Dubai has earned a reputation for its booming economy and engineering feats, like man-made islands and the world's tallest buildings. What other spectacles are coming out of this desert city?
Towering over the Persian Gulf is the Burj Al Arab skyscraper. The Burj Al Arab is just one of the manmade spectacles of Dubai. Take a look at an aerial view of Dubai in the next photo to get a sense of the activity there.
Dubai, viewed from the sky, is a startling contrast of dense, rising skyscrapers, and the desert beyond. Some of these towers are just as extravagant on the inside.
The inside of the Burj Al Arab is where all the magic is. This view of the Royal Suites shows the formal entrances and marble staircases. And you won't believe what's in the atrium...
Yes, that's real gold glittering in the Burj Al Arab's 590-foot atrium. You can also find snow inside one of these desert buildings.
Ski Dubai is an indoor ski park in the Mall of the Emirates. The next photo takes one last look at Burj Al Arab and its curious position on the coast.
The Burj Al Arab sits on a man-made peninsula. This isn't the only place where the wealthy city is altering the landscape.
In the distance you can see the palm island that's being built off the coast of Dubai. The next photo takes you down the main road before swinging by the palm island.
Dubai's main road cuts through downtown bordered by skyscrapers on either side. Not too far from this main drag is the palm island.
Expensive villas pack the fronds of Palm Jumeirah, a monumental landscaping project off the coast of Dubai. Another well-known project underway is the world's tallest building.
This model of the of the Burj Dubai shows what is set to be the world's tallest building when it's finally completed. Take a look at the construction of the Burj Dubai in the next photo.
Even unfinished, the Burj Dubai looms over the surrounding skyscrapers. All this building takes a lot of work -- who does it?
Migrant workers flock to Dubai because there is so much work to be done. Without their labor, none of Dubai's big dreams would ever become reality.
These Emiratis survey a model of Dubailand. Who knows what marvels they have in mind for the future?
Though some Quranic scholars interpret the passage as allegorical, the Quran describes a situation in which the Prophet Muhammad attempted to demonstrate the power of Allah to a group of nonbelievers -- specifically, he did this by causing the moon in the sky to rip in half before their eyes. Next, you'll see a site where many Catholics believe miracles still occur.
On June 25, Dubai unveiled plans for a revolving skyscraper. Dubai says it will build an 80-story, shape-shifting building called the Dynamic Tower. The tower will join Dubai's unique combination of desert sands and skyscrapers in 2010.
The Burj Dubai could reach 2,275 feet by the time it is complete.
The iconic Burj Al Arab Hotel, surrounded by water, changes colors at night.
Xeritown, a planned .23 square mile (59 hectare) sustainable development located on the outskirts of Dubai, hopes to solve some of the pesky problems associated with living in a desert region.
Xeritown hopes to conserve water, reduce energy and keep things cool by positioning the development in a way that works with the landscape.
