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Abu Dhabi is the Federal capital and also the largest of the seven emirates covering more than 85 per cent of land that constitutes the UAE.
Its long coastline extends for more than 400 kilometres and was once the world's best waters for pearling and fishing.
In 1958, oil was first discovered here in commercial quantities. It holds more than 80 per cent of UAE’s oil reserves and 11 per cent of world’s reserve. This makes it by far the richest and most politically important of the UAE's seven emirates.
Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace Hotel is one of the world’s only seven star hotels. |
Abu Dhabi, besides its oil resources, is famous for The Abu Dhabi Duty Free, which is a major attractor due to its extravagant prizes and one of the finest duty free shopping centres in the world, and also The Abu Dhabi Shopping Festival.
Abu Dhabi is divided into three major regions:
ABU DHABI CITY
This is both the capital of the emirate and the federal capital, home of the Head of State, President His Highness Sheikh Zayed.
It also houses the parliamentary buildings, most
of the federal ministries and institutions, foreign embassies and
many oil companies. It is also home to famous educational
institutions, like the Zayed University and several Higher Colleges
of Technology
Major facilities include Mina (Port) Zayed and Abu Dhabi International Airport.
Souks and mosques maintain an Arabian charm in a city dominated by magnificent glass-and-steel high-rises. Abu Dhabi's Corniche is a favourite spot for people looking for a respite, beauty and tranquillity.
EASTERN REGION
The oasis city of Al Ain is the capital of this region and one of the greenest in Arabia.
Al Ain oasis is one of the greenest spots in the country. |
Multitude of roundabouts offer a unique display of water, landscaping and sculpture. Boulevards are tree lined and there are no high rise buildings.
Al Ain is the home of the UAE University, the country's largest museum, important archaeological sites, the biggest zoo in the UAE, parks, gardens, farms and guest houses.
It is also one of the nations leading agricultural centres and now serviced by Al Ain International Airport.
WESTERN REGION
This comprises 52 villages and has as its capital Bida Zayed, or Zayed City. Extensive afforestation present here covering at least 100,000 hectares is a welcoming sight from the desert environment. The country's main onshore oil fields are located in Bab, Habshan, Bu Hasa, as is the country's largest oil refinery at Al Ruwais.
The Liwa Oasis in the south is the last stop before one of the world’s most severe deserts, The Empty Quarter - the size of Belgium, Holland, and France, combined, it is the largest sand dessert in the world stretching from the Arabian Peninsula to Yemen and Oman, including a large part of Saudi Arabia. |
