WHEN BEST TO GO
The cooler winter months of November to April are the most pleasant times to visit the UAE, when temperatures average around 75°F / 24°C during the day and around 56°F / 13°C at night.
Dubai is dry, with just 12cm of rain per year, concentrated in the winter months.
LOCAL CUSTOMS
Etiquette is an important aspect of UAE culture to which visitors are expected to conform. Smoking is allowed in designated areas. Ramadan falls between 1-29 August, 2011 and during this period it is illegal to eat, drink or smoke in public places. Alcohol is served only in licensed places.
ATTIRE
Western–style dress is widely accepted throughout Dubai but it is advisable to maintain some conservativeness in appropriate places, making sure your shoulders and knees are covered. The UAE has maintained a strict policy of protecting highly public spaces from cultural insensitivity.
LANGUAGE
Arabic, although is English widely spoken.
CURRENCY
United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED)
EXCHANGE RATE
$1 = AED 3.67
£1 = AED 5.90
€1 = AED 5.14
COUNTRY DIALLING CODE
+971
24 HOUR EMERGENCY CONTACT
Ambulance: 998 or 999 Fire: 997
Police: 999
Coastguard: 04 3450520
Helicopter: 999
EMBASSY CONTACTS
US +971 2 414 2200
UK +971 4 311 6000, +971 50 616 2953 (Abu Dhabi)
TIME ZONE
GMT+4 hours
POPULATION
Approximately 22 million
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RELIGIOUS DEMOGRAPHIC
Muslim
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
- New Year’s Day: January 1
- Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday: February 15
- Israa & Miaraj Night: TBA
- Start of Ramadan: August 1
- Eid: August 30
- Hijri New Year’s Day: November 26
- UAE National Day: December 2-3
