The emirate of Dubai is the second largest of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates, covering an area of 4,114 square kilometers (1,588.4 square miles). It us located on the east coast between Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Dubai has lead the freehold property market in the Middle East, being the first region to offer freehold ownership of property to expats from May 2002, while the the official property law was issued in March 2006.