History of Dubai Trivia Quiz

Answer: Desertification

It was about 5,000 years ago where the coastline of the United Arab Emirates became sandy and desertified, leaving the area largely inhospitable. It is unknown how large nomadic settlements there were at the time but nomadic communities left the area and never returned.

Records and artifacts from this era are largely nonexistent. The Sumerians called the area Magan because of the vast deposits of precious metals. However, it wasn't until 1799, that firm records of Dubai can be traced back to. Dubai was around long before then but its history prior to 1799 is largely unknown.

Answer: Pearls

Dubai (which Balbi called Dibai) is located conveniently on the Persian Gulf which makes it a prime spot for trade between Europe, Asia and Africa. Its main industries at the time were fishing and pearl diving, the latter of which brought in wealthy merchants from around the world. Still, it is not certain if Balbi was referring to the city of Dubai itself, a region that now encompasses Dubai or an entirely different area (which is unlikely but cannot be ruled out).

Answer: Britain

Beginning in 1820, a series of anti-piracy and anti-slavery treaties were signed between the Sheikh of Dubai and the British Government. Although piracy still existed and flared up at times, things calmed down in the region. The British and the Sheikhs of the area began a prosperous relationship based on trade and shipping. Dubai became a port of call for the British and eventually the area became a British protectorate.

Answer: Plague outbreak

The pearl industry was still one of Dubai's leading industries into the 20th century and many people made a prosperous living in pearls. However, the Great Depression that struck North America and Europe meant people were not willing to spend extravagantly on luxuries such as pearls and artificial pearls became more popular.

The economy tumbled in Dubai which was exacerbated by World War II. During the war, Dubai lost trading revenues, trading partners and saw little action compared to other nations. Since many nations boosted manufacturing within their own borders, there were very few goods traveling through Dubai.

Answer: Saeed bin Maktoum

Saeed bin Maktoum ruled from 1912-1958. His reign was off to an initial good start but severe economic downturn nearly ended his control of Dubai. The emir was seen as cozying up to British interests more so than the interests of his people. In 1938, a group of former pearl traders and others who had lost everything succeeded in overthrowing the emir.

However, this new government was short lived. With the help of the British and Bedouins, Saeed bin Maktoum regained control at the beginning of 1939.

Answer: Oil

Like many other cities in the Middle East, Dubai is largely dependent on oil. Oil was first discovered in off the coast of Dubai in the Persian Gulf at the Fateh Oil Field. It was over fifteen years before oil was discovered after Dubai began searching for oil fields.

This discovery launched Dubai into economic prosperity and brought the city to an international stage for economy and tourism.

Answer: Dubai received veto power over federal affairs

The emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi were initially skeptical of forming a union with the other emirates. Dubai and Abu Dhabi were far more populous and economically successful than the other emirates. Both received special concessions in order to secure their support for the United Arab Emirates. Dubai (and Abu Dhabi) received veto power over national affairs. Dubai was also allowed to keep its state courts and was given an outsized number of seats in the Federal National Council.

In practice, it is the city of Dubai that controls the emirate of the same name and thus, the city has great sway and power within the nation.

Answer: Hotel

The Burj Al Arab hotel is one of the most iconic sites in Dubai and is a symbol of its luxuriousness. It is built on an artificial island near Jumeirah Beach and stands 1,053 feet tall. On the top of the building is a heliport. There are over 200 rooms in the hotel.

The Burj Al Arab is rated five stars and is sometimes said to be the most luxurious hotel in the world. It is also one of the most expensive hotels on Earth. It is frequented by celebrities, royalty and billionaires. However, it is also a popular tourist attraction and many people dine in its restaurants and visit the aquarium.

Answer: Burj Khalifa

The Burj Khalifa is a skyscraper in Dubai that stands 2,722 feet tall. When it opened, it surpassed Taipei 101 as the world's tallest building. Although the building looks like a modern piece of architecture, it is actually designed to look similar to the Great Mosque of Samarra which was built in the 9th century.

The building was incredibly expensive to build and experienced many financial setbacks. Most of the income generated by the Burj Khalifa goes to nearby stores and restaurants frequented by tourists who come to see the building.

Answer: The architect alleges it was stolen from him

The Dubai Frame is a giant picture frame in Zabeel Park and is one of many pieces of Dubai's ambitious infrastructure and tourist sites. It stands nearly 500 feet tall. However, the frame is controversial because the architect Fernando Donis claims the Dubai Frame was stolen from him as he was never compensated for building it. Dubai and the ThyssenKrupp Elevator (which sponsored the contest Donis won to build the frame) also claim intellectual property rights of the Dubai Frame.