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Saturday 18 May 2013 (UAE)
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Abu Dhabi overview
The emirate of Abu Dhabi is one of 7 that make up the country called the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Abu Dhabi is also the name of a city in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
- Abu Dhabi city is the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) country (not the capital of Dubai, nor is Dubai the capital of Abu Dhabi or the UAE - Dubai is an emirate and a city, not a country).
- Abu Dhabi is the richest and largest (by land area) emirate in the UAE.
- The Ruler of Abu Dhabi is also the President of the UAE.
Abu Dhabi ratings and surveys
- 04 Dec 2012 - Abu Dhabi was rated "Best Business City - International" by Global Traveler magazine, a luxury travel magazine in the USA, based on responses from 25,000 readers. The CEO of GT magazine, Francis Gallagher, said in the press release "The GT Tested Reader Survey awards are ... an unbiased reflection of the best in travel," which sounds odd given that the votes are obviously biased towards what readers of a luxury travel magazine think.
- 12 Mar 2012 - Abu Dhabi was in 41st spot out of 120 cities ranked in an Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Global City Competitiveness Index. Dubai was marginally ahead in 40th place (and the top city in the Middle East).
- 16 Feb 2012 - Abu Dhabi was ranked in 91st place in the annual Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Worldwide Cost of Living Survey, down (as in cheaper) by 5 spots from 2011.
Activities, entertainment and events in Abu Dhabi
- Family and Kids Park Zoo - children's petting and animal feeding zoo. Opening hours Sun-Wed 0930-2000, Thu-Sat and public holidays 0930-2100. Admission fees: adults AED 20, children AED 10, family (2 adults, up to 3 children) AED 60, Play Park AED 15, Ocean Park AED 5. Located in Al Rahba City, telephone +971-2-5633100. Website www.uaeparkzoo.com.
- Things to do in Abu Dhabi
- See also Tourism in Abu Dhabi heading.
Areas, suburbs, communities in Abu Dhabi (not a complete list)
- Gate City Abu Dhabi (or Abu Dhabi Gate City) - previously known as Officers City, located near Mussaffah Bridge and Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street. Also close to Abu Dhabi International Airport, and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
- Officers City Abu Dhabi (or Abu Dhabi Officers City) - renamed as Abu Dhabi Gate City in December 2010.
Art and culture in Abu Dhabi
- Saadiyat Island Cultural District - area of Saadiyat Island which has (or will have eventually) the Abu Dhabi Guggenheim Museum, the Zayed National Museum, the Abu Dhabi Louvre, and the Abu Dhabi Performing Arts Center
- Museums in Abu Dhabi - a handful but not that many.
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque - one of the "must see" sights in Abu Dhabi (and the UAE for that matter)
Business in Abu Dhabi
Business in Abu Dhabi
Crime in Abu Dhabi
- Sex in Abu Dhabi - tourists (as well as expat residents and other visitors) should be aware that as in the rest of the UAE, having sex with someone you are not married to is a crime. However, although Abu Dhabi is usually regarded as a bit more conservative than Dubai, it is not the same as Sharjah, and so most people most of the time should not encounter any difficulties, even if living together with a boyfriend or girlfriend, or sharing a hotel room with someone of the opposite sex when not married to them.
- As in the rest of the UAE though, reporting a rape or sexual assault is a bit of a lottery - although the police are likely to go after the alleged rapist or assault perpertrator, the victim is also at risk of being arrested for having illicit sexual relations outside marriage (unless the perpertrator is the victim's husband). See also unmarried couples living together in Abu Dhabi for more information.
Economy and Industry in Abu Dhabi
- Abu Dhabi GDP growth forecast for 2013-2016 is annual average of 5.7% according to Mohammad Omar Abdullah, Undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) (WAM, 09 Dec 2012).
- 2012 Abu Dhabi GDP growth estimate 3.9% (WAM, 09 Dec 2012).
- 2011 GDP AED 606.6 billion, 2007 GDP AED 567.8 billion, annual growth of 6.8% (SCAD, October 2012, WAM report, 09 Dec 2012).
