From the outside, Dubai seemed to arrive on the world stage as a fully formed global metropolis. In about five decades, what was once a sleepy outpost in the desert has risen to become one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. But to understand Dubai's accelerated growth we have to look to its past.
Sunset in Dubai —
From the outside, Dubai seemed to arrive on the world stage as a fully formed global metropolis. In about five decades, what was once a sleepy outpost in the desert has risen to become one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. But to understand Dubai's accelerated growth we have to look to its past.
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For centuries Dubai's economy depended on fishing and pearl diving, but it became more widely known as port from the beginning of the 20th century, when the emirate abolished custom duties on imports, opening up Dubai to merchants from the region and beyond.
Dubai in the 1950s —
For centuries Dubai's economy depended on fishing and pearl diving, but it became more widely known as port from the beginning of the 20th century, when the emirate abolished custom duties on imports, opening up Dubai to merchants from the region and beyond.
Maher Attar/Sygma/Getty Images
Indian and regional traders made it an economic and cultural crossroads. Traders and Bedouins made up the majority of its inhabitants until the 1960s.
Dubai, 1961 —
Indian and regional traders made it an economic and cultural crossroads. Traders and Bedouins made up the majority of its inhabitants until the 1960s.
John Rider-Rider/AP
Small scale, traditional building techniques using local materials, such as bricks made at this yard, characterized the city before its building boom.
Brick yard in Dubai, 1961 —
Small scale, traditional building techniques using local materials, such as bricks made at this yard, characterized the city before its building boom.
John Rider-Rider/AP
In 1966 the Fateh oilfield was discovered offshore from Dubai. Following the discovery, Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai from 1958 to 1990, initiated large scale development programs. The Cement Wharf in Dubai, pictured above, flourished during that period because of the construction boom.
The Cement Wharf in Dubai, 1967 —
In 1966 the Fateh oilfield was discovered offshore from Dubai. Following the discovery, Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai from 1958 to 1990, initiated large scale development programs. The Cement Wharf in Dubai, pictured above, flourished during that period because of the construction boom.
Chris Ware/Getty Images
Dubai has a long history of sailing boats trading with Iran, Pakistan, and further afield.
Dubai Creek, 1967 —
Dubai has a long history of sailing boats trading with Iran, Pakistan, and further afield.
Chris Ware/Getty Images
The new oil exports drastically expanded Dubai's economy and trade.
Dubai in 1969 —
The new oil exports drastically expanded Dubai's economy and trade.
AP
In 1971, Dubai became a founding member of the United Arab Emirates. Pictured, Dubai Creek crowded with dhows. On the right is the National Bank of Dubai.
Dubai Creek, 1971 —
In 1971, Dubai became a founding member of the United Arab Emirates. Pictured, Dubai Creek crowded with dhows. On the right is the National Bank of Dubai.
HORST FAAS/AP
Despite the fast development taking place in Dubai, traditional ways of life continued to coexist alongside skyscrapers and cranes.
Dubai in 1984 —
Despite the fast development taking place in Dubai, traditional ways of life continued to coexist alongside skyscrapers and cranes.
Tim Graham/Getty Images
The massive construction project Sheikh Rashid started in the 1960s was taken further by his son Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum throughout the 1990s and the 2000s. Among the many building projects, Jumeirah Emirates Hotel and the Emirates Office Tower were completed in 2000.
Jumeirah Emirates Twin Towers, 1999 —
The massive construction project Sheikh Rashid started in the 1960s was taken further by his son Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum throughout the 1990s and the 2000s. Among the many building projects, Jumeirah Emirates Hotel and the Emirates Office Tower were completed in 2000.
RABIH MOGHRABI/AFP/Getty Images
The dredger barge pictured pumps sand onto the sea to create the Palm Islands of Dubai -- one of the city's most extravagant projects and the world's largest artificial islands, built in the noughties.
Palm Islands, 2002 —
The dredger barge pictured pumps sand onto the sea to create the Palm Islands of Dubai -- one of the city's most extravagant projects and the world's largest artificial islands, built in the noughties.
