What is Abu Dhabi?

City of Abu Dhabi أبو ظبي
Abu Dhabi's skyline Abu Dhabi's skyline
Flag
Abu Dhabi is bordered by the Persian Gulf, Saudi Arabia and Oman Abu Dhabi is bordered by the Persian Gulf, Saudi Arabia and Oman
Emirate	Abu Dhabi
Government
- Sheikh	Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahayan
Area
- City	67340 km  (0 sq mi)
Population (2006)
- City	1,850,230
- Density	293.94/km (0/sq mi)
Website: www.abudhabi.net

Abu Dhabi (Arabic: أبو ظبي ʼAbū Ẓabī, literally "Father of Gazelle") is the capital of the emirate of the same name, largest of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates and is also the capital of the United Arab Emirates. It was said by CNN to be the richest city in the world^[1] and is located in the center of the northern part of the United Arab Emirates. The city lies on a T-shaped island jutting into the Persian Gulf from the central western coast. An estimated 1.8 million people lived there in 2006, with about an 80% expatriate population. Abu Dhabi city is located at . At the head of Abu Dhabi and across from the Corniche is Lulu Island, a semi-natural landmass that is arguably the most strategic and valuable piece of property in the Emirate ^[2].

History

Parts of Abu Dhabi were settled as far back as the 3rd millennium BC and its early history fits the nomadic herding and fishing pattern typical of the broader region. Modern Abu Dhabi traces its origins to the rise of an important tribal confederation, the Bani Yas in the late 18^th century, who also assumed control of Dubai. In the 19^th century the Dubai and Abu Dhabi branches parted ways.

Into the mid-20th century, the economy of Abu Dhabi continued to be sustained mainly by camel herding, production of dates and vegetables at the inland oases of Al Ain and Liwa Oasis, and fishing and pearl diving off the coast of Abu Dhabi city, which was occupied mainly during the summer months. Most dwellings in Abu Dhabi city were, at this time constructed of palm fronds (barasti), with the wealthier families occupying mud huts. The growth of the cultured pearl industry in the first half of the twentieth century created hardship for residents of Abu Dhabi as pearls represented the largest export and main source of cash earnings.

In 1939, Sheikh Shakhbut Bin-Sultan Al Nahyan granted petroleum concessions, and oil was first found in 1958. At first, oil money had a marginal impact. A few lowrise concrete buildings were erected, and the first paved road was completed in 1961, but Sheikh Shakbut, uncertain whether the new oil royalties would last, took a cautious approach, preferring to save the revenue rather than investing it in development. His brother, Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahayan, saw that oil wealth had the potential to transform Abu Dhabi. The ruling Al Nahayan family decided that Sheikh Zayed should replace his brother as ruler and carry out his vision of developing the country. On August 6, 1966, with the assistance of the British, Sheikh Zayed became the new ruler. ^[3]

With the announcement by the UK in 1968 that it would withdraw from the Gulf area by 1971, Sheikh Zayed became the main driving force behind the formation of the United Arab Emirates.

After the Emirates gained independence in 1971, oil wealth continued to flow to the area and traditional mud-brick huts were rapidly replaced with banks, boutiques and modern highrises.

Location

The emirate of Abu Dhabi is located in the oil-rich and strategic United Arab Emirates and is an active member of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC). It borders with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (south) and the Sultanate of Oman (east). The emirate borders the emirate of Dubai to its northeast. In the north is the Persian Gulf.

Abu Dhabi city is on an island located less than a quarter-kilometer from the mainland and is joined to the mainland by the Maqta and Musaffah Bridges. A third bridge, designed by Zaha Hadid, is currently under construction. Bridges connecting to Reem Island and Saadiyat Island are also under construction.

Most of Abu Dhabi is located on the island itself, but it has many suburbs on the mainland for example: The Khalifa Cities, Between Two Bridges, Mussafah Residential and more.

