There is evidence of human activity at Al Qusais that goes back to 8000BC and human activity was mainly nomadic herders. in AD700 the Umayyads introduced Arabic and Islam to the area.

In 1580 Gaspara Balbi from Venice to see if there was potential for pearling in Dubai. This led to the development of Dubai as a parking centre

The Bani Yas tribal family moved to Dubai in 1833 and headed by Sheikh Maktoum, the family who still rules Dubai. In 1892 a formal trading agreement was arranged with the British and a major element was tax exemption for all foreign traders which is still in enforce today. This led to a situation where goods could be imported and resold all without duty and making Dubai an excellent trading centre.

Sheikh Rashid was born in 1912 and he developed Dubai as a major trading port with he construction of Port Rashid. He also developed Jebel Ali Port and now is the largest deepest water port in the world. Sheikh Rashid died in 1990.

Oil was discovered in the Gulf in 1966 and the United Arab Emirates formerly established on 2nd December 1971.

Sheikh Maktoum took over after Sheikh Rashid and when he died in January 2006 the current ruler Sheikh Mohammed took over.

Dubai continues to grow rapidly and major infrastructure projects are currently taking place and will result in the world's tallest tower, the world's largest airport, the world's largest theme park and much more. Other projects will be the world's biggest observation wheel; Falcon City of Wonders with replicas of the Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal and Leaning tower of Pisa and more; a rotating skyscraper and more palm islands. To build all this means that a third of the world's cranes are in Dubai.