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Abu Dhabi (emirate)
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Abu Dhabi, officially, the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, , literally "Father of Gazelle"), is one of seven emirates that constitute the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is the largest emirate by area (67,340 km²), and second-largest by population (after Dubai), accounting for approximately 86% of the total land area of the UAE. The seat of the President of the United Arab Emirates is located in Abu Dhabi city, which also hosts many oil companies, foreign embassies and the federal cabinet.
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Abu Dhabi, officially, the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, , literally "Father of Gazelle"), is one of seven emirates that constitute the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is the largest emirate by area (67,340 km²), and second-largest by population (after Dubai), accounting for approximately 86% of the total land area of the UAE. The seat of the President of the United Arab Emirates is located in Abu Dhabi city, which also hosts many oil companies, foreign embassies and the federal cabinet. Abu Dhabi's $100 billion USD economy represents over 60% of the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the United Arab Emirates. Al Ain is Abu Dhabi's second largest urban area with a population of 614,180 (2007 census estimate) and is located 150 kilometres inland.
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 18th century, which also assumed control of Dubai. In the 19th 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, 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, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, saw that oil wealth had the potential to transform Abu Dhabi. The ruling Al Nahyan 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.
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.
At present, Abu Dhabi boasts the worlds highest absolute and per-capita level of sovereign wealth funds, calculated at USD 1,000,000.00 per inhabitant.
Location
The emirate of Abu Dhabi is located in the oil-rich and strategic Persian Gulf region. It adjoins the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman. The emirate borders the emirate of Dubai to its north.
Language and literature
The majority of the inhabitants of Abu Dhabi are expatriate workers and professionals from India, Pakistan, Egypt, Bangladesh, Philippines, the United Kingdom, and elsewhere. English and Urdu are 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 tribe, rules the emirate and has a central place in society.
Towns and cities
Abu Dhabi city is a modern city with broad boulevards, tall office and apartment buildings, and busy shops.
Other urban centers in the Abu Dhabi emirate are Al 'Ain, Baniyas and Ruwais. Al Ain is an agglomeration of several villages scattered around a valuable desert oasis; today it is the site of the national university, UAEU. Al Ain is billed as the Garden City of the UAE. Other work includes the 1st prize international competition of the Abu Dhabi Library and Cultural Center won by the Architects Collaborative, designed by Hisham N. Ashkouri of Boston, Massachusetts and New York, NY.
Postage stamps
Climate
Sunny/blue skies can be expected throughout the year. The months June through September are generally hot and humid with temperatures averaging above 40°C (110°F). During this time, sandstorms also occur intermittently, in some cases reducing visibility down to a few meters. The weather is usually pleasant from October to May. January to February is cooler and may require the use of a light jacket. 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.
Transport
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) and Al Ain International Airport (AAN) serves the emirate. The local time is GMT + 4 hours. Private vehicles and taxis are the primary means of transportation in the city, although public buses, run by the Abu Dhabi Municipality, are available, but mostly used by the lower-income population. There are bus routes to nearby towns such as Baniyas, Habashan and the garden city of UAE Al Ain, among others. There is a newer service started in 2005 between Abu Dhabi and the commercial city of Dubai (about 160 km away).
Culture and the arts
Abu Dhabi is home to a number of cultural institutions including the Cultural Foundation and the National Theater (Abu Dhabi). 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.
- Progress on the creation of a major "up-scale cultural district" on Abu Dhabi's Saadiyat Island has begun with the groundwork for a $400 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.
- The island development will also include museums for classical art and performing arts centers among other state-of-the-art cultural facilities.
- $28 billion has been set aside to budget this cultural development.
Schools and universities
Schools and universities in Abu Dhabi:
- INSEAD Centre in Abu Dhabi
- AAESS
- Indian Islahi Islamic School
- Al-Noor Indian Islamic School
- Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (research oriented graduate-level university)
- Abu Dhabi Men's College (a campus of The Higher Colleges of Technology)
- Abu Dhabi Women's College (a campus of The Higher Colleges of Technology)
- The American International School in Abu Dhabi
- Emirates College for Advanced Education( ECAE) The first college for education in Abu Dhabi ..
- Zayed University
- New York Institute of Technology
- Abu Dhabi University
- International School of Choueifat, Abu Dhabi
- Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Bangladesh Islamia School and College , Abu Dhabi
- Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Arab Pakistani School (Kindergarten through 12th grade FSC)
- Islamia English School (Kindergarten through 12th grade FSC, IGCSE : O' Levels and A Levels also offered)
- Al Nahda National Schools (Boys and Girl's school O'Levels, A'Levels, American High school system)
- The Cambridge High School
- The British School - Al Khubairat
- Abu Dhabi Grammar School (Canada)
- Abu Dhabi International School
- First Steps School Nursery
- International Community School
- Our Own English High School
- The American Community School of Abu Dhabi
- The British School
- Abu Dhabi Indian School
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.
- Al Ain
- Marawah
- Postal Authorities
- Dubai
- Transportation in the United Arab Emirates
- Andy Kaufman, the comedian, makes nonsense words that sound like "Abu Dhabi" in a nonsense song of his.
- Emirates Palace, the most expensive hotel ever built.
External links
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- , Abu Dhabi Islands Archaeological Survey
- , guide to life in Abu Dhabi
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UAE-based newspapers
Non-government organisations
- , a human rights and anti-slavery organisation.
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