JORGE FERRARI/AFP/Getty Images
This is a view of the Palm Islands in 2007. The islands house hotels, spas, beaches and residential buildings. In the foreground is the luxury hotel Atlantis The Palm, still under construction at this time.
Palm Islands, 2007 —
This is a view of the Palm Islands in 2007. The islands house hotels, spas, beaches and residential buildings. In the foreground is the luxury hotel Atlantis The Palm, still under construction at this time.
KARIM SAHIB/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
In the foreground, Atlantis The Palm, which opened in September 2008.
Palm Islands, 2009 —
In the foreground, Atlantis The Palm, which opened in September 2008.
Matthias Seifert/REUTERS/Newscom
Throughout the 2000s and until the financial crash in 2008, Dubai's government undertook huge construction projects to cement the emirate's position as a financial, business and tourist hub.
Tall towers along Sheikh Zayed Road, 2005 —
Throughout the 2000s and until the financial crash in 2008, Dubai's government undertook huge construction projects to cement the emirate's position as a financial, business and tourist hub.
NASSER YOUNES/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Dubai International Airport is the emirate's primary airport, but Al Maktoum International Airport was built as part of the Dubai World Central development. Around 23 miles from Dubai, once completed the airport will have capacity for more than 160 million passengers a year.
Dubai airport extension, 2005 —
Dubai International Airport is the emirate's primary airport, but Al Maktoum International Airport was built as part of the Dubai World Central development. Around 23 miles from Dubai, once completed the airport will have capacity for more than 160 million passengers a year.
NASSER YOUNES/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
An eye-catching symbol of Dubai's ambitions is the Burj Khalifa, pictured under construction in 2005. <br />
Burj Khalifa, 2005 —
An eye-catching symbol of Dubai's ambitions is the Burj Khalifa, pictured under construction in 2005.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
By 2010, Burj Khalifa was completed. At 162 floors and a height of 828 meters, it is the tallest building on Earth.
Burj Dubai from the skies, 2009 —
By 2010, Burj Khalifa was completed. At 162 floors and a height of 828 meters, it is the tallest building on Earth.
Matthias Seifert/REUTERS/Newscom
Dubai's rapid development required the construction of a transport infrastructure to meet the needs of more than 2.5 million residents.
Dubai's rapid development required the construction of a transport infrastructure to meet the needs of more than 2.5 million residents.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Over 90 per cent of the emirate's residents live in the capital city and its suburban areas.
Dubai, 2006 —
Over 90 per cent of the emirate's residents live in the capital city and its suburban areas.
NASSER YOUNES/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Immigrants make up just under 85 per cent of Dubai's population, according to the 2015 World Migration Report. South Asians, especially Indian and Pakistanis, are the biggest immigrant groups, and often work in construction.
Dubai, 2007 —
Immigrants make up just under 85 per cent of Dubai's population, according to the 2015 World Migration Report. South Asians, especially Indian and Pakistanis, are the biggest immigrant groups, and often work in construction.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
The 2008 global financial crisis brought a cloud over Dubai's economy leading to massive debt. Many real estate projects struggled to find buyers, and new projects were put on hold.
Dubai under fog —
The 2008 global financial crisis brought a cloud over Dubai's economy leading to massive debt. Many real estate projects struggled to find buyers, and new projects were put on hold.
Steve Crisp/REUTERS/Newscom
Since then, Dubai has launched a series of cultural initiatives to boost tourism. The World Air Games in 2015 were part of a strategy to put the city on the arts and sports world map.
Hot air balloons, 2015 —
Since then, Dubai has launched a series of cultural initiatives to boost tourism. The World Air Games in 2015 were part of a strategy to put the city on the arts and sports world map.
Kerim Sahib/REUTERS/Newscom
And in recent years, construction has resumed, with countless ambitious projects underway.
Burj Khalifa after completion, 2015 —
And in recent years, construction has resumed, with countless ambitious projects underway.
Karim Sahib/REUTERS/Newscom