Dubai is the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates and the capital of the Emirate of Dubai, the most populated of the country's seven emirates. The city has a population of around 3.6 million (as of 2022), more than 90% of which are expatriates.

Dubai was founded in the 19th century as a fishing village. Beginning in the early 20th century, it has developed into a significant regional and international trade hub, with a particular emphasis on tourism and luxury. Dubai has been a center for regional and international trade since the early 20th century, and its economy relies on revenues from trade, tourism, aviation, real estate, and financial services. Oil revenue helped accelerate the development of the city. However, oil production contributed less than 1 percent to the emirate's GDP in 2018.