The topography of Dubai
Dubai lies within the Arabian Desert, and much of its landscape is composed of sandy desert which distinguishes it from the southern emirates which are dominated by gravel deserts. The sand in Dubai is mainly a fine, white crushed shell and coral sand.
The desert that surrounds Dubai
To the east of Dubai the salt-crusted coastal plains give way to dunes which are tinged red with iron oxide and grow larger as further progress is made eastwards.
The flat sandy desert gives way to the Western Hajar Mountains, which run alongside Dubai’s border with Oman. The Western Hajar chain has an arid, jagged landscape and the mountains rise up to about 1,300 metres.
Dubai has no natural river bodies or oases, but does have a natural inlet, the Dubai Creek, which has been dredged to make it deep enough for large vessels to pass through. Dubai also has multiple gorges and waterholes which dot the base of the Western Al Hajar Mountains.
To the south a vast sea of sand dunes lead to the desert known as The Empty Quarter.
Area
The emirate of Dubai is 1,588 square miles (4,114 square kilometres); the metropolitan area of Dubai is 497 square miles (1,287 square kilometres).
Altitude
Dubai is a low country, lying only 52 feet (16 metres) above sea level.
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