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Want to take advantage of the country's decision to block BlackBerry services? Here's what you can do. The United Arab Emirates has announced it is banning certain BlackBerry mobile services, citing concerns over security. So what other attractions does this federation of gulf states, including the desert kingdoms of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, have to offer?

We didn’t have to look far for inspiration for this collection of world toppers. Dubai still ranks as one of the world’s tallest cities – with 51 skyscrapers all standing over 200m high, matching New York’s tally. Hong Kong has 52 but Dubai has the Burj Khalifa, and six others that stretch to over 300m – including the world’s tallest hotel (building used exclusively as a hotel), the Rose Tower, at 333m and 72-storeys.

Are you aware of the fact that the real estate market in Dubai has really hit the skies with foreign investors? The reason is that all the investment gurus are lining to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in the city, thanks to the gorgeous buildings been erected. All of us are aware of the Burj Khalifa?

First on the must-see list of indoor attractions is the record-breaking Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building at 828m. It sprouts out of the central city like a gleaming hypodermic needle, looking superimposed against the bright blue sky. Dubai is a theme park of firsts, biggests, tallests and oddests. Khalifa, the tallest, sits next to the Dubai Mall, the world's largest shopping centre. And it's there you buy your tickets to ride possibly the world's most psychedelic elevator to the viewing platform two-thirds of the way up Khalifa.

Dubai rents have plunged over the last year and property experts predict they are set to fall even further, causing an influx of people keen to move to the emirate. Studios in International City can now be snapped up for as little as dhs22,000 a year down from dhs60,000 18 months ago. At the other end of the market, a studio in the world's tallest building, Burj Khalifa, costs just dhs100,000 with one-bedroom apartments in the prestigious address starting at around dhs160,000 a year.

Celebrate sundown over Dubai from Burj Khalifa, the worlds tallest building. The Holy Month of Ramadan is all about reflecting on the values of generosity, charity, gratitude, solidarity and compassion. Contemplate the values of the Holy Month, marvel at the bountiful splendour of nature, cherish the achievements of mankind working in unity from the worlds highest observation deck with an outdoor terrace.

In a sunny gallery on the second floor of the museum, compelling large-scale reproductions of the Empire State Building, the Sears Tower (the Chicago landmark now known as the Willis Tower) and the current highest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, stand next to one another, as if relocated to form an ideal city of overachieving architecture. The Burj Khalifa model, which took 340 hours to build, is 17 1/2 feet high and incorporates 450,300 bricks.

The highlight of second quarter 2010 was the opening of the world's first Armani Hotel in Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building. In addition, the handover of units in Burj Khalifa started during the quarter with approximately 24% handed over until June end. In the process of implementing the strategy of concentrating on its core business, Emaar transferred the Hamptons International business in the UK, Europe and Asia to Countrywide at a consideration, which was similar to the purchase value of the business (in Sterling terms) it acquired in 2006.

Emaar Properties, the developer behind the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, reported second quarter sales of AED 2.6 billion (US$ 722 million), up +37% on the AED 1.9 billion (US$ 528 million) recorded for the same period last year. Pre-tax profits for the quarter rose to AED 896 million (US$ 244 million) up from AED 390000 (US$ 106000) 12 months ago.

Maybe the Ritz-Carlton saw the Armani Hotel Dubai in the Burj Khalifa--the current tallest building in the world--as a challenge. Or, maybe the hotel group just wanted to create some local competition with the Park Hyatt Shanghai (to date the highest rooftop observation deck in Asia).