Dubai is a city of contrasts, a land where the old and the new, traditional and modern, East and West blend seamlessly to produce a fascinating, mysterious, exciting place with a distinct personality all its own. It's a welcoming city with a seductive ambience rooted in traditional Arabic hospitality and topped with an ultra-modern flourish. It has also been voted one of the safest cities in the modern world.

The United Arab Emirates is a young country, formed in 1971 from seven formerly independent states - situated from west to east - Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.

The years since their unification have seen remarkable progress. Where there were few proper roads, there are now modern highways; where health and medical facilities were limited, there are now hospitals and universities; where there was bare desert, there are now fields of crops and fine cities.

The pace of change has been staggering, the effect more so. But the people of the emirates have adapted, adopted and improved the new influences, successfully incorporating them into a deep-rooted culture that stretches back over thousands of years.