Dubai is one of seven states of the United Arab Emirates. Was established as a fishing village in the 18th century, and had fewer than a thousand people in 1822. Pearl boats were successful from 1900 into the 1930's. The first airport came in 1960. Gold trading was significant in the mid 1960's. Oil was first struck in 1966, and by 1975, the population grew by a factor of three, most expatriates.  By 1990 oil accounted for 24% of the GDP, but with a lack of resources, dropped to 7% by 2004.  They will soon run out of oil. But the oil industry helped build a major port facility, setting the stage for Dubai becoming world trade center. Dubai and other entities were part of the British protectorate until1968, after which there were attempts at unifying the region, succeeding in 1971 with six states, adding a seventh the following into the United Arab Emirates. Originally built with oil money, but now trade, tourism, aviation, real estate and financial services run the economy.