Language and literature

The majority of the inhabitants of Abu Dhabi are expatriate workers from India, Pakistan, Egypt, Bangladesh, Philippines, Britain, various countries from across the Arab world and elsewhere. English, Hindi, Tagalog, Tigrinya, Amharic, and Urdu are widely spoken. The city with 80% emigrants, also has a large population from, India, and hence Malayalam is also widely spoken.

The native-born population are Arabic-speaking Gulf Arabs who are part of a clan-based society. The al-Nahyan family, part of the al-Falah branch of the Bani Yas clan, rules the emirate and has a central place in society.

Current ruler

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahayan is the hereditary ruler of Abu Dhabi (UAE). He is the son of Sheikh Zayed Al Nahayan, the first president of the United Arab Emirates.

Economy

As the wealthiest Emirate, Abu Dhabi is also considered the richest city in the world^[4]. Each of Abu Dhabi's 420,000 citizens is worth $17 million (AED 62 million), and more than $1 trillion is invested worldwide in this city alone. Yet according to CNN, "guest workers," who constitute the majority of the population, "do not share the wealth." The Gross Domestic Product per capita also reached $63,000 ^[5], which is far above the average income of the United Arab Emirates and which ranks third in the world after Luxembourg and Norway. Abu Dhabi is also planning many future projects sharing with the GCC and taking 29% of all the GCC future plannings. The United Arab Emirates is a fast-growing economy: in 2006 the per capita income grew by 9%, providing a GDP per capita of $49,700 and ranking third in the world at PPP.

Postage stamps

Main article: |Postage stamps of Abu Dhabi|

Climate

Sunny/blue skies can be expected throughout the year. The months of April through September are generally hot and humid with maximum temperatures averaging above 40 °C (104°F). During this time, sandstorms also occur intermittently, in some cases reducing visibility down to a few meters.

The weather is cooler from November to March. This period also sees dense fog on some days. The oasis city of Al Ain, about 150 km away, bordering Oman, regularly records the highest summer temperatures in the country, however the dry desert air and cooler evenings make it a traditional retreat from the intense summer heat and year round humidity of the capital city.^[6]

Transport

Abu Dhabi International Airport- (AUH) serves this city. The local time is GMT + 4 hours. Private vehicles and taxis are the primary means of transportation in the city. There is a 4 AED pick-up fee plus 1 AED per km. Public buses are available, but are not widely used. The fare starts at 2 AED and it is rare for the fare to go above 6 AED during intracity travel. There are bus routes to nearby towns such as Baniyas, Habashan and Al Ain, among others. A service to Dubai (about 160 km away) started in 2005.

City planning

The city was planned in the 1970s for an estimated maximum population of 600,000. In accordance with what was considered to be ideal urban planning at the time, the city has wide grid-pattern roads, and high-density tower blocks.

On the northerly end of the island, where the population density is highest, the main streets are lined with 20-story towers. Inside this rectangle of towers is a normal grid pattern of roads with lower density buildings (2 story villas or 6 story low-rise buildings).

Abu Dhabi city is a modern city with broad boulevards, tall office and apartment buildings, and busy shops. Principal thoroughfares are The Corniche, Airport Road, Sheikh Zayed Street, Hamdan Street and Khalifa Street.

Abu Dhabi city is known in the region for its greenery; the former desert strip today includes numerous parks and gardens.

Mail is delivered to post-office boxes only; there is no door-to-door delivery. There are many parks (or public gardens) throughout the city. Entrance is usually free for children, however there is often an entry fee for adults.

Planning problems

• The city's population far surpasses the original estimated maximum population when it was designed. This causes traffic congestion, a shortage of car parking spaces, and overcrowding.
• Having Post Office mail delivery only, and no widely-usable address system thus far for buildings, causes problems in describing building locations. This means directions must often be given based on nearby landmarks.
• The lack of a comprehensive, reliable, and frequent public transport system has led to a near complete dependence on private cars and taxis as a means of transport.
• Grid-pattern roads mean a public transportation system is difficult to implement without requiring a moderate amount of walking, which could be a large deterrent to usage.
• Closely positioned, high-rise towers often means accommodation is dark and claustrophobic.

