Welcome to Abu Dhabi, where luxury and style are infused with traditional values of hospitality and respect. Where sunny weather, tranquil beaches, lush oases, vibrant city life, and a mixture of culture and traditions come together to create a holiday experience like no other. Explore the emirate’s old souqs, sip a fragrant Arabic coffee, ride the dunes on an exhilarating desert safari, or dive into a dazzling marine life - there is something for everyone in Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi’s geographical coordinates are 24° 28’ 0" North, 54° 22’ 0" East. It is the largest of seven emirates comprising the UAE, occupying more than 80% of the country’s total land mass and featuring a coastline that stretches over 700 kilometres. Nearly 200 islands fall under the Abu Dhabi territory.
Desert dominates Abu Dhabi’s terrain, covering as much as 70 percent of its land area.
The city of Abu Dhabi, which is located on a low-lying island, features a Manhattan like skyline with tree-lined roads and landscaped parks and gardens. Sparkling waters of the Arabian Gulf, which surround the city, complete the scenic vista.
Another well-known feature of the emirate is the Liwa oasis, located at the centre of the Al Dhafra region, where greenery and water resources are in abundance. The two and a half-hour drive from the capital city to Liwa provides visitors with a magnificent view of some of the largest and most spectacular sand dunes in the world.
Population in the Abu Dhabi emirate, inclusive of Al Ain, the Western region and the Islands, stood at 1,463,491 as of end 2006, comprising one third of UAE’s total population.
Across the UAE, Emirati nationals comprise roughly 20% of total population, while expatriate workers’ nationalities include Asians, Africans, Europeans as well as North and Latin Americans.
Arabic is the official national language, although English, Hindi and Urdu are also widely spoken.
Islam is the official religion of the UAE, which is widely practised by Emirati nationals as well as expatriates originating from other Arab countries, Pakistan, Africa and India, amongst others. Abu Dhabi, as is the entire UAE, is tolerant of other religions.
Abu Dhabi city bursts with dazzling business-cum-leisure facilities ranging from state-of-the-art convention centre, luxurious hotels, spas, designer golf courses, theatres and very soon, some of the world’s most famous museums particularly Guggenheim and Louvre. The palace-like shopping malls and indigenous souqs in Abu Dhabi make for a great shopping expedition, offering the best handicraft from local Bedouins to the best of Paris’ or Milan’s high street fashion brands, sans the ubiquitous sales tax.
The magnificent Emirates Palace is a national landmark and one of the most impressive hotels and conference venues ever built. Perfect for corporate and leisure travellers.
Emirates Palace, located on 1.3 km of private white sandy beach and surrounded by 85 hectares of beautifully landscaped gardens, is only 30 min drive from Abu Dhabi airport and 1.5 hours drive from Dubai airport.
Etihad Airways is the National Airline of the United Arab Emirates. The airline was set up by a Royal decree in July 2003, with Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, as its hub. Etihad started commercial operations in November 2003.
So that was just a lil about Abu Dhabi , Capital Emirate of United Arab Emirates
