HISTORY OF DUBAI - WORLD ART AND CULTURE - SHOPS , HOTELS , LIFESTYLE

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The first human settlement in the history of Dubai was in approximately 3000 BC, when the area was inhabited by nomadic cattle herders. In the 3rd century AD, the area came under the control of the Sassanid Empire which lasted until the 7th century, when the Umayyad Caliphate took control and introduced Islam in the area. The area was sustained by fishing and pearl diving for a thousand years, with the first records of the town being made in 1799 when the Bani Yas clan established it as a dependency of Abu Dhabi. Dubai became a separate Sheikhdom in 1833, when the Al-Maktoum dynasty of the Bani Yas clan (initially from Abu Dhabi) took it over peacefully. The invention of artificial pearls in 1926 and the Great Depression in 1929 caused a collapse in the international pearl market, which resulted in Sheikh Saeed looking for an alternative source of income and Dubai becoming one of the leading re-export ports in the world. In 1966, oil was discovered in Dubai, which changed the country beyond recognition and led to Dubai becoming the vibrant, modern, business-centred city-state it is today. Discovery of oil[edit] The major turning point in the history and fortunes of Dubai was the discovery of oil in 1966.[46] Coupled with the joining of the newly independent country of Qatar and Dubai to create a new currency, the Riyal,[47] after the devaluation of the Persian Gulf rupee which had been issued by the Government of India,[48] it enabled Dubai to rapidly expand and grow. Once the first shipment of oil was made in 1969, the future of Dubai as an autonomous state was secured,[49] and its ability to dictate policy in later years to the UAE was cemented. Formation of the UAE Britain left the Persian Gulf in the early part of 1971, having announced their intentions in 1968, causing Dubai and Abu-Dhabi, in conjunction with five other emirates to form the United Arab Emirates.[50] Dubai and Abu-Dhabi ensured in the negotiations that between them they could control the country effectively, enabling even greater expansion as seen today. In 1973, Dubai joined the other emirates, in introducing the UAE dirham, the uniform currency of the UAE.[51] Dubai and Abu Dhabi between them now hold the majority of control in the UAE, which was part of their conditions for joining. To enable this, Abu Dhabi and Dubai are the only emirates who have veto power over matters of national importance, whereas the other emirates only have a vote on such matters.[52] In addition to this, Dubai is represented by eight members on the Federal National Council, of whom there are forty in total.[53] Dubai and Ras al Khaimah are the only two states who retain their own judicial courts, whilst the others are part of the federal justice system of the UAE.[54] The Jebel Ali Free Zone was introduced in 1979, providing companies with unrestricted import of labour and export of capital, which helped to jumpstart the influx of global companies seen today.[55] 1990 - present day The current Emir, Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum The death of Sheikh Rashid al-Maktoum resulted in the accession of Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum to the throne. The Persian Gulf War of 1990, in which Dubai as part of the UAE provided military aid to the coalition, unsettled the economy,[56] however during the middle of the 1990s this stabilised and many foreign trading communities moved their businesses to Dubai. Dubai continued to foster political alignment with the western world & during the 2003 Invasion of Iraq, they provided refueling bases to allied forces in the Jebel Ali free zone as they did during the Persian Gulf War.[57] Global increases in oil prices allowed Dubai to focus on rapid development of key infrastructure. The success of the Jebel Ali free zone caused the development of clusters of new free zones, including Dubai Internet City,[58] an internet technology area with ownership & tax related benefits, Dubai Media City[59] a tax-free zone to increase Dubai's presence in the worldwide media and Dubai Maritime City,[60] which will have many facilities, including waterfronts & harbours. In the past decades, Dubai has become known for its successful building projects, including the Burj Al Arab, the world's tallest freestanding hotel, NOTE- This article needs attention from an expert in History of Dubai. Please add a reason or a talk parameter to this template to explain the issue with the article. WikiProject History of Dubai (or its Portal) may be able to help recruit an expert. (June 2013)