Dubai is an Emirate within the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Emirate is located south east of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the Emirates, after Abu Dhabi. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the only two Emirates to have veto power over critical matters of national importance in the country's legislature. Dubai City is located on the Emirate's northern coastline. Dubai is often misperceived as a country and in some cases, the whole UAE has been described as 'Dubai'.

The earliest mention of Dubai is in 1095, and the earliest settlement known as Dubai town dates from 1799. Dubai was formally established in 1833 by Sheikh Maktoum bin Buti al Maktoum when he persuaded 800 members of the Bani Yas tribe, living in what is now part of Saudi Arabia, to follow him to the Dubai Creek by the Al Abu Falasa clan of Bani Yas. It remained under clan control when the United Kingdom assumed the protection of Dubai in 1892. Its geographical location made it an important trading hub and by the beginning of the 20th century, it was an important port.

Today, Dubai City has emerged as a global city and a business hub. Although Dubai's economy was built on the oil industry, the Emirate's model of business drives its economy, with the effect that its main revenues are now from tourism, real estate, and financial services, similar to that of Western countries. Dubai has recently attracted world attention through many innovative large construction projects and sports events. This increased attention has highlighted labour rights and human rights issues concerning its largely South Asian workforce.

Dubai's property market experienced a major deterioration in 2008 and 2009 as a result of the worldwide economic downturn following the financial crisis of 2007–2012.However, Dubai made a steady and gradual recovery. As of 2012, Dubai is the 22nd most expensive city in the world, Dubai as the best place to live in the Middle East.