Burj Khalifa - Tallest Building In The World

Bringing Burj Khalifa to life required a combination of visionary ideals and solid science. In the process, the project amassed an awe-inspiring number of facts, figures, and statistics.

World Records
At over 828 metres (2,716.5 feet) and more than 160 stories, Burj Khalifa holds the following records:

• Tallest building in the world
• Tallest free-standing structure in the world
• Highest number of stories in the world
• Highest occupied floor in the world
• Highest outdoor observation deck in the world
• Elevator with the longest travel distance in the world
• Tallest service elevator in the world

Tallest of the Supertall

Not only is Burj Khalifa the world’s tallest building, it has also broken two other impressive records: tallest structure, previously held by the KVLY-TV mast in Blanchard, North Dakota, and tallest free-standing structure, previously held by Toronto’s CN Tower. The Chicago-based Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) has established 3 criteria to determine what makes a tall building tall. Burj Khalifa wins by far in all three categories.

Height to architectural top
Height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance to the architectural top of the building. This includes spires, but does not include antennae, signage, flagpoles or other functional-technical equipment. This measurement is the most widely used and is used to define the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat rankings of the Tallest Buildings in the World.
Highest occupied floor
Height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance to the highest continually occupied floor within the building. Maintenance areas are not included.
Height to tip
Height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance to the highest point of the building, irrespective of material or function of the highest element. This includes antennae, flagpoles, signage and other functional-technical equipment.

What to expect if you work in Dubai

What to expect if you work in Dubai

While the city is very much geared towards the business traveller, newcomers working in Dubai can be taken by surprise by some of Dubai's business customs.
The first thing to know about working in Dubai is that the working week can differ from business to business. The working week is generally Sunday to Thursday. However, retail and some other businesses open six days a week, closing on Fridays.
Usual business hours are from 08:00 to 13:00, resuming after the temperatures have begun to cool from 16:00 and continuing until 19:00. During Ramadan the working day may be shorter Free Zones may also have different working hours.
Peak traffic times are anything between 06:30-09:00 and 16:30-20:30. In the older part of town, peak times are from 13:00 until quite late into the night. Jams and accidents are a regular occurrence, and parking for some buildings may be a problem, so do take advice on how much time you should leave for your journey.

Business meetings

Working in Dubai can be very much in the regional manner and be very relaxed and informal, which is born of the whole hospitality / coffee culture. Similarly, you should allow plenty of time with all forms of paperwork, be they visa applications, government approvals or bank documentation.
The business dress code is conservative, and anyone working in more rural areas should wear clothing that completely covers the body. On the other hand, business meetings with Arab clients or colleagues can sometimes seem very informal and may take place in cafes (however, a pre-arranged business lunch can be extremely formal).
In business meetings, it is polite to enquire about families and make general conversation – the actual business part of the meeting can be quite short, with matters resolved very quickly. It is also acceptable for the client to take calls on their mobile phone.

Business etiquette

If you do need to criticise or correct someone, make sure it is in a private discussion away from the meeting, as causing public loss of face is considered very rude.
It is considered polite to have one side of your business card translated into Arabic, and to present this side of the card face up when passing it on to an Arab colleague or client.
One final thing to remember is that the more conservative Muslims often show their respect by not shaking hands with people of a different gender, so do wait for them to take the lead on hellos and goodbyes.

Dubai, UAE Information

GENERAL INFORMATION

FACT FILE

Dubai is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates and the name of the emirate’s main city. The modern emirate of Dubai was created with the formation of the United Arab Emirates in 1971.

Official Name: Dubai
Area: Total 4,114 km² (1,588.4 square miles)

Capital: Dubai (city of Dubai)
Currency: Arab Emirate Dirham (AED); 1 EUR = 5.4 AED
Official language: Arabic, but also widely spoken are Persian, Malayalam, English, Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, and Tagalog
Time zone: Dubai Standard Time (UTC+4)
Dialing Code: +971
Internet top-level domain (TLD): .ae
Emergency services: 999

Days of sunshine per year: 365
Average temperatures: December-March 24ºC; March-November 35 ºC

Main International Airports: Dubai International Airport (DXB), Maktoum International Airport (JXB) – under construction, to be ready in 2008

Religions: 96% Muslim, Hindu, Christian, 4% other
Government: Emirate
Emir: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Population: metro 1, 492,000 (2006)
Population density: 345.65/km² (895.2/sq miles)
Gross Domestic Product (GDP): USD 46 billion (2006)

Business hours:

Government offices: Saturday - Wednesday (7:30am - 2:30pm)
General businesses work: 8am to 1pm and 4pm to 8pm from Saturday to Thursday
Banks: 8am to 1pm from Saturday to Wednesday and 8am to 12pm on Thursday

Most major credit cards are widely used and accepted.


Dubai is one of the wonders of the modern world. A decade ago the sand was the ruler of this emirate located on the edge of the Arabian desert with no discernible natural advantages. Nowadays the sand has been dethroned by the luxurious futuristic skyscrapers and the exclusive cozy villas scattered around the coastline. And all this is thanks to the vision of Dubai’s ruler – Sheikh Mohammed and the belief in his subjects in his idea to turn his country into the center of international trading and tourism. His logic is simple: if you build it, they will come.

The audacity of the city's ruler is breathtaking. Running out of coastline to build hotels? Build vast artificial islands with 120km of new beachfront. Need better connections with the world? Build up an award-winning international airline in 15 years.

From within these high standards of luxury and convenience, visitors can experience exotic Arabia in the bustling souks or a night in a Bedouin tent with belly-dancing under the starlit desert skies, as well as a way of life that is still embedded in the Islamic traditions of an ancient land. Dubai's attraction lies in the contrast between the ultra modern and the enchantingly traditional, which gives the city a personality like no other and visitors a variety of experiences to choose from. From desert oases and unspoiled beaches, camel races and old wind towers, to top-class shopping opportunities, avant-garde architecture and the finest international cuisine, Dubai has more than enough depth to satisfy even the most seasoned of travelers.

Places to see:

• Bastakiya District - historic home to many reconstructed buildings in the traditional style;
• Burj al-Arab hotel
• Dubai Museum
• Dubai Zoo
• Gold Souq
• Ibn Battuta Mall
• Jumeirah Mosque
• Mall of the Emirates
• Shindagha District
• Palm Islands