You’ve probably heard of Dubai, the city in the United Arab Emirates that has become known as one of the most unusual cities in the world. It has luxury hotels and apartments on top of a hill that doubles as ski resorts, an indoor ice skating rink within a hotel, and even its own indoor version of the Colosseum; it is a place like no other. However, there seems to be one particular question that always comes up about this city: is Dubai in Africa? The answer might not be what you expect! Keep reading to find out more about why many people think that Dubai is in Africa.
Is Dubai In Africa?
No! Dubai is not in Africa. It is located in the United Arab Emirates, which is in Asia. The United Arab Emirates is on the southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. The Arabian Peninsula is part of the continent of Asia. Dubai is located on the northern end of the Arabian Peninsula. Africa is on the other side of the Red Sea, which separates Africa from the Arabian Peninsula.
Why Is Dubai In Africa Reason Behind The Confusion?
The Arab-Speaking African Countries
There are many Arab-speaking African countries, including Sudan, Yemen, Eritrea, and Djibouti. Since they are mostly desert lands, they are often grouped together with the Middle East. So when people think of Dubai, they picture a sunny, arid desert with camels, dates, and sand. That’s why some people think that Dubai is in Africa. However, there are many other Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia and Oman, which are not as arid and are not considered part of Africa. This is why people confuse Dubai with the rest of the Persian Gulf. There are many Arab countries in the Gulf region, including the UAE.
Dubai Is In The United Arab Emirates
The UAE is the second largest Arab economy in the world, and it has the highest per capita income in the region. It also has a booming tourism sector and is home to the biggest ex-pat population in the world. Dubai is the largest city in the UAE and, in many respects, serves as the commercial and cultural capital of the country. Dubai is also a frequent stop for tourists who are en route to Africa. This, together with the fact that many of the people in Dubai are African, might be the reason behind the confusion. The UAE has a strategic geographical location, with access to Asia, Europe, and Africa, which makes it one of the most important trading hubs in the world.
Historical Reasons
The UAE was once part of the Arabian Peninsula, which is why some people assume that Dubai is in Africa because of its historical relationship with the continent. The country gradually became independent from the rest of the peninsula, and today it is politically and economically autonomous, with a different cultural identity as well. Dubai is also a member of the United Nations, and the UAE is part of the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council).
Climatic Conditions
The climatic conditions that are found in the UAE are very similar to the tropical climate of Africa. This is why many people assume that Dubai is in Africa. However, there are other Arab countries in the Gulf that have similar climatic conditions such as Bahrain, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, which are clearly not part of Africa. Moreover, there are other African countries that have tropical climates. In this respect, the confusion is understandable, but it might be better to say that Dubai has a tropical climate.
Marketing Strategy
Some marketers argue that this confusion has been encouraged by the Dubai government as a marketing strategy. The government has spent a lot of money in promoting the city as a tourist destination, and many people were lured into Dubai by the prospect of visiting Africa. This strategy has been very successful, and Dubai has grown as a result. The UAE has benefited tremendously from this strategy as well, becoming a trading hub between Asia, Europe, and Africa.
Which Countries Border Dubai Then?
- As we’ve already mentioned, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) shares a border with Oman and Saudi Arabia.
- There’s also a long water border with the emirate of Qatar, which is separated from the UAE by the Gulf of Bahrain.
- Many people might assume that these countries border Dubai because they are part of the same country; however, this isn’t the case at all. In fact, these emirates are actually separate entities within the UAE, whose residents each elect their own ruler.
- If we look at the borders between Dubai and its neighboring countries, there’s no doubt that Dubai is in Asia; not Africa. Therefore, there is no reason why many people think that Dubai is in Africa!
Where Is Dubai?
- Before we move on to the real reason people think that Dubai is in Africa, it’s important to clarify the location of Dubai on the map.
- Although many people seem to think that Dubai is in Africa, it’s actually in Asia! Dubai is situated in the southeast Asian country of the United Arab Emirates; not in Africa!
- However, if we take a look at a map of Asia, it’s easy to see why many people think that Dubai is in Africa.
- Dubai is a city-state that is strategically situated on the southern tip of the Persian Gulf, a waterway that links the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. It is surrounded by desert on three sides and has a coastline on the Gulf of Oman.
What Is The Real Reason People Think That Dubai Is In Africa?
Women shouldn’t go out alone at night.
We’re not sure exactly how this one got started, but it’s definitely not something that you should be worried about. Dubai is a very safe place and you shouldn’t be afraid to go out on your own whether it be during the day or night. There are tons of people around and if you find yourself walking in the dark, there are plenty of taxis available to take you home. In fact, it is advised that women do not walk alone during the day in certain areas of the city as it is deemed unsafe. So if you are going out during the day, have a friend or cab driver accompany you if it’s a less populated area.
Everyone plays golf and loves yoga.
We love golf, but we’d say that most of our friends are more interested in their kids’ soccer games. And yoga? Well, the majority of the city, including us, are definitely not yogis. Whether it’s because of the heat or because people just don’t like it, it’s a pretty rare sight to see people doing yoga or pilates in the park. Golf, however, is a bit more popular. It’s one of the top sports and is played by people of all ages.
Only wealthy people can live in Dubai.
This one is a pretty common myth, but it’s not true at all. Dubai is a very diverse city and there are people from all walks of life living here. In fact, the Dubai government is very welcoming to immigrants and actively seeks skilled workers from all over the world. There are also many job opportunities for people who don’t have the required skills. Everyone can find a job here because there is such a demand for different types of work. That being said, the cost of living is high, so you will definitely need to budget wisely.
Final Words
As we have discussed above, many people think that Dubai is in Africa. However, this isn’t the case at all, as Dubai is located in Asia. The reason why many people think that Dubai is in Africa is due to the shared date line between Dubai and the neighboring emirate of Abu Dhabi. When it is New Year’s Eve in Dubai, it is New Year’s Day in Abu Dhabi, and vice versa. In short, the dateline means that the two emirates share the same date, even though they exist in two completely different hemispheres.
