History of Urban Development
Even though the early history of the U.A.E. is not documented well, archeologists determine civilized settlements in Dubai existed as far back as 3000 B.C., based upon various artifacts found such as weapons, pottery, and coins ("History of Dubai"). Archeologists also suggest that small fishing communities appeared about 1000 B.C. along the Arabian Gulf, where the sheltered harbor of Dubai most likely served as a busy port on the ancient Mesopotamian trade route ("History of Dubai"). The emergence of modern Dubai came at the beginning of the industrial colonialism phase in the 1820’s when the British arrived in the region and signed many agreements including a maritime truce, which gave the U.A.E. its original name of the Trucial States (Sheikh Mohammed).
Map of the UAE and the surrounding region.
During this time, the British scrambled for new territory to create new urban hierarchies and extend Europe’s presence around the world (Drakakis-Smith 33). At the time of the British arrival, Dubai was all but a small fishing village in which the Maktoum family, still present-day leaders of the U.A.E., led a division of the Bani Yas tribe ("History of Dubai"). For the following one hundred years, Britain took full advantage of the riches and resources the Trucial States and Dubai had to offer. By the late 1870's the idyllic harbor of Dubai, formed by the meeting of the Arabian Gulf and Dubai Creek, was often said to be the principal port on the Arabian Gulf and reportedly had the largest souks, or markets, in Arabia by the turn of the 20th century ("History of Dubai"). For many years, pearls were the main source of the city's wealth, and the cultivation of pearls began in the 1940's (History of Dubai).
Pearls - The founding source of income in the UAE.
Britain declared its withdrawal from the Trucial States in 1971, having settled there for well over a century (Sheikh Mohammed). Because of Britain’s practice of indirect rule, it can be assumed the process of gaining independence was relatively easy for the Trucial States. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Ruler of the city of Abu Dhabi, and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed al Maktoum, ruler of the city of Dubai, led the movement in forming a united federation among the Trucial States (Sheikh Mohammed). The countries of Qatar and Bahrain were originally anticipated to join the group of seven emirates in the new alliance, but in the final stages decided upon becoming separate states (Sheikh Mohammed). The beginning of a new era for the city of Dubai occurred on December 2, 1971 when the flag of United Arab Emirates was raised for the first time (Sheikh Mohammed).
The
United Arab Emirates national flag.
Dubai’s enormous economic explosion in the past quarter century can largely be attributed to its petroleum products, with the United Arab Emirates possessing one-tenth of the world’s oil preserves (Sheikh Mohammed). Today, Dubai is a bustling cultural, economic, and tourist center, and one that may be considered of the most impressive cities in the world.
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