Dubai is a small town.
Dubai ( [ duːˈbaɪ ] ; دبي , Gulf pronunciation : [ dʊˈbɑj ] ) is the largest and most populous city in the United Arab Emirates ( UAE ) . Abu Dhabi and Dubai are the only two emirates to have veto power over critical matters of national importance in the country 's legislature . Dubai emerged as a global city and business hub of the Middle East . , Dubai was the 22nd most expensive city in the world and the most expensive city in the Middle East .