It's hard to believe just a few decades ago these cities were more quaint than quintessential.
The UAE is considered one of the most developed countries in the world and a regional economic. With their towering skyscrapers and shimmering lights, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the epitome of development and luxury, so it's hard to imagine that two of our favorite cities in the region were once vast spaces of desert, quaint buildings, and fishing communities. A little digging brought us incredible photos of the two cities before it was all glitz and glamour.