Discover the UAE: Top 12 Intriguing and Entertaining Fun Facts You Never Knew!

1. Jack's Beanstalk Meets Dubai

When Jack's beanstalk meets the architectural world, it spawns a whole city's worth of giants: Dubai is home to the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building on Earth at 828 meters and 163 floors, and holds the record for having the most buildings over 300 meters tall in a single city; but contrary to popular belief, it doesn't house four of the top 10 tallest buildings in the world.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

2. Man-Made Islands Extravaganza

In a stroke of colossal sandcastle ambition, engineers in Dubai decided it was high time Earth's oceans got their own palm tree and an atlas they could call home: Dubai's man-made islands, Palm Jumeirah and The World, are home to luxurious resorts and over 10,000 residents, featuring enormous breakwaters and attractions like the Atlantis, teeming with 65,000 marine animals, as well as the "Heart of Europe" and Antara World Islands Dubai Resort in various stages of development.
Source => geology.com

Did you know that Dubai's police force has an impressive collection of supercars, including a $1.4 million Aston Martin One-77 and a $300,000 Ferrari FF? Discover more about their high-speed fleet!

=> Fun Facts about Dubai

3. Luxury Dubai Police Rides

Move over, Fast and Furious, there's a new crew in town cruising in style and dishing out justice one horsepower at a time: Dubai Police adds luxury vehicles like Lamborghini Urus and Hongqi E-HS9 to their patrol fleet, bolstering their security presence at international events and popular tourist spots such as the Burj Khalifa and JBR.
Source => arabianbusiness.com

4. UAE's Happiness Guru

In the land of the million-dollar smile, there's a Happiness Guru that tops them all: H.E. Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, UAE's Minister of State for Happiness and Wellbeing, ranked #36 among the 50 greatest world leaders in the 2017 Fortune magazine list, is the only Arabic and Muslim leader featured, and also serves as a member of the Young Global Leaders of the World Economic Forum and the Global Entrepreneurship Council.
Source => sdgs.un.org

5. Cinderella's Dream Mall

Step aside, Cinderella, there's a new mall in town that's bound to have you swap your glass slippers for some Louboutins: The Fashion Avenue in Dubai offers VIP valet, personal shoppers, in-mall chauffeur service, and 200+ luxury brands as it mesmerizes visitors with premium dining experiences and enchanting views of the Dubai Fountain.
Source => thedubaimall.com

6. UAE's Genie-Granted Weekends

Just when you thought weekends couldn't get any dreamier, UAE pops in like a genie granting wishes: As of Jan. 1, the United Arab Emirates is adopting a 4.5-day workweek, giving Friday afternoons off and full weekends on Saturdays and Sundays, as part of their efforts to enhance work-life balance, increase economic competitiveness, and align with global trading schedules.
Source => npr.org

7. Camelicious UAE Delicacies

When you're hankering for a hump-tastic meal and burgers just won't do: Camel meat is a cherished delicacy in the UAE, often served during special occasions like Eid and National Day, with mouthwatering dishes like sautéed camel tenderloin paired with hummus, and slow-cooked camel mince wrapped in dumplings and steamed traditionally stealing the spotlight.
Source => serafinadubai.com

8. Dubai's Clean Energy Ambition

Dubai's got 99 problems, but oil ain't one: Sheikh Mohammed launched the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy in 2015, aiming for 75% clean energy usage by 2050 and investing AED 50 billion in the colossal Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, set to produce 5,000 MW of energy by 2030.
Source => u.ae

9. Magical Wi-Fi Trees

In the land of magical Wi-Fi trees and sand-borne internet signals: Dubai offers free Wi-Fi in various public spaces such as malls, transportation, and even through solar-powered Smart Palm Trees, making it a true global hotspot for the well-connected wanderer.
Source => bayut.com

10. Dubai's Gold & Bling Haven

If bling is your thing, Dubai is your shiny new BFF: this glitzy city boasts not only one of the highest gold consumption rates but is also home to the dazzling Dubai Jewellery Group, a sparkling coalition of over 600 members from all facets of the trade committed to keeping your precious treasures safe, delightful, and oh-so-icing-on-the-cake worthy.
Source => dubaicityofgold.com

11. Speedy Falcon Chronicles

They say speed kills, but for one bird in the United Arab Emirates, it's their claim to fame, and they wouldn't want it any other way: The saker falcon, the national bird of the UAE, can reach breakneck speeds of up to 150 km/h in level flight, making it the second-fastest bird in the world and an unstoppable force in the avian kingdom. Sadly, despite its aerial prowess, this high-flying speedster is still endangered due in part to habitat loss and a thriving illegal trapping market. Will our feathered friend outmaneuver extinction? The world is watching.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

12. An Unusual Bird Hospital

If you're ever feeling a bit "peckish" in Abu Dhabi, why not check out a hospital dedicated to patients of the feathered variety, where visits don't involve getting your wings clipped: The Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital offers falcon tours, pet care services, and educational tours while providing medical care to injured and ill falcons, running conservation awareness programs, and even offering veterinary internships for aspiring avian doctors.
Source => falconhospital.com