Capitalising on its central location between east and west, Dubai has expanded rapidly over the past decades with its economy now based around trade, manufacturing and tourism. Liberal regulatory conditions, free zones such as Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City and Dubai International Financial Centre plus excellent transport links have made the emirate the natural location for regional head offices for multinational companies as well as local enterprises.

For Nigerians specialising in trade and commerce, Dubai, in United Arab Emirates, holds a particular attraction. It is a haven for various goods which can be obtained at a bargain if the trader knows his/her way about the numerous souks (markets) in the desert city. Dubai, which some time ago was in the news for harbouring some corrupt Nigerian politicians, is without doubt a world trading post.

Owing to demand, three major airlines - Emirates, Qatar and Ethiopian Airlines - offer daily flights from Lagos and Abuja to Dubai. So with what appears to be affordable fares, Dubai is for many traders the supply centre for all kinds of products. This is despite the complaints by many Nigerians that the depreciation of Naira against other currencies, including the US dollar, pound sterling and dirham, which is the currency in UAE, has had an adverse effect on their profit margins.

On the flip side, the UAE has a capital city callled Abu Dhabi - yea I have to mention that. A lof of Nigerians are not even aware that Abu Dhabi is the capital city. Abu Dhabi might have grown up in the shadow of glitzy Dubai, but things are changing. A raft of attractions — all built or started in the past decade — is helping the city carve out a niche as the cultured, grown-up alternative.

We cannot over emphasize that the popularity of Abu Dhabi brought about the existence of Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emiratesto Nigeria. The airline also offers an in-house visa services for Nigerians which makes it quite easy to visit the beautiful city.

Take in any of the following sights and you'll understand why Abu Dhabi is staking a claim as the true jewel of the Middle East.

The Emirates Palace

A trump card in the rush to build the most extravagant hotel possible, the Emirates Palace makes Dubai's Burj al-Arab look like a social housing project. The cost of construction for this gold-leafed homage to wealth is estimated at US$3 billion ($3.2 billion). Take a walk along its cavernous corridors or peek into an ultra-luxury suite and you'll understand why.
Sprawled across a 1 million-square-metre plot of beachfront land, the complex includes its own water park (with lazy river and slides), a 1200-seat theatre and a golf-leaf dome larger than London's St Paul's Cathedral. There are 104 lifts and more than 12,000 pieces of signage, and chauffeured golf buggies to take visitors from one end of the hotel to the other — a journey of more than a kilometre.

Wildlife watching
Dubai can keep its artificial ski slopes. One of the largest islands in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas Island is home to thousands of rare animals as well as millions of plants and trees.
Formerly the private nature reserve of late ruler and UAE founder, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, this 87 square-kilometre park boasts the world's largest herd of Arabian Oryx (extinct in the wild) and cheetahs. Yes, cheetahs! An ongoing conservation project of the Emirati rulers, the island is also a bird sanctuary, and can be explored on a jeep safari, by kayak or on a mountain bike.

World's first Ferrari theme park
Petrolheads have a better reason than many to visit Abu Dhabi, as the city is building a theme park dedicated to the Italian racing giant. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is due to open in 2010, and promises to boast more firsts than an F1 champion.

Among the 20 rides will be the world's fastest roller-coaster (to be called the F1 Coaster) and a journey through a Ferrari engine. The entire complex will be housed under a bright red roof in the shape of a classic Ferrari GT racer — one that's big enough to make it the world's largest indoor theme park.

World-class art
Fancy getting a glimpse of Da Vinci's Mona Lisa without having to go all the way to Paris? That might soon be possible, as the first outpost of the Louvre is being built as part of a 270-hectare "cultural district" on Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat Island. The district has been designed by some of the world's top architects.
Also being built is another Guggenheim Museum, designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry, who masterminded the Guggenheim in Bilbao, Spain. Set for completion by 2012, plans are on exhibition in a corner of the Emirates Palace, open to public viewing.

Desert life
While convoys of four-wheel-drives head to the desert outside Dubai for a bit of bush-bashing Middle Eastern-style, the same experience can be had outside Abu Dhabi — without the crowds.

Arabian Adventures runs sundowner tours which take visitors desert driving over dunes near Sweihan, followed by camel riding and dinner under the stars. Sightings of snakes and scorpions are common, while Arabian gazelle inhabit the area. Abu Dhabi is the gateway to the ancient fort town of Al Ain, an inland oasis giving an insight into traditional Arabian life.

Guy dubai is pretty cool in all Areas thats Why we all love that country while their visa too is easy.

expertman: Guy dubai is pretty cool in all Areas thats Why we all love that country while their visa too is easy.

The same process applys to Abu Dhabi when it comes to Visa