- Abu Dhabi GDP AED 806 billion in 2011 (preliminary figure), AED 620 billion in 2010, AED 186 billion in 2001 (WAM 07 July 2012, Statistics Center Abu Dhabi (SCAD) data).
- Abu Dhabi inflation rate 1.9% in 2011 (preliminary figure), 0.8% in 2009, 14.9% in 2008 (WAM 07 July 2012, SCAD data).
- Abu Dhabi oil production is a significant part of the economy of Abu Dhabi (and the UAE).
- Manufacturing and tourism are growing industry sectors.
Education and educational institutes in Abu Dhabi
- Abu Dhabi college directory
- Abu Dhabi nursery directory
- Abu Dhabi school directory - list of (mostly) private schools with international curriculums in Abu Dhabi, with comments and ratings.
- Abu Dhabi university directory
Geography of Abu Dhabi
- Abu Dhabi emirate shares its north-eastern border with Dubai. The southern and western borders are shared with Saudi Arabia.
- Abu Dhabi islands - Abu Dhabi has a large number of natural islands, including the one on which the capital city is located.
- Although maps appear to show a common border with Qatar with a road crossing, the western border crossing is operated by Saudi Arabia which makes it more difficult in terms of visas etc to drive to Qatar.
- Abu Dhabi is the largest city in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, and is on an island joined to the mainland by several bridges. Al Ain is another large-ish city in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
- The Western Region (or Al Gharabiya) is the area west of Abu Dhabi city and includes the towns of Ruwais, Gayathi (Ghayathi), Liwa, Madinat Zayed (not to be confused with the Madinat Zayed suburb in Abu Dhabi city - be careful when offered a job in "Madinat Zayed" that you know where you're going).
- Telephone area code for Abu Dhabi city and surrounding emirate is 02.
History of Abu Dhabi
- 1971 - The United Arab Emirates was formed with Abu Dhabi as one of the first 6 emirates (Ras Al Khaimah joined in 1972).
Important and famous people in Abu Dhabi
People in Abu Dhabi
Infrastructure in Abu Dhabi
- Abu Dhabi infrastructure is relatively modern and comprehensive, unsurprisingly, given the significant oil-derived wealth of the emirate.
- Post offices in Abu Dhabi - a list
Landmarks in Abu Dhabi
Living in Abu Dhabi
Living in Abu Dhabi
Politics and government in Abu Dhabi
Politics in Abu Dhabi
Population and demographics in Abu Dhabi
Population of Abu Dhabi
Religion in Abu Dhabi
Religion in Abu Dhabi
Shopping in Abu Dhabi
- Abu Dhabi shopping mall directory - list of shopping centers in Abu Dhabi. Big ones worth visiting are:
- Abu Dhabi Marina Mall
- Abu Dhabi Mall
- Al Wahda Mall
- Shops are mostly open 7 days, 1000-2200 or later. Expect many or most shops to be closed on Friday mornings until 1400 or 1600. Some shops will close daily from about 1300-1600.
Tourism in Abu Dhabi
- Liwa oasis and desert - a long drive from Abu Dhabi (2-3 hours) but a worthwhile trip to see "proper" sand dunes. A sealed road now takes you out to the Moreeb Dune - the largest in the UAE, but add another hour or so to your journey.
- Hotels in Abu Dhabi - a list
- Sir Baniyas Island - nature park and wildlife reserve, a bit of a drive from Abu Dhabi (and a boat trip) but well worth making the journey for.
- See also Art and Culture, Activities, Events, Entertainment in Abu Dhabi headings
Transport in Abu Dhabi
Transport in Abu Dhabi
Travel - Getting to and from Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi by air
- Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
- Etihad Airways - Abu Dhabi based airline
Weather and climate in Abu Dhabi
- Spring - hot
- Summer - welcome to the sauna, very hot and humid, although slightly less humid inland - in the city of Al Ain for example.
- Autumn - hot
- Winter - pleasant during the day but can be surprisingly cool at night
Last update Wednesday 19-Dec-2012. Page development 1H 2T 3D 4L 5C.
Related pages
- Abu Dhabi guide - start here for everything you want to know
Related websites (new window)
- Abu Dhabi directory - add your link free