The capital of the emirate of the same name, Dubai is a wealthy, cosmopolitan, multicultural and multinational city that combines the glamour and entrepreneurial panache of Hong Kong with the flamboyance of Las Vegas, all served up with an Arabian flourish. This liberal, tolerant destination has what it takes to have a good time, with big-time horse races and sporting events, first-class tax-free shopping, fine beaches lapped by the Gulf's warm waters, guaranteed sunshine and lively nightlife. With its array of striking, ultramodern architecture and brisk pace of life, the casual observer can be forgiven for thinking that the city is entirely a modern creation; the fact is that the location has been inhabited for well over 2 millennia, and old minarets, mosques and traditional dwellings can be found dotted about the older portions. The city hugs the coastline for about 15 mls (being about 5 mls at its widest), and comprises 2 main parts: Bur Dubai (the original section) and, on the opposite side of Dubai Creek, Deira, now the city centre. Around the airport on the NE side of Dubai Creek is Al-Garhoud, a select suburban area. Along the coast to the SW of the centre lies Jumeirah, a residential area that's home to many Western expats. The Jumeira Beach Residence, is esentially a new city that is being stamped upon Dubai's expansive coastline. The development is taking place directly inland and next to Hilton Dubai Jumeirah. The noise and the view of the extensive development affects many hotels in this area.
The Palm, an entirely man-made, palm-shaped, upmarket island resort development jutting 3 mls into the sea off Jumeirah and connected to the mainland by bridges, extends Dubai's coastline by 38 mls; it is so vast, it can be seen from space. A second and third palm are under construction. Furthermore, a huge map of the world consisting of 300 individual islands and called simply The World is also taking shape; this will includes private homes, community settlements and resort islands.