Abu Dhabi is the largest of the seven Emirates federated under the United Arab Emirates. It comprises almost 87% of the country’s total area. The principal city of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi is Abu Dhabi city. It is also the capital of the United Arab Emirates. It has a population of approximately 1.45 million people and is one of the most prosperous and fastest developing cities in the world.
Abu Dhabi city itself is predominately located on a number of islands in warm azure waters of the Arabian Gulf, close to the mainland of the Emirate. Over the past 50 years, Abu Dhabi city has been transformed from a quiet fishing and pearling town consisting of structures made from palm fronds to a futuristic ultra-modern city, with shiny glass towers rising out of beautiful parklands, reclaimed from the desert sands.
The city offers visitors a wealth of experiences ranging from traditional and cultural experiences to desert safaris and high-end shopping.
Abu Dhabi Emirate is also the location of two beautiful desert oases, the oasis city of Al Ain and the Liwa Oasis. Al Ain is the fourth largest city in the UAE and is commonly known as the garden city. It is about 160km from Abu Dhabi and a similar distance from Dubai. The city is a favoured destination of tourists and locals. It features a number of tourist attractions, including archeological sites and displays as well as impressive date palm plantations.
The Liwa Oasis is one of the largest oases on the Arabian Peninsula. It is located about 150km SSW of Abu Dhabi city. It stretches for about 100km along the northern edge of Rub’ al Khaili desert and features fresh water pools and date plantations. The Liwa Oasis is the ancestral home of Abu Dhabi’s ruling family.
For more information about Abu Dhabi and the UAE visit:
http://www.visitabudhabi.ae/en/default.aspx
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/united-arab-emirates
http://www.uaeinteract.com/
http://www.uaeinteract.com/uaeint_misc/pdf_2010/Yearbook2010_EN/#0 (e-book)
Abu Dhabi is the largest of seven emirates which form the United Arab Emirates. The other emirates are Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Quwain. Under the leadership of the rulers of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the United Arab Emirates was established on 02 December 1971, as a federation of six emirates. Ras al-Khaimah joined later, in early 1972.
