The impressive development of Dubai is set to continue long into the 21st century.

Visionary Leadership: Dubai’s government is committed to creating a first-class social and economic infrastructure designed to guarantee the future prosperity and quality lifestyle of its citizens. Initially under Sheikh Rashid and now under the present Ruler, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum - Dubai has been transformed into a 21st-century city.

State-of-the-Art Facilities and Developments: As a result of intensive government investment, Dubai today boasts a wide range of state-of-the-art facilities and ongoing developments. Desalination plants, power stations, telecommunications systems, cargo-transport operations, exhibition facilities and convention halls all rank among the best in the world.

 Dubai’s world-class reputation can also thank its amazing tourism and residential projects. The city has taken global benchmarks for creating master-planned, gated residential communities and given them a tourism focus, Arabian character and sheer scale all of their own.

The three Palm island projects, for example, are creating one of the world’s most iconic housing and tourism projects, each offering a host of villas and apartments for sale, as well as stunning resorts including the 2,000-room Atlantis on The Palm. They are the world’s largest man-made islands and are adding much-needed beach frontage to the emirate of Dubai. The World, comprising 300 islands protected by an oval breakwater and positioned to form the shape of the world map, is already rising from the waves, and will represent the ultimate in exclusive island living.

Dubai International City (containing a new Chinatown district, among others), Dubai Marina, Emirates Hills, Arabian Ranches, Dubai Festival City, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Jumeirah Lake Towers and Jumeirah Islands are just a few of the many other projects that have combined homes for sale with the new hotels and tourism attractions. Burj Dubai, billed as the world’s tallest tower, at more than 800 metres high, lies at the centre of a fantastic new downtown complex also containing the world’s largest shopping mall and an Arabian-themed housing district.

One of the biggest developments is Dubailand, at two-billion square feet, which covers an area twice the size of Disneyworld in Florida and is 100 times the size of Monaco; it is planned to make Dubai no less renowned and visited than those illustrious destinations. Comprising six huge areas for themed leisure attractions with hotel accommodation, Dubailand has been billed as a cross between Las Vegas and Orlando.

Dubai’s existing civic and social infrastructure is also envied worldwide: its hospitals, schools, parks and recreational facilities, not to mention its championship grass golf courses. Moreover, the modern road networks, extensive leisure activities and impressive public buildings in this bright, well-tended city all bear testament to Dubai’s prosperity and dynamism. By 2009, the Dubai Metro will see its first phase completed with phase 2 due for completion in March 2010. The project will be part of a greater review of all transport provision in Dubai, with integrated bus routes and stops, taxi stations and park-and-ride facilities and of course the Abra (water transport). The Dubai Metro system, when built, will be the longest fully automated rail system in the world.

Dubai’s commitment to enhancing every aspect of its infrastructure is further reflected in a spate of new specialised urban areas, many of them free-trade zones, including the Dubai International Financial Centre (the world’s first purpose-built financial district), Dubai Healthcare City (a one-stop destination for all medical and well-being needs), Dubai Humanitarian City (for charities and NGOs), Dubai Maritime City (a free zone for shipping companies) and Dubai Silicon Oasis (for high-tech manufacturing).