 Dubai lies directly within the Arabian Desert . However , the topography of Dubai is significantly different from that of the southern portion of the UAE in that much of Dubai 's landscape is highlighted by sandy desert patterns , while gravel deserts dominate much of the southern region of the country . The sand consists mostly of crushed shell and coral and is fine , clean and white . East of the city , the salt @-@ crusted coastal plains , known as sabkha , give way to a north @-@ south running line of dunes . Farther east , the dunes grow larger and are tinged red with iron oxide . 
