![]() Īl Maktoum Bridge, the first bridge connecting Bur Dubai and Deira was constructed in 1963. The dredging opened up the creek to much more continuous traffic of merchandise, including the development of re-export, and gave Dubai an advantage over Sharjah, the other dominant trading centre in the region at the time. The creek was dredged again in the 1960s and 1970s so that it could offer anchorage for local and coastal shipping of up to about 500 tons. The creek was first dredged in 1961 to permit 7-foot (2.1 m) draft vessels to cross through the creek at all times. This led, in 1955, to a plan to develop the creek, which involved dredging shallow areas, building of breakwaters, and developing its beach to become a quay suitable for loading and unloading of cargo. The importance of the creek as a site of commercial activity was a justification to introduce improvements to allow larger vessels to transit, as well as to facilitate loading and unloading activities. Dhows used for purposes of fishing were also built on the foreshore of the creek. Fishing, also an important industry at the time, was also based along the creek, whose warm and shallow waters supported a wide variety of marine life. Dubai's pearling industry, which formed the main sector of the city's economy, was based primarily on expeditions in the creek, prior to the invention of cultured pearls in the 1930s. Although it impeded the entry of ships due to current flow, the creek remained an important element in establishing the commercial position of Dubai, being the only port or harbour in the city. In the early 20th century, the creek, though incapable then of supporting large scale transportation, served as a minor port for dhows coming from as far away as India or East Africa. It was along the Bur Dubai creek area that members of the Bani Yas tribe first settled in the 19th century, establishing the Al Maktoum dynasty in the city. ![]() Historically, the creek divided the city into two main sections – Deira and Bur Dubai. A number of tourist locations and hotels are situated along the creek. The banks and route alongside the creek houses notable government, business and residential areas. ![]() A number of bridges allow movement of vehicles across the creek while abras are used as taxis. In the 1950s, extensive development of the creek began, including dredging and construction of breakwaters. Some sources say that the creek historically extended as far inland as Al Ain, and that the Ancient Greeks called it River Zara. Previously, it extended to Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary but as part of the new Business Bay Canal and Dubai Canal, it extends a further 13 km (8.1 mi) to the Persian Gulf. The creek ranges from 200 to 1,200 metres (660 to 3,940 ft) in width while the average depth is about 6.5 to 7 metres (21 to 23 ft). It extends about 9 miles (14 km) inwards and forms a natural port that has traditionally been used for trade and transport. Total 24 kilometres (15 mi) of which natural length is 14 kilometres (8.7 mi)ĭubai Creek ( Arabic: خور دبي, romanized: Khūr Dubay) has been described as a natural saltwater creek, tidal inlet, and watercourse or waterway in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |