New
New
Dubai: A global city
I can explain Dubai's development and global role.
Lesson 9 of 12
New
New
- Year 9
Dubai: A global city
I can explain Dubai's development and global role.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Dubai grew from a small port to a global city.
- Oil wealth funded rapid development.
- Tourism, trade, and finance now drive the economy.
- Urban growth raises environmental challenges.
Keywords
Economy - the way a country produces, uses and manages money, jobs, goods and services
Global city - an urban area that has strong international connections and advantages over other places
Infrastructure - all the basic systems in a country, such as transport and power supply
Development - the improvement in people's quality of life within a country or region
Impact - to have an effect or influence
Common misconception
Dubai is only rich because of oil.
Whilst oil funded Dubai’s early growth, it now contributes only a small part of its GDP. Tourism, finance, and trade are the dominant economic drivers today.
Students should understand that resources triggered development but did not sustain it alone — leadership and investment choices also mattered.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords to their meanings:
Match the keywords to their meanings:
Q2.What is the main export of many Middle Eastern countries?
What is the main export of many Middle Eastern countries?
Wheat
Gold
Fish
Q3.Countries that rely mainly on oil exports are often called a .
Countries that rely mainly on oil exports are often called a .
Q4.Which Middle Eastern city has grown rapidly thanks to oil wealth?
Which Middle Eastern city has grown rapidly thanks to oil wealth?
Cairo
Tehran
Istanbul
Q5.Which country has large oil reserves but still faces economic problems?
Which country has large oil reserves but still faces economic problems?
UAE
Qatar
Kuwait
Q6.“If a country has oil, it will be rich and developed.”
Which statement is most accurate?
“If a country has oil, it will be rich and developed.”
Which statement is most accurate?
Oil always brings equal development
Oil makes all countries rich
Oil automatically solves poverty
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords to their meanings:
Match the keywords to their meanings:
Q2.What did oil help Dubai do in the 1970s and 1980s?
What did oil help Dubai do in the 1970s and 1980s?
Become a global centre of farming
Reduce its global trade links
End tourism in the region
Q3.What sector now brings in the most money to Dubai’s economy?
What sector now brings in the most money to Dubai’s economy?
Oil
Agriculture
Fishing
Q4.Which is most likely to have a strong impact on Dubai’s economy?
Which is most likely to have a strong impact on Dubai’s economy?
Global demand for camel racing
Changes in global oil prices only
Decline in desert temperatures
Q5.What is a more accurate statement than "Dubai is only rich because of oil"?
What is a more accurate statement than "Dubai is only rich because of oil"?
Oil is the only source of Dubai’s wealth
Oil is not important in Dubai’s economy
Dubai no longer earns any money from oil
