Out of the Desert

Burj Dubai is rising at the rate of a floor a week in Dubai, a city-state in the United Arab Emirates. It aims to beat skyscrapers being built in Shanghai and New York to become the world's tallest building in 2009. Additionally, Burj Dubai's design would allow it to be extended should a new, taller skyscraper be proposed. This way, at that time of its opening, its position as the world's tallest building will be guaranteed. Dubai already boasts the world's tallest hotel, richest horse race and largest man-made island. Burj Dubai is only the latest-and tallest-of the city's many claims to fame.

Big dreams

If there's one word that can describe Dubai, it's ambitious. Less than 50 years ago, Dubai was a small fishing village. In 1959, Sheikh Rashid, ruler of Dubai until 1990, borrowed millions of dollers with the dream of building a great city. His son, Sheikh Mohammed, has continued that vision. In the past decade, he's run Dubai much like a CEO, transforming it into the amazing city it is today.

Burj AI Arab, the tallest, most luxurious hotel in the world, is a symbol of Dubai and its accomplishments. The hotel's sail-shaped strucyure rises 54 stories from its own man-made island in the Persian Gulf. Stepping onto the island costs US$50; spending a night can cost up to US$7000.

The world's largest man-made island-Palm Jumeirah-was completed last year with 4000 residences, 30+ hotels, marinas and more. Shaped like a palm tree, its "branches" fan out into the Persian Gulf. Two even larger islands like this one are currently being planned or built.

Despite these accomplishments, Sheikh Mohammed says he's only achieved 10 percent of his vision for the city. Ultimately, he hopes to his transform Dubai into a center for trade and tourism in the Middle East.

Dubai already draws 7 million tourists a year. Many come to shop at large malls like the Mall of the Emirates, which features an indoor ski slope. In the future, they'll be able to visit Dubailand, a theme park currently under construction. It will be twice as large as Disney World.

The people

But perhaps the most intersting aspect of Dubai is its mix of people. Over 80 percent of the population isn't native-born. People from over 150 nations have come to Dubai to live and work. Sixty percent of the foreigners come from South Asia. They provide much of the labor that makes the building projects possible.

Others come from Europe, America or India and work in white-coller industries. They, along with many native Arabs, benefit from the prosperity that oil and development have brought to Dubai.

The wealthy upper class enjoys world-class events like the Dubai World Cup, the world's richest horse race.

Horses and jockeys from around the world compete for its US$6 million grand prize. Meanwhile, spectators can compete in fashion contests. Prizes are awarded for "Best Dressed Couple" and "Best Hat."

Indeed, to many, Dubai is a paradise where dreams come true. It's hard to believe the city was once almost all desert. As Burj Dubai reaches higher into the sky, people's dreams for Dubai only grow bigger.

summary

The article talk about the change of Dubai. There are a rich and a big hotel. We can even know the building in the highest all around the world in the future. According to the article, we can read about the desert's place. It not only has the oil but there is a big city where is prospertity.

words

1.city-state 2.marinas

useful words

1.guarantee 2.ambitious 3.structure 4.residence 5.prospertity 6.feature

thinking

There are the desert, the camles and the oil there. But now, we can see different Dubai. We can even go travel to live the the rich hotel and to shop the mall. Many different people gather to the place where can let me know the new city will develope. Because the article, I can know the changes of Dubai. It is a new power joining the propertity city.