Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Ikonos satellite image. North is at top. Dubai, the capital of the emirate of the same name, has reinvented itself in recent years as a centre for tourism. Its ruler, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, recognised that oil revenue, from which it previously gained its wealth, was transient. His diversification plans have included the building of vast artificial islands. The city lies around the Dubai Creek (centre). Its population, as of 2000, was just under 900,000. The majority of this is comprised of ex-pats from Asia and the West. Photographed on 3 October 2000.