Is dubai,UAE popular in america?

How many people have heard of it's existence?When I tell anyone that I was born in the UAE,They always have to ask me what it is/where is it.I mean shouldn't it be popular because it holds the worlds tallest building,biggest airport,biggest mall,and we're even building another airport and mall that will be even bigger.Are these people just stupid or something?even grownups look at dubai as a country instead of a city.What kind of society is this?