Abu Dhabi (Emirate)

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Abu Dhabi (Arabic: أبو ظبي‎ ʼAbū Ẓaby, literally "Father of Gazelle") is the largest of the seven emirates that compose the United Arab Emirates and was also the largest of the former Trucial States.

Abu Dhabi is also the city of the same name within the Emirate that is the capital of the country, in north central UAE. The Emirate has approximately 70% of the country's entire wealth. Al Ain is Abu Dhabi's second largest urban area with a population of 348,000 (2003 census estimate) and is located 150 kilometres inland.

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[edit] 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, who 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, 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. (See Al-Fahim, M, From Rags to Riches: A Story of Abu Dhabi, Chapter Six (London Centre of Arab Studies, 1995), ISBN 1-900404-00-1.)

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.

[edit] Location

Abu Dhabi is bordered by the Persian Gulf, Saudi Arabia and Oman.
Abu Dhabi is bordered by the Persian Gulf, Saudi Arabia and Oman.

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.

[edit] 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, 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Current ruler

His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahayan was the first hereditary emir and ruler of Abu Dhabi, as well as the first president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

[edit] Postage stamps

Shaikh Zayed, 1967.
Shaikh Zayed, 1967.
Main article: Postage stamps of Abu Dhabi

[edit] Climate

Sunny/blue skies can be expected throughout the year. The months June through September are generally hot and humid with temperatures averaging above 40ºC (110ºF). 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.[1]

[edit] Transport

Abu Dhabi International Airport- (AUH) 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 Muncipality, 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)

[edit] Culture and the arts

Abu Dhabi 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 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.

[edit] Schools and universities

Schools and universities in Abu Dhabi:

[edit] 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.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

Look up Abu Dhabi (Emirate) in
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[edit] U.A.E. based News Papers

[edit] Non-Government Organisations

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