time. For example, alcohol is banned for export outside of the Arabian Peninsula, so any trips planned beyond Dubai's borders should be checked with the government before they depart.
Burj Al Arab was erected on a man-made island 280 meters off the coast of Dubai. Guests may get there through a 340m-long bridge road. It took five years to construct. The renowned landmark's construction began in 1994. It was designed by Zaha Hadid.
The main structure of the hotel is made of aluminum and it is this which gives it its distinctive shape. The top of the hotel is flat, like a sail, and looks out over the Gulf Coast. There are 7 floors above sea level and the lowest floor is only 50 feet above sea level. Rooms range from small suites for two people up to large royal apartments capable of holding up to ten people.
Guests can choose from among hundreds of luxury rooms and suites at the Burj Al Arab. Each one is unique in design and decor. Some rooms have been reported to be worth up to $1 million dollars. In addition to the standard amenities you would expect in a luxury hotel, such as fine dining options, bars, clubs, etc., the Burj Al Arab also has many specialty shops where you can find anything from glass jewelry to Arabian horses.
The hotel has been called the world's first "mega-hotel" because of its size and specialized facilities. However, it is not the only one of its kind.
The Burj Al Arab, properly translated as "the Arabian Tower," was designed by Tom Wright and erected on Dubai's shore in 1999 over a five-year period: three to develop the island and two to build the hotel. The main structure is a reinforced concrete shell with an exterior made of aluminum and glass panels. It stands on a base of steel girders that reach up to the top floor where they connect to a crystal-clear sphere that serves as its cupola.
The tower is named after the famous sailboat built in Arabia in the 1930s. This amazing vessel had eight enormous fans mounted on its hull which allowed it to fly like a bird. Its shape is based on this ancient design and it can be seen as a futuristic version of it. Today, the boat is on display at the Dubai Museum.
The total height of the building is 104 meters (335 feet) and it has 72 floors. It is the first skyscraper in the world capable of housing a revolving restaurant at its top floor!
How many liters of blood do human beings lose through their veins every day? 0.4 liters on average. That's less than one pint. To answer this question, we need to understand how our bodies work and what parts of the body remove blood from the vessels to keep us alive.
Dubai's Burj Al Arab Burj Al Arab (literally Tower of the Arabs) is the world's fourth highest hotel, located on a man-made island 280 meters off Jumeirah Beach. When it was opened in 1999, the hotel measured 321m and was meant to mimic a ship's sail. It now measures 438m and has 21 floors.
The hotel is so named because it was built by Emirati owners, financed by an Arab banker and staffed by employees who were mostly Arab. It is also claimed to be the most expensive hotel in the world. In 2004, Forbes listed the hotel as being worth US$200 million.
It is unofficially known as the "spinning top" due to its appearance when viewed from above, which looks like a spinning pinwheel. The design is based on a traditional Arabian fishing village with buildings made of wood and painted white.
The island on which the hotel stands is part of Dubai, one of the seven countries of the United Arab Emirates. It is located in the Persian Gulf between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The country's capital city is Dubai.
Burj Al Arab was built as a luxury hotel but also has 85 rooms available for rent per night. This is different from many other hotels where room rates include a charge for a bed. The price for a standard room with a view of the Persian Gulf is about $1500 per night.