Jebel Ali

Jebel Ali (Arabic: جبل علي) is a major port city located within the Emirate of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, approximately 35 kilometres (22 mi) southwest of the city of Dubai. Situated along the southern coast of the Persian Gulf, it serves as one of the UAE's most significant industrial and logistical hubs. Off its coast lies the artificial archipelago Palm Jebel Ali, one of several palm-shaped islands developed by Nakheel as part of Dubai's coastal expansion projects. The area also encompasses Expo City Dubai, the legacy site of Expo 2020, and Dubai Investment Park, a mixed-use complex that includes industrial, commercial, and residential zones. As of 2024, it has a total population of 540,732. Initially a sparsely inhabited coastal area, Jebel Ali was developed in the 1970s as part of a state-directed initiative to diversify Dubai's economy beyond oil. It is the site of the Port of Jebel Ali, the largest man-made harbor in the world and the busiest port in the Middle East by container volume. The port is operated by DP World and serves as a major regional transshipment and cargo handling hub. Adjacent to the port is the Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), established in 1985 to attract foreign investment through regulatory and tax incentives. As of recent years, JAFZA hosts over 8,700 companies from more than 100 countries and contributes approximately 23 percent of Dubai's gross domestic product, with a particular emphasis on non-oil sectors. The area includes several large-scale infrastructure installations, including the Jebel Ali Power and Desalination Complex, one of the largest combined power and water facilities in the world. It also houses Emirates Global Aluminium, a major aluminum smelter, along with oil storage and bunkering terminals, warehousing complexes, and labor accommodations. Jebel Ali is connected to regional and international transport networks via Sheikh...