1996
Two major annual
events, the Dubai
Shopping Festival and
the Dubai World Cup,
are launched. The
burj al-arab opens,
enhancing Dubai’s
reputation as a tourist
destination.2006
Sheikh Mohammed
becomes ruler of
Dubai after Sheikh
Maktoum’s passing,
and is also confirmed
as prime minister and
vice-president of the
uae.2008
The world financial
crisis severely affects
Dubai’s economy,
putting the brakes
on its surging
development and
causing a plunge in
real estate prices of up
to 50%.2010
The extraordinary
burj khalifa opens. at
82 8m it’s the world’s
tallest building. it
has more than 160
floors and the highest
outdoor observation
deck in the world.Overseeing Dubai’s transformation into a 21st-century metropolis
is the third son of the dynasty, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-
Maktoum, who was the face of modern Dubai even before he succeed-
ed his older brother as ruler in 2006. Having ruled Dubai as a de facto
leader since the mid-1990s, Sheikh Mohammed has brought consist-
ency and continuity to Dubai in a period of tremendous social, cultural
and economic change. In February 2008 he named his son Hamdan
bin Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, also known as ‘Fazza 3’, as
the emirate’s crown prince and his likely successor. The young prince,
a Sandhurst graduate who publishes romantic poetry, is already tre-
mendously popular – check out his fan videos on YouTube or friend
him on Facebook.h
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