Future development

New developments on islands surrounding the city plan to increase the population of the city by up to 2,600,000.

Most recently, the government of Abu Dhabi has announced plans to fund a campus abroad for New York University, the first of its kind to be established abroad by a major US research university, which is set to receive students by 2010.^[7]

Major projects

• Qasr al-Hosn and Cultural Foundation
• Saadiyat Island ("Island of Happiness")
• Al Lulu Island
• Reem Island
• Al Raha
• Formula One motor racing circuit on Yas Island

Culture and the arts

Abu Dhabi is trying to position itself as the "Cultural hub" of the Middle East, taking this mantle from such neighboring cities as Baghdad, Beirut and Cairo. It is home to a number of cultural institutions including the Cultural Foundation and the National Theater. The Cultural Foundation is home to the UAE Public Library and Cultural Center. Various cultural societies such as the Abu Dhabi Classical Music Society have a strong and visible following in the city.

• The creation of a major "up-scale cultural district" on Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat Island has begun with the groundwork for a US$200 million Guggenheim Museum. The Frank Gehry-designed museum will display a "prestige collection" of modernist and contemporary art and is scheduled for completion in 2011. Upon completion, it is expected to be the largest exponent of the prestigious Guggenheim Museums.^[8]

Education

Abu Dhabi is home to several international and local private schools and universities.

Primary and secondary schools

• Abu Dhabi Grammar School (Canada)
• Abu Dhabi Indian School
• Abu Dhabi International School
• Al Manara School
• Al Nahda National Schools
• Al Worood School
• Asian International Private School
• Emirates Private School
• The American Community School of Abu Dhabi
• The American International School in Abu Dhabi
• The British School - Al Khubairat
• The Cambridge High School
• First Steps School Nursery
• The German School Abu Dhabi
• The Indian Islahi School
• International Community School
• International School of Choueifat, Abu Dhabi
• Islamia English School
• Our Own English High School
• Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Arab Pakistani School
• The Sherwood Academy
• St. Joseph's School
• Wisdom High School

Colleges and universities

• Abu Dhabi University
• Al Khawarizmi International College
• Higher Colleges of Technology
• Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Bangladesh Islamia School and College , Abu Dhabi
• Zayed University
• Masdar Institute of Science and Technology^[9]
• Petroleum Institute
• New York University ^[7]

In the media

• The cartoon cat Garfield would often put the kitten Nermal in a box and ship him to Abu Dhabi. The phrase "Abu Dhabi is where all the cute kittens go" is sometimes used in the comic. In one episode of Garfield and Friends, Garfield himself is sent to Abu Dhabi and he finds it inhabited with dozens of cute kittens that people keep sending there.

See also

• Qasr al-Hosn, the palace-fort, seat of government and palace of the rulers of Abu Dhabi ca. 1760/1790 to 1966.
• Mina' Zayid, the port of Abu Dhabi.
• Sheikh Zayed mosque
• Emirates Palace Hotel, the most expensive hotel ever built
• Al Ain
• Marawah
• Dubai
• Transportation in the United Arab Emirates

References

External links

• Abu Dhabi WomanA place for all to learn and share about living in Abu Dhabi.
• New Projects in Abu Dhabi
• www.abudhabi.ae Abu Dhabi information portal
• Abu Dhabi Police - English site
• Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Time Out Abu Dhabi, guide to life in Abu Dhabi
• Expatwoman Abu Dhabi, guide to living in Abu Dhabi for exaptriate women
• Abu Dhabi Photos
• Flights 2 Abu Dhabi Scheduled flight information
• Abu Dhabi Virtual Tours & Videos
• VLM Abu Dhabi Hotel Directory
• Talking Abu Dhabi Plan 2030 — ArabianBusiness.com
• * Maps and aerial photos for Coordinates:
• Maps from Google Maps, Live Search Maps, , Yahoo! Maps, or MapQuest
• Topographic maps from TopoZone
• Landuse survey from GlobalGuide

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