20 Interesting Facts about Dubai

By Karin Lehnardt, Senior Writer

Published September 26, 2025

Of the 3 million people who live in Dubai, only a small percentage are native UAE citizens. The city is home to people from Indian, British, American, Pakistani, and African._[4]
Dubai has the largest natural flower garden in the world. With over 150 million flowers, the Dubai Miracle Garden first opened in 2013._[4]
In 2001, a real estate conglomerate created the now famous Palm Jumeirah. Made from dredging up 3 billion cubic feet of sand from the sea floor and used GPS to shape it into 170-fronded palm tree._[6]
In Dubai, there is no public affection allowed._[4]
Dubai is home to the largest shopping mall in the world, based on total area. At over 12 million square feet, the Dubai Mall has over 1,200 shops, including the world's largest candy store, an ice rink, and a 5-star luury hotel._[2]
At over 2,716.5 feet tall (828 meters), Dubai's Burj Khalfa is the world's tallest building. It is also the world's tallest free-standing structure in the world, and it has an elevator with the world's longest travel distance in the world._[2]
The largest aquarium in a mall is located in the Dubai Mall. It holds over 2 million gallons (10 million liters) of water and is home to over 140 species._[2]
The Ain Dubai is the largest Ferris wheel in the world, with more steel than the Eiffel Tower and nearly twice as tall as the London Eye. However, is has been nonoperational since March 2022._[2]
Dubai has the fastest police car in the world, which is the Bugatti Veyron at 253 mph. Comoros, Africa, has the slowest police car in the word, which is a Zhongxing Grand Tiger, at 50 mph._[7]
On November 2017, Dubai Police held the world's largest wheelchair race to raise awareness of the importance of inclusion in fitness for people with disabilities._[5]
Dubai is one of the wealthiest of the seven emirates that make up the federation of the Unite Arab Emirates which was created in 1971 after achieving its independence from Great Britain._[3]
The name Dubai possibly comes from the "daba," which is a type of locust in the area. Other historians suggest that it is derived from the name of a nearby market._[3]
Dubai is a melting pot of workd businesses and tourism, and, while Islam is the majority religion, other religions and temples coexist._[3]
While crime is low in Dubai, any criticism of the ruling elite is frowned upon. There is also a a level of "discreet" corruption._[3]
Over 10,000 people live on Dubai's famed Palm Jumeriah._[3]
In addition to Dubai's famous Palm Jumeirah, a group of artificial islands that resembled a map of the world was also planned. It is incomplete due to economic uncertainty._[3]
Dubai is a constituent emirate of the United Arab Emirates, and is the second most populous and second largest state of the federation. The emirate's capital is also named Dubai and is the largest city in the federation._[3]
Dubai's Burj Khalifa holds the record for the highest fireworks set on a building and the highest base jump from a building._[1]
Dubai is home to the highest outdoor overflow pool in a building in the world. Located on the 75th floor at the SLS Hotel, the pool also has two overflow pools._[1]
Dubai has the deepest swimming pool for diving. Officially 60.02 meters deep, the pool includes an entire sunken city to explore._[1]