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DUBAI SKYLINE a View from Business Boulevard Bldg.
This is my first attemp to do VR Aerial Shot, as my friend Willy Kaemena taught me. Although this shots not as good as other pro vr photog shots... I can say...this VR Photo will serves as a documentary 360° photo of Dubai Skyline for February 2012.
I hope after 2 or 3 aerial shots everything will be aligned & 360°.
Dubai (Arabic: دبيّ Dubeii; IPA: [du'beii]; English pronunciation: /duːˈbaɪ/ doo-by) is an emirate in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A city within the emirate is also named Dubai. The emirate is located south 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. 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, and 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. In 1966, the year oil was discovered, Dubai and the emirate of Qatar set up a new monetary unit to replace the Gulf Rupee. The oil economy led to a massive influx of foreign workers, quickly expanding the city by 300% and bringing in international oil interests. The modern emirate of Dubai was created after the UK left the area in 1971. At this time Dubai, together with Abu Dhabi and four other emirates, formed the United Arab Emirates. The following year Ras al Khaimah joined the federation while Qatar and Bahrain chose to remain independent nations. In 1973, the monetary union with Qatar was dissolved and the UAE Dirham introduced throughout the UAE. A free trade zone was built around the Jebel Ali port in 1979, allowing foreign companies unrestricted import of labor and export capital. The Gulf War of 1990 had a negative financial effect on the city, as depositors withdrew their money and traders withdrew their trade, but subsequently the city recovered in a changing political climate and thrived. 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.Almost half the population of Dubai comprises Indians. 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 2007–2010. Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubai...
Overview and HistoryDubai is one of the seven Arab Emirates and has the highest population in the UAE. Unfortunately for western historians, the pre-Islamic culture used an oral tradition for recordkeeping of its stories and legends, so there isn't much to go on from library sources.But the area around Dubai has been occupied for thousands of years, with many trading centers between the east and west. The earliest mention of Dubai recorded in writing dates to 1095, and it was known as a source of rich pearls to merchants of Venice.Dubai was dependent of Abu Dhabi during the 19th century; it became a protectorate of the UK as of 1892, and engaged in border disputes with Abu Dhabi after WWII. As of 1971 Dubai became part of the United Arab Emirates.From here onwards let the theme of this essay be,"Dubai goes BIG!"There's booming construction going on in Dubai right now, as in, almost 25% of its economy is based on building!Dubai has the capital and initiative to set up some really exciting projects, like Dubai Internet City. It's a free trade zone in a technology park created to attract large companies by offering special tax breaks within its economic zone. So far players like Microsoft, HP, Nokia, IBM and Oracle have moved in with their regional offices... not bad. DIC is now a strategic hub connecting two billion people across the Middle East, Africa and India.Spin around in the Heritage Village area and check out all the construction cranes on the horizon.Getting ThereThe Dubai International Airport has one of the best duty-free shopping malls in the world, which is an attraction all by itself.The airport offers a wide range of world-class services. Transportation service will be car rental or taxi, with buses to appease the traffic problem.TransportationDubai has an extensive taxi system made up of both private and government-operated cabs. The city was planned to hold 600,000 people and it population is now 1.5 million -- you figure out what that means in terms of traffic...Currently there's a $4 billion construction project underway to build a Metro system, expected to be complete in 2012.If you want to have some real fun, take an abras to find the world's most amazing spice market here, at Spice Souk Abra Station. Abras are little wooden boats you take to cross the Dubai canal. It costs about 27cent USD for the trip, you get them at Abra station and ride them between the gold/spice market on one side and the textile market on the other.This is a great way to see old Dubai too, by traveling the Dubai creek. Also, don't forget that the National Bank building reflects the surface of the water and looks like a giant TV.People and CultureChoosing the right season to visit Dubai is of critical importance. Temperatures range from 10C in winter to 48C in the summer. Tourist season starts in October and gets cranking in November.The local currency is the dirham. Carry small change with you for taxi drivers and things, otherwise you will end up giving a bigger tip than you meant to.They drive on the right in Dubai and there is a car accident, on average, every three minutes. Be advised and keep your eyes peeled.Dubai has a zero tolerance drug policy. ZERO. Don't mess around.Things to do, RecommendationsDubai is as ancient as it is modern. See the Chamber of Commerce and Bastakiya for just two of the myriad examples. Bastakiya is a completely-restored neighborhood from an old merchants' settlement. A really popular historic destination to visit is one of the of three watchtowers guarding the city of Burj-Nahar in Deira.Dubai is the upscale shopping capital of the world, but its charming old markets (souks) are where it all comes from. If you're not from around here, get ready to learn about bargaining...Here's the old market called Souk Bur Dubai, take a look at your shopping schedule and dive in!Al-Sabkha is one of the smaller communities in Dubai but it's got tons of markets to poke through.Clubbing: Dubai has strict liquor laws (and pork laws) so most of the nightclubs are located inside hotels, where they already have some sort of liquor license. Check out Zinc, Planetarium, Kandy Club, and Peppermint to get your dose of bass.Well, you can't exactly climb up this one, but here's the clock tower.Just wait until the Burj Dubai is finished, then you'll REALLY have something to get a view from! The Burj Dubai will be the world's tallest structure when it's done. Office space is set for about $4,000 per square foot, ready to go in September 2009. Cheap! It's part of a development that when finished will host thirty thousand homes, nine hotels, seven acres of parkland, and the Dubai Mall -- slated to be the largest mall in the world.Dubai is going big! Get there and have a look for yourself.Text by Steve Smith.
