Dubai
Speaking of an Arab nation, thoughts of being rich in oil deposits are what easily come into our minds. Dubai, United Arab Emirates is no exemption to it. It is arguably one of the major oil suppliers in the world. But it seems today, Dubai in the very near future can very well completely transform from an oil region to the Paris of Middle East. In fact, the younger generations of today are even more aware of Dubai as one of the leading tourist destinations in the world than that for its oil. It is because and being aware that their oil deposit may run out someday, the present government is investing much on infrastructures that would attract millions of tourists around the world, giving rise to the erection of magnificent buildings and state-of-the-art hotels. Listed below are selected structures that are now gradually making Dubai famous.
Burj Al Arab
Burj Al Arab, at 321 meters (1,053 ft) is the tallest building in the world used exclusively as a hotel, albeit the title will be later claim by the Rose Tower also in Dubai upon its completion. Burj Al Arab, meaning Tower of the Arabs in Arabic is an iconic building designed to symbolize the transformation of Dubai into a highly urbanized region. It is made to mimic the sail of a boat called a dhow, a type of Arabian vessel. It stands on an artificial island 280 meters off shore and is connected to the mainland by a curving road. This extremely luxurious hotel took the builders almost three years to construct. All in all, it cost $650 million to complete.
Deira Clock Tower
The Deira Clock Tower, also known as the Dubai Tower is one of the early architectural projects of Dubai. It was completed in 1964 and was refurbished in 1972 due to corrosion caused by the breeze of the sea. Now a prominent monument in Deira, it provides access to the Al Maktoum Bridge, the first land crossing between Deira and Bur Dubai.
Rose Tower
The Rose Tower is a 72-story skyscraper in Dubai. It is still under construction and will easily surpass the Burj Al Arab and the incomplete Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang North Korea in height upon its completion. This building will eventually become the tallest hotel in the world at the structural height of 333 meters (1,093 ft).
Etisalat Tower 2
The Etisalat Tower 2 is most notable for its spherical structure, like a golf ball at the top. It is a 33-floor tower in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It stands a total structural height of 185 meters (607 ft). As its name indicates, it has other sister buildings, the Etisalat Tower 1, Ajman,Etisalat Tower, Al Ain, Etisalat Tower and the Etisalat Headquarters in Abu Dhabi. Tower 2 has been functional since 2007.
Dubai Palm Island
Arguably, Palm Island is one of the most remarkable engineering feats in history. It is constructed of sand dredged taken from the bottom of the Persian Gulf through the joint effort of the Belgian Company Jan De Nul and the Dutch company Van Oord. As its name bears, it’s actually an artificial peninsula made to appear like that of a giant palm. Dubai must have spent millions of dollars for this remarkable, grand, and glorious triumph of modern technology.
World Island
Human beings were really made from the image of God. We are replicas of God because we are capable of emulating the acts of God. The World Island, albeit still under construction is a concrete testament to it. Into the sea, a mixture of sand, rocks and soil are being deposited in proper places in order to create a relatively miniature continents, thus a mini-world. Plants are also being added into the mix to further augment the strength of its foundation. Upon its completion, the islands are to be allocated for beaches, new commercial and residential lots in Dubai. How wonderful!
Apart from this already standing structures in Dubai, many would still likely rise in the future which could be more splendid and grand. In the meantime and even without personally having traveled to this magnificent city, a virtual travel is even enough to leave us wondering over this modern glory that Dubai is trying to establish. It is worth doing a little more effort in order to afford at least a once-in-a-lifetime travel to Dubai.
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