Occupying pride of place in the desert city, the Dubai Mall is no ordinary shopping complex in the Middle East. As the biggest mall on the planet, this mega shopping centre has been breaking records ever since it first opened its doors. Whether one is an avid shopper or a tourist looking to explore this world-famous retail hotspot, knowing what makes the Dubai Mall special is crucial to appreciating its greatness. Here are some of the reasons why the mall is a newsworthy shopper's paradise.

If there's one local landmark that proves the age-old notion that everything is bigger and grander in Dubai, it's surely the Dubai Mall. Not content with being the largest mall in all of the United Arab Emirates, this mega mall holds the distinct honour of being one of the biggest malls in the world. Dubai Mall is spread out over a whopping 13 million square feet, and the size of the shopping complex is comparable to that of fifty football pitches. Out of the 13 million square feet, the interior of the mall takes up 5.9 million square feet.

Although Dubai's malls and department stores are home to hundreds of boutiques and stores, only the Dubai Mall can lay claim to housing an impressive 1200 shops within its plush confines. And that's without the pop-up stores that are known to occupy the mall during festival seasons and special events. So whether one is based at the Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort or any other Dubai luxury apartment complex, a shopping spree at the Dubai Mall is likely to give one the widest possible range of choice when it comes to fashion, accessories, footwear and home decor.

Located inside the Dubai Mall, the Dubai Aquarium is a record-breaking point of interest. It boasts the world's biggest acrylic panel and is a major tourist attraction for both locals and visitors. The aquarium is considered to be one of the world's biggest indoor aquariums and has entered the Guinness Book of World Records for a reason. It is home to over 33,000 marine creatures, making it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in marine life. Visitors can enjoy exciting activities like glass bottom boat rides, making it a perfect place to spend a day at the Dubai Mall.

While Malaysia's Berjaya Times Square houses a rollercoaster within its interiors, how many malls can boast an entire theme park? SEGA Republic is another attribute that makes Dubai Mall an entertainment hotspot like no other as this expansive theme park and amusement centre offers shoppers the chance to indulge in their favourite Sega games and rides.

The Dubai Mall features the world-renowned Dubai Fountain, which is situated on Burj Khalifa Lake. The fountain shoots up water jets to heights of up to 700 feet and is just one of the mall's many recreational highlights. Another highlight is the Olympic-size ice skating rink located on the ground floor of the mall. The rink extends up to the 2nd floor and is also used for Emirates Hockey League tournaments.

One of the top reasons why families love to spend time at the Dubai Mall is Candylicious, one of the largest candy shops in the world. The waterfall illusion inside the venue is another compelling point of interest as many optical tricks make this cascade truly one-of-a-kind.

Dubai Mall attracts nearly 100 million visitors a year, so it is little wonder that the mall's parking lot boasts 14,000 parking spaces.