• Bangladesh!

    Bangladesh: Traditional houses. Go Now!

    Bangladesh
    This low-lying country has historic ties to India and Pakistan, but today maintains a wholly unique culture. Explore Bangladesh!

  • Indonesia!

    Indonesia: Lombok. Go Now!

    Indonesia
    This archipelago nation is culturally diverse from big cities to isolated islands. Begin Your Journey!

  • Jordan!

    Jordan: Petra. Go Now!

    Jordan
    Tucked away in this Middle Eastern country, the famed city of Petra (pictured) links the past to the present culture. Explore Jordan!

  • Mongolia!

    Mongolia: Desert. Go Now!

    Mongolia
    This vast country has a culture that spans past and present... a nomadic life shifting to a modern & sedentary society. Begin Your Journey!

  • Kyrgyzstan!

    Kyrgyzstan: Tian Shan Mountains. Go Now!

    Kyrgyzstan
    The mountains, including the Tian Shan Mountains (pictured), give Kyrgyzstan a unique culture, partially formed from this isolation from the mountains. Go Now!

Architecture of the United Arab Emirates

Emirati Architecture - Bastakia
Bastakia in Dubai

There are few historic architectural structures in the United Arab Emirates. As a primarily deserted country not many people have lived in the country in the past and few structures were built to last. The best place to go to see early style is in the Dubai Khor (creek) region including Al-Shindagha and the Bastakia district. The buildings here are not old, but they are authentic to the historic style of the region. Of the buildings, perhaps the oldest is the Dubai Museum, which was built in about 1800 and houses exhibits on other architecture from that time period.

It was not until the 1900s when oil was discovered that buildings were constructed with materials strong enough to last for years. Since that time modern skyscrapers have arisen all over the country, most particularly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Dubai has become such a haven for these new constructions the city refuses to build anything that can't be distinctively defined as unique and innovative. There are dozens of buildings that would stand out in any other skyline, but here are just another building.

Among the most impressive buildings in Dubai are the Burj al-Arab, the Burj Khalifa (the world's tallest building), and the "palms." Although not entirely architecture in building, the palms are masterpieces of land architecture as these peninsulas (shaped like palm trees from the sky) are home to huge housing and commercial complexes, including the Atlantis Hotel.

This page was last updated: May, 2014