Dubai is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates in the North mid part of the Arabian Peninsula. Dubai is also the emirate's main city, sometimes called "Dubai City" to distinguish it from the emirate. Dubai has the largest population and is the second largest emirate by area, after Abu Dhabi. Dubai is distinct from other members of the UAE in that revenues from oil account for only 6% of its gross domestic product.

With enormous construction and development in various industries, Dubai has attracted world-wide attention through innovative real estate projects, sports events, conferences and Guinness records. However, this increased attention, coinciding with its emergence as a world business hub, has also highlighted potential human rights issues concerning its largely immigrant workforce. Under construction is the Burj Dubai, which will be the tallest building in the world.