Is Dubai in Africa or Europe?

By Alice Nichols

Dubai is a city that sits on the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf. It is the largest city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and has become a popular tourist destination in recent years.

However, its location has often been a topic of confusion and debate. Is Dubai in Africa or Europe?

Geographically speaking, Dubai is located on the Arabian Peninsula, which is part of Southwest Asia. Therefore, it is not technically located in Africa or Europe. However, due to its proximity to both continents and its historical ties with them, there have been several arguments made about where Dubai belongs.

Let’s take a closer look at these arguments:

1. Dubai’s Location:
Dubai lies on the eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, bordering Oman to the southeast and Saudi Arabia to the south and west. The Persian Gulf borders Dubai to its north.

2. Historical Ties with Africa:
Dubai’s history dates back more than 4,000 years when it was an important trading center between Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) and the Indus Valley Civilization (modern-day Pakistan). Due to this trade route, there were significant ties with African countries like Somalia and Tanzania.

3. Historical Ties with Europe:
Dubai also has historical ties with Europe dating back to when it was a British protectorate in 1820 until it gained independence in 1971.

4. Tourism Industry:
Dubai has become increasingly popular as a tourist destination over the past few decades due to its world-renowned attractions such as Burj Khalifa (the tallest building in the world), Palm Jumeirah Island, and Dubai Mall.

In conclusion, while Dubai is not technically located in Africa or Europe geographically speaking, it has historical ties with both continents due to its location on important trade routes. Additionally, due to its booming tourism industry that attracts visitors from all over the world, we can say that Dubai is truly a global city.

So the next time someone asks you if Dubai is in Africa or Europe, you can confidently say that it’s neither, but a unique city with ties to many different parts of the world.