Special Sub-Topic: Do you know Dubai? Authored by: Jaxtah Sub-topic of: United Arab Emirates

Where is the Dubai Gold Cup held every March?

Nad Al Sheba. This is a magnificent race course set around a top golf course. Nad Al Sheba hosts horse racing from November to March when the weather is cooler in the evenings. Also it recently hosted Robbie Williams on his 2006 international tour.

The only one of its kind in the Middle East, this can be found in 'The Mall of the Emirates'

Indoor ski slope and snow park. Opened in 2005, the indoor ski slope and snow park is a huge attraction for residents and visitors to Dubai. The technology needed to keep the temperature within a range of minus 1 to minus 2 degrees Celsius in the middle of the desert is nothing more than incredible!

How many bridges crossed the Dubai Creek in 2005?

2. They are Al Maktoum Bridge and Al Garhoud Bridge. In 2006 two more are being built to cope with the huge amount of traffic crossing the creek each day.

What would you do with a Sheesha?

Smoke it. Also known as the 'Hubbly Bubbly' the sheesha is an ornate glass pot with a pipe. It is a favourite pastime for locals to sit in coffee houses and drink Arabic tea or coffee and smoke a sheesha.

If you were to take your 4x4 vehicle into the desert to drive up and down sand dunes you would be doing what?

Dune bashing. Another great pastime especially in the winter is to go in a convey of 4x4's out into the desert and do some dune bashing. Many visitors to Dubai can enjoy professionally guided tours into the desert which include alongside dune bashing, camel rides, sheesha/hubbly-bubbly, belly dancing and henna.

Every autumn Dubai hosts which favourite annual sports event?

The Dubai Rugby 7's. A firm favourite - what was once a small get together formed by ex-pats has developed into one of the most anticipated sports events in the Dubai calendar.

The area opposite Bur Dubai, on the other side of the Creek is called?

Deira. Deira is one of the busiest places in Dubai. You can walk along The Creek and see all the dhows being loaded up for India, visit Deira City Centre for some shopping, or visit Naif souq for bargains.

Which road was the first one to link Dubai to Jebel Ali?

Sheikh Zayed Road. A road not for the faint hearted! There are four to five lanes of every kind of vehicle you can think of, transporting anything from camels and goats to large watermelons; you name it, you can see it on the Sheikh Zayed Road.

Driving north out of Dubai, the first Emirate you come to is Sharjah. What Emirate would you drive through next?

Ajman. There are seven Emirates which make up the United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm AlQuain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujeriah.

Finally, what would you hear five times a day, no matter where you are in the city?

Calls to prayer from the nearest mosque. Even in shopping malls, the calls to prayer are put out over the speakers to remind Muslims that it is time to pray.