In 1968, the British decision to withdraw from the Gulf region by 1971 was a strategic turning point. Faced with this prospect, the leaders of Abu Dhabi and Dubai orchestrated the union of the emirates of Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah, leading to the official creation of the United Arab Emirates in December 1971.
Following this foundation, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was appointed the first President of the United Arab Emirates, a role he held until his death in 2004. Under his leadership and that of Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the Emirates became a global economic powerhouse. In 1972, the first drilling operations in Dubai began in the Falah field, with production beginning in 1978. The Rashid field, discovered in 1973, saw its first extractions in 1979.
The 1970s were marked by ambitious infrastructural initiatives, illustrated by the erection of the Nasser Rashid Lootah Building, Dubai's first skyscraper, often referred to as the Toyota Building because of its advertising sign. In 1976, the Jumeirah Grand Mosque was erected, adopting an architecture inspired by the medieval "Fatimid" style and offering rare access to non-Muslim visitors.
In 1978, the completion of the World Trade Centre tower marked the northern end of Sheikh Zayed Road. This 39-storey building, rising to 184 metres, became Dubai's first major architectural landmark, and a must-see exhibition center, initially housed in tents until the opening of the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre halls.
In 1979, a division of responsibilities was agreed: Dubai would take charge of commercial affairs, while Abu Dhabi would exercise its authority over other federal aspects. 1979 also saw the creation of the Jebel Ali Free Zone, including the eponymous port, now recognized as the world's largest artificial harbor, allowing foreign companies to import labor and export capital freely.
The discovery of the Margham field in 1982 enabled the expansion of oil production capacity, which had begun in 1984. Aware of the finiteness of oil resources, the Dubai administration set its sights on transforming the city into a major tourist destination. The same ambition led to the birth of the Emirates airline in 1985, with two aircraft serving Bombay and Karachi. In less than three decades, Emirates has become one of the world's leading airlines, with a fleet of 272 aircraft and a presence on six continents.
In October 1990, the death of Sheikh Rashid, after 32 years of reign, marked the succession of his son, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The Gulf War disrupted the economy, but investment returns and the arrival of Kuwaiti and Bahraini traders in Dubai led to an economic rebound, reinforced by rising oil prices.
The development strategies of the 1990s transformed Dubai into a global benchmark, illustrated by the opening in 1999 of the Burj Al Arab, the world's only self-proclaimed seven-star hotel. At the end of the decade, the Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) refinery was inaugurated, with a capacity of 120,000 barrels per day.
Following Sheikh Maktoum's death in 2006, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum took over the reins of Dubai, continuing the city's modernization and consolidating his position as Prime Minister and Vice-President of the United Arab Emirates. Under his aegis, Dubai's population has grown to around 1.5 million.
In January 2006, the development of Dubai South was launched, with the aim of establishing a strategic link with the port infrastructure of Jebel Ali. The construction of the Jumeirah Beach Residence, completed in 2007, accommodated up to 10,000 residents. In the same year, the inauguration of the Mall of the Emirates and Atlantis in 2008 marked the emirate's commercial and tourism ambitions.
The Dubai Metro opened in 2009, while construction of the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, was completed at the end of the decade. Following the global recession of 2008, many projects were put on hold, only to resume in 2011.
In 2013, the large-scale Dubai Water Canal project linked Dubai's ancient and modern districts, while accommodating marinas, footbridges and hotel and commercial infrastructure. In November 2013, the city was awarded the Universal Exhibition 2020, becoming the first city in the Middle East to host this prestigious event.
2016 saw the inauguration of the Dubai Opera House, a 2,000-seat multifunctional venue designed to host theatrical performances as well as concerts and formal events.
Dubai's population has grown from 20,000 in 1950 to 3,604,030 in July 2024.
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