From sand to splendour
Over four decades, the UAE has blossomed from a motley collection of fishing villages and desert roads to the most modern of nations. Khaleej Times presents a visual collage of a few key moments, landmarks, events and people that depict the country’s grow
1) Burj Khalifa’s superstructure is almost complete, in this 2007 photo 2) Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan with the heads of the other emirates, at an event in Umm Al Quwain in 1979 3) Officials pose in front of an Etihad aircraft before the official opening of the airline in 2003 4) Fireworks during the inauguration of the Burj Al Arab in 1999 5) Sharjah Port Road in 1966 6) Dubai International Airport in 1985 7) The Dubai Metro passing over a bridge near Trade Centre interchange 8) Sheikh Zayed Road back in the 80s, with just a few buildings in sight 9) A view of the Bur Dubai Bazaar in 1982 10) Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum at the Jebel Ali coast in 1978 11) The President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with the then US president George W. Bush during the latter’s visit to Abu Dhabi in 2008 12) Emirati players celebrate with their trophy after winning the 21st Gulf Cup in 2013 13) Beachgoers at Jumeirah Beach in 1978 14) A model of the Palm Jumeirah, at the project’s announcement in 2001 15) A view of the Mall of the Emirates, before its opening in 2005 16) The solar-powered aircraft Solar Impulse 2 takes its test flight in Abu Dhabi, before its departure for its round-the-world voyage, in 2015 17) A young Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in 1979 18) A sailboat trip by the Emirates Heritage Club, in the 80s 19) RTA’s first driverless bus that was unveiled in 2017 20) Inauguration of Atlantis, The Palm in 2008 21) The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) opens with gala fireworks celebrations in late 2005 22) The UAE soccer team before their World Cup Group D first round match against West Germany, in 1990 23) The foundation of the Burj Khalifa being laid out in 2005 27) View of the Dubai Creek in the 70s 24) Construction begins on Sharjah’s Al Khan flyover, way back in 1978 25) A police band plays during National Day celebrations in 1981 26) Locals and residents watch a boat race on the Abu Dhabi corniche in 1984 27) The Dubai Creek in the 70s 28) The newly opened Deira Clock Tower roundabout in 1981 29) The Dubai International Boat Show in 2018 30) The outline of the new Dubai Frame, in 2018 31) The Cayan Tower, the world’s tallest twisted building, dominates the Dubai Marina skyline in 2013 32) The Boxpark complex in Al Wasl, in 2016 33) A view of the dhow building area in Abu Dhabi, 1984 34) A view of Abu Dhabi city in 1986 35) One of the first dune bashing desert safaris, in 1981 36) A view of the Bur Dubai bus stand near Plaza Cinema in 1983 37) The pedestrian bridge — later named Tolerance Bridge — over the Dubai Water Canal is seen illuminated beautifully in this 2016 shot 38) Busy traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road in early 2018 39) An aerial view of the Abu Dhabi coastline in 2014 40) A recent view of a park in Rolla, Sharjah. — KT archives