From its origins as a small fishing settlement, the control of the town of Dubai was taken (about 1830) by a branch of the Bani Yas tribe from the Liwa oasis led by the same Maktoum royal family who are still ruling the emirate today.

Traditional economic activities included herding goats & sheep sheep, date cultivation, fishing and pearling, but at the same time the inhabitants built up their trading associations. By the start of the twentieth century, Dubai was reputed to have the largest souks in the Gulf region, with over 350 shops in the single Deira district alone.

This commercial success, in conjunction with the liberal attitude of the ruling family of Dubai, made the emirate economically very attractive to traders from India and Iran, who began to settle in the growing town. But, while this trade developed, Dubai was still politically an official protectorate of Great Britain, as part of the Trucial States extending along the northern coast of the Arabian peninsula.

After the British released control in 1971, Dubai came together with Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah and (in 1972) Ras Al Khaimah to create the federation of the United Arab Emirates.

This was not long after the exciting discovery of oil in 1966, which would soon transform the emirate and its inhabitants way of life. The first oil export from Dubai were followed by a long period of fast development that created the foundations for the modern society of today. HH Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum is entitled to the credit for this development as the late Rulers vision ensured that Dubai's oil revenues, despite being relatively modest by the standards of the region, were deployed to maximum effect.

His work is continued today by the present Ruler, HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and his family, Their Highnesses Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance and Industry, and General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defence. The happy result is that Dubai is constantly developing its network of transport facilities, schools, hospitals, tourism developments and all the other amenities of an advanced society.