Dubai History 10 Years | ExpatWoman.com
 

Dubai History 10 Years

Posted on

8 January 2013

Last updated on 14 January 2020

 

What Wasn’t Here In Dubai 10 Years Ago


What was once a plain desert has quickly become an iconic and futuristic emirate that's got the whole world talking...

With countless construction sites that reshape and renovate the emirate, Dubai has become a hot spot for tourists and expats who are fascinated by the growth of this gorgeous place.

Dubai changes at an almost lightening pace and new buildings seem to pop up overnight as if by magic sometimes!

What Wasn’t Here In Dubai 10 Years Ago

10 years ago, Dubai didn't have nearly the same buildings, malls and attractions that we have all come to know and love today.  Here’s a list of what are now 10 mainstays of Dubai but, surprisingly, weren’t here 10 years ago!


Mall Of The Emirates

Some of us would be lost without this superb mall! The Mall officially opened in November 2005 and took 5 years to build! It now attracts over 31 million visitors a year! The Discovery Channel program about how they built Ski Dubai is a must see!


Dubai Airport DXB
 

Terminal 3, Dubai Airport
Construction of Terminal 3 began in 2004 and the new $4.5 billion Terminal 3 opened on 14 October 2008, and was built exclusively for the use of Emirates Airline. Terminal 3 is the single largest building in the world by floor space!

New Al Garhoud Bridge
The old Al Garhoud Bridge was the second bridge constructed that crossed the Creek, after Al Maktoum Bridge. The original bridge opened in 1976. In 2007, nearly 9,000 vehicles crossed the bridge every hour at peak flow! To solve the major traffic problems caused by the old bridge, a replacement was constructed in 2008. The new Al Garhoud Bridge has a total of 14 lanes, 7 in each direction. It is able to handle 16,000 vehicles per hour now!

SEE ALSO: 10 ways Dubai has changed in 10 years

Burj Khalifa
The construction of this iconic tower began on 21st September 2004, with the exterior of the structure being completed on 1st October 2009. It officially opened on 4th January 2010- only a year and half ago but a trip to the top has become a must do for residents and visitors alike. It currently holds 17 world records for being the tallest or highest in various categories such as tallest skyscraper, building with the most floors, fastest elevators and the highest mosque!

Dubai Mall

Dubai Mall
Inaugurated in 2008, the Dubai Mall is known as the largest mall in the world and home to a number of high-end luxury brands amongst other stores. The mall is also home to the Dubai Fountains, Dubai Aquarium, Souk Al Bahar and a beautiful view of the Burj Khalifa. 

Dubai Metro
Being centrally located along Sheikh Zayed Road, the Dubai Metro began operations in 2009 and has transported an estimated 356 million people on the red line alone in 2011¹.


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Atlantis The Palm
The stunning hotel is a replica of the Atlantis hotel in the Bahamas and is home to the beautiful Aquaventure waterpark. With a number of activities for parents and children to enjoy, this hotel has become iconic for its unique features and strategic location on the Palm Island.


Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
This gorgeous mosque is located in Abu Dhabi and is covered in lush chandeliers, beautiful marble flooring and is the resting place for His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Fountain

Dubai Fountain
This fountain is one of the most visited attractions in Dubai. With water jets pumping water to different songs, this entertaining fountain is strategically located by the Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa. 

The Walk Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR)
JBR's The Walk is a tasteful walkway overlooking the JBR beach. With a number of restaurants, cafes, cinemas and hotels on the strip, visitors can find themselves getting more for less as the entertainment is never ending. 

The Beach Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR)
The Beach has expanded and become one of the most popular beaches in Dubai. Along the beach broadwalk you can find a number of restaurants, vending carts, children's play area and more. The beach is currently overlooking the construction of the Bluewaters Island which promises to be an entertaining district for tourists and expats alike. 

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