Dubai is the most populous city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the second largest emirate by territorial size after the capital, Abu Dhabi. Dubai is located on the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf and is one of the seven emirates that make up the country. Abu Dhabi and Dubai are the only two emirates to have veto power. The city of Dubai is located on the emirate's northern
coastline and heads up the Dubai-Sharjah-Ajman metropolitan area. As of 2012, Dubai is the 22nd most expensive city in the world and the most expensive city in the Middle East. Dubai was rated as one of the best places to live in the Middle East by American global consulting firm Mercer. Tourism is an important part of the Dubai. Dubai's lure for tourists is based mainly on shopping but also on its possession of other ancient and modern attractions. As of 2013, Dubai was the 7th most visited city of the world and the fastest growing, increasing by a 10.7% rate. Dubai is expected to accommodate over 15 million tourists by 2015. The emirate is also the most populous of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates. It is distinct from other members of the UAE in that a large part of the emirate's revenues are from tourism. Dubai has been called the "shopping capital of the Middle East". Dubai alone has more than 70 shopping Centre, including the world's largest shopping Centre, Dubai Mall. The city draws large numbers of shopping tourists from countries within the region and from as far as Eastern Europe, Africa and the Indian Sub-continent. Dubai is also known for the traditional souk districts located on either side of the stream. Dubai Creek played a vital role in the sustainment of life of the community in Dubai originally and was the setting point which caused the economic boom in Dubai. As of September 2013, Dubai creek has been proposed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many boutiques and jewelry stores are also found in the city. Dubai is also known as "the City of Gold" as Gold Souk in Deira houses nearly 250 gold retail shops.
