Dubai's heritage is buried deep in the history of Arab civilization. Settled at least 3000 years ago, Dubai's harbour is said to be one of the world's oldest seaports. Strong Leadership from the Maktoum Family Dubai became a Shaikhdom in 1833 when the nomadic Bani Yas tribe, led by Maktoum bin Buti migrated from Abu Dhabi to settle there. As Dubai did not have fertile land, fishing, pearling and trading were prevalent. For over a century Britain's strong presence in The Gulf helped quell the piratical Qawasim tribes in 1805.

Britain declared Dubai its main Gulf port in the 1870s. In 1890 a regular ship from Bombay also began. Cheap fares brought merchants, craftsman and pearlers and by the turn of the century Dubai was The City of Merchants. After Teheran introduced taxes on its merchants in 1902, India shifted its trade to Dubai, attracted by the liberal policies of Shaikh Maktoum Bin Hasher. His son, Saeed, succeeded as ruler in 1906, accelerating Dubai's growth.

The Gulf's prosperity received a setback in the 20s from the Japanese cultured pearl, which wiped the pearling industry. A bleak period in the 30s saw the outbreak of the 2nd World War. Dubai fared better than most Gulf States through its varied economy. In 1958 Shaikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, both a visionary and a man of action, well loved and respected focused Dubai's energies on trade. By the time oil was discovered in Dubai in 1966, it was already poised to become the Gulf's busiest trading centre.

Oil wealth was poured into improving the standard of living and the commercial infrastructure, which would secure the future. A flurry of construction during the 60s-70s produced modern hospitals, schools, roads, bridges, transport, communications, office buildings, hotels, parks and recreational facilities. Some of the projects like Port Rashid, were of staggering dimensions. Completed 1972, it is the largest deep-water harbour